KDFL League Shield Final
Bush Celtic FC 2 Rathangan AFC 1
Division 1 side Bush Celtic were crowned KDFL League Shield winners on Sunday following their narrow 2-1 victory over Senior side Rathangan AFC in a highly entertaining game played at Micheal O Neill Park, Clonmullion.
The game started with both clubs looking to bring back the second largest piece of cup silverware the league has to offer. It was the Bush who came out of the traps quickest and were causing the Rathangan rear guard some issues with their free flowing football. With twenty minutes on the clock the men in green got their reward when the ever willing Molloy beat two Rathangan players on the right and sent a beauty in off the keepers right hand post putting the Bush 1-0 up. Rathangan’s long ball attack wasn’t really causing too much of an issue for the rearguard of Whelan, King, Durkan and Fox who were immense again and were dealing with anything Rathangan threw at them comfortably. Dignam and King in midfield were dictating the play a pulling the strings.
On the half hour Bush were reduced to ten men when Harry Dolan received his second yellow card of the game however they defended their lead to the break and went in 1-0 up.
Bush knew they had a massive shift to put in, in the second half but they had done their home work and were determined to give it their best shot and knew they had every change to clinch the trophy from their more fancied opposition. The weather soon deteriorated with wind and rain and Rathangan equalised on the hour mark. Bush continued to play some fine football despite their numerical disadvantage and they took the lead on the hour mark when Ben Coleman won a free kick just inside the Bush half. Dean King stepped up with his trusty right foot to send a pin point pass to centre midfield partner Dignam who flicked on to the ever reliable Liam knight. Knight made no mistake and buried it home, another huge goal from a diamond of a player to put his side 2-1 ahead.
Bush keeper Daragh Nolan had to be at his best to keep out an excellent effort from Rathangan to equalise with twelve minutes remaining. Rathangan were throwing everything at the Bush at this stage and were sure they had an equaliser with two minutes to go but Dean King who was excellent on the day came out of nowhere to clear the ball off the line. The Bush continued to see off the pressure and got the result they needed, bringing the League shield Curragh side for 2024. Best for the Bush in what was an all-round team performance were Liam Knight, Alex King, Daragh Nolan and Dean King. on this great day was our amazing support, our legends of players subs included.
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