The KDFL kicked off their 30th Season in football on Sunday 7th April completing a full domestic programme in which 619 league games, 163 cup and shield games and 3 play offs were played by our members for a chance at securing one or more trophies. With still a chance of silverware at Provincial and National level, we would like to wish Clane United and Clonmullion all the best in their remaining ties at FAI/LFA Junior Cup ties, Allenwood Celtic and Derry Rovers womens teams who are taking park in the LFA Womens Shield next week and indeed our women’s representative team who play their first game in the LFA Womens Inter League Trophy against Kilkenny & District Football League in the coming weeks.
The Junior mens section welcomed back new entrants BBC United making their return to the KDFL following an absence of sixteen years, Prosperous United, Kilcullen AFC, Sallins Celtic, Allenwood Celtic and Bush Celtic also making a return to the junior section and we welcome new club Cappakeel FC from Emo. Newbridge United welcomed a second team to the junior section primarily comprising of their existing under 20 squad as we already see the transition of under 20s come to fruition.
In the Masters Section Ballycane Celtic competed for the first time and Kildare Town AFC women made a welcomed return to the womens Section. There had been significant disbandment’s in the higher divisions including the loss of Clongorey FC, Suncroft AFC and Straffan AFC from the senior Division. Despite this the league have maintained and for the first time since 2017 have saw an increase across the mens junior section which was encouraging.
The Senior division was hotly contested again in 2024 with the Senior League going down to the wire culminating in a League title play off between near rivals Clane United FC and Naas United FC, with Naas coming out on top. Clane had claimed the Senior Cup title the week before against the same opposition.
The Premier division welcomed three teams promoted from division 1, Moone Celtic, Clonmullion’s second team and Naas United FC, they were joined by existing Premier league sides Kildare Town AFC, Caragh Celtic and Newbridge United and senior relegated side Ballycane Celtic. The premier division was always very competitive and 2024 was no different with Moone Celtic claiming top spot for the first time in the Club’s history and now set their sights on challenging in the top flight for 2025. Newbridge United claimed runner up and they will join Moone in the senior division also for the first time.
Division 1 was the largest division in the league with twelve clubs competing, they included new entrants Bush Celtic, Cappakeel FC, Prosperous United, Newbridge United’s seconds, they were joined by existing member clubs St Anthonys Youths FC, Clane United, Suncroft and Castle Villa FC. Monasterevin AFC and Maynooth Town FC who were relegated from the Premier division also entered the fray. After a gruelling 22 league games Naas United FC came out on top securing the League title, impressively only losing one tie during the summer. Suncroft AFC battled all the way to capture the runners up spot. Both sides will now compete in the Premier League for 2025.
Div 2 saw 11 teams compete including new entrants BBC United FC who made a return to the KDFL after a lengthy hiatus, Straffan AFC and Allenwood Celtic FC, they were joined by current clubs Old Fort Celtic, Newbridge Rovers, Arlington FC, Moone Celtic, Caragh Celtic, Kildare Town and Div 1 relegated sides Kildare Town and Newbridge Hotspurs. Newbridge Rovers were runaway victors of this Division securing the first trophy of 2024 when they captured their first piece of KDFL League silverware with an impressive five points in hand on their nearest rivals and runners up Caragh Celtic FC.
The Masters divisions maintained all current clubs including new entrants Ballycane Celtic. Newbridge Town FC captured Division 1 in great style with 11 points in hand on runners up Celbridge Town FC and were the only unbeaten side across all sections of the League in 2024. Rathangan AFC celebrating their 30th anniversary also this year claimed their first Masters League title in Division 2 with Kilcock Celtic claiming runners up spot following a play off against Monasterevin AFC.
Kildare Town AFC made a welcomed return to the womens section and although things didn’t go well on the pitch in their first season back the women thoroughly enjoyed the season, so much so they turned up in their numbers to the KDFL’s 30th Anniversary celebrations in November. Monasterevin AFC were too hot to handle in the womens section in 2024 claiming the title for the second year in succession ten points clear at the top, second place was secured by Derry Rovers FC following a play off against Clane United FC.
In Cup action. The coveted Lumsden League Cup always throws up a thriller and 2024 was no different. Clane United FC and Clonmullion FC contested the final, Clane for the third time and Clonmullion FC in their fourth. Liam Deane headed the hosts in front before half time however deadball specialist and Clonmullion FC captain Nathan Robinson levelled matters going into the break with all to play for. With twenty minutes remaining in what was a fantastic game for the neutral, Mark Wolfe edged Clonmullion in front. Almost immediately Clane responded to equalise at 2-2 with a second from Liam Deane. The game went to extra time which proved scoreless and Clonmullion FC were victorious on a 6-5 penalty shootout.
The Senior Cup title was claimed by Clane United FC the second time by the club when they were victors over League champs Naas United FC in a penalty shootout, after both sides finished the game deadlocked at 2-2.
Caragh Celtic FC retained the Premier Cup title following their 2-1 victory over Clonmullion FC. St Anthony Youths FC also retained the Division 1 Cup when they beat Naas United FC in a seven goal thriller. The Division 2 Cup was contested by Newbridge Hotpsurs and Straffan AFC, Staffan always proving to be an exceptional cup side claimed victory over Spurs by 2 goals to 1. The Masters Cup was captured by Leixlip United FC over League newcomers Ballycane Celtic FC on a 3-1 scoreline. Monasterevin AFC claimed a notable double in the womens section when they did just about enough to see of League runners up Derry Rovers in the Cup final, coming out on top of a 2-1 scoreline.
Bush Celtic on their return to the League picked up the League Shield, when they narrowly saw off the challenge of Rathangan AFC. The Curragh side also claimed the Division 1-2 Shield over Maynooth Town AFC on a scoreline of 3-1.
The inaugural Senior / Premier Shield was won by Clonmullion FC when they proved too strong for Newbridge Hotspurs on the day.
Newbridge Town claimed the League and shield double in the Masters when they fought off a spirited challenge from Masters D2 side Arlington FC, coming out 3-1 victors. Finally, Clane United women capped off their season with shield victory over Rathangan AFC following their 4-1 victory in a Womens Double header in Mullarney Pk.
On the Under 20 front, two divisions were up for decision in the 2023/24 winter season in what was a very successful season in the league second season at Under 20 level. 17 teams competed across two divisions, with some fallers in the latter part of the season. Newbridge United had a clean sweep picking up the Division 1 league title over Clane United FC, they also claimed the Cup when they came out 4-2 victors over Clane United FC at an Under 20 double header in Killina road, Old Fort Celtic FC claimed the Under 20 shield over Sallins Celtic on a scoreline of 2-0.
All in all 2024 was a very busy season and we should see more of the same for 2025. The League will kick off in the late March / Early April, The League AGM date will be set in the coming weeks. MS Links for entry to the League for 2025 will be forwarded shortly to all current club Secretaries with a closing date for receipt of applications being the February 15th.
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