Silverware keeps coming for the ‘Dangan

Selector John Hassett expressed relief and happiness following Kiladangan’s County Junior ‘A’ Football final win over Knockavilla Kickhams.

By Liam Hogan

“An excellent first half, probably the best we played this year,” he began.

“In fairness to Knockavilla Kickhams with the breeze they had us under pressure, but the lads dug in as they have all year against Clonakenny in the quarter final and Boherlahan in the semi-final, and it’s great to be champions.”

He agreed that by gifting 1-1 before half time brought Knockavilla back into the game.

“The goal came against the run of play in the first half,” Hassett added.

“We would have been going in with an eight point lead which is where we were in terms of play in that first half.

“We handed them a few sloppy points in the second half again maybe lack in concentration.

“But to be fair, Knockavilla are a good team and were always going to come strong at us. We did tire after pouring a lot into that first half. A lot of running and lots of off the ball stuff. It’s a hard game, much different to the hurling.

“We are out of the hurling a while and maybe levels of fitness has dropped a bit. But we can’t fault their honesty and we saw it out to the end when Chucky (Darren Moran) got the last point.”

In a well delivered speech, winning Kiladangan captain Darren Moran complemented the County Board on its organisation of the club competitions, saying there is a general happiness among the players.

“If you take this year in both the North and county (Championship) you have to keep winning,” he said.

“If you continue winning both you get the benefit of six or seven games at least and I don’t think many players complain. The lads seem to enjoy it and there doesn’t seem to be any pressure with it. You know exactly who you are playing week on week off. Its defiantly a structure that has proved successful for now and hopefully it will continue into the future,” he added.

In terms of the game itself, he added: “We built up a big lead in the first half. We used the wind to our benefit; the lads kicked some great scores. I thought we defended very well bar the lack of concentration that allowed the goal. We said at half time to keep the heads up and we used that platform going into the second half. We knew we would have to weather the storm and we did it very well. We had to be efficient, and we were I feel. Look things were disappointing in terms of hurling but it’s a great to finish the year with a bit of silverware.”