09th Nov 2008 - AFL - Division 4 League Final - Kilbride 0-10, Drumbaragh 1-08
Kilbride suffered an agonising loss to Drumbaragh in the final of Division 4 at a windswept Senechalstown last Sunday. On a wet windy day both teams served up a fine footballing display in an entralling match.
Drumbaragh playing with the wind, were out of the traps first registering 2 quickfire points from their dangerous full forward line. Kilbride regrouped and started to assert themselves on the match and responded with points from Brian White and David Harford. Kilbride were dealt a hammer blow after only 10 minutes when stalwart Robert Bruton was sent for an early shower after an innocuous challenge. Many in the crowd felt that in wet conditions and at an early stage of the match, that a yellow card would suffice. Drumbaragh immediately looked to take advantage of the extra man and quickly registered another point from a long range free. Kilbride dug in and managed to tag on more points through Brian Whites' s free and fisted point. Joe Barron and Ollie Nolan were showing up well in the full forward line. Kilbride went into the break ahead but were very much "staring down the barrell" as they faced another half with a numerical disadvantage.
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Kilbride started well in the second half and continued to dominate possession. John Bruton troubled the scorekeeper twice in quick succession, including a 60 yard scud missile from the sideline. The Kilbride defence were especially tight with Marty Brady, Niall Farrelly and Peter Roche putting their bodies on the line time and again. David Barron lorded it at centre back and with Paddy O'Neill and Finbarr Clarke provided a solid platform for the whole team. The score of the match came when supersub Mark Sheridan passed inside to Craig Sheridan who sliced through the defence like a hot knife through butter before unleashing a torpedo which nearly broke the bar in two before going over for a point.
Kilbride were looking like victors at this stage before Drumbaragh rallied and managed to tag on some points to stay in touch. Crucially a full pitch move by Drumbaragh fell to a spare man who was clear in on goal and in the goalmouth scramble, the referee awarded a penalty. Goalkeeper Emmett Farrell faced up to the penalty and managed to get a hand to it but the ball still managed to scrape over the line. Another point edged Drumbaragh in front for the first time in the match with only a few minutes left.
Kilbride were looking down and out at this stage but managed to stage one more Lazarus like effort to draw level through a David Harford point. 3 minutes into injury time David Harford swung over a sideline ball to edge Kilbride in front again and at this stage Kilbride had one hand on the trophy. Drumbaragh then managed to equalise through a displuted free. 5 minutes into injury time, Kilbride mounted another attack and when Craig Sheridan bent down to pick up the ball, he was tackled by a Drumbaragh defender who appeared to foul him. To the incredulity of the entire crowd, the referee did not award this free at a crucial time in the match. Drumbaragh then broke from defence and the referee awarded them a free. 6 minutes into injury time, Drumbaragh's Noel Corcoran duly converted the free and within 10 seconds the referee blew the final whistle.
Playing most of the match wtih 14 men, Kilbride went to the well many times and ( thanks to trainer Pat "sergeant major" McDonagh ) amazingly nevery looked tired. The vociferous travelling supporters from Kilbride roared their team on and were a credit to the club on the day, but is was not to be.
Team: E Farrell, N. Farrelly, M Brady, P Roche, P O Neill, D Barron, R Bruton, J Bruton, C Sheridan (c), J Sheridan, B White, F Clarke, D Harford, O Nolan, J Barron.
Subs: M Sheridan, C. Rennicks, M. Brady, C. Rafter, S. O'Sullivan, J. Smith, B. Reilly, N. Ferriter, G. Lynch, R. Rooney
30th Oct 2008 - AFL - Kilbride 3-11, Kildalkey 0-04
Dunganny provided the venue in sub zero temperatures for an action packed triple-header that would decide this years finalists of the 2008 division 4 league. Kilbride, Drumbaragh and St Vincents all sat top of the pile on 17 points each before last night’s proceedings but only two could progress to Sunday week’s showpiece. If all three were to prove victorious in their respective matches, goal difference would be used to decide each teams fate.
In Kildalkey, Kilbride faced stern opposition whom they were familiar with after narrowly defeating them in this years JFC. The talk before the game emphasised winning the match first and then worrying about proceedings elsewhere.
Kilbride started slowly with Kildalkey registering the first score from play. Kilbride seemed apprehensive with maybe the gravity of the task weighing on some players minds. Thankfully they soon spurred into life and some excellent fielding from Craig Sheridan and John Bruton seemed to settle those around them. Brian White was causing havoc running from deep and provided plenty of ammunition for the inside forward line of Joe Barron, Davy Harford and Ollie Nolan. In truth the Kildalkey backs couldn’t handle him and everytime he gathered possession he was either fouled or provided a telling pass. Some fine scores were registered during this period by Brian White, Davy Harford and Joe Barron. Kildalkey however were still proving dangerous on the counter attack and but for some resolute defending by Martin Brady and Peter Roche they could have worked some dangerous scoring opportunities. As the first half wore on Kilbride dominated possession with a solid midfield platform starving Kildalkey of any possession. Because goal difference was so important Kilbride needed to make this possession count. They duly obliged as Ollie Nolan rattled off two goals in quick succession before the close of the half. At the break Kilbride went in a healthy 10 points up but nobody knew how proceedings were going elsewhere or if it would be enough. The half time scoreline read Kilbride 2-7 Kildalkey 0-3.
The second half started like the first half finished with Kilbrides midfield dominating possession and supplying the forward line with ample possession. However the forward line failed to convert enough chances giving up possession far too easily with some bad wides and dropping efforts short. This could have proved severely costly if teams elsewhere were racking up big scores. The Kildalkey resistance was weakening with rare sojourns into Kilbride territory. The Kilbride backs had to stay on their toes to limit the effects of frost bite! As the half wore on Kilbride were still proving very wasteful in front of goal. Brian White however came to the fore once again with a sublimely taken goal to further enhance the score line. The game finished on a scoreline of Kilbride 3-11 Kildalkey 0-4.
As the St Vincents game was still in play on the next pitch it was an anxious wait to see if they could better our +18 advantage over them. Thankfully their opponents Bective GFC put up stern resistance and only lost to them by 7 points. News had also filtered through that Drumbaragh had won handsomely against Ballivor so it was confirmed that it will be a Kilbride v Drumbaragh showdown on the 9th of November. If Kilbride want to atone for the 2005 league final defeat a hugely improved showing will be needed.
A special mention must go to Ollie Nolan for staying on the pitch after getting close-lined by Kildalkeys 40+ stone goalkeeper!
Team: E Farrell, J Smith, M Brady, P Roche, P O Neill, D Barron, R Bruton, J Bruton, C Sheridan, J Sheridan, B White, F Clarke, D Harford, O Nolan, J Barron.
Subs: M Sheridan for F Clarke.
After a bruising loss in the championship, Kilbride needed to get the season back on track with a win in the league against a mid table Meath Hill side with little to play for.
The Cavan border outfit sprung out of the blocks and pinned Kilbride back for much of the half and should have registered more scores on the board but for some bad wides. The sides went into the half 4 points a piece, although Meath Hill would have been slightly happier with their efforts.
After the break, Kilbride were a totally different side oozing confidence and with boundless energy. Craig Sheridan and Andy Rennicks lorded it at midfield and launched missiles into Kilbride's new "Bomber" full forward John Bruton. Bruton helped himself to 2-02 and created many other chances for his fellow forwards who all registered scores from play. Kilbride won the second half by 22 points as the Meath Hill challenge collapsed.
This huge win puts Kilbride very much in the shake up for promotion from division 4.
Team:
E Farrell, P Roche, N Farrelly, M Brady, F. Clarke, D. Barron, R. Bruton, A. Rennicks, C. Sheridan,
J Sheridan, B White, O. Nolan, J. Barron, J. Bruton, D. Harford.
Kilbride's championship run came to a bitterly disapointing end against a strong Moynalvey side in Walterstown at the quarter final stage.
Moynalvey started with a strong breeze at their back and immediately troubled the score keeper with well taken points. Cathal Sheridan was pulling the strings for Moynalvey and many of their moves were started and finished by him. Kilbride played reasonable well facing into the strong wind but found it hard to get a score and went into the break 1-04 to no score down.
At the break, Kilbride were very much in the match, especially as the wind would now be at their backs. However Moynalvey had other ideas and hit Kilbride with 2 quickfire goals to effectively quash any possible Kilbride fightback. Kilbride found it hard to secure possission against a well drilled Moynalvey outfit. Moynalvey scored another goal and added some further points from CAthal Sheridan and John Donoghue to finish the contest with 15 minutes to go. Near the end, Kilbride managed to tag on a few scores from Mark Sheridan and Joe Barron and even scored a goal through Chris Rafter which was disallowed, but ultimately it was too little to late.
Kilbride will be left to rue a game in which they did not play at anywhere near the 100% required to compete against a very good Moynalvey side who will go far in this years Junior Championship.,
Team:
E Farrell, P Roche, C. Rennicks, N Farrelly, M Brady, D. Barron, R. Bruton, J Bruton, C. Sheridan,
J Sheridan, B White, F. Clarke, M Sheridan, A. Rennicks, D. Harford.
Navan O'Mahonys put Kilbride to the sword on a sunny evening in Bellewstown. Kilbride started dreadfully and O'Mahonys who boasted several players with inter county experience, came flying out of the blocks. Kilbride looked terribly out of sorts and found it hard to even fashion some openings and should have been much further behind except for some wasteful shooting from the O'Mahonys forwards. The referee seemed to take pity on Kilbride and blew for half time 4 minutes early. Upon realising his mistake ( with help from Kilbride's David Rooney ), the last 4 minutes of the half were then played with Kilbride scoring 2 unanswered points to go into the break only 8 points down.
The second half was a much different affair with Kilbride finally waking up and taking the game to O'Mahonys. There was plenty of effort and determination shown by Kilbride but given the lead they were chasing, it was all a bit rushed. Many well worked Kilbride moves petered out at the last moment as Kilbride's urgency got the better of them. O'Mahonys defended well and their forwards tagged on a few points to give them a deserved victory.
The only high point of the night from a Kilbride point of view was the return of long term absentee John Smith from a cruciate Knee injury. John shook off the cobwebs to give a very assured performance and announce his return to team contention.
Team:
E Farrell, P Roche, C. Rennicks, N Farrelly, M Brady, D. Barron, P O'Neill, J Bruton, J Sheridan, F. Clarke, B White, M Sheridan, G. Lynch, O Nolan, D. Harford.
Subs: C. Sheridan, C. Rafter, J. Smith.
05th August
2008 - AFL - Kilbride 0-09 Ballivor 0-02
In less than perfect football conditions, Ballivor and Kilbride provided plenty of toil / endeavor in a match that was not for the purists.
Kilbride started brightly and dominated possession but were guilty of some horrendous wides. Points from Craig Sheridan and Brian White eventually getting Kilbride off the mark. Ballivor struck back with some points of their own and their full forward line had their most dangerous patch. Ballivor should have had several routine scores but suffered a similar wastefulness to their hosts. Before half time, Emmett Farrell made a stunning save from the Ballivor full forward to keep Kilbride in the game.
After a frank team talk at half time, Kilbride produced a more assured performance in the second half and it was a credit to the Kilbride backs that they kept Ballivor scoreless for the entire half. Paddy O'Neill steadied the ship from centre back while marauding half backs Finbarr Clarke and Robert Bruton registered fine scores. Points from Mark Sheridan, John Bruton and Jeff Sheridan closed out the match. Despite the win, Kilbride will need to be more clinical in front of the posts if they are to progress further this season.
Team:
E Farrell, P Roche, N Farrelly, M Brady, R Bruton, P O'Neill, F. Clarke, J Bruton, C Sheridan, O. Nolan, B White, J Sheridan, O Nolan, M Sheridan, J. Barron.
Subs: A. Rennicks
18th July
2008 - AFL - Kilbride 2-10 St. Brigids 0-09
A long journey to Balinacree to face St Brigids provided the perfect tonic for Kilbride to bounce back after a demoralising defeat in their last fixture. If Kilbride wanted to maintain their promotion push nothing but victory over a resolute St Brigids team would suffice. Kilbride duly obliged and raced out of the blocks with their full forward line of Jeff Sheridan, Ollie Nolan and Mark Sheridan causing havoc in the home sides defence. The clock was only two minutes old when Mark Sheridan fired to the net after a mix up between the St Brigids keeper and corner back. Kilbrides early dominance was reflected on the scoreboard and they amassed a total of 1-5 in the opening five minutes.
This total was already more than the total they could manage in sixty minutes of their last fixture! St Brigids needed to respond and sparked into life by tagging on a few scores from frees. Kilbride however always kept them at arms length and had them well marshalled at the back by refusing to let them get within one score. Niall Farrelly in at full back for the suspended Conor Rennicks particularly impressive. Craig Sheridan and John Bruton were dominant at midfield and supplied the half forward and full forward lines with plenty of good possession.
At half time Kilbride were in the driving seat but St Brigids were still in touch. The first half effort was going to have to be repeated if Kilbride were to take the spoils.
The second half began like the first with Kilbride getting on the scoreboard first through Brian White. St Brigids however were always dangerous and kept responding at the other end. Emmet Farrell in goals had to be alert on a couple of occasions with some fine handling skills. Again Kilbrides midfield showed superior fitness levels and were rampant running from deep. Kilbride missed a few guilt edged chances that could have come back to haunt them but Craig Sheridan eventually made St Brigids pay with a beautifully executed team move that he fired to the top corner of the Brigids net. Craig actually started the move from deep and followed up his pass to give the St Brigids keeper no chance in the net. St Brigids had no option but to throw caution to the wind and started to rain balls down on the Kilbride full back line. Again Niall Farrelly was greatly assissted by Peter Roche and Martin Brady who refused to give up any cheap scores.
The half back line of Dave Barron, Paddy O'Neill and Robert Bruton were always available to take a pass off their full back line and together they nullified any chance of a St Brigids comeback. A mention must go to Mark Sheridan for the final score of the game. A booming effort from the sideline that even Chalkie Bruton would be proud of! In the end the long journey down was worth it as Kilbride atoned in the best possible way for the terrible performance in their last fixture.
Three league games remaining and three victorys required if Kilbride are to maintain their promotion push. Final score: Kilbride 2-10 St Brigids 0-9.
Team:
E Farrell, P Roche, N Farrelly, M Brady, R Bruton, D Barron, P O'Neill, J Bruton, C Sheridan, F Clarke, B White, A Rennicks, J Sheridan, O Nolan, M Sheridan.
Subs: R Rooney for O Nolan, J Barron for J Sheridan.
15th July
2008 - AFL - Kilbride 0-4 St. Vincents 2-07
Kilbride were well beaten by a good St. Vincents side in Kilbride, therebye surrendering a year long unbeaten run rather tamely.
Kilbride started brightly having the better of the opening 20 minutes and creating plenty of scoring opportunities which were not taken and were to prove costly. St. Vincents got back into the game with some well taken scores but the Kilbride backs were very tight and kept the St. Vincents lead to a few points at the break.
After some tough words at half time, Kilbride came out sharply and immediately pointed through Mark Sheridan. However the Kilbride comeback was halted when St. Vincents were awarded a penalty which they duly converted. As the penalty was taken there was some jostling and the umpire harshly picked out the Kilbride full back Connor Rennicks as an offender and produced a red card. Kilbride worked hard to get back in the game but St. Vincents used their numerical advantage to keep Kilbride pinned back in their own half for most of the last 20 minutes.
The Ardcath outfit were deserved winners on the night and Kilbride will need to react strongly if they are to get their league campaign back on track.
Team: E Farrell, P. Roche, C Rennicks, M. Brady, N. Farrelly, B. White, B Bruton, C Sheridan, J. Bruton, A. Rennicks, J Sheridan, M Sheridan, J. Barron, O Nolan, F. Clarke.
Subs: R. Rooney, B. Reilly, P. O'Neill
Pictures from the game ( taken by Kevin Farrell ) :
25th June
2008 - AFL - Kilbride 1-11 Kilmainham 2-07
Kilbride kept their winning run going with a hard fought win over a dogged Kilmainham side. Kilbride had a reshuffled side due to injuries, holidays etc and had a new midfield pairing of Brian White and Craig Sheridan. Kilbride settled quickly with good forward play from Declan Brady and Ollie Nolan leading to points from Mark Sheridan, Jeff Sheridan and David Harford. Kilmainham responded quickly with a major and got a foothold in the match. Kilbride suffered a blow when rock steady centre back David Barron had to go off injured midway through the first half. His brother Joe Barron entered the fray to make a welcome return after a long absence. There was drama when a Kilmainham player in possession, headbutted Kilbride half back Robert Bruton directly in front of the referee. When the red card was produced, the Kilmainham manager tried to withdraw his players from the pitch, sense eventually prevailed and the half time whistle was blown.
After the break, Kilmainham shot out of the blocks and dissected the posts a few times to put Kilbride under pressure. Kilbride mounted a few nice attacks but ran out of options near the goal, handing the initiative back to Kilmainham. 2 long frees from David Harford kept Kilbride in touch until a few points and a well plundered goal from Kilmainham restored their advantage to 6 points. Old warhorse Robbie Rooney was sprung from the bench and immediately gave the Kilbride attack a target man. The Kilbride wagons were certainly being circled with John Bruton having an immediate impact on his introduction, running 30 yards only to be pulled down for penalty. Craig Sheridan rattled the onion sack with the resulting penalty to bring Kilbride within 3 points. Kilbride's backs were breaking forward regularly with raids by Paddy O'Neill, Marty Brady and a marauding Robert Bruton.
A Robbie Rooney special along with rousing points from Brian White and David Harford brought Kilbride level. Kilmainham played with great spirit considering they were a man down and duly went down the pitch and notched a possible winning point. Mark Sheridan had other ideas and drove a long range point over the bar to level matters. From the resulting kickout, Kilbride won possession and fed the ball to Robbie Rooney who troubled the umpires once more and to give Kilbride a slightly fortuitous if welcome win on home turf.
Team: E Farrell, B. Reilly, C Rennicks, M Brady, P O'Neill, D Barron, B Bruton, C Sheridan, B. White, F. Clarke, J Sheridan, M Sheridan, D. Brady, O Nolan, D Harford.
Subs: R. Rooney, J. Barron, D. White
20th June
2008 - JFC - Kilbride 0-11 Ballinabrackey 0-03
Dunsany provided the venue in ideal football conditions for the fourth round of this Junior Football Championship encounter between Kilbride and Ballinabrackey. These two sides have a habit of meeting each other in the group stages over the last few years and if previous encounters were anything to go by it was set to be a fierce battle.
Both sides came out of the blocks quickly but it was Kilbride who registered the first score as Ollie Nolan neatly tucked over a right-footed effort. In truth Ballinabrackey should have been a few points to the good but for some wayward shooting with their free taking corner forward being particularly culpable. Ballinabrackeys wastefulness played into Kilbrides hands and seemed to galvanise the men in green and red as they went on to dominate the first half registering some fine scores from most notably Ollie Nolan, Craig Sheridan and David Harford. Some tigerish defending at the back from Paddy O'Neill and Martin Brady kept the Ballinabrackey forwards at bay as they went on to register only one solitary point in the opening period. The sides went in at half time with Kilbride in complete domination leading on a scoreline of 0-7 to 0-1.
The half time team talk focused on not letting complacency set in and to keep the first half tempo up. Kilbride duly obliged and refused to give the Ballinabrackey men a sniff. It was testament from one to fifteen that Kilbride were first to every breaking ball and seemed to have more determination to win the physical encounters with Paddy O'Neill putting in some memorable legal hits. Kilbrides superior fitness levels particularly from John Bruton, Craig Sheridan, Mark Sheridan and the evergreen Brian White set the tone for the rest of the team. They led by example covering every blade of grass and demanded the same from their teammates. The expected Ballinabrackey onslaught never materialised as some more fine scores from Ollie Nolan, David Harford and Brian White killed off Ballinabrackeys weak resistance. Brian Whites last score the pick of the bunch finishing off a flowing team move that he started under the Kilbride posts.
A mention must also go to David Barron who marshalled the troops brilliantly from centre half back and nullified the threat of his dangerous marker Meath senior footballer Chris O'Connor. The final whistle was met with celebratory pat on the backs from the Kilbride men safe in the knowledge that a quarterfinal berth is secure with a game to spare. Let it be known that the hard work starts now. Final score: Kilbride 0-11 Ballinabrackey 0-3.
Team: E Farrell, N Farrelly, C Rennicks, M Brady, P O'Neill, D Barron, B Bruton, C Sheridan, J Bruton, J Sheridan, B White, M Sheridan, F Clarke, O Nolan, D Harford.
Subs: G Lynch for F Clarke, P Roche for N Farrelly.
8th June
2008 - JFC - Kilbride 1-09, Kildalkey 2-05
Kilbride travelled to Kiltale to face a strong Kildalkey outfit in the
third round of the Junior Football Championship in ideal conditions on
the 8th of June 2008. Kilbride were looking to maintain their unbeaten
run in this years Championship and were looking to make it a hat trick
of wins. A reshuffled pack was required as Kilbride were missing a few
regulars through injury and holidays. However it was testament to the
strength of the panel this year that we were still able to send out a
strong fifteen with debutants such as Gareth Lynch coming to the fore.
Kilbride were very slow out of the blocks and went a goal down inside
the first five minutes when a long ball floated in over the Kilbride
defence was dispatched with aplomb to the net by the Kildalkey corner
forward. Some would say the 'Prague Factor' kicked in as Kilbride never
really got going in the first half. Kildalkey tagged on two more points
before Kilbride registered their first score with a Davy Harford free
after twenty five minutes on the clock. In truth the game should have
been over at half time with the Kildalkey forwards being particularly
wasteful in front of goal. Kildalkeys Martin Doran was proving a handful
with the Kilbride defence having to double up on him at various stages.
At half time the teams went in at 1-2 to 0-2 in Kildalkeys favour with
Kilbride fortunate to still be in touch. Kilbride needed to re-group
with some harsh words from management at half time. Martin Brady was
introduced at half time and this in the end proved to be an inspired
substitution.
The second half started like the first with Kildalkey firing to the net
inside the first five minutes to land a sucker punch. It felt like it
was going to be a long day. No-one however should write off this
Kilbride team and they showed great resolve and belief to claw their way
back into it. A couple of big hits from enforcers such as John Bruton,
Bob Bruton, Andy Rennicks and Marty Brady seemed to lift those around
them and Kilbride started to come back into the game with good scores
from Davy Harford and Brian White. Kilbride had Kildalkey rattled and
started to win alot of ball around midfield. A speculative punt was
lofted in by Kilbride's Mark Sheridan from the half forward line and
debutant Gareth Lynch got a toe to it soccer style to steer it past the
Kildalkey keeper. This saved his earlier blushes from a point blank miss
minutes before! The game was now on a knife edge with only one point
separating the sides. Kilbrides superior fitness seemed to tell as they
were slowing turning the screw on a dangerous Kildalkey outfit. Marty
Brady and Dave Barron marshalled the troops at the back and made it very
hard for the Kildalkey forwards to find space inside. Finbarr Clarke was
winning his tussle with Martin Doran, Brian White was everywhere and was
abley assisted by Jeffrey Sheridan and Oliver Nolan in carrying the ball
forward and retaining possession.
More fine scores from Davy Harford and
Brian White put Kilbride one point ahead with ten minutes remaining
after being six down earlier. Kildalkey responded with two quick fire
points to regain the lead. Again Davy Harford was called into action to
level with a sweet left footed effort. With one minute remaining on the
clock Brian White as he has done so often down through the years kicked
a booming effort from the half forward line that sailed over the
Kildalkey keepers head to regain Kilbrides slender lead. Kilbride held
on to win by the narrowest of margins and end a titanic battle that at
one stage looked beyond them. The final score reading Kilbride 1-9 to
Kildalkeys 2-5. Next up for Kilbride is Ballinabrackey with a win
ensuring progression to the quarter finals.
Team:
E Farrell, N Farelly, C Rennicks, B Reilly, F Clarke, D Barron, R
Bruton, J Bruton, A Rennicks, J Sheridan, B White, O Nolan, D Harford, M
Sheridan, G Lynch.
Subs: M Brady for B Reilly, R Rooney for G Lynch.
25th May
2008 - JFC - Kilbride 2-05, Slane 0-09
The hurricane like wind was the dominating factor in this game at sunny Duleek last Sunday. This match was always going to be won by the team which made the most use of the wind at their backs and which worked hardest facing into it. On the day Kilbride won both battles and came out on top.
Slane won the toss and elected to face the wind in the first half. Kilbride started strongly but took a while to get used to the stong breeze. A goal by Brian White settled the Kilbride nerves and was followed by another goal from long range by John Bruton. Points from Finbarr Clarke, David Harford and Andy Rennicks pushed Kilbride further in front. Slane were struggling to play into the strong wind but did manage a point before the break to reduce the deficit to 10 points.
At the turnaround, Slane registered some quick fire points and would have fancied themselves to overhaul Kilbride's lead over the half. However Kilbride knuckled down and while amazingly going scoreless for a entire half, still managed to produce a half full of guts to get over the line with 2 points to spare. From 2-7, the Kilbride backs put a lot of pressure on the Slane forwards without giving away many frees and the Kilbride midfield carried a lot of ball forward and managed to hold on to the ball for long periods to frustrate Slane.
Team:
E. Farrell, N. Farrelly, C. Rennicks, M. Brady, P. O'Neill, D. Barron, R. Bruton, C. Sheridan, J. Bruton, M. Sheridan, B. White,
J. Sheridan, F. Clarke, A. Rennicks, D. Harford, Subs. O. Nolan, G. Lynch
20th May
2008 - AFL - Kilbride 1-08, Curraha 0-09
Kilbride travelled to Curragh looking to build on an impressive league run hoping to maintain their unbeaten run.
Kilbride where sluggish from the start with poor passing and over carrying of the ball.
The team where very much off the pace of the game and it took some fine defending most notable
from kilbride debutant Martin Brady to steady the ship and keep Kilbride in
touching distance.
Kilbride management where glad to see halftime to get the lads in for a much needed team talk.
The second half stated as the first half finished with Kilbride under intense pressure from a young curragh team who had a small quick full forward line who terrorised the kilbride defence with there pace and direct running.
The major problem in the first 15 minutes of the second half was losing out in midfield, Kilbride where winning no primary ball in midfield and where also losing there own kick outs, Kilbride goalkeeper Emmet Farrel produced some fine saves to keep kilbride in touching distance.
With Kilbride 5 points down and losing midfield things where looking bleak the management had to make some Calls on the line, the biggest one was move Andrew Rennicks out of full forward and into half forward to add Strength in midfield, Peter Roche was brought in to add pace to the defence that was shaky all evening.
Theses changes steadied the ship and with a goal from Brian White and points from Finbar Clark and David Harford, Kilbride pushed on and the game went to the wire, Curragh will feel very disappointed as they led for most of the game and had some comfortable frees that they failed to capitalise on, This gave kilbride hope and they held on to Win by a scoreline of 1-08 to 0-09 Next up is slane in the Championship and drastic improvements are required if Kilbride are to win the second group game.
Team:
E. Farrell, N. Farrelly, C. Rennicks, M. Brady, P. O'Neill, D. Barron, R. Bruton, C. Sheridan, J. Bruton, M. Sheridan, B. White,
J. Sheridan, F. Clarke, A. Rennicks, D. Harford, Subs. G. Lynch,
20th April
2008 - JFC - Kilbride 1-06, Dunsany 0-07
Kilbride overcame a long running hoodoo ( not having won their first championship game of the season for over 10 years ) to come out on top against Dunsany in Ratoath.
Kilbride settled early and were on top in midfield but could not convert good possession into scores. Despite some good movement, Kilbride repeatedly dropped the ball short or wide and Dunsany seemed to have survived the onslaught quite well, only trailing by 0-2 to 0-3 at half time.
Soon after the break, Kilbride had a man sent off and Dunsany seized on this and dominated the game for the next 20 minutes. Only tigerish defending by the backs kept the Dunsany scoring to a minimum, Peter Roche and Connor Rennicks leading the way with some very tight marking. Just as Kilbride looked to be wilting, a strong run by Craig Sheridan resulted in a shot coming off the post and Brian White reacted quickest to despatch the ball to the net with his left foot. Dunsany continued to plug away bravely but David Harford steered Kilbride home with 2 rousing points in the last few minutes.
Kilbride's unbeaten run is now at 12 matches and counting.
Team:
E. Farrell, P. Roche, C. Rennicks, B. Reilly, P. O'Neill, D. Barron, N. Farrelly, C. Sheridan, J. Bruton, O. Nolan, B. White,
J. Sheridan, F. Clarke, A. Rennicks, D. Harford, Subs. M. Sheridan
06th April
2008 - AFL - Kilbride 3-07, Clann na Gael 2-07
A full strength Clann na Gael side boasting county men Graham Geraghty and Shane McAnarney came flying out of the traps with 2 quickfire goals and a point in the first 3-4 minutes. Kilbride eventually awoke from their slumber and started to gain parity with some great John Bruton fielding. The comeback started with a David Harford goal and was cemented when Andy Rennicks fisted a long ball to the Clann na Gael net. Against a strong wind Kilbride gradually got on top with some clever play to maintain a lot of possession and get a strangle hold on the game.
After the break, Clann na Gael immediately pointed and looked set to push on again. However Kilbride hit back with Brian White running the length of the field so score a great point to settle the Kilbride nerves. Kilbride built on this and a quickfire 1-3 from Finbarr Clarke and points from David Harford eased Kilbride into a 3 point lead which they never relinquished despite some late pressure.
All in all, a satisfying win for Kilbride against the current Meath and Leinster Junior Football Champions.
Team:
E. Farrell, N. Farrelly, C. Rennicks, B. Reilly, P. O'Neill, D. Barron, R. Bruton, C. Sheridan, J. Bruton, O. Nolan, B. White,
J. Sheridan, F. Clarke, A. Rennicks, D. Harford, Subs. G. Lynch
23rd March
2008 - AFL - Bective 1-09, Kilbride 1-09
Kilbride has a whirwind start ( to match the conditions ) in Bective last Sunday and had a goal in the first few minutes after Mark Sheridan slotted home after a pass from Finbarr Clarke. Points from Craig Sheridan, Robert Bruton, Finbar Clarke and Brian White meant that Kilbride went into the break 1-08 to 2 points up. Considering their dominance, Kilbride should have been much further ahead and this would prove crucial later on with the wind getting stronger.
Bective must have received the hairdryer treatment during their lengthy half time break, as they came out firing and registered 5-6 unanswered points before Ollie Nolan stopped the rot for Kilbride. However that proved to be Kilbride's only score of the half as Bective pushed on and Kilbride seemed unable to get out of their own half. Bective kept tagging on the scores and equalised in the 4th minute of time added on before the referee called a halt to proceedings.
Team:
E. Farrell, P. Roche, C. Rennicks, B. Reilly, P. O'Neill, D. Barron, R. Bruton, C. Sheridan, J. Bruton, O. Nolan, B. White, F. Clarke,
J. Sheridan, M. Sheridan, D. Harford, Subs. N. Farrelly
17th February
2008 - AFL - Kilbride 1-07, Ballinabrackey 0-4
Ballinabrackey provided the perfect conditions for football on this sunny afternoon. Kilbride settled early with 4 unanswered points from Jeff Sheridan, John Bruton and David Harford. Kilbride's back line were proving very miserly and led by Cavan man Brian Reilly and Peter Roche they held Ballinabrackey scoreless in the first half.
After the break, Ballinabrackey rallied with 2 immediate points. Kilbride were on the ropes at this stage, until Chris Rafter rose highest to deflect a long punt into the Ballinabrackey net and settle the Kilbride nerves. The second half was a tough battle with both teams giving it there all, but Kilbride's head start proved too much for Ballinabrackey, while Kilbride kept ticking on points from David Harford and a rare gem by ROBERT Bruton to seal the game.
Team:
E. Farrell, P. Roche, C. Rennicks, B. Reilly, P. O'Neill, B. White, R. Bruton, C. Sheridan, J. Bruton, O. Nolan, J. Sheridan, F. Clarke,
C. Rafter, A. Rennicks, D. Harford,. Subs: D. White, G. Lynch
10th February
2008 - AFL - Kilbride 2-10, Drumbaragh 1-10
Kilbride made a healthy start to the 2008 league by putting Drumbaragh to the sword on a clear Sunday morning in Kilbride. The green flags were prominent in the first 10 minutes with an opportunist David Harford goal being cancelled out by Drumbaragh before a speculative punt from Brian White went straight into the net to push Kilbride ahead. Further points from John Bruton and David Harford edged Kilbride ahead. Kilbride were dominating at midfield but were wasteful in attack while Drumbaragh's forwards were more economical with the supply they got and were relieved to only be 2 points behind at the interval.
Jody Devine must have put something in Drumbaragh's half time cup of tea as they came out after the break in determined mode and started to win more possession around the middle of the park and registered 2 long range points. Kilbride eventually upped the gears again through points from Finbarr Clarke, Brian White and David Harford to go 3 points clear. Drumbaragh could have secured a draw with after a late scramble in the square but for a brave interception from Emmett Farrell.
Team:
E. Farrell, P. Roche, C. Rennicks, N. Farrelly, P. O'Neill, D. Barron, R. Bruton, C. Sheridan, J. Bruton, M. Sheridan, B. White, F. Clarke,
P. Roche, A. Rennicks, D. Harford,. Subs: S. Sullivan
