Well done to our U16 Premier team who won the KDUL Cup beating Newbridge United 2-0 today.

Under 16 KDUL Cup Final Saturday 30/04/2022

Rathangan F.C. faced a newly promoted Newbridge United team in the prestigious KDUL Cup Final at Tougher Park. Rathangan were missing some key players Colm Cunningham top scorer and Oisin Dempsey on the day so this was always going to be a tough assignment.

The game started off cagey with very little opportunities created in the first half for either team. The first real chance came early into the game when Scott Brereton was placed through by an excellent pass from captain Evan Donnelly, however he was stopped by a brilliant last ditch challenge from the Newbridge defender . Niall Aherne worked tirelessly up front with some great hold up play linking the attack.

Newbridge United started to get in to the game and looked dangerous from set pieces however Rathangan defended brilliantly with Darragh Flood and Brandon Evans leading by example from the back. Full backs Eoin McMullen and Jake Mahoney who was playing against his old club were solid. Kurt Kruger in goals kept the back line in check and had a very controlled performance.

Rathangan started to gain control in midfield with some great touches and mazy runs from Darragh Sinnott who was a constant threat all day.

The Half time score was 0-0 and very little between the two sides.

After a very physical first half from Alex Gleeson the Second half started with the addition of Rory Burke into midfield and Oran McDonnell moving up front.

Rathangan started well and got their well deserved break from a corner kick when Evan Donnelly twisted and pivoted a strike over his head and into the top corner to give his side the lead.

Newbridge responded well and created some good opportunities however the Rathangan defence were on top of their game with some great tackles being put in by Darragh Flood.

After absorbing some pressure from Newbridge, Rathangan went down the other end of the field and created the next chance with some quick thinking from a throw in. Oran McDonnell rolled the Newbridge Centre Half and finished his chance to give his side a 2-0 lead.

Newbridge huffed and puffed but could not break down an excellent Rathangan defence on the day. Rathangan set in deep after the second goal and looked to counter attack on the break. Robert Mullins received a ball out wide and cut inside to fire a powerful shot outside the box forcing a great save from the keeper.

Jack Shanahan and Dylan Payne were brought on to close out the game. The last major event of the game saw Brandon Evans win a great tackle at the edge of his box and almost ran the entire pitch to score which would of capped off a complete performance.

A 2-0 win for Rathangan on the day sees their unbeaten run continue for 2022 and an FAI cup Regional final to look forward to against Wicklow Rovers.

Best on the day for Rathangan were Darragh Sinnott, Evan Donnelly, Brandon Evans, Scott Brereton, Niall Aherne & Eoin McMullen.

Scorers:

Evan Donnelly x1 Oran McDonnell x1

Man of the Match: Darragh Flood