FL Div 4: 13 man Kilbride down 'Drums'
February 26, 2018
Kilbride's Joey Donnelly
Kilbride 1-8 Drumconrath 0-7
Kilbride entertained Drumconrath for Round four of Div 4 A FL at home in an immaculate pitch in Kilbride. Could Kilbride remain unbeaten and gain another two points at home in front of a large crowd despite the cold.
The host were again in fine form and were off the mark as early as the first minute when Joseph Donnelly was fouled and Michael Farrell slotted of the resulting free. Wasted chance should have put the hosts further ahead and the had to wait until the tenth minute to raise another flag and it was the same combination as they first Donnelly was hauled down and Farrell slotted over the resulting free.
Kilbride were comfortable and should have been further ahead but they were finding it difficult in the last third of the pitch. Cadhla McKenna got his first on 16 minutes to leave it 3 points to no score but Drumconrath kicked the next two point while Kilbride scored a brilliant goal when Joseph Donnelly intercepted a kick out and he feed Brendan Courtney who found the top corner from 14 yards. Kilbride deserved it for all the procession but the visitors kicked the next tree scores t leave just on between the side at the break
Kilbride 1-3 Drumconrath 0-5
Kilbride made a change at half time and introduced Craig Sheridan for Dean Stapelton. Another early attack seen another wasted opportunity and it seemed it wasn't going to be Kilbrides day. It was the visitors who drew level with a fine effort. However Kilbride responded and Michael Farrell again when slotting over another free on 34 minutes after Donnelly was again hauled to the ground. The home side were dealt a massive blow when Kilbride saw red and sub Craig Sheridan was ordered off for what seemed to be a genuine effort to play the ball but before the resulting free was taken a another red was shown to Kilbride captain Jeff Sheridan for an altercation off the ball. This was a massive blow for the hosts which were now down to 13 men and 25 minutes to play in the second half and only a point up. But as its often said it sometimes takes teams too have a man but not two sent off to get the team going and this was a remarkable performance for the 13 men of Kilbride.
They restricted the visitors two just another 2 points for the half as the backs and stand in keeper Stephen McMullen was outstanding during this period. John Smith, Dave Barron and Jack Donnelly showed there class in the full back line. Stephen McMullen was clever with his kick outs while Ronan O'Leary led from center back as he worked tirelessly all over the pitch and with veteran Finbar Clarke and Peter Roche by his side the Kilbride defence were ruthless as Drumconrath wave after wave of attacks could find no way through a solid defence. David O'Leary and Paul Donnelly worked there socks off in mid field and it was kilbride who looked to have the extra numbers and they were rewarded for there efforts on 42 minutes when Brendan Courtney slotted over a fine individual effort from 40 yards and a minute later another point from David O'Leary saw
the host draw clear. Kilbride were creating the better of the chance and Joseph Donnelly had his shot saved for what would have been an excellent goal. Soon after another fine save after another Drumconrath attack was broken up and the industrial presence of David O'Leary found Farrell but he too found his effort well saved to keep the visitors hopes alive of a come back. There was a 12 minute spell that yielded no scores in the last quarter but this was the quarter that sealed the win as every man worked his socks off to limit the Drumconrath chances.
Joseph Donnelly was now operating on the forty and it worked a treat as he slotted over a fine individual effort off the outside of his left from 30 yards on 54 and another on 57 put the hosts three up and time ran out. Drumconrath were reduced to 14 late on. Kilbride showed real character which was confounded more when with time just up wing back Peter Roche was still bombing forward and fatigue played a big part when he missed a sitter from close range for what would have been icing on the cake for the home side..
Kilbride: Stephen McMullen, John Smith, Dave Barron, Jack Donnelly, Peter Roche, Dean Stapelton, Finbar Clarke, David O'Leary 0-1, Ronan O'Leary, Brendan Courtney 1-1, Cadhla McKenna 0-1, Paul Donnelly, Joseph Donnelly 0-2, Michael Farrell 0-3, Jeff Sheridan. Subs: Craig Sheridan for D. Stapelton, Paddy O'Neill for M.Farrell.
Drumconrath Report
Kilbride 1-8 Drumconrath 0-7
Drumconrath travelled to Kilbride with just 16 players and this was to prove a problem as when Daniel Byrne and Tomas Conlon both retired injured in the 1st half they had to play a man down for a time. Kilbride had two players sent off with 15 minutes to go but the damage was done at that stage and as it happened both sides finished with 13 as Stephan Crosby received a double yellow late on.
The lost of Conlon with an injury and no available substitute to replace him before half time seen Kilbride push on and lead 1-3 to 0-5 at the break. Their double sending off after 40 minutes seen the visitors with an extra man but although Drums leveled the game it was Kilbride who pushed on with some fine scores as Drums only added another point.
Drumconrath: Eoin Muldoon; John Lynch, Patrick Dunne, Cathal Dunne; Jamie Myles, Peter Tighe, Robert McEntaggart; Chris Tighe, Stephan Crosby (0-4); Daniel Byrne, Tomas Conlon, Graham Tighe (0-1); Cathal McEvoy, David O'Halloran, Patrick Farrelly (0-1). Sub; Daniel Myles for Byrne.
