Blackhall Gaels 5-11, Kilmainham 0-10

Kilmainham made the long trip to Kilcloon on Friday 13th March for their opening match of the Division 3 A league.

Despite the difference in grades, Kilmainham have all always been a match for the intermediate side. With a host of matches been postponed it was brilliant to get this match played. The pitch in Kilcloon was in great shape despite the poor weather.

We started the match very well and we were winning our fair share of ball at midfield. Mickey Newman was fielding great ball and was driving the team on at every opportunity. Dylan and Larry Morgan were proving a real handful in the full forward line. Dylan was on form from free’s, hitting 4 in the first half. Lewis Curran making his league debut cut inside and calmly split the posts with a brilliant first point for the club. Hopefully the first of many. Blackhall were struggling for scores with Kilmainham defending very well and turning over the home side. A long ball into the Kilmainham full back line was caught by the Blackhall corner forward, his shot was blocked by corner back Padraig Caffrey but the ball fell kindly for the home side and they finished to the net to put them 3 up. Seanie Mahon hit a good point to make it a two-point lead for Blackhall as both teams headed for the dressing room.

Half-time score: Blackhall Gaels 1-5, Kilmainham 0-6.

This game was evenly poised and there was little to separate the teams. Could our lads push on and get an opening league win against the intermediate side? Freddie Newman kicked a good point off his left peg to make it a one-point match. From this moment on it was the home side who started to dominate around the middle of the field. They had their second goal of the match after poor defending in the Kilmainham defence. They followed this up with a two pointer as the game was now firmly in their favour. More poor defending by Kilmainham led to 3 more goals finding the Kilmainham net as the home side were now completely on top. The manner of the goals conceded will really worry the Kilmainham management team. 4 out of the 5 goals conceded were preventable. Dylan Morgan hit another 2 free’s and Jamie O’Sullivan hit a point to finish our scoring. The Kilmainham management team emptied the bench to give all players some game time as Blackhall Gaels comfortably saw the match out.

After some very good performances this year and a strong first half performance tonight, this second half performance is not acceptable. As a group of players, they know that they have let themselves down. The players know that they are a better team than their second half performance showed. The great thing about sport is there is always another game to put things right. A busy week ahead for the club. Our second team is up first against Moynalty this Thursday 19th March at 8pm in Moynalty and then our first team take on our neighbours St. Michael’s in round 2 of the Div 3 league at 4.30pm in Kilmainham.

Thanks to everyone that made the long trip to Kilcloon to support the team. Let’s get behind both teams this week. See you all in Moynalty this Thursday 19th March.

Best for Kilmainham were: Mickey Newman, Lewis Curran, Harry Newman and Dylan Morgan.

Kilmainham: Dean Peppard, Padraig Caffrey, Stephen Newman, Phily Mahon, Lewis Curran (0-1), Harry Newman, Shane Morgan, Mickey Newman, Declan Mullen, Seanie Mahon (0-1), Ger Morgan, Jamie O’ Sullivan (0-1), Andy Arkins, Dylan Morgan (0-6), Larry Morgan.

Subs: Freddie Newman (0-1), Troy Flannagan, Mark Newman, Adam McManus, Scott Lynch, Paddy Hennigan, Conor Kilgallen, Shane Butler, Terence Daly.

 

 

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