31/01/2022
Well Done⭐
CCFL U19 Portlaoise v Kinnegad
On Saturday Portlaoise welcomed Kinnegad to Rossleighan Park for their CCFL U19 league match. The sides played out an entertaining 4-4 draw earlier in the season so both sides would have expected a tough game. Portlaoise needed to bounce back after a tough loss last week to Mountmellick while Kinnegad knew a win here would guarantee them a place in the league semi-finals.
With so much on the line both teams produced a quality game. It was high in intensity from the start but the passing and movement of both sets of players was impressive.
The home team started well and against the breeze were dominating possession and making plenty of half chances. Kinnegad were dangerous on the break but the back 4 of David Mulhall, Kyle Enright, Fred Kerins and Conall Rowney dealt with the threat and their link up play with midfield gave Portlaoise a great platform to attack. As the half went on both defences grew in confidence. Although the quality of football remained high clear chances were hard to come by. We reached the half time whistle with the score still 0-0.
Fifteen minutes into the second half and Portlaoise made the break through. A long ball from Callum McHugh went over Tiernan Cahill and the Kinnegad centre back but Jason Horan timed his run to get onto the loose ball and he finished well giving the keeper no chance. That was a well-deserved lead as the home team had started the half strongly. Kinnegad however lifted their game and were level 10 minutes later. A deep cross from the right wing found the striker at the back post and he headed in. Then David Mulhall made a great goal line block and clearance as Kinnegad dominated. Callum McHugh was called into action and made a great save as the away team continued to press. As the game opened up James Wheeler, Sean Kitchen and Jason Horan got more space going forward. Michael Culliton and Brian Brennan began to wrestle back control in the centre of the park and chances started to arrive for Portlaoise. Good saves from the away keeper and solid defending from his back four looked like denying Portlaoise but with 10 minutes remaining Tiernan Cahill scored a goal worthy of winning any game. The ball broke to Tiernan 25 yards out after sustained Portlaoise pressure. Cahills first touch set the ball up and he struck it with power, in off the underside of the crossbar. The home team were in the driving seat and will feel they should have added a third goal soon after as they got chances on the break. A nervy last few minutes followed and Kinnegad pushed for the equaliser. Adam Kingston was on in the back four beside Enright. They alongside Rowney and Mulhall at full back were very impressive late on and ensured the home team ran out with a well-deserved and much needed 2-1 win.
Team: Callum McHugh, David Mulhall, Kyle Enright, Fred Kerins, Conall Rowney, James Wheeler, Michael Culliton, Brian Brennan, Jason Horan, Sean Kitchen, Tiernan Cahill, Peter Naughton, Tony Brennan, Ashraf Muhammad.
Sean Kitchen, U /19 Subway man of the match V Mountmellick, Jason Horan, U/19 Subway man of match v Suncroft Subway Portlaoise
