Kilpeacon played their first game in the U14 Championship on Wednesday 4th May against neighbours Mungret and it proved to be an exciting skillful game which we finally shaded on a scoreline of 2-6 to 2-5.
Mungret played with the benefit of a strong breeze in the first half and most of the play was in our half. Our defence were under pressure from the off but were making life as difficult as they could for the Mungret forwards. Nial Khan dropped back to help out in defence and the half back line of Chris Shanahan, John Bourke and Brandon Nash were also defending well and moving the ball to the forwards.
Mungret scored 3 points without reply as we struggled to convert into the wind and approaching half-time we were dealt further blows with 2 goals in quick succession. Our lads came out strong in the second half and we began to dominate around the middle of the pitch. We finally got on the score sheet 5 minutes into the half with a point from Cathal O’Neill. This was followed soon after by a free from Patrick Dolphin and a point from play by Darragh O’Keefe to give us a foothold in the game. The next score was a crucial goal which was driven to the net by John O’Donnell from the 21 and this gave the team a great lift. However, Mungret were still in the game and they worked the ball up the pitch in a passing movement to score a point to stretch the lead out to 4 points. Rory Hannon looked to have narrowed the gap with another goal but was called back for over carrying. The pressure came coming and from a crossfield ball into the goalmouth, Sam Riordan got the vital touch to fist the ball to the net to leave just the minimum between the teams. This was soon followed by another free from Patrick Dolphin to level the game. Again, Mungret had a breakaway attack which yielded a point so we found ourselves 1 behind again with time running out. It was all out attack from here and Darragh O’Keefe got on the ball in the middle of the pitch and after a series of passes worked his way in towards goal and sent over a great equalising score. This time we kept the pressure in the Mungret half and with time almost up we won a free slightly to the right of the goals. Patrick Dolphin stepped up to take the vital kick and sent in between the posts. There was just about time for the kickout to be taken when the final whistle was blown.
This was a fine sporting game played by 2 skillful teams which ebbed and flowed throughout. Our lads showed great determination to keep coming back and to ultimately get the 2 points to get our campaign off to a great start.
Squad: Sam Riordan, Luke Bovenizer, Rory Hannon, Ciaran Kennedy, Jack Duggan, Cathal O’Neill, Brandon Nash, Rian O’Byrne, Peter Mullins, Cillian O’Brien, John Bourke, Chris Shanahan, Darragh O’Keefe, Patrick Dolphin, Conor Hannon, John Collins, Fergal Egan, Nial Khan, John O’Donnell, Eoghan O’Connor.
