Kinvara Utd 4-3 Oughterard B
Kinvara went into this match knowing that a win would guarantee promotion to Championship next season and also, keep them in contention to win the title. Oughterard weren’t going to give anything easy though.
A minute’s silence was observed before the match in memory of Leo Finn, a KUFC stalwart.
3 minutes in to the match Oughterard scored with a fine strike from outside the box. Kinvara worked their way into the game with controlled possession but were challenged relentlessly by Oughterard’s physicality. Chances were created through Kinvara’s creativity but it took half an hour before their efforts paid off. Samuel played a perfect pass over the head of the defender to the onrushing Donnacha who showed skill, speed and composure to beat the keeper and level at 1-1.
Oughterard finished the half strongly and Kinvara were happy enough to go in to the break all square.
Kinvara started the 2nd half brightly creating decent chances they were unable to convert. Oughterard continued to be dangerous but back 4 of Jake, Shane Shox, JJ and Samuel plus Otis in goals showed good concentration and bravery in the challenge to keep the scores level. That was until the 20th min of the 2nd half when Oughterard’s striker latched on to a through ball and beat the onrushing Otis to make it 1-2.
Kinvara showed great resilience to come back from this disappointment and were rewarded with a penalty on 25 mins after Róan was taken down in the box. He stepped up and scored well to bring the teams level at 2-2.
Oughterard weren’t finished and caught Kinvara shortly after with a deflected shot to put them 2-3 up with 10 mins remaining of normal time.
Kinvara went to the well again and refused to accept the defeat that faced them. Attack after attack gave hope but little else as the match went into the 4 mins of injury time. Then Róan picked up a ball on the edge of the box, took it past one defender, then another, then cut the ball past the keeper to the bottom corner. 3-3
Kinvara wasn’t finished yet! 2 minutes later Isaac took on the ball and was fouled just inside the box. The ref pointed to the spot and Róan stepped up again. Nerves of steel and good technique put the ball past the keeper again to show all who turned up to support Kinvara that dreams are worth believing in.
All Kinvara players from 1 to 15 played their part in one of those games that could leave you shaking for a couple of days after. The bench played a big part in delivering momentum at critical periods of the game.
Congratulations to the lads for securing back to back promotions. Thanks goes to Dennis Lydon who refereed the game very well, allowing a sporting contest develop and who intervened when needed.
Next up in the league is Salthill Devon in Killina and a home win forces a play off with Kiltullagh for the title. Plenty to play for yet!
Back Row (L-R): Pádraig Ó Máirtín (Coach), Evan Canning, JJ O’Connor, Shane O’Shaughnessy, Shane Talty, Róan Cassidy Ó Máirtín (c), Donnacha Mullane, Adam Hammer, Lorcan Ward, Charlie Forde, Jake McMahon, Damien Forde (Coach).
Front Row: Diarmuid Crossan, Conor O’Donnell, Otis Warrick, Isaac Warrick, Samuel O’Donoghue.
Management team: Pádraig Ó Máirtín, Damien Forde, Nóra Cassidy, Paul Canning
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