Kilmacanogue off to a superb start

A young and enthusiastic Kilmacanogue side announced their arrival into Division 1A with a hard-fought victory over Kiltegan on Sunday morning.

With an average outfield age of less than 23 years old, Jonathan Daniels’ crew controlled proceedings at the north Wicklow venue and lead for all but nine minutes of the tie.

Their only groan may be that they allowed Kiltegan to remain in contention for so long and another grumbling will be the concession of two goals against Kiltegan who travelled without star men Seanie Furlong and Rory Finn due to inter-county commitments.

The fixture had originally been pencilled in for Kiltegan but was reversed to the Kilmac venue. The hosts fielded the O’Callaghan brothers – Ben, Luke, Josh and Sam – the latter of which was making his debut for the club. Josh opened the scoring from a free and captain Robert Conan then took inspiration from his brother – Leinster star Jack Conan - as he broke the line and landed a fine solo effort.

Good defensive work from Donal Tuohy lead to Niall Meldon’s opening score of the tie but some not so good defensive work from Tuohy then lead to Kiltegan’s opening score.

Jeff Bermingham burst unmarked into the Kilmac area and Tuohy felled him, resulting in the award of a penalty by Noel Kinsella. Anthony Furlong dispatched it with aplomb.

There was almost an instant reply. Aaron Creavin’s long-ball was tamed by Andrew Molloy but defenders swarmed him and drowned him out. It fell to Sam O’Callaghan but the visiting defence again proved too strong as they blocked the youngster’s effort.

A second goal could and probably should arrived for Kiltegan on 14 minutes. A long ball was completely misjudged by the home defence, leaving Jacko Dalton and Emmett Murphy free to conspire only a few metres from goal. Dalton claimed it and ignored his team-mate’s calls as he instead opted for the point which pushed his side ahead.

Furlong stretched the lead two minutes later but that was as good as it got for Kiltegan as six scores in a row put Kilmac back in the driving seat – a seat they were very comfortable in.

Aaron Creavin, Sam O’Callaghan (2), Josh O’Callaghan, Ben O’Callaghan and Cian Rafferty all rose white flags in a sequence that saw them land six consecutive shots in a row.

By the end of the first half, Jacko Dalton resorted to dropping back to midfield just in order to secure some possession for his side having gotten very little change out of Kilmac’s Bob O’Donnell.

Kiltegan had a 77 per cent shot conversion rate in the first period so they had no problem pulling the trigger but it was getting within range that proved difficult.

Niall Meldon and Andrew Molloy pointed early in the first half to open up a four-point gap for their side and they almost had a goal but for a superbly timed late hand on Luke O’Callaghan by Liam Keogh.

Kilmac’s hunting in packs continued to trouble Kiltegan and one such effort saw Luke O’Callaghan swallow up Jacko Dalton, allowing Meldon to pinch it and feed Molloy for their 14th score of the contest.

With nine minutes to go, the fat lady began clearing her throat. The ball was worked in from the right to Sam O’Callaghan and he dished it to Molloy to smuggle it past the goalkeeper at his near post.

Only a minute later, Kiltegan fired back with their second goal as Cathal Fitzgerald’s effort sailed over Daryl Tighe’s head but that green flag offered scant consolation.

With Furlong and Finn back in their ranks, they will be a much more dangerous proposition but Kilmac also fielded on Sunday light of a few key men.

Scorers - Kilmac: Andrew Molloy 1-2, Josh O’Callaghan 0-3 (2F’s), Niall Meldon 0-3, Sam O’Callaghan 0-2, Robert Conan 0-1, Aaron Creavin 0-1, Ben O’Callaghan 0-1, Cian Rafferty 0-1, Gavan Burke 0-1.

Kiltegan: Cathal Fitzgerald 1-4 (3F’s), Anthony Furlong 1-2 (1 penalty), Jacko Dalton 0-1, Geoff Bermingham 0-1. Kilmac: Daryl Tighe; Joey Molloy, Bob O’Donnell, Donal Tuohy; Luke O’Callaghan, Cian Rafferty, Paddy O’Donnell; Robert Conan, Ben O’Callaghan; Niall Meldon, Josh O’Callaghan, Aaron Creavin; Gavan Burke, Andrew Molloy, Sam O’Callaghan. Kiltegan: Fergal Hannon; Jon Bob Dalton, Blake Hannon, John Farrell; Geoff Bermingham, Stephen Farrell, Jamie Daly; Ronan Byrne, Cathal Fitzgerald; Shane Lennon, Anthony Furlong, Mark Pierce; Liam Keogh, Jacko Dalton, Emmett Murphy. Referee: Noel Kinsella.