Relief for Kilmainham as they retain their Junior A status

It was a good weekend for Kilmainham as they avoided the dreaded drop

Harry Newman

Kilmainham1-19

St Ultan's2-14

After extra-time

As expected, this relegation final went to the wire as Kilmainham and St. Ultan’s battled for Junior A survival. Both teams have been in relegation battles of late. St. Ultan’s escaping the Junior A drop on the final day last year while Kilmainham weren’t so lucky last year when departing the Intermediate grade after a nine-year stint.

Games between these two great clubs are always close and this was no different. There is a lot of friendships and mutual respect from both sides. Throw in the fact that our manager was a former St. Ultan’s player and manager it was sure to be a tight affair.

A minute silence was impeccably observed for the Ward and Herward families from St. Ultan’s. Condolences from everyone at Kilmainham GFC.

A large crowd gathered in Cortown and got value for their money as both teams looked to have won and lost the match at different stages. Whoever could keep their discipline and take their scores would ultimately win this one. Kilmainham started well but were guilty of some wayward passes as they headed for goals in the opening minutes.

St. Ultan’s missed some easy scoring opportunities of their own and you could sense a nervousness from both teams giving the importance of the match. Mickey Newman spurned a good goal chance when he broke a few tackles to fire over for a Kilmainham point.

Straight down the other end St. Ultan’s had a goal from a long kick out, with a brilliant finish by Buchanan who rattled the Kilmainham net. Kilmainham barely had time to settle when the same man burst through the Kilmainham rearguard again to finish brilliantly with the outside of his right boot.

Kilmainham were rattled. They showed their character and never panicked as they bounced back to chip away at the score board to reduce the deficit. Mark Newman had a brilliant goal chance saved when his brother Mickey found him unmarked in the square.

Newman’s shot was brilliantly saved by the Ultan’s keeper. Was it going to be one of those days? St. Ultan’s leading at half time by tw points.

The message from the Kilmainham management team at half time was to keep doing what we were doing, and the chances would come.

The game ebbed and flowed early in the second half. Both teams were guilty of some poor shooting and mistakes. A black card to Kilmainham’s corner back Stephen Newman looked to be a big turning point as he took down one of the St. Ultan’s players as he bared down on goal.

For the next 10 minutes Kilmainham’s work rate went through the roof. The number of turnovers and last-ditch defending was a joy to see. Freddie Newman and Dylan Morgan kicked some great points with Mickey Newman pulling the strings from the half forward line.

An off the ball incident saw St. Ultan’s reduced to 14 men. Seanie Mahon had a great chance to hit the St. Ultan’s net after a brilliant move up the pitch. Again the St. Ultan’s keeper stood firm with a good save. St. Ultan’s kept their noses in front as we approached full time.

Time looked to be up for our lads. The Ultan’s keeper took a short kick out to one of their backs as they looked to see out the match. The ball was played back to the keeper as the referee correctly applied the rule which resulted in a 13-metre free to Kilmainham. Dylan Morgan stepped up as he did all night to send the ball over the bar and send the match to extra time. St. Ultan’s crushed and Kilmainham relieved.

Normal time: Kilmainham 1-14, St. Ultan’s 2-11

Extra time was going to be survival of the fittest. Kilmainham had played extra time two weeks previously in their relegation semi-final after their agonising defeat to Dunsany.

Our lads knew that there was more in the tank. We dominated the early exchanges of extra time, racing into a four-point lead as St. Ultan’s struggled to regain their composure. Just like they did all game, St. Ultan’s never gave up and fought back to reduce the deficit to two points.

A brilliant save by Kilmainham’s Dean Peppard kept them out as they looked for a goal. Kilmainham had chances to seal the win but missed them as legs started to tire. Shane Morgan tapped over the insurance point as Kilmainham held out for deserved two-point win.

Patrick Clarke blew his whistle much to the relief of the brilliant Kilmainham supporters. Heartbreak for our neighbours St. Ultan’s as they make the drop to Junior B and jubilee for our lads as we retain our Junior A status. How do you some up this year for us?

A brilliant Tailteann Cup success for us with a win against an excellent Kilbride side in the final in early February, A mixed league campaign blighted by injuries, but we still finished in 6th place in Division 2A.

Ultimately a poor championship campaign found us in this relegation battle. As we have been in the past, we were written off, not these lads, when it mattered most, we had leaders all over the pitch in this match. We refused to give up and worked hard for each other to secure a vital win.

Our substitute bench made a telling contribution in helping us get over the line. Rumour has it, Newman’s home house was the venue for the late night sociables. A sight Katleen Newman would dread but the big man Denis Newman looking down would absolutely love.

A big thank you to our dedicated supporters who have stuck by us and attended matches all year round and have been with us in the good and not so good days. Time for our lads to rest up, analyse their own performances over the course of the year and come back with a hunger to do better next year.

It's hard to single out players on an unbelievable team performance but Dylan Morgan, Mickey Newman, Freddie Newman, Seanie Mahon and Jamie O’ Sullivan in particular were outstanding on the night.

A special mention to Cortown GFC for their kind hospitality and excellent facilities on the night. Their pitch was in immaculate condition and there was plenty of stewards to direct the large crowd to and from the game safely.

Kilmainham - Dean Peppard, Stephen Newman, Larry Morgan, Jamie O’ Sullivan (0-1), Fergal Black, Seanie Mahon (0-1), Matthew Mullen, Ger Morgan, Freddie Newman (0-5), Declan Mullen, Dylan Morgan (0-8), Padraig Caffrey, Mark Newman (1-0), Conor Kilgallen, Mickey Newman (0-2).

Subs - Shane Morgan (0-1) for Fergal Black, Paddy Hennigan for Mark Newman, Paul Farrelly (0-1) for Conor Kilgallen, Barry Lynch for Padraig Caffrey.

Referee - Patrick Clarke (Kilmainhamwood)