Kilmainham 0-18   Longwood 0-10

Kilmainham made the early start on Sunday morning to make the journey to Longwood for the last round of this year’s league. It was a big game for both sides as a win for either side would ensure Divison 3 football for 2020 and avoid the drop to Division 4.

Kilmainham started well but couldn’t find their range. With their first attack on 3 minutes Longwood showed how good they were in front of the posts and took the lead. Kilmainham responded after 5minutes with a free from Dylan Morgan after great work from Morgan and the Newman brothers, Denis and Harry, who formed the midfield partnership for the day.  Morgan pointed his team into the lead after 7 minutes after great work from centre back Seanie Mahon who found himself in the forward line. Andy Arkins added another to Kilmainham’s total to leave them leading 0-03 to 0-01 after fantastic work in defence to turn the ball over. Longwood responded with 3 unanswered points over the next 10 minutes to take a 1 point lead. Morgan brought them teams level again on 18 minutes before Longwood went in front again. Joe Mahon and Fergal Black worked well together in defence to force turn the ball over on 20 minutes. Denis Newman had the teams level for the 4th time on 23 minutes before Longwood hit 2 unanswered points to leave them leading by 2 points at the break.

Kilmainham started the second a lot brighter and turned a 2 point deficit into a 3 point lead with 12 minutes of the second half gone. Arkins added his second on 3 minutes, 2 more Morgan frees after great work from Gerard Morgan and Seanie Mahon who were growing more into the game and causing Longwood problems. Newman added his second on 10 minutes before Declan Mullen put 3 between the sides on 12 minutes, 0-10 to 0-07. Longwood got off the mark on 14 minutes before Mullen kept 3 between the sides with a well taken point to keep his team leading by 3 with 13 minutes left. The versatile Richie Brady moved out to the middle of the field and produced a super point on 17 minutes to give his team a 4 point lead. Arkins added his third for the day on 18 minutes to give Kilmainham a 5 point lead. Many would have felt that Kilmainham had the win but against Longwood you can never write them off until the final whistle. They did respond on 21 and 23 minutes with Morgan adding a free and a well taken point from play either side of the Longwood scores. Brady found himself in a fantastic position with 4 minutes remaining but was unlucky that his shot hit the crossbar. Had the ball found the Longwood net it would certainly wrapped up the game for Kilmainham. Kilmainham didn’t sit back and added 3 further scores, one from Mullen who was enjoying finding his range and added his 3rd point and 2 from substitutes Freddie Newman and Paddy Hennigan. Kilmaimhan ran out 0-18 to 0-10 winners ensuring Division 3 Football for 2020.

In the second half the boys in red and black came out with purpose and knew that they should have been leading at half time. They fought for each other and worked together as a team to fight for their survival. There was great performances all over the park especially Larry Morgan, Harry Newman, Gerard Morgan, Seanie Mahon who worked tirelessly picking up balls and sending great passes into the forward line. In the forward line Andy Arkins kept up his run of great performances with 3 points from play but was closely followed by youngster Declan Mullen who will be delighted with his 3 points today. Dylan Morgan worked hard in open play and added 7 points to his teams tally.

It was a performance and result today that deserved a win and will also put a smile on all Kilmainham supporter’s faces especially Sam and Declan Black.

Kilmainham: Terence Daly, Darren O’Sullivan, Stephen Newman, Joe Mahon, Larry Morgan, Seanie Mahon, Fergal Black, Harry Newman, Denis Newman (0-02), Dean Peppard, Andy Arkins (0-03), Declan Mullen (0-03), Dylan Morgan (0-07; 6 frees), Richie Brady (0-01), Gerard Morgan. Subs: Shane Butler for O’Sullivan, Paddy Hennigan (0-01) for Arkins, Freddie Newman (0-01) for Denis Newman.

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