Four young rising stars selected for Midlands ETP programmes
Kinnegad Juniors Notes
Massive well done to our U16 girls superstar Aoibhinn Gaughan on her selection for this season's U14 Midlands Emerging Talent Programme. Best of luck Aoibhinn, doing the club proud.
Also, well done to three members of our U14 boys team Antosh Staszczak, Callum Campbell and Eoin Walsh who have been selected for this season's U14 Midlands Emerging Talent Programme.
The lads were selected after five assessments of players across the midlands, keep up the hard work. Best of luck lads.
U13 MGL: Ratoath FC 1 Kinnegad Juniors 2
The second match of the new season with both teams hoping the dreaded rain would hold off. The first half was a battle for the midfield, Evie McCabe and Ella Anciano working in overdrive against a physical Ratoath team. With both sides getting stuck in, the first chance came to Lucy Lovett, who was played in after a brilliant through ball from Charlotte Fox.
Against the run of play, Ratoath broke Kinnegad’s defence and scored the opening goal. Leah Slevin, in goal, kept her team in the game with two wonderful saves to end the half one nil to the hosts.
The second half started with Kinnegad straight out of the traps to stun the home support with a wonderfully worked goal from Lucy Lovett. Kinnegad, growing in confidence, took the game to Ratoath and super sub Hannah Nolan scored the second goal of the game with 10 mins left.
Ratoath threw everything at Kinnegad, but this was to be a pink and black day as Kinnegad’s defence of Alice Gilesan, Caoimhe Flynn and Robyn Losty dealt with everything to help their team earn all three points.
WOTM goes to Leah Slevin.
MSL U15 Green League
Kinnegad 4; Mountmellick Utd 1
Another well-earned victory for Kinnegad’s U15 boys as they hosted Mountmellick Utd this weekend. An excellent performance from all the boys with Evan opening the scoreline in the first half scoring Kinnegad’s first and second goal in the 14th and 25th minutes.
Mountmellick came out fighting in the second half and managed to slip the ball past Sachin for their first and only goal but this was quickly answered by Josh and then Aiden to secure the win and keep Kinnegad’s unbeaten run in the league.
MSL U16 Red: Dominant Juniors put Mucklagh to the sword
Another big win for Kinnegad on the road. Kinnegad could have been out of sight inside the first 15 minutes but failed to hit the target with several chances. Once the first went in, a good finish by Evan H, the flood gates opened. Evan J scored an excellent hat-trick. Ryley making his debut was next on the score sheet, an excellent volley into the top corner. Shane finished the first half scoring with a good finish into the net.
Second half we took the foot off the gas at times and also could have released the ball quicker across the pitch, but again once Kinnegad got going the goals flowed. AJ with two great runs and goals, the pick and a finish in off the right post. Ryley got his second, a long range low shot into the corner, superb debut from Ryley today.
Aran completed the scoring with a brace of his own, a good angled finish from the right followed by a run in on goals through the middle. Right at the death a sloppy goal conceded, deflection off the Mucklagh forward when trying to clear the ball, but it was an excellent display from Kinnegad overall.
Brilliant stuff from the whole team. Player of the Match - Rohan Corr had an outstanding first half in midfield, winning possession and linking up the play superbly.
CCFL U19 Northern Section
Kinnegad Juniors 2; Ballymahon 2
A first home game of the season for Kinnegad’s U19 boys team. Ballymahon flew out of the traps, capitalising on an early misplaced pass, taking the lead before a minute had elapsed. Early signs were not good for Kinnegad’s boys but they dug in deep and started dominating midfield.
On 14 minutes, Scott scored with a lovely finish. Scott has re-joined Kinnegad and put in a fabulous display. The first half continued but Kinnegad couldn’t make the weather advantage count and half time came with scores level.
The second half continued in similar fashion – Kinnegad trying to play through midfield and Ballymahon tried to catch them out with many long balls. Steven set up Scott for the second time on 54 to give Kinnegad a deserved lead but Ballymahon kept battling.
On 68 minutes Kinnegad were reduced to 10 men when Patryk got sent off. All pressure was on and Ballymahon scored on 76 to level the game. They scored again a few minutes later – their keeper took a free kick within his own half and it flew all the way in. The referee disallowed the goal as it was indirect and Kinnegad were relieved. The match was ebb and flow from there – both teams had chances to win but both keepers were excellent.
A number of players returned to Kinnegad colours for the first time in a few years and these lads have added a great boost to last year’s U17 squad. Alex, Jack, Jamie H, Patryk and Scott all returned to Kinnegad colours and they will be great players across the season. Wayne made his debut in goals and was excellent all day
Man of the match: Jason Gavin. Jason put last year’s injury hit season behind him and bossed the midfield for Kinnegad.
CCFL Div 3B:
Kinnegad Juniors 4; Cloneygowan Celtic 3
The first game of the new season for Kinnegad and they got going quickly into their stride. A good crowd at Breedon Park saw a strong display in the opening half, playing with good intensity, the home team took a well deserved 2-0 lead into the break. Kinnegad’s Ciaran Bracken taking up where he left off last season with both goals.
The second half started much the same with Cloneygowan struggling to stop Kinnegad’s attacks. Paul Carpenter made it three with a tidy finish before Kinnegad started to introduce fresh legs. Substitute Ruairdhi Bracken added a fourth on the hour mark and Kinnegad seemed in cruise control at this stage. They should’ve added to the scoreline, Eimhinn Whelan and Scott Clynes both coming close and the crossbar hit twice.
However, the visitors never gave up, and constant long balls into Kinnegad’s box led to a very uncomfortable final twenty minutes for Kinnegad. Despite Kinnegad continuing to look dangerous in attack - the Cloneygowan ‘keeper pulled off two miraculous saves to keep the score to four, they looked unsure when dealing with the long balls and unbelievably conceded three late goals to make it alot less comfortable than it should’ve been.
The game ended 4-3 to Kinnegad, a deserved win but with plenty to improve on in the upcoming games.
The Man of the Match award was presented after the game to Kinnegad’s Ciaran Bracken by Dylan Finnane of team sponsors DF Property Maintenance and Development.
Club lotto
This week congratulations go to our match three winners, Mark Cox and Mary Naughton , who each won €50. The jackpot now stands at €8,900.