London 2-23
Kildare 2-23
Dripping with drama throughout Saturday's nerve shredding Christy Ring Cup opener at Ruislip confirmed that London and Kildare can both be classed as serious contenders for the competition.
Holders Kildare arrived at the Emerald GAA Grounds with a favourable reputation, but London were primed for a battle which is precisely what the Lilywhites got. Physical, if rarely mean this game gave both camps plenty to ponder, and the replay promises to be similarly interesting.
Ultimately Kildare were relieved to force extra-time as London had examined their resilience and resolve. London then had to summon answers themselves in the closing stages, but Fergus McMahon’s outfit found them as substitute Luke Hands fittingly ended a gripping contest with a last gasp goal.
It was that sort of afternoon at the West End Road venue in South Ruislip where pace and purpose was evident from the first whistle.
Gaining in confidence and hopeful of making further strides Kildare brought a dynamic and durable team with them and having leaked two early points the Lilywhites proceeded to hit four in a row. Those efforts from Mark Delaney, Bernard Deay, Johnny Byrne, and Leo Quinn captured Kildare's ability in attack, but London were doughty and defiant.
Centre back Martin Ryan was immense behind a midfield partnership of captain Enda Cooney and Neil Rogers, who dovetailed nicely. Cooney and Rogers struck six points between them during the 90 plus minutes of action, but that was only a small measure of their overall influence.
Bravely putting their bodies on the line Cooney and Rogers typified London’s courage and commitment. It wasn't just about guts, though, because there was flickers of class from London also.
Five opening period points on the spin from Bernard Gaffney (3), Nollaig Brophy, and Rogers were neat scores and by the half hour mark London led 0-10 to 0-6. Considering that had been achieved playing into the teeth of a strong breeze London, who initially converted 10 out of 12 scoring opportunities, had assumed a healthy position.
Suddenly Kildare's distance shooting improved drastically replying with four points from Martin Fitzgerald, Delaney, David Young, and Paul Divilly. Deadlocked at 0-10 each at the interval, the issue was certainly delicately poised, and it stayed going at a decent clip.
All hearty aggression London enjoyed a productive third quarter which included a beautiful 39th minute goal. Goalkeeper James Barrett's puck-out was gathered by Michael Ivors, who slipped Martin Duggan clear with a cute and clever pass. Duggan's shot nearly ripped the net and when replacements (former Offaly star) Derek Morkan and Stephen Lambert announced their arrivals with immaculate points the underdogs were barking.
With 12 minutes remaining London's advantage was 1-17 to 0-13, but Kildare stayed admirably cool under pressure. Gerry Keegan was another substitute making a real impact and his goal gave Kildare an injection of hope and momentum.
Keegan was dashing about for Kildare, but they still trailed by four with 90 seconds left on the clock. Inevitably Keegan was heavily involved in the revival rifling over an important point and then the goal chase restarted.
Though centre back Fitzgerald was red carded for an off the ball incident David Young's subsequent 65 caused panic in the London defence as Mark Moloney batted a levelling goal, 1-20 to 2-17. London had been thwarted, and extra-time was necessary.
London shaded the first period, but when Kildare stitched a sequence of five points together courtesy of Deay, Keegan, Byrne, Quinn, and Divilly they had edged 2-23 to 1-23 in front.
But London worked the sliotar forward with commendable crispness as Conor Hickey and Bernard Gaffney were instrumental; Henry Vaughan subsequently forced a reflex save from the excellent Paul Dermody Hands restored parity when making the Kildare net dance again from the rebound.
London experienced the full gamut of emotions, but there was ample reason to reflect with pride and satisfaction on the manner in which they competed during this tasty tussle.
Scorers for London: M Duggan 1-2, P Phelan 0-5 (3fs, 165), B Gaffney 0-4 (1f), E Cooney 0-3, N Rogers 0-3, M Ivors 0-2, S Lambert 0-2 (1f), D Morkan 0-1, N Brophy 0-1.
Scorers for Kildare: G Keegan 1-4, M Delaney 0-7 (5fs), M Moloney 1-0, L Quinn 0-3, B Deay 0-2, J Byrne 0-2, P Divilly 0-2, M Fitzgerald 0-1, D Young 0-1, E Dempsey 0-1.
London: J Barrett; C Hickey, L Gaule, K Fitzpatrick; C McAllindin, M Ryan, T Healy; E Cooney, N Rogers; P Phelan, N Brophy, M Duggan; M Ivors, M O'Dwyer, B Gaffney. Subs: D Morkan for McAllindin (40 mins), S Lambert for Brophy (50 mins), H Vaughan for Gaffney (61 mins), P Murphy for Phelan (68 mins), P Phelan for O'Dwyer (80 mins), L Hands for Ivors (83 mins), B Gaffney for Murphy (86 mins).
Kildare: P Dermody; N O'Muineachain, M Grace, J Doran; D Young, M Fitzgerald, E O'Neill; M Moloney, P Divilly; J Byrne, L Quinn, B Deay; R Casey, N Kenny, M Delaney. Subs: E Dempsey for Casey (36 mins), G Keegan for Kenny (44 mins), D Stapleton for Quinn (58 mins), D Flaherty for Delaney (80 mins).
Referee: S Cleere (Kilkenny).
