Choose Year - Search News - Latest News

Mixed weekend for Kildare

Kildare had a double bill of away games this past weekend, first visiting Monaghan on Friday before a tough encounter with a reinvigorated Shelbourne in Tolka Park yesterday. Kildare's encounter with Monaghan proved to be the most fruitful of the two games from a County viewpoint. Kildare started the game playing Philly Gorman as a lone front-man, with John Ryan playing five in midfield. This tactic seemed to work as Monaghan failed to piece together cohesive attacking plays for much of the opening spell. Kildare took the lead after thirteen minutes when a Paul Donnelly free-kick sent Cathal Brady down the wing. Brady beat the Monaghan full-back before planting a great ball into the feet of Philly Gorman, who made no mistake in powering home from a few yards out.

Monaghan almost drew level when a Jason McCartney drive from 20 yards forced an excellent save from Austin O'Neill. The “Magic Mons” went close to equalising again on the half hour mark when a deflected Willie Doyle shot forced O'Neill into a reactionary stop. Kildare had chances to add to their single-goal lead before half time with both Eoghan Carew and Gorman going close.

The second half was a dull affair, with few chances for both sides. Kildare's midfield five were frustrating Monaghan's attempt at drawing level, whilst Kildare were struggling to create more goal-scoring opportunities. Ten minutes into the second half, Monaghan had a great chance to draw even when Wille Doyle found himself in space on the edge of the box. The ex-Shamrock Rovers striker's shot went just over O'Neill's crossbar, to the relief of the Thoroughbred faithful in Kingspan Century Park. Kildare came close to finishing the tie off with around ten minutes to go when more fine play from Brady down the wing led to a pass to substitute Dean Barrett in front of goal; with Barrett just failing to connect with the incoming ball.

In the end it finished 1-0 to the Thoroughbreds. Kildare deserved the points in what was a very hard-fought encounter with both sides finding chances to score few and far between.

On Sunday John Ryan's charges were visitors to Tolka Park, home to an inform Shelbourne side.  Unlike Shelbourne's 4-1 drubbing of Kildare just over a week ago in Station Road, this tie was a tight affair. Indeed, it was Kildare who were on top from the off and who dominated the first half. County went close to breaking the deadlock after 20 minutes when the Shelbourne defence struggled to deal with an Eoghan Carew long-ball. The ball eventually fell to Cathal Brady, who striked the ball just wide. Philly Gorman also came closing to putting the Thoroughbred's ahead before half-time when he headed the ball narrowly over from a corner kick.

Kildare were made rue the chances they missed early on in the second half when, after 52 minutes, an unmarked Anto Flood headed home a cross from Shel's winger McCulloch to set the Dublin side on their way. Shelbourne nearly scored their second just minutes later when a Mark Leech pass found Glenn Lacey in space, with Lacey's shot going narrowly wide. With 20 minutes to go, Darragh Hanaphy passed by three Shelbourne defender's before his shot caused mayhem in the Shels box, with Clancy having a great chance to slot the ball home before the “Reds” cleared their lines. Hanaphy was a thorn in the side of the Shels defence after he came on as a substitute, and came close to firing County level on a number of occasions. Stephen Cooling then had a fine shot whisk off the top of the crossbar.

Just when it looked likely Kildare were going to score an equaliser, Mark Leech nabbed Shelbourne's second. The  Irish Under 21 International finished clinically after Shelbourne counter-attacked and took advantage of the space afforded to them by some lax Kildare defending. Kildare claimed a consolation goal in the dying moments of the game when Dean Barrett drove through the Shelbourne defence before firing past the Shelborune keeper.

Kildare team V Monaghan: O'Neill (Cassiddy 80); Donnelly, Byrne, Malone, Stapleton; Brady, Cooling, McArdle (Barrett 77), Carew, Clancy; Gorman.

Kidare team V Shelbourne:  Cassidy; Donnelly (P Byrne , 20 mins), A Byrne, Malone (Barrett, 78), Stapleton; Brady, Cooling, Carew, Clancy; Gorman, McArdle (Hanaphy, 49).