Westmeath soccer notes
KINNEGAD JUNIORS AFC
MGL U10: Clonee Utd 3-2 Kinnegad Juniors
A Sunday morning away game for Kinnegad's U10s and every girl stepped up to the plate for this evenly matched contest. Kinnegad were missing a number of players for varying reasons but you wouldn't have thought it with the display on show.
Clonee were also up for the battle and scored three great goals, and that was just a step too far for Kinnegad's girls with them only getting two back (both through Zoë B). Vakare was unlucky (again this week) not to score - a superb through ball from Lily resulted in a great Vakare shot which the Clonee 'keeper saved. Sarah was always industrious and forward thinking.
Kinnegad also had some superb performances in defence - Zoe C and Skye both put in great displays in front of 'keeper Áine, but it was Kate who was just about the star of the game and takes the woman of the match award. Well done Kate!
MSL U13 Major: Kinnegad Juniors 3-3 Hodson Bay
Kinnegad were back playing after a two-week break and it showed, they started slow, the passing wasn’t as crisp but they were holding their own against a good Hodson Bay side.
The midfield was the main battlefield, with neither side giving any chances away until five minutes just before half time, when Heaven was put through on the halfway line and ran 20 yards, then slipped the ball passed the oncoming ‘keeper into the bottom corner.
The second half saw Hodson Bay take control of the game and within 5 minutes they scored, a nice shot into the corner. Kinnegad made a few changes but Hodson Bay were piling on the pressure and Kinnegad conceded 2 more goals mainly down to defensive errors again.
Kinnegad battled back with Ben C coming close with the ‘Keeper pulling off a great save. Josh went on a run, slotting the ball passed the ‘keeper to make it 3-2. Kinnegad chased every ball and eventually broke down Hodson Bay, Bradley, who deserved a goal, took a shot which rebounded to Heaven, who scored with a minute to go!
A good game ended 3-3. A great comeback from Kinnegad!
CCFL U19: Killeigh v Kinnegad Juniors
A very dominant performance from Kinnegad away from home on Saturday. Killeigh were competitive in the first half and restricted Kinnegad’s chances to a minimum for the first 15 minutes.
The home team were doing well to stop Kinnegad getting into a flow until Conor Plunkett made it 1-0. Liam Matear soon added a second and with the last move of the first half, a brilliant move saw Liam grab his second to make it 3-0 at the break.
While Killeigh faded in the second half, Kinnegad went up a level. Some excellent football and some clinical finishing made it a one sided affair. Further goals from Paddy Flanagan, Conor Fox, Leo Browne, two from Colin Kiernan and a hat-trick from Scott Clynes sealed a truly dominant win.
Despite the scoreline, Killeigh never gave up and kept at it right until the final whistle. Kinnegad just proved too strong on the day.
That’s three away wins from Kinnegad to start off the season in fine form! More to come from this team this year, no doubt!
Man of the match: Paddy Flanagan, his best performance for Kinnegad to date.
MSL U11 West 1: Kinnegad Sharks v Birr Town
Kinnegad’s U11 Sharks hosted Birr town on Saturday morning at Lagan park and there were plenty of goals around. The first 10 minutes was tight with both teams trying to ease their way into the game but the visitors shocked the home side by taking the lead.
The goal woke the Sharks up and they quickly responded with an equaliser through Cooper Lynch.
Just before the break Cooper drilled home his and the Sharks second from long range to see the home side lead at half time.
The second half saw Kinnegad push for more goals and they were rewarded when Darragh McGauran smashed home another long range effort.
Birr responded with a goal of their own to close the gap but two quick fire goals from Killian Dardis extended the Sharks lead before a brilliant team goal finished off by Cooper Lynch for his hat-trick sealed the win.
Man of the Match was Cooper Lynch, a brilliant hat-trick and overall dominant midfield performance.
MSL U12 West: Banagher 3-2 Kinnegad Juniors
We had a tough away game on Saturday to try regain a winning habit and Kinnegad started slow and were up against it from the start, conceding an early goal that was well earned by the home side. It was end-to-end football for the remainder of the half and felt Kinnegad were unlucky to still be one down at the break.
Kinnegad hoped that if they kept up the work rate, the goals would come, and the goals did come but not until after Banagher had scored another couple and Kinnegad had given themselves a small mountain to climb.
They started climbing with a goal from Eoin Walsh and then a brilliant top corner strike from Fionn Campbell but the clock beat Kinnegad to the comeback. Great football, tough opponents and stuff to work on in training for Kinnegad.
Man of the march: Fionn Campbell for his tireless running, super solo and wonder goal.
MSL U14 Girls Blue: Portlaoise Utd v Kinnegad Juniors
On Saturday, Kinnegad’s U14 girls were in Rossleighan Park, Portlaoise to play league leaders Portlaoise.
Kinnegad knew going into this match it was going to be a very tough game considering only having 11 players and no subs. The girls battled through with goals from Molly (1) and Aoibhinn (1) in the first half with Portlaoise having scored three.
The Kinnegad girls played incredible football throughout, great communication and teamwork shone throughout but as they got further into the game Portlaoise edged ahead. The Kinnegad girls battled to the very end but unfortunately, were on the losing side of the scoreline.
Super football played by the girls and they can be very proud! Woman of the match - Caragh Wolohan for her fantastic performance, well done.
MGL U11 girls: Lusk Utd v Kinnegad Juniors
Another road trip away to Lusk on Sunday and both teams were up for it. The first half was end to end stuff and both goalkeepers were busy after great attacking work by both teams.
The second half was more of the same with Leah Slevin pulling off some great saves to keep the game at 0-0. With 10 minutes to go Kinnegad hit the post and were unfortunate a few mins later to go behind to set up an intense finalfive minutes. Again Kinnegad hit the post and had a few chances but the Lusk goalkeeper was in top form.
So a defeat it was for Kinnegad but a brilliant game to watch which was echoed by both set of managers at the final whistle. Big thanks again to our support on the sidelines.
CCFL Senior Women's Division 1: Kinnegad Juniors 0-0 Killeigh Rovers
Kinnegad hosted Killeigh on Sunday in what was a definite game of two halves. Killeigh displayed their attacking intent right from the off and with the wind behind them looked to pour forward in numbers at every opportunity.
Kinnegad struggled to settle in the opening half and couldn't get into their rhythm with Killeigh pressing high and in numbers but not creating any clear cut chances until half time.
For the second half Kinnegad made some positional changes and got a foothold in the game, pressing higher and trying to get on the ball more, which Killeigh made very difficult. Kinnegad were on top for most of the second half without troubling the Killeigh ‘keeper too much.
Kinnegad were below par and never settled into their passing game but they played their part in a very hard fought game with not much quality on show with neither side giving an inch. A 0-0 draw being the fair result.
POM today was Mary Geraghty who led by example, particularly in the second half.
CCFL Division 3B: Kinnegad Juniors 3-0 Coolraine B
Kinnegad senior men’s team were at home in Lagan park and starting against the wind. Kinnegad were out of the blocks brightly popping in a few shots early on but didn’t have it all their own way as Coolraine almost scored within 10 minutes, from a corner only for Adam Gavin reacting quickly to keep the score at 0-0.
This was the wakeup call Kinnegad needed and took the lead through Corey Gavin, who shot from outside the box following a cross from the right wing through Dylan Finnane.
Kinnegad went on the front foot and capitalised through Gary Caffrey, who got on the end of yet another cross from Finnane. Keeping control of midfield was crucial and Enda Kenny and Sam O'Mahoney did exactly that. The game started to die off and it remained 2-0 at half-time.
15 minutes into the second half and Conor Gahan saw red and Kinnegad were down to 10 men. This didn’t really impact the game as Kinnegad kept control of the game and Steven Keane scored with 10 minutes left to play.
Kinnegad maintained a high line which was controlled excellently by Luke Corless and Jamie Greville and kept catching the visitors offside. Kinnegad then made changes bringing on Adam Woods, Adam O’Hagan and Ryan Doherty to keep control of the game.
Kinnegad kept the clean sheet and the game ended 3-0 and they remain undefeated four games into the season.
Club academy
Kinnegad Juniors Academy in training last Friday evening and every Friday evening at Lagan Park!!=
With our regular Friday night academy, our U10 development squads and the Disney Playmakers for girls from 5 - 8yrs our Academy numbers are thriving.
We would encourage anyone interested in helping out to please get in touch with a club coach anytime and we can get you set up and joining in the fun also. The future of our club is looking bright!
Club lotto
After this month’s jackpot news, it has been back to normal for Kinnegad Juniors’ lotto since. A big well done to our this week’s two match three winners, Anne Cannon and Ruby Meehan, who shared the €100 prize. The jackpot now sits at €3,200. That would be a nice prize to get in the run-up to Christmas! The club lotto can still be played online or by purchasing physical tickets around Kinnegad. There’s always time to get in on the next draw, so please get your KJAFC lotto today!
RAHARNEY UNITED AFC
Results
Friday October 15: CCFL Division 3B: Raharney Utd B 3-2 Moate Celtic
Saturday October 16: U12 West 2: Raharney Utd 5 v 2 Mullingar Ath Ospreys
Sunday October 17: CCFL Division 3: Raharney Utd A 3-1 East Galway
Fixtures
Saturday October 23
U10s West 2: Raharney Utd v St Joseph’s Whites, Cushla Park, 10.40am
U11 West 1: Raharney Utd v Birr Town, Frank O’Connell Park, 12.15pm
U12 West 2: Raharney Utd v Temple Villa Blue, TP Hickey Park, 12.45pm
Soccer Academy
Just a reminder that the Raharney United Soccer Academy continues this Friday from 7pm – 8pm for 5-12 year old boys and girls. Contact Academy Secretary Caroline on 085 1315075 for further details.
Astro
Our Astro is available for booking. Contact our Club mobile for details on booking - 085 2608446.
Lotto
Our lotto will be live on Facebook if signal allows or video will be posted after lotto with result. The cost of a ticket is €2. There will be a winner every second Monday.