Kilcock edge out Nurney to lift Kildare Division 3 title
Just one defeat for Kilcock throughout their league endeavours as they add a Division 3 title
Kilcock are the Hanlon Concrete Kildare Division 3 League champions after they overcame Nurney by two points. Kilcock, who enjoyed 10 wins on their way to promotion and the league title were pushed all the way by a Nurney side who were the dominant side in the second half but two points was as close as they got.
Saturday afternoon’s final saw Kilcock without the services of county man Shane Farrell, he had made a return to Kildare against Kerry after a near two year absence through injury but missed out on Saturday.
Kilcock's full forward duo of Sean O’Sullivan and Shane O’Rourke had them two up inside four minutes before Sean Murphy got Nurney off the mark seven minutes in.
County midfielder Brendan Gibbons stepped up eight minutes with his only score of the game as he edged Kilcock two ahead.
Fifteen minutes had elapsed when Sean O’Sullivan combined with David Duke for the latter to fist to the net even though he was seriously close to the square. After consultation the goal was allowed stand.
Mickey Conway, from a free, added Nurney's second point but Shane O Rourke had the last say of the half with his second point. Kilcock lead 1-5 to 0-2 after 30 minute.
David Duke, the goal scorer in the opening half put Kilcock six up within two minutes of the restart but Nurney hit a purple patch over the next 5 minutes Two Mikey Conway frees either side of an Andrew Behan point helped close the gap to four. Two Shane O’Rourke white flags before the 45th minute helped keep Kilcock at arms length.
Mikey Conway added two frees and a fine point from Brian Reilly. Kilcock were struggling as Jessie Moore took control around the middle with some excellent fielding. Mikey Conway and Shane O’Rourke shared four points between them over the closing five minutes. Conway turned back the years with eight points over the hour but there was to be no leveller.
A three up infringment allowed Nurney a chance to close the gap but they went short as they worked the ball back to Theo Hanlon on the arc. Hanlon wasn't able to find the score as his shot drifted wide of the post.
The final whistle had Kilcock 1-10 to 0-11 in front but in truth with championship on the horizon its a game that left more questions than answers for both sides over the hour.
Kilcock will approach championship with confidence as they moved on to 11 wins out of the last 12 matches. Nurney are also up to Division 2 for next year and Alan Jordan's side will be a test for anyone.
KILCOCK: Jack Kelly; Dylan Morrow, Johnny O’Sullivan, Eoghan Conroy; Finn Dowling, Jason Gibbons, Hugh Dowling; Brendan Gibbons 0-1, Mark Gibbons; Danny Byrne, David Duke 1-1, Chris McCarthy; Andy Dalton, Sean O’Sullivan 0-3 (1f,'45), Shane O Rourke 0-5 (2pt). Subs: Joe Fitzmaurice for Chris McCarthy 37.
NURNEY: Eoghan Fitzpatrick; Neil Kelly, Daragh Conway, Noel Lawlor; Ciaran Callan, Brian Reilly 0-2, Steven Conway; Owen Kealey, Tadhg Hagney; Damien Berns, Michael Conway 0-8 (2pf,6f), Jessie Moore; Andrew Behan 0-1, Cathal Hagney, Sean Murphy 0-1. Subs: Theo Hanlon for Ciaran Callan 37; Kevin Conway for Damien Berns 44.
REFEREE: Kieran Harris.