Kilmainham 1-16, Ballinlough 1-13

Carnaross was the venue for this local relegation play off on Thursday 17th July 2025. There was no safety net for either team as both knew that a loss would relegate them to division 4 and a win would ensure division 3 league football for 2026.

Both teams had met 3 weeks ago in a cracking league encounter with Ballinlough taking the win. Kilmainham were determined to use this match as good preparation for their upcoming championship match against St. Ultan’s. A strong start to the match had Kilmainham 6 points up to no score. Mickey Newman with a two pointer off the ground, Mickey Hoey then chipped in with four points, included in that an excellent two-point effort. Ballinlough hit their first point of the match from a free after 9 minutes and followed this up with a point from play after a few poor wides. Probably the move of the match from a Kilmainham point of view was their goal on 12 minutes. A brilliant team move that was finished to the Lough net by Freddie Newman. Kilmainham were on top and playing well with a strong breeze. Ballinlough responded with a point from play before scoring a good breakaway goal on 16 minutes to keep them in the game. Ballinlough kicked the next point of the match before Johnny Quinlan slotted over from a tight angle. Freddie Newman hit a point and then Jamie O’ Sullivan hit a brilliant two pointer just before half time. Jamie obviously taking tips from our two-pointer expert Quinlan. A deserving 6-point lead for the lads.

Half-time score:  Kilmainham 1-10, Ballinlough 1-4

A big second half was needed by the team and the lads duly obliged. Straight from the throw in we cut through the Ballinlough defence for a goal chance. Ger Morgans goal effort was saved, and Terence Dalys follow up effort to the net was ruled out as the referee felt that he was standing in the square, a let off for Ballinlough. Mickey Hoey kicked our first point of the second half. Ballinlough hit 4 points in a row. Freddie Newman responded with his second point of the match. Mickey Hoey hit another two pointer from a free on 14 minutes and followed this up with a point from play. Kilmainham should have being further ahead, some poor loss of possession and some bad wides kept Ballinlough in the match. They converted 3 very good two pointers to close the gap to three points. Mickey Newmans high fielding ability and a strong defensive team unit held strong as we ran out deserving 3-point winners of wet miserable evening for football. 

I have lost count of the number of relegations battles that we have been in, in the last number of years and won. Not something to be celebrating but for a club of our size to be able to compete with the calibre of teams in division 3 is a massive achievement. Hard luck to Ballinlough on the night. As always against our neighbours it was a good sporting match with everything left out on the field. We will meet again for the third time this year in the championship in August.

All focus turns to our first-round championship opener against another neighbour St. Ultan’s on Sun 3rd August at 12pm in Grangegodden. It was brilliant to see the large number of supporters cheering the team on last night. It means a lot to the players to hear family and friends backing them. Please come out a support us in our three championship matches in August.

Best for Kilmainham were Freddie Newman, Jamie O’ Sullivan, Mickey Newman and Johnny Quinlan.

Kilmainham: Dean Peppard, Padraig Caffrey, Stephen Newman, Kieran Needle, Declan Mullen, Harry Newman, Jamie O’ Sullivan (0-2), Larry Morgan, Mickey Newman (0-2), Johnny Quinlan (0-1), Ger Morgan, Matthew Mullen, Mickey Hoey (0-8), Freddie Newman (1-2), Terence Daly (0-1).

Subs: Shane Morgan for Matthew Mullen, Shane Butler for Terence Daly, Adam Mc Manus, Darren King, Phily Mahon, Andy Arkins, Brian Black, Tom Monaghan and Jake O’ Rourke.

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