Kilmainham 2-06 Syddan 0-10 

After a 2 week delay, a large crowd arrived to Moynalty on Friday evening for this Intermediate relegation game between Kilmainham and Syddan. With 6 weeks elapsing since both teams found themselves in the dreaded relegation battle, it was sure to be a tight affair.  

Both teams started lively with Mickey Newman getting his first of the evening from a free after corner back Jamie O’Sullivan was fouled. Syddan were level within the minute and then kicked 2 more unanswered points from play to leave them ahead 0-03 to 0-01 with 8 minutes gone. The next 5 minutes seen lots of mistakes, missed chances and turn overs for both sides before Newman added his 2nd free after Larry Morgan was fouled to leave the minimum between the sides before Syddan added a free just at the water break to leave them with a 2 point lead, 0-04 to 0-02. 

Kilmainham lost their target man Barry Lynch at full forward and there was a sense that maybe this just wouldn’t be our night. Newman had the minimum between the sides again on 19 minutes after Declan Mullen did super under the breaking ball and fed Mark Newman. Morgan was starting to find his feet in the middle of the field and was fouled on the kick out after a fantastic catch. Mickey stepped up to the free only to see it drop short. But Pat O’Sullivan and substitute Conor Kilgallen were quickest to react with O’Sullivan getting the final touch to see the ball into the Syddan net. Kilmainham now led 1-03 to 0-04 with 20minutes gone. Not to be left out of the scoring Kilgallen found himself on the end of a fantastic ball from centre back Richie Brady. From a tight enough angle Kilgallen found the space and popped the ball over off his left extending his sides lead to 3. The Kilmainham defence were finding their feet and were applying pressure on the Syddan forwards forcing the mistakes. Syddan added 2 points from play at the end of the half leaving 1 between the sides at half time, 1-04 to 0-06.  

The second half started as the first half ended with both teams going hard to give their side the breathing space they needed. Syddan were unlucky on 3 minutes when they really should have had the ball in the Kilmainham net only to see it go narrowly wide. The only score of the quarter came from Syddan on 6 minutes with a pointed free to bring the sides level once again. The Syddan forwards showed the threat they pose when they broke down the right at speed with the goal only in their sights. Kilmainham goalie Trevor Lynch pulled off a fantastic save and see the ball out for a 45’. The rest of the quarter was riddled in mistakes and missed chances from both sides. From a Kilmainham perspective, the 3rd quarter has been our achilles heel, where we let teams build a lead to put them out of our reach. We felt that if we could hold Syddan to the minimum in this quarter we had every chance to push on and be on the right side of the result at full time.  

With the sides level going into the last quarter, it was sure to be a nail biting finish for both sets of supporters in Moynalty. There was plenty of talk along the line about extra time and of course penalties if nothing separated the sides.  Newman put his team back in front on 20 minutes before Syddan replied to leave the teams level again on 23 minutes. The Kilmainham forwards and backs work tirelessly up and down the pitch hassling and applying pressure forcing turn overs and mistakes. Kilgallen got his 2nd of the evening, this time off his right after Mickey put pressure on the Syddan attack forcing the turn over and getting the ball to Ger Morgan who found Kilgallen. The sides were level on 26 minutes and it looked like extra time would be on the cards. With under 2 minutes to go Syddan opted for a dangerous short kick out. Seanie Mahon was quickest to react and forced the turn over. He chipped the ball forward in the hope it would find its way to the net but the Syddan goal managed to get a slight touch but lady luck was on Kilmainham’s side as the ball managed to go in the direction of the oncoming Newman and he landed the ball in the Syddan net leaving Kilmainham leading 2-06 to 0-09 with time almost up. Credit to Syddan they never let up and continued to attack and got the margin back to 2 before referee Andrew Smith blew the final whistle to the delight of the Kilmainham players, management and supporters.  

It was a game that had everything, goals, saves, fantastic point scoring and two teams that were willing to do anything to ensure Intermediate Football for 2022. Fortunately for Kilmainham we happened to be on the right side of the finish scoreline, 2-06 to 0-10. It is devastating for Syddan to make the drop but despite their disappointment they were very gracious in defeat and we thank them for their kind words after the game. We wish them the very best of luck for 2022 and we have no doubt they will be back in the Intermediate Championship very soon.  

Last nights performance from the players was something that we all knew was in this team and we did see glimpses of what we were capable of in the group stages but it needed to be more consistent and a whole team effort. That is what we got last night. Each and every one of the players left everything they had out on that pitch in Moynalty to ensure we would contest the Intermediate Championship next year.  

Kilmainham: Trevor Lynch, Darren O’Sullivan, Ros Mooney, Jamie O’Sullivan, Declan Mullen, Richie Brady, Harry Newman, Ger Morgan, Larry Morgan, Seanie Mahon, Mark Newman, Freddie Newman, Mickeyy Newman (1-04, 3 frees), Barry Lynch, Pat O’Sullivan (1-00). Subs: Conor Kilgallen (0-02), Andy Arkins for O’Sullivan, Stephen Newman for Brady.  

 

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