County SFL Division 1 Final Replay

St. Kieran’s 0.8

Newcastlewest 2.9

Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale was the venue Wednesday evening last for the replay of the 2019 County Senior Football League final with Newcastlewest. Following the disappointment of the County Championship semi-final defeat to Oola the game provided the panel with an excellent opportunity to win some silverware after a very fruitful league campaign. We began the game slowly as Newcastlewest flew out of the blocks in the opening ten minutes which was always to be expected as they build towards the county senior final in two weeks’ time. We soon found ourselves chasing the game with a three-point deficit albeit we began to look more comfortable on the ball now even if the scores weren’t coming. Newcastlewest withdrew into defence in numbers throughout the game, crowing the space at the back, giving their keeper and full back line a lot of cover and then adopted a policy of a quick transition from defence to attack when they turned over possession. Despite having a lot of possession as the half progressed, we found it difficult to break through the vast numbers of the Newcastlewest defensive unit as we went over and back trying to find an opening. To the credit of Liam Kennedy and Darragh Treacy on a number of occasions they broke through the lines before creating scoring opportunities for Sean McSweeney and John Hayes. We trailed at the interval but with the wind at our backs in the second period and now playing with confidence morale was high that we could reduce the deficit and get back into the game. Alas the game took a major turn in opening ten minutes of the second period when Newcastlewest took the game away from us with six points without reply from which it was always going to be very hard to get back into the game. Pressure from Newcastlewest forced us into costly mistakes and turnovers in possession which were duly punished by a Newcastlewest side that only need a small opening to punish you. With ten minutes to go it looked as if the game was already over as contest as a number of spectators headed for the comfort of their homes on a cold evening but to the lads’ credit they battled back into the game. Sean McSweeney once again raised the white flag with a number of well-struck free’s and a superb strike from his weaker right foot to reduce the deficit to four points. With the game drawing to conclusion and our young side growing in confidence against a tiring Newcastle side we poured forward in numbers to find the elusive goal. As we searched for the decisive goal we couldn’t break down the defence, turned over possession and were cruelly punished as Newcastlewest worked the ball from one end of the field to the other and coolly slotted the ball into the back of the net to secure a seven point win and add the county league title to their trophy cabinet for 2019.

Team vs Newcastlewest:

Robert Bradley, Mossie Shine, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Anthony Mullins, Diarmuid Crowley, Johnny McCarthy, Liam Kennedy, Darragh Treacy, Donie Nolan, Noel Callanan, Anthony Molyneaux, John Hayes, Sean McSweeney, Seamus Mangan, Ray Cahill, Paudie McCarthy, John Doyle, Killian Enright, Ray Noonan, Liam Upton, Eoin Burke, John Byrnes, James O’ Connor, Mike Shanahan

 

Hurling for Fun:

We will be hosting Hurling for Fun evening’s this Friday evening in Ardagh Astroturf from 8.30. This is a great opportunity for many of you to get involved in social hurling over the winter months and also reap the rewards of getting out and about in the fresh air and boosting your fitness. We would encourage people of all abilities, young and old to come along on Friday and avail of the excellent facility, in particular we would encourage those of you who would like to pick up the game and learn new skills to attend. As the week’s progress and if there is sufficient interest, we intend on hosting a casual 6/7/8 a side league among interested parties. See you all Friday.

 

St. Kieran’s GAA Online Store:

With Christmas just around the corner check out the St. Kieran’s GAA online store on the official O’ Neill’s sportswear website. We have an excellent array of official St. Kieran’s merchandise on offer including our new white away jersey. In addition, we have an excellent stock of training tops, jackets, hoodies, shorts and jumpers.

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