27-Sep-2008

Under 20s overcome Athlone

Kildare County   3    Athlone Town     1

Ricky Moriarity 11,22

Paddy Mahon 40

Colin Muray s/o 55

The steady progress that this new U-20 team has made was emphatically confirmed on Saturday afternoon when County were deserving 3-1 winners against a strong Athlone Town side. County lost their first game of the season when most of their players were making their debuts at this level but to their great credit they have proven quick learners and were most unlucky to have lost 2-1 to Shamrock Rovers last time out when they had deserved a share of the points.

However in this, their third game of the season, they put things right by playing a style of football that is a delight to watch. The young colts did everything that was asked of them and more and considering that for various reasons including injuries County started with only five of the team which played so well last week. It was one of the incoming players, Paddy Mahon, who was making his first appearance of the season who put in an incredible Man of the Match performance. Paddy's experience of playing at this level shone out as he drove the other players on through his example.
 
Right from the start County got the ball down and passed it out from back to front. Mick Lawless in the County goals made one terrific save early on when Athlone went close against the run of play. It was another debutant Ricky Moriarity who gave County the lead after 11 minutes when he showed razor sharp reflexes to slot the ball home.

All the while the defence of Barry Forde, Trevor Boyle, Colin Murray and Eddie Hennessey were outstanding as they dealt with everything that came their way and still looked to pass the ball out of defence whenever in possession. Shane Fox and Paul O'Brien on the wings were getting plenty of the ball and their ability to run at defenders caused headaches for the Athlone rearguard throughout the game. Pat Dobbs worked his socks off as both he and Ricky Moriarity tied down the Athlone defence and never let out from the back easily.

 County went further ahead when Moriarity capitalised on a goalkeeping error to chip the ball home from a very tight angle. Just before the break Paddy Mahon got his reward when he met a beautiful in-swinging free kick from Eddie Hennessey and sent a powerful to the back of the Athlone net. County went in at half time knowing that they could not afford to let up when they re-emerged.

Unfortunately County found themselves a man down after 10 minuites when Colin Murray got himself sent off needlessly. The true grit of this side was then shown as they rearranged and continued to take the game to Town. Paul Flynn came on for Pat Dobbs and Cian Glavin came on for Paul O' Brien. Athlone eventually pulled a goal back following a mistake by the County keeper who had been magnificent up to that. In the end County ran out comfortable winners and can now look forward to some great tests against top class opposition over the next few weeks.

Kildare County:  Mick Lawless, Barry Forde, Eddie Hennessy,  Trevor Boyle, Colin Murray,  James Keane,  Paul O'Brien (Niall Flynn), Paddy Mahon, Pat Dobbs (Cian Glavin), Ricky Moriarity, Shane Fox

 

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