Clonmullion AFC 3 Kilcullen AFC 1
This was a very hotly contested Senior League semi-final played in blustery conditions in Micheál O Neill Park in Clonmullion. The home side came close in the fifth minute when a Nathan Robinson free kick was cleverly flicked on by Cody Mulhall into the run of veteran centre half Timmy Doyke who's left foot shot flashed just wide. Five minutes later the visitors came close when Mark McGinley fired just over after great approach play by Rob Lee and Dylan Aylesberry. Two minutes later Michael Lawless in the Clonmullion goal came to his sides rescue when he saved brilliantly with his feet after Daragh Reilly laid a beautiful ball into Lee who shot first time. The game ebbed and flowed with both teams creating half chances until the half hour mark when a quick free kick by Jordan Harmon to strike partner Mulhall saw him round two defenders and scoop the ball delightfully over the advancing keeper Doyle into the net to make it 1 nil. From the restart a long ball over the top from Alan Dignam was superbly controlled by Dylan Aylesberry and with his next touch he crashed a bullet volley off the crossbar that rebounded to safety. On the hour mark Clonmullion came close to doubling their lead when a Mulhall corner kick found Harmon unmarked at the back post but his volley flew just over the bar. They did make it 2 nil, again from a quick free kick, with 15 minutes left on the clock. This time Mulhall fed Harmon who's low cross across a crowded penalty area was bundled in by overlapping full back Evan Philips. Kilcullen pushed hard to get one back and did so with 10 minutes remaining when a Rob Lee free kick could only be parried by Lawless and the in rushing centre back Dignam slotted home. The visitors went all out for the equaliser and left themselves open at the back and when Wayne Doyle passed back to his keeper Doyle he was quickly closed down by Mulhall and his hurried clearance was cut out by Robinson who squared to substitute Lee Day who made no mistake for the edge of the box to make it 3 1 and ensured The Mull would be in the final. Best for Clonmullion were Jay Connell and Philips at the back, Jack Dooley and Robinson in the middle with Mulhall and Harmon always a danger up front while veteran centre half Timmy Doyle used all his experience to control things from the back. Best for a good Kilcullen side were Dignam at the back, Doyle and Lee in the middle and Aylesberry was excellent up front.
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