Molloy goal crucial as Kilbeggan maintain perfect start

A Jack Molloy goal and greater efficiency in possession proved decisive as Kilbeggan maintained their unbeaten start to the Junior Football Championship with a five-point victory over Bunbrosna in Castletown Geoghegan on Saturday evening.

The maroon and white outfit, relegated from the intermediate grade last year, made it three wins from three as impressive performances from Darragh Coffey and Cillian Rochford helped them overcome a dogged Bunbrosna side in an entertaining contest.

There was little between the sides for much of the first half, with end-to-end football producing an even contest. Kilbeggan eventually established a two-point advantage at the interval, with Coffey's two-point score proving crucial as they led 0-9 to 0-7.

Bunbrosna started the second half brightly, but Kilbeggan struck the game's only goal in the 39th minute when Molloy palmed a quickly taken free to the net that opened up a five-point lead. While Bunbrosna mounted a late rally, they could never close the gap sufficiently to threaten Kilbeggan's advantage as they ran out five point winners.

Both teams made a lively start, with the opening quarter developing into an end-to-end contest.

Kilbeggan got the first score almost immediately when Padraig Carton won the throw-in and found Rochford, who embarked on a fine solo run before cutting inside to point from play.

Bunbrosna missed their first two chances but found the target with their third attempt after six minutes. Aidan Finnan delivered a good ball into Daragh Lyons, who laid it off to Cian Tighe, who then pointed from play.

Lyons then followed up with a converted free minutes later after the free had been brought forward for descent.

Kilbeggan responded with two frees from Nigel Scally. On both occasions Carton was fouled after winning high balls into the attack, with Scally making no mistake from the placed balls.

Bunbrosna hit back with two scores of their own. Lyons pointed after a neat pass from Barry O'Mara following a fine sidestep, before O'Mara again turned provider, this time finding Tighe, who pointed from play as Bunbrosna began to gain a foothold on the Kilbeggan restarts.

Rochford produced another excellent solo run before cutting inside to score, and Kilbeggan then moved ahead when Jack Molloy won the resultant kick-out and laid the ball off to Coffey, who struck a superb two-point score.

Bunbrosna responded with a well-worked move which ended with corner-back Ronan Scally pointing from play.

The blue and whites had a golden opportunity to hit the net moments later when O'Mara linked up with Simon Moorhead, who charged towards goal but was unable to get his shot away as Kilbeggan's defence closed in.

Scally added another free for Kilbeggan before Bunbrosna drew level with two points in quick succession. O'Mara was again the provider, setting up Tighe and Ken Conroy for points from play after a patient build-up.

As the clock moved into the latter stages of the half, Kilbeggan regained control with two scores in quick succession. Coffey pointed after a patient move before Scally converted another free to give Kilbeggan a 0-9 to 0-7 lead at half-time.

Bunbrosna started the second half brightly, with O'Mara pointing after a good pass from Luke Kiernan following a turnover.

Kilbeggan responded through Coffey, after Jack Molloy was fouled, took a quick solo and go before finding Coffey who finished off the move with a point.

After a scoreless spell interrupted by a number of stoppages for injuries, Kilbeggan finally found the game's decisive opening.

Bunbrosna were harshly penalised for over-carrying and Carton opted to take the free quickly, catching the defence off guard and finishing the move with a pass to Molloy, who palmed the ball to the back of the net to raise the only green flag of the evening.

That gave Kilbeggan a five-point cushion, but Bunbrosna refused to go quietly. Trian Leslie worked hard after his introduction and set up O'Mara for a good goal chance which flashed wide before providing the pass for Lyons to point from play.

Kilbeggan then began to take a firmer grip on proceedings, with Scally converting another free before Rochford and Coffey added excellent scores from play.

Bunbrosna produced one final rally, with Lyons converting two frees before Andrew Whitney added another point after his initial effort at goal was saved and he followed up by kicking the rebound over the bar.

Kilbeggan held firm during the closing stages and their efficiency in possession ultimately proved the difference between the sides. Rochford fisted over the final score of the game to seal a deserved five-point victory and maintain Kilbeggan's perfect start to the championship.

Scorers - Kilbeggan: D Coffey 0-5 (1 2pt), N Scally 0-5 (5f), C Rochford 0-4, J Molloy 1-0.

Bunbrosna: D Lyons 0-5 (3f), C Tighe 0-3, R Scally, K Conroy, B O’Mara, A Whitney 0-1 each.

Kilbeggan: Conor Mullins; Martin Ward, Colin Draper, Mark Wrafter; Jacob Browne, Shaun Pidgeon, Joey O’Neill; Ray Kennedy, Darragh Coffey; David Fennell, Nigel Scally, Cillian Rochford; James Finnegan, Padraig Carton, Jack Molloy. Subs: Dean Fitzgerald (37), Conor Delaney (43), Danny Scully (53), Micheál Coffey (58).

Bunbrosna: Alan Manning; Conor Newman, Simon Moorhead, Ronan Scally; Matthew Hope, David Newman, Enda Newman; Aidan Finnan, John Kiernan; Luke Kiernan, Ken Conroy, Mark Donnelly; Cian Tighe, Darragh Lyons, Barry O’Mara. Subs: Trian Leslie for Donnelly (33), Tommy Murphy for Manning (40, inj.), Caolan Fulham (45, inj.), Andrew Whitney(49), Brian Maguire Kiernan (54).

Referee: Caymon Flynn (St. Mary’s Rochfortbridge).