Early Kavanagh goal sets Aughrim up for sweet victory

AUGHRIM KILCOOLE 1-10 0-6

AUGHRIM opened their Group 2 campaign in the Boom Platform Hire Junior ‘A’ Football Championship on a winning note when they overcame Kilcoole at Arklow at Saturday evening last in a game that was played in excellent conditions.

It’s no secret that the Division 3 league champions Kilcoole are anxious to make an impression in this year’s championship having lost to Ashford in last year’s final, while Aughrim, having being relegated last year to Junior ‘A’ status were hoping to make a winning start in the campaign and to make a quick return to a higher flight in the months ahead.

The south Wicklow side have continued to develop and blood some younger players and with a nice blend of youth and experience have moulded together a decent team and could prove stiff opposition for other outfits in this championship.

Aughrim got off to the perfect start when Patrick Kavanagh found the net with the only goal of the game after four minutes following a mix up in the Kilcoole defence to get the eventual winners off to a brilliant start.

This score inspired the entire Aughrim squad as they took the game to the pre match favourites which saw Kilcoole play second fiddle for most of the game.

Aughrim took control in most areas of the field with fitness being a big factor as they forced their way forward. Willie Kavanagh was fouled and Robert Lambert scored a point from the free.

The Granite City men kept the pressure on and county substitute goalkeeper Robert Lambert split the defence and earned a free which he pointed to leave Aughrim leading 1-2 to 0-0 after 12 minutes.

Corner-forward Conor Lambert slotted over a point in the next attack and then following good work by Willie Kavanagh, Lambert won free which was taken by the brother, came back of the upright to Conor Phelan and he pointed to make it 1-4 to 0-0.

Three further Aughrim points, from Patrick Kavanagh, Conor Lamert and Patrick Phelan allowed Aughrim aontinue to buld their dominance but a brief rally from Kilcoole saw Liam Dutton open their scoring after 26 minutes.

A brief rally from the Goosebank men resulted in Ronan Keddy powering through the Aughrim defence and firing over for their second score to leave it 1-7 to 0-2 at the break for Aughrim.

The second saw Kilcoole aiming to reduce the deficit, but their shooting let them down as they landed two attacks in a row but the Aughrim defence stood firm. At the third attempt the challengers were rewarded with a point from Liam Dutton which inspired his team mates as they continued to take the game to the winners and were given a glimmer of hope when Jack Bellamy scored a point from play.

However, the Kilcoole challenge soon faded as Aughrim upped the tempo once more which saw Robert Lambert kick an easy point to leave them with a comfortable lead of 1-8 to 0-4 with 12 minutes gone in the second half.

Four wides and the loss of Liam Dutton to a second yellow compunded Kilcoole’s woes but points from Luke Evans and Vinnie Quigley provided them with hope.

However, Quigley’s score proved to be their last score as Aughrim finished stronger and went on to add points from Patrick Kavanagh and substitute Shane McGuckian which saw the Granite City men run out easy winners.

This victory will have to have pleased the team mentors as the entire squad showed commitment as they hit the ground running from the start and no doubt this game was won in the opening half where the winners were completely on top.

Kilcoole will have to knuckle down to the task that lies ahead as they face Rathnew next weekend and have to win to keep their championship hopes alive.

Scorers – Aughrim: Patrick Kavanagh 1-2, Robert Lambert 0-3 (3f), Conor Lambert 0-3, Patrick Phelan 0-1, Shane McGuckian 0-1.

Kilcoole: Liam Dutton 0-2, Ronan Keddy 0-1, Jack Bellamy 0-1, Vinnie Quigley 0-1, Luke Evans 0-1.

Cillian Donegan; Ian Clancy, Eoin Forsyth, Daniel Owens; Alan Cotton, Robert Lambert, Conor Phelan; Mick Brennan, Patrick Phelan; Patrick Kavanagh, Pierce Lawlor, Adam Rochford; Willie Kavanagh, Rory O’Brien, Conor Lambert. Subs: Richard Keegan for Adam Rochford, Shane McGuckian for Patrick Kavanagh.

Glen Tighe; David Kelly, Matthew Mannix, Keith Reynolds; Dara Keddy, Colm McGovern, Kevin Condron; Peter O’Brien, Ronan Keddy; Eoin Keddy, Vinnie Quigley, Jack Bellamy; Luke Evans, Danny Kavanagh, Liam Dutton. Subs: Eoin Hanney for Dara Keddy (BC), Eoin O’Brien for Matthew Mannix.

Pat Hickey (AGB)