Junior B FC final: Five-star Stafford inspires Kilmainhamwood to title
Kian Gillespie makes a brilliant catch for Kilmainhamwood during the Junior B FC final against Kilmainham at Grangegodden
Kilmainhamwood 1-26 Kilmainham 1-11
Thirty years on from winning their one and only Senior Football Championship title, Kilmainhamwood’s climb back up the ladder began with this comprehensive win over Kilmainham in the Junior B final played at a packed Grangegodden. PHOTOS
Before proceedings got underway, there was a minute’s silence for former Gaeil Colmcille footballer and hurler Christopher “Cricky” Roche, who passed away following a road traffic accident in America.
A five-star display from Rian Stafford was central to this success. The talented attacker accounted for a massive 1-16 of his side’s total.
A brace from Stafford and one from Joe Shankey had the winners on the scoreboard first. Mickey Newman opened Kilmainham’s account, but the in-form Shankey and Stafford increased their lead to 0-7 to 0-2 with ten minutes remaining in the half.
Dylan Morgan brought Kilmainham back into the game with a two-pointer, but Stafford added another brace and the Wood took a 0-9 to 0-5 lead into the half-time break.
Kilmainham were right back in it in the early stages of the second half. Newman pointed before Seanie Mahon’s shot ended up in the Wood net. Soon after, Morgan tied up the game with his second point.
Game on, or so we thought. Kilmainhamwood responded in style, outscoring their opponents 1-16 to 0-4 over the closing 15 minutes. That scoring burst included five two-pointers and a goal from Stafford, along with brilliant efforts from Cillian Burns and Matthew Vaughan.
In what was otherwise a very sporting encounter, tempers flared towards the end and referee Thomas McLeod issued three red cards during the game and two more after the final whistle.
After the game, Niall Gogarty, along with sponsor John Brogan, presented the Fintan Ginnitty Cup to joint-captains Rian Stafford and Brian Cassidy.
Kilmainhamwood scorers: Rian Stafford 1-16, Cillian Burns 0-3, Joe Shankey 0-3, Shane Townley 0-1, Matthew Vaughan 0-1, Eoin Finnegan 0-1, Brian Cassidy 0-1.
Kilmainham scorers: Dylan Morgan 0-7, Seanie Mahon 1-0, Mickey Newman 0-3, Shane Morgan 0-1.
Referee: Thomas McLeod.
