Féile Na Péil 2015 Match Reports
By Enda Smyth, PRO of Clonegal Juvenile Club
On Friday June 26th two matches were played in Marshalstown.
Kildavin Clonegal 0-7 Strokestown 3-8
Strokestown the eventual division winners won the toss and played with the strong breeze,
scoring 2-7 by half time to Kildavin/Clonegal's only point from Patrick Coleman, two other
opportunities fell to Niall Hickey and Daniel Smyth but both fell into the goalkeeper’s hands.
It was a rude awakening for the local boys but they responded well in the second half with
the wind behind them. They had eleven chances converting six into points. A Daniel Smyth
ball ricocheted off the crossbar and Strokestown responded to the threat by getting a goal.
Daniel Smyth (0-3) Niall Hickey (0-2) Ciaran Nolan (0-1) Patrick Coleman (0-1)
Kildavin/Clonegal 3-8 Marshalstown 1-0
Marshalstown got off the mark very early on when a high ball to the Kildavin/Clonegal
Goalmouth fell kindly to an incoming forward that made no mistake. Sadly for them that was
to be their only score of the game. Kildavin/Clonegal responded with points from Rowan
Deane and Thomas Jeffers before Daniel Smyth found the net with a long range effort.
Points from Daniel Smyth, Kevin Sheppard and Niall Hickey brought the half time score to
Kildavin /Clonegal 1-5 Marshallstown 1-0. A penalty was awarded to K/C early in the second
half which was driven home by the designated taker Daniel Smyth. Niall Hickey scored from
a free and two further goals fell to Daniel Smyth. Robust defending was provided by Philip
Byrne, Stephen Carroll and Padraig Nolan. The team left Marshalstown happy with their
evenings work.
Saturday June 27th @ Spellman Park Kildavin
Kildavin/Clonegal 0-4 Kilconly 9-7
A large crowd of local supporters turned out to see the Kildavin/Clonegal Under 14s play
their only match of the competition at their home grounds; Spellman Park. They were
delighted to have been joined by the families and mentors of their guest team Kilconly from
Galway. Both teams knew from the results of the evening before this match would decide
who finished second in the group and played in the cup quarter final and who finished third
and qualified for the shield quarter final. Expectations were high. All was set up for a close
encounter. However the visitors simply blitzed the home team in the first half with an
unstoppable display of scoring power. Throughout the tournament Kilconly showed a very
accomplished and stylish brand of football together with good old fashioned guts and
determination. The quality of the running off the ball to support the player in possession and
the quick and accurate foot pass stood out. The hairdryer came out at half time; pride in the
jersey was at stake. The local lads had to show the large Kildavin/Clonegal crowd that they
weren’t just making up the numbers. Credit to them they did stand up winning the second
half 0-4 to 0-2. These points came from Kevin Sheppard, Niall Hickey, Adam Jeffers and
Daniel Smyth. None the less it was Kilconly who progressed to the cup and beat
Strokestown in the other match
Kildavin/Clonegal 3-2 Oulart the Ballagh 2-2
This match in Ferns on Saturday afternoon saw the team at the sharp end of the competition
and a place in the last four on the third and final day at stake. It proved to be a very tense
and close affair with Kildavin/Clonegal determined to put in a good first half which they did.
Could they keep it up? They forged ahead thanks to a magnificent contribution from Ciaran
Nolan scoring two goals and a glorious point from the left wing. Oulart didn’t give up they
fought hard and replied with goals themselves. Kildavin/Clonegal hearts were in their
mouths when Oulart was awarded a penalty. Luckily for the local lads it was driven wide. As
the second half went on a rear-guard action was called for and it was here that the
defenders shone. Jamie Doyle never put a foot wrong between the posts followed by
accurate distribution. John Henry Kirwan made a game saving interception and then
offloading to Stephen Carroll who drove the ball downfield leading to a goal. Cillian Coleman
excelled throughout the tournament with brave tackling and man to man marking. Darragh
Bolger was superb all weekend, more often than not first to the ball and never letting his
marker off easily. Pierse Deane was called upon to play in defence and attack which he did
to great effect. Philip Byrne and Padraig Nolan gave outstanding contributions. At the final
whistle a single score separated the teams. Kildavin/Clonegal progressed to the semi-finals.
Sunday June 28th
Kildavin/Clonegal 4-6 St Mullins 0-2
Playing on the Sunday of the tournament was something the Kildavin/Clonegal lads
dreamed of. Could they make it to Sunday Afternoon? St. Mullins had beaten Askea the
evening before by 4 points, so the lads knew they had to be on their A-game. They were
and dominated both halves. Richard Byrne excelled in the midfield having switched for Niall
Hickey, who went to right half forward. The ever present Kevin Sheppard who worked
tirelessly was rewarded with his second goal of the weekend. In the second half it was
Thomas Jeffers turn to find the net and add to his tally of scores. The switch of Niall to the
forwards proved successful as he too notched up 1-7. To complete the scoring Daniel Smyth
raised the green flag and Ciaran Nolan got another superb point. They had reached the
final.
Kildavin/Clonegal 0-5 Toorlestraun 3-5
Having played the semi-final in the Ferns GAA club grounds, they now moved the short
distance to the centre of Excellence in Ferns for the final.
Huge crowds were coming and going to witness the finals. Maybe it was destiny that having
come back from behind and fought through extra time and a shoot-out that Toorlestraun’s
name was on the shield. Whatever the reason it was the Sligo team that emerged victorious
and all credit to them. In the end it was just three kicks of the ball that separated the teams.
Tourlestone used the wind and the slope in the first half to lead 2-3 to 0-1 at the break,
Kildavin/Clonegals score coming from Ciaran Nolan. The boys in Red and Black dug deep in
the second half and added four points; two from Daniel Smyth and two from Niall Hickey but
Tourlestone consolidated with 1-2
Conclusion
The supporters from Kildavin/Clonegal cheered their heroes off the field after the final. It will
take time for this bunch of lads to fully realise the magnitude of their achievements. It was an
honour to be in their presence. The super subs were invaluable all weekend and deserve a
special mention. The boys had to play 13 a side on full size pitches for six matches. Bringing
the younger players off the bench was critical in reaching what is effectively an All-Ireland
division Final, A large thank you is extended to the under 12s who punched above their
weight; Daniel Byrne, Patrick Coleman, Pierse Deane, Darragh Bolger, Adam Jeffers, John
Henry Kirwan, Padraig Nolan and Danny Doyle.
Just give them all a ball and a yard of grass
The guest team Kilconly lost to Danesfort of Kilkenny in their cup Semi Final and left before
the shield final was played for their long journey home. The wished their hosts well on their
departure.