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Senior Div 3 - Kilcullen 1-19 Rheban 2-4 - Sun 19th May 2013

Despite a dodgy start where the Rags conceded two fortuitous goals to Rheban in the opening quarter, Kilcullen went on to win convincingly and put last week's championship defeat behind them.   They were 1-1 to 0-1 down after a few minutes, and then went 0-7 to 1-1 up before a second Rheban goal brought the sides level at 0-7 to 2-1.   But thereafter the home side were dominant and went on to build up a 1-10 to 2-1 half-time lead, which could have been more were it not for a couple of excellent saves by former Kildare keeper Christy Byrne in the Rheban goals.    Kilcullen kept the pressure on in the second half and were well on top.  There was some excellent attacking moves and well-taken scores, and the Rags also got the opportunity to give some game time to some young substitutes.  
Best for the Rags were Franny Shortt, David Hickey, Paul Jones and Shane Lambe. 

Kilcullen Line-Up:  Mark Dooley;  Mark Brophy, Franny Shortt(0-1), Ciarán McMahon(capt);  Willie Jones, Shane O'Connor, Howard Peacocke;  Thomas Davis(1-0), Adam Phelan;  David Hickey(0-1), Darren Barker(0-5,1'45,3f), Paul Jones(0-4,1f);   Shane Lambe(0-5), Jamie Lambe(0-2), Paul Bell(0-1).
Subs Used:  Ronan Toft, Dwayne O'Connor, Kieran Domican, Ben Foran.

Intermediate Championship - Kilcullen 2-9 Ballyteague 1-14 - Sat 11th May 2013

Kilcullen lost out by 2 points but will take plenty of positives from a tough championship encounter against a seasoned Ballyteague side.  The Rags endured a nightmare start, when they would have been hoping to start strongly with the wind at their backs.   Instead it was the Larks who got off to the perfect start with an attempted clearance from Ciarán McMahon deflecting off Ballyteague forward Mick Hanley and into the Kilcullen net after 2 minutes.    Ballyteague then rattled off 3 points without reply to take a 1-3 to 0-0 lead.   Veteran Shane Lambe showed great leadership to his young team-mates at this stage and helped drag the Rags back into the game, with scores from Jamie Lambe and Darren Barker bringing the sides within a goal at 1-4 to 0-4.    It was then Ballyteague's turn to concede a horror goal as their keeper Mark Curran scuffed a kick-out which went straight to Darren Barker who kicked it goalwards for Jamie Lambe to tap in and level the game.    Kilcullen then had a number of chances for further goals, which they would ultimately pay the price for.   However, the sides then traded points to leave the scores at 1-5 each at the break.
Ballyteague dominated early proceedings in the second half, as the wind the Rags were facing into grew stronger, and the Larks were taking full advantage with some fine long-range points.   However, just as Ballyteague were threatening to run away with the game, a good attacking move from Kilcullen resulted in referee Niall Colgan awarding a penalty, which was dispatched to the net by Darren Barker.   From there on in it was proper championship fare with the Rags trying desperately to level the gap, but every time they got within a point, Ballyteague would respond with a point of their own.   Ballyteague held out for a 1-14 to 2-9 win.   The Rags will rue their nightmare start and some missed goal chances at the end of the opening half, but can take plenty of positives from the game with a couple of important players missing, and a number of young players getting their first experience of championship football, which can only benefit them.     Shane Lambe was instumental at getting Kilcullen back into the game in both halves when the game was threatening to get away from his young team-mates.   He worked tirelessly and gave great vocal encouragement to his side.    Darren Barker was the outstanding player on the field, racking up 1-5 and being involved in most of Kilcullen's scores, while Franny Shortt, Ronan Toft and Jamie Lambe all also did well.  

Kilcullen Line-Up:  Fergus Aspell;  Mark Brophy, Franny Shortt, Ciarán McMahon(capt);  Willie Jones, Shane O'Connor, Ronan Toft(0-1);  Adam Phelan, Thomas Davis;  David Hickey, Darren Barker(1-5,1pen,3f), Howard Peacocke;  Paul Bell, Jamie Lambe(1-2), Shane Lambe(0-1f).
Subs Used:  Dwayne O'Connor, Barry Comerford.

Senior Div 3 - Rathcoffey 1-8 Kilcullen 0-13 - Wed 1st May 2013

Kilcullen had to work very hard for this victory, but were deserved winners.   Kilcullen struggled early on, as Rathcoffey were dominant in midfield, but the Rags worked their way back into the game.   The introduction of Howard Peacocke made the visitors more competitive around the middle, and the Rags finished the half strongly to take a 0-7 to 0-5 half-time lead which included 5 points from Darren Barker.  Jamie Lambe stretched the league to 4 points with an excellent point at the start of the second half, but the home side responded with 1-1 to level the scores.   It was a tight game thereafter, but the Rags did enough to see out the game in the end and take a 0-13 to 1-8 win.   With the championship coming up next week, it will have done Kilcullen no harm at all to have battled their way to a tough victory here.
Ciarán McMahon and Franny Shortt were solid at the back for the Rags, Darren Barker was excellent particularly in the first half, while Jamie Lambe scored 4 excellent points from play.

Kilcullen Line-Up:  Paul Jones;  Dwayne O'Connor, Franny Shortt, Ciarán McMahon;  Barry Comerford, Shane O'Connor, Willie Jones;  Ben Foran, Thomas Davis;  Adam Phelan, Darren Barker (0-6,4f), David Hickey;  Paul Bell(0-1), Jamie Lambe(0-4), Shane Lambe.
Subs Used:  Howard Peacocke, Cormac Aspell(0-2f), Ronan Toft.

Senior Div 3 - Kilcullen 1-4 Two Mile House 1-12 - Tue 23rd April 2013

Two Mile House were clear and deserving winners of this local derby, as they were much more clinical with their chances on the night.   They got off to a flying start racking up 4 points before the Rags got on the scoreboard.    Kilcullen then came more into the game, and responded with the next two scores with a good Brian Bell point and an excellent long range free from Darren Barker.    However, the House tagged on another point before the break, while the home side will rue a missed Brian Bell goal chance which brought an excellent save from the visitor's keeper.    Kilcullen would have hoped to hit the ground running in the second half.  However, it was Two Mile House who again started the half the stronger, scoring a number of well-taken points.   To their credit, Kilcullen never gave in, but some wasteful shooting and poor decision making meant they never capitalised on a lot of their good build up play.   Barker did add a further pointed free while Adam Phelan scored a fine long range point from play.   The House were clinical with their chances, and to rub salt into the Rags wounds, former Kilcullen underage player Ben Merrins came off the bench to grab a fine goal for the visitors.    Paul Jones grabbed a late consolation goal for Kilcullen to bring the gap back to 8 points, which is certainly harsh on Kilcullen's efforts, but Two Mile House ran out 1-12 to 1-4 winners. 

Kilcullen Line-Up:  Ian Barker;  Mark Brophy, Franny Shortt, Ciarán McMahon;  Willie Jones, Ronan Toft, Niall Folan;  Adam Phelan(0-1), Thomas Davis; Paul Jones(1-0), Darren Barker(0-2f), David Hickey;  Brian Bell(0-1), Jamie Lambe, Paul Bell.
Subs Used:  Dwayne O'Connor, Barry Comerford, Shane Lambe, Ben Foran.

Senior Div 3 - Nurney 1-7 Kilcullen 2-12 - Sat 13th April 2013

The Rags won their second game in succession after an excellent 2-12 to 1-7 win away to Nurney.   The Rags put in an excellent attacking performance in the first half, taking a 2-7 to 1-3 half-time lead, with goals coming from Brian Bell and Jamie Lambe, and also scoring some excellent points form both frees and play.   The second half performance was also very impressive from the Rags, as while they might have only have scored 5 points in the second half, they defended solidly as Nurney tried desperately to get back into the game.    They also maintained their discipline, as things threatened to get out of hand towards the end of the game, which resulted in two Nurney players getting red cards.   After an indifferent start to the season, the Rags have now put in two very impressive displays in a row, which augurs well for the season ahead. 
It was an excellent team performance by the Rags so it's hard to single anyone out, but Franny Shortt performed very well, particularly at full back in the second half, Thomas Davis was dominant in midfield, while Paul Bell, Paul Jones and Darren Barker all did very well.

Kilcullen Line-Up:  Mark Dooley;  Mark Brophy, Howard Peacocke, Ciarán McMahon;  Willie Jones, Ronan Toft, Niall Folan;  Thomas Davis(0-2,1f), Franny Shortt;  Paul Jones(0-3,2f), Darren Barker(0-4,3f), David Hickey;  Brian Bell(1-0), Jamie Lambe(1-1), Paul Bell(0-2).
Sub Used:  Shane O'Connor.

Senior Div 3 - Kilcullen 4-19 Cappagh - Sat 6th April 2013

Kilcullen got their first won of 2013 in spectacular style with a brilliant 4-19 to 0-2 win over Cappagh.   The Rags got off to a flying start when an attempted point from David Hickey dropped into the net.   This slice of luck seemed to give great confidence to the home side, and they never looked back from there, and a Niall Folan point followed almost immediately.  Kilcullen pushed right up on the Cappagh defence and were clinical with their chances with some excellent point taking and further goals from Willie Jones and Darren Barker helped the Rags to a 3-10 to 0-0 half-time lead.   The game was over at this stage, and the Rags took the opportunity to introduce 5 subs in the second half, but they continued to dominate and racked up a further 1-9.    In fairness to Cappagh, they kept on trying throughout the game, but they encountered a Kilcullen side determined to put their disappointing start to the season behind them.   Kilcullen have tougher tests ahead, but a win like this can only breed confidence for the upcoming games.    
Willie Jones did very well for Kilcullen attacking from half-back, the experienced Shane Lambe was a creative force throughout the game and also got a good goal in the second half, while Paul Jones, Brian Bell and Jamie Lambe scored some excellent points.  

Kilcullen Line-Up:  Mark Dooly;  Mark Brophy, Howard Peacocke, Ciarán McMahon;  Willie Jones(1-0), Shane O'Connor, Niall Folan(0-1);  Thomas Davis(0-1), Dwayne O'Connor;  David Hickey(1-1), Darren Barker(1-3,2f), Paul Jones(0-6,1f);  Shane Lambe(1-0), Jamie Lambe(0-3), Brian Bell(0-3).
Subs Used:  Adam Phelan, Paul Bell(0-1f), Ben Foran, Martin Murphy, Ronan Toft.

Senior Div 3 - Milltown 2-8 Kilcullen 0-11 Sat 30th March 2013

Trailing by 4 points at half-time, two second half goals for Milltown left Kilcullen with two defeats from two so far this season.   It was Milltown who had the early advantage pointing twice within the opening 6 minutes.  The first from the boot of Myles O'Reilly before Eddie Owens pointed a second for the home side.  It took Kilcullen 8 minutes get on the scorebaord with a free from the boot of Shane Lambe opening their account.  This was to be the final action for ten minutes as Milltown pressed forward but to no avail as poor handling scuppered their chances.  Spurred on by this Kilcullen gathered their confidence to attack again.  This yielding a point from Paul Jones, as he slipped the tackle of two Milltown defenders to land a fine score from 35 yards.  A third Kilcullen point from Brian Bell had his side into a lead momentarily before a Ronan O'Shea point had the sides on level terms for the second time in 20 minutes.   Two points from centre forward Paul Jones, apoint from David Neill before points from Shane Lambe and Darren Barker had Kilcullen into a commanding 5 point lead four minutes from half-time.   Milltown struck late on in the half to leave the sides separated by 4 at half-time as a pass from Ian Fitzgerald had sent Wayne Digname clear to point from the home side.
Milltown needed a quick atart to the second half and this is exactly what they got, as 1-1 from Billy Scully had the sides level for a third and final time.  Kilcullen forced forward bringing saves from Milltown's Seán Tranton the 39th and 42nd minutes, before finally settling for a point from Shane Lambe.   After trading a series of wides, the game inched into the closing stages with Kilcullen holding a 0-9 to 1-5 lead.  With 6 minutes remaining, Niall Kelly put the ball past keeper Mark Dooley and into the Kilcullen net to take a 2 point lead.   The sides then traded points back and forth through Kilcullen's David Neill and Shane Lambe, and Scully and Mulhall for Milltown,  before Colin O'Shea sealed victory with a point for Milltown.

Kilcullen Line-Up:  Mark Dooley;  Mark Brophy, Howard Peacocke, Ciarán McMahon;  Ronan Toft, Willie Jones, Niall Folan;  Thomas Davis, Adam Phelan;  David Neill(0-3), Paul Jones(0-3), Darren Barker(0-1);  Shane Lambe(0-3), Jamie Lambe, Brian Bell (0-1)
Match report by Tara Byrne
 

Senior Div 3 - Kilcullen 0-9 Ballykelly 0-13 - Sat 23rd March 2013

Kilcullen opened their league camaign with a disappointing home defeat to Ballykelly.   The Rags had the wind at their backs in the first half but never really got going at all, and trailed by 0-5 to 0-3 at the break.   Indeed, they could have been further behind were it not for a brilliant point blank save by keeper Mark Dooley.   The Rags were improved in the second half, but couldn't convert their posession into scores, and time and again attacks broke down, and Ballykelly capitalised with some excellent counter attacking scores.   The Rags did have a couple of chances for goals, both of which came the way of Darren Barker, one which resulted in a point, and the other came back off the post.   Meanwhile, Dooley pulled off another excellent save to stop the visitors extending their lead.   Ballykelly were much more clinical with their chances and deserved the win, while the Rags will need to improve if they want to be in the mix for promotion this season.  
Best for Kilcullen were Mark Dooley, Darren Barker and Paul Jones.

Kilcullen Line-Up:  M.Dooley;  M.Brophy, F.Shortt, C.McMahon;  R.Toft, W.Jones, N.Folan;  D.Barker(0-1), H.Peacocke;  A.Phelan, B.Bell(0-1), B.Foran;  P.Jones(0-4,2f), C.Aspell(0-1f), P.Bell(0-2,1f).
Subs Used:  S.Lambe, T.Davis.

Keogh Cup Group D - Kilcullen 1-8 Ballyteague 4-10 - Wed 27th February 2013

The concession of 3 early goals left the Rags with too much to do in this Keogh Cup played under lights in Hawkfield.   Ballyteague got off to a flying start and had racked up 3-2 before Kilcullen got on the scoreboard.    After that, it was a very even contest but the damage was done.  The Larks got another goal in the first half to take a 4-4 to 0-3 half-time lead.   Kilcullen made a couple of changes at half-time with the introduction of Cormac Aspell particularly effective.  The Rags actually closed the gap to 6 points with Aspell grabbing 1-2 to leave the score at 4-5 to 1-8, but Ballyteague finished strongly to take a 4-10 to 1-8 win.   
Best for an experimental Kilcullen were Darren Barker, Dwayne O'Connor and sub Cormac Aspell.

Kilcullen Line-up:  M.Dooley;  R.Toft, S.O'Connor, M.Brophy;  C.McMahon, H.Peacocke, D.O'Connor(0-1);  D.Barker(0-2), F.Shortt;  P.Bell, B.Bell, W.Jones (0-1);  B.Foran(0-1), T.Davis, P.Jones(0-1f).
Subs Used:  C.Aspell(1-2,2f), Adam Phelan, N.Folan.