After a 12 week break Kilbride took to the field against Slane in round 2 of the Junior B championship on Sunday in a Sun drenched Curraha.  The last time these two sides met was the semi final last year and only a single point separated them in favor of Kilbirde that day.

Kilbride 2-20  Slane 1-9

Slane were looking to overturn last years two championship defeats so this was expected to be a close affair from the off and it was Slane who registered the first point of the game early on, a quick reply from David O'Leary was followed by two excellent scores from Joseph Donnelly within a minute, A further point from Championship debutant Davy O'Neill on four minutes and another from Joseph Donnelly had Slane on the ropes with only five minutes played.

However Slane came roaring back and during the next nine minutes kept Kilbride at bay while registering three points themselves to leave a single score in it with 15 minutes played.

David O'Leary slotted over a 45 on 16 minutes and a monster point from distance to extend the Kilbride lead after twenty minutes. Brian White playing in his 22nd championship year registered  his first major (goal) on twenty two minutes when he raced in behind the Slane defence after collecting a long pass from the excellent O'Leary in the middle to slot home from ten yards.

Kilbirde were dominating again through out. John Bruton was excellent at center back as was Ronan O'Leary along side him on the wing. While inside Karl Stapelton marshaled the square with great effect.

Kilbride could have extended there lead only for a fine save by their keeper after Michael Farrell rounded his marker but found the angle too tight. However he didnt have to wait long and he, Farrell got his first on twenty six minutes from a free after Joseph Donnelly was fouled to make to Kilbride 1-8 to Slanes 0-4.

A break in play for over five minutes to allow treatment for the injured Aaron Lane Slane,  allowed players to take on water in what was a very hot day.

Slanes misery got worse when their corner forward was dismissed for verbals towards the referee, and soon after Joseph Donnelly got his fourth from play.  Kilbride were playing some great football through out and with the extra man a resulting kick out from keeper Craig Manning found Ronan O'Leary on the wing, his resulting drive towards goal set off alarm bells in the Slane defence and he calmly slipped the ball through to Brain white who again raced through on goal and he  slotted home for his second goal of the game with half time approaching. Another point from David O'Leary on the stroke of half time made it a comfortable lead for last years beaten finalist.

Half time Kilbride 2-10  Slane 0-4

Kilbride made one change at the break when they introduced Stephen McMullen for the injured Davy O'Neill. However Slane were quicker to get going and registered the first two scores but Michael Farrell got three more points on thirty four,five and six minutes to restore their comfortable lead, Cadhla McKenna got his first point to keep the score board ticking over. Slane then had a purple patch when subs were introduced on the Kilbride side, Stephen Walsh replaced Paul Donnelly in the middle to freshen things up but Slane to their credit were still push forward as they registered three more points which brought there total to eight with 45 minutes gone.

Another point from Craig Sheridan on 46 minutes resumed normal service before Slane broke clear to get a well deserved goal of their own. This however was too little too late as Kilbride replied through Farrell again on 48 and on 50 minutes with two slick points. Brian Whites last act of the game was to race clear when bearing down on goal but this time he opted to fist over before he was replaced by Colin O'Neill to a warm round of applause from the Kilbride faithfull, the veteran was outstanding through out. Conor Storey replaced Brendan Courtney after another hard working shift.  Further points from Cadhla McKenna and David O'Leary saw Kilbride run out comfortable winners and a place in the quarter finals assured with a game to spare.

Full time Kilbride 2-20  Slane 1-9

Kilbride: Craig Manning; John Smith, Karl Stapelton, Dean Stapelton; Craig Sheridan (0-1), John Bruton, Ronan O'Leary; David O'Leary (0-5) (C), Paul Donnelly; Davy O'Neill (0-1), Cadhla McKenna (0-2), Brendan Courtney; Joseph Donnelly (0-4), Michael Farrell (0-6), Brian White (2-1). Subs: Stephen McMullen for O'Neill, Stephen Walsh for Paul Donnelly, Colin O'Neill for Brian White, Conor Storey for Brendan Courtney.

Tweet

Most Read Stories