Ard Mhacha U18 v Cill Dara U18, Páirc Bhreifne, 2pm, Satharn, 1ú Lúnasa

Donnellys Hollow · July 31, 2009, 02:03:11 PM

I see that Armagh are favourites for the All-Ireland so we'll be up against it tomorrow. Both teams played a challenge match in Celbridge around March or April which Armagh won by two points so that suggests that there might not be too much between them. Difficult to guage how much you can read into these challenge matches though.

Kildare should have beaten Dublin the first day out in Croke Park. They started very slowly but once they got used to their surroundings they were more than a match for the Dubs. Darrock Mulhall pointed a free from under the Cusack Stand with the Hill roaring at him going into injury time to put Kildare ahead but Dublin equalised with the last kick of the match. Kildare started the replay in Carlow very badly. They kicked a load of wides during the first ten minutes that seemed to drain their confidence. Dublin were six points up at half time but Kildare showed great heart to come back and draw level in the second half. They had put so much into the come back that they had nothing left to give in extra time and Dublin won comfortably enough in the end.

The team is built around a good solid defence and midfield, with a handful of excellent individuals in the forwards. Our first choice full-back went off injured at Croke Park and he's been badly missed since. Whether he's fit for tomorrow I don't know. Tomás Moolick is the driving force in midfield. Darrock Mulhall and Paul Cribbin provide the bit of class up front. Mulhall is a first cousin of Tadhg Fennin and he possesses a similar eye for goal. Cribbin was on the Edenderry team that made the Hogan Cup Final and is a great talent. He had trials in Australia a few months ago and apparently has been offered a contract with Collingwood to start when he turns eighteen. Kildare won't be found wanting in a battle but they probably lack enough free-scoring forwards to go far in the All-Ireland series.

PatDaly · August 01, 2009, 02:08:02 PM

18 mins gone Cill Dara 1-2 Ard Mhacha 0-8

PatDaly · August 01, 2009, 02:20:18 PM

19 mins gone Cill Dara 1-2 Ard Mhacha 1-8

Armamike · August 01, 2009, 02:28:02 PM

Now 6 in it. Armagh 1-9 Kildare 1-3

PatDaly · August 01, 2009, 02:32:39 PM

Half-Time: Cill Dara 1-3 Ard Mhacha 1-10

armaghniac · August 01, 2009, 02:37:45 PM

Well done, Armagh, only the regular first half goal conceded to keep it interesting. I doubt if the wind favours either side much but Armagh had any benefit there was.

armagh leg-end · August 01, 2009, 02:45:34 PM

seem to be doing well here! hope they can keep it up!

PatDaly · August 01, 2009, 03:00:49 PM

Cill Dara 1-7 Ard Mhacha 1-12 about 15 mins to go

PatDaly · August 01, 2009, 03:05:52 PM

Cill Dara 2-7 Ard Mhacha 1-13 about 10 mins to go

PatDaly · August 01, 2009, 03:10:24 PM

Cill Dara 2-8 Ard Mhacha 1-13 only 2 points in it and about 5 mins left. Armagh under serious pressure

Armamike · August 01, 2009, 03:16:33 PM

own goal by Kildare. game over

PatDaly · August 01, 2009, 03:20:11 PM

Full-Time: Cill Dara 2-8 Ard Mhacha 2-14

Harpo · August 01, 2009, 03:28:10 PM

Great stuff!!! Well done to the minors and all involved.

armagh leg-end · August 01, 2009, 03:32:30 PM

brilliant win! they were under plenty of pressure towards the end.

was listening on fivefm and the line cut off with 2mins to go..worst!lol

who they play now?

armaghniac · August 01, 2009, 03:43:23 PM

Kildare certainly put it up to Armagh, their back had hard luck with the own goal, but he he hadn't got a hand to it Armagh would surely have scored.