Grange progress to Kildare JFC Semi-Finals after fourth win from four in Group A

Grangenolvin 2-13

Kill 0-11

Grange progressed to the Kildare Junior Championship Semi-Final stage after a victory over Kill gave them four wins from four in Group A. It was a slow start to proceedings, but 2-6 scored in the second half of the first half did all the damage for the Championship favourites.

Two Fionn Bergin frees were split by a Stephen O’Leary point from play at the other end with both sides struggling to get a handle on the ball early on. Superb points from play from Dylan Costigan and Conall Bergin pushed Grange three clear, but a James Kilbride free, after Kill turned the ball over high up the field, left the sides two apart after 20 minutes.

Grange got their first goal from nothing. A Fionn Bergin effort at the posts was dropping short and Oran Bergin’s fist was first to it and sent the ball back into the sky. Cillian Bergin then rose above Mike Jones to tip the ball over the Kill goalkeeper and into the net. The messy goal drew subdued celebrations but was critical for the leading side in cooling Kill’s momentum.

After three of the other Bergin’s were involved in the goal, Conall decided it was his turn to get involved and followed a brilliant two-pointer with a fine point from play to push Grange 1-7 to 0-2 ahead.

Brian Cullen then galloped forward from wing-back and cut inside before hitting a two-pointer of his own.

Oran Bergin got Grange’s last white flag of the half from close-range after being fed through by Cillian.

Another long ball would again aid in breaching the Kill backline with Dylan’s Costigan’s long, searching ball breaking to Keith McGloin who found the net.

Grange’s second goal came right on the half hour mark and they took a 2-10 to 0-2 lead in at half-time with Kill having not scored since the 18th minute.

Kill restarted proceedings with a superb two-pointer from James Kilbride, which would be quickly answered by two out of Grange’s three second half points as they took their foot off the gas.

A comeback was never on the cards but Kill put a respectable look on the scoreline with nine second half points including further two-pointers from substitute Liam O’Carroll and Kilbride once again.

Despite Kill’s scoring superiority in the second half, they came up short 2-13 to 0-11.

Grangenolvin, Conall Bergin 0-5 (one 2pt), Fionn Bergin 0-3 (0-3 frees), Cillian Bergin 1-0, Keith McGloin 1-0, Brian Cullen 0-2 (one 2pt), Dylan Costigan 0-1, Oran Bergin 0-1, Paul Huntingdon 0-1.

Kill, James Kilbride 0-5 (0-3 frees, one 2pt, one 2pt free), Liam O'Carroll 0-3 (one 2pt), AJ Jordan 0-2 (0-1 frees, 0-1 '45), Stephen O'Leary 0-1.

GRANGENOLVIN: Conor McMahon; Gavin Ivory, Paul Huntingdon, Keith Holligan; Lewis Gannon, Dylan Costigan, Brian Cullen; Keith McGloin, Conall Bergin; Ross Dooley, James Gannon, Cillian Bergin; Oran Bergin, Nathan Doyle, Fionn Bergin. Subs: Timmy Doyle for Ross Dooley (35 minutes), Wayne Dooley for Nathan Doyle (44 minutes), Alan Phelan for Brian Cullen (45 minutes).

KILL: Mike Jones; Ciaran Devoy, Justin Halligan, Aidan Coleman; Mark Lee, Kevin Corrigan, Dara Challoner; Alex Byrne, Finn Ryan; AJ Jordan, Stephen O'Leary, Owen Thompson; Alan Wren, Jake Nolan, James Kilbride. Subs: Paul Kirwan for Stephen O'Leary (44 minutes), Jake Collins for Jake Nolan (48 minutes), Liam O'Carroll for Alan Wren (50 minutes).

Referee: Michael Malone

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