Kilmainham 0-10, Carnaross 1-12

Kilmainham and Carnaross headed to Ballinlough on Wednesday 24th September to contest the Junior A relegation final, not a final either club wanted to be part of. Such was the fine margins in this year’s group phases both clubs can consider themselves unlucky to find themselves in this position. No one going to this match was expecting this to be a classic and it didn’t disappoint! Both clubs knew each other very well and the stakes were high with little to separate the teams on paper. Kilmainham were missing their captain Larry Morgan due to work commitments.

Kilmainham were quick out of the blocks with a marauding run by Michael Hoey through the Carnaross defence. He left them in his wake as he set up to shoot. A brilliant block by the Carnaross defence prevented a score. Carnaross hit the first point of the match, Kilmainham responded. Freddie Newman had a good chance for goal but the Carnaross netminder got down low to keep his effort out. Mickey Newman hit a free and then Carnaross hit their second point before Newman hit a massive 2 pointer to tie the match at 3pts each. Both teams traded points before we missed another great goal chance through Shane Morgan. Jamie O’ Sullivan and Conor Kilgallen hit points to put us 6points to 4 points up before Carnaross hit the last point of the half to make it a one-point match in Kilmainham’s favour at the half time whistle.

Half-time score: Kilmainham 0-6, Carnaross 0-5

This match was evenly poised as we started the second half. Mickey Newman set the tone for the second half by catching the ball from throw up before cutting through the Carnaross defence, before composing himself to kick a lovely point. Newman was on fire and was showing great leadership. Carnaross hit the next two points to draw the match level. Mickey Newman then hit another brilliant two pointer, his third of the night, followed by a free to put us three points up. We were on top and should have pushed on for the win. We had two- or three-point attempts at this stage that were not converted and this ultimately proved fatal to the overall outcome. Carnaross kept battling as they had done all game and hit another two points to bring it to a one-point game. Then the key moment in the match, yet another long ball into the Kilmainham square was flicked to the Kilmainham net with 5minutes of play left. Kilmainham had dealt with the aerial threat of high ball very well all game and were left reeling with this sucker punch of a goal. A pointed free and a two pointer from sideline put Carnaross 5 points up and in control. We tried our best to engineer a goal, but some poor passing allowed the Carnaross defence to clear and keep possession as they sensibly ran down the clock to see out the match.

Delight for Carnaross as they retained their Junior A status, devastation for Kilmainham as they dropped to Junior B. After so many escapes from relegation including relegating the same opposition from intermediate a few years ago, Kilmainham came out the wrong side of a relegation. Congratulations to Carnaross on the night. It was a good sporting match between neighbours with everything left out on the pitch. On another year we could very easily have been in a quarter final of the Junior A but that’s the way that championship matches are these days with small margins deciding games. We will stick together in Kilmainham, take a rest and go again. This team is far from finished, despite what some people might think.

On behalf of the club and all the players a massive thank you to our management team of Mickey Newman, Paul Farrelly and John Newman for all their time and dedication with the team all year. Countless hours were spent making this an enjoyable year of football. Thanks lads! A big thank you to everyone that came out to support us at to our games during the year. This was the best support that we have had in a number of years. Hopefully more will come out and follow us next year.

A big thank you to our neighbours Ballinlough for their warm and welcoming hospitality on the night. It was a great venue for the match, the pitch was in great condition with match programs and music also thrown in. A highlight of the night was our own Michelle Mullen beautifully singing Amhran Na Bhfiann before our match. Thanks Michelle.

Best for Kilmainham were: Mickey Newman, Padraig Caffrey, Declan Mullen, Seanie Mahon and Stephen Newman.

Kilmainham: Dean Peppard, Padraig Caffrey, Stephen Newman, Jamie O’ Sullivan (0-1), Declan Mullen, Harry Newman, Seanie Mahon, Ger Morgan, Mickey Newman (0-8), Andy Arkins, Freddie Newman, Mickey Hoey, Johnny Quinlan, Conor Kilgallen (0-1), Shane Morgan.

Subs: Matthew Mullen, Terence Daly, Adam Mc Manus, Phily Mahon, Brian Black, Tom Monaghan, Sean King, Paddy Hennigan, Shane Butler and Jake O’ Rourke.

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