Tough one to take against the league leaders on Saturday morning. Francis took the lead after 10 minutes when their right winger struck from just inside the box. 

In a fairly even 1st half, Danny Kane hit the crossbar from distance. Dylan Tighe produced a great double save just before half time. Mid way through the 2nd half it looked like we equalised from a corner but the ref said the ball didn't cross the line before being cleared. Francis got their 2nd with 10 minutes to go with a similar goal to their first. 

We pushed 2 up front as we felt we were still well in the game and Eanna Fashagher got a goal back with 2 minutes to go poking the ball past the keeper. We kept pushing and won a penalty in injury time when Eanna Farragher chased down a ball over the top and was clipped by their centre back. Ryan Mooney was brave enough to step up and take it but the Francis keeper got across his line well to dive to his left and save. 

This proved to be the last kick of the game and a heartbreaking finish. Proud of the lads who gave it their all against a strong side and deserved so much more. Hopefully we get a big reaction next week ⚽️

 

A disappointing result on Saturday, but one that I think the boys can take a huge amount of pride from. Going into the game, we were conscious that we had a very difficult task ahead of us. We were missing our two main strikers. We had a very good group of boys going out today, and they knew the task in hand.

From the first whistle, we looked organised and disciplined. Sporting probably shaded the first half in terms of possession and territory, but they really struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities. Foalan in goal wasn’t seriously tested, and our shape and organisation made it difficult for them to break us down.

To go in 0–0 at half-time against a team of that quality, particularly with the players they had brought in, was a huge compliment to the boys.

The second half started much the same. We were up for the battle and competed really well, but we knew it was always going to be a massive second-half effort against a very strong side.

Unfortunately, the opening goal came from a disappointing moment for us. Sporting had a long-range effort which didn’t appear to have a huge amount of power or venom behind it. It looked like a routine save for Foalan, who got his body behind the ball and appeared to have it safely gathered, but unfortunately it spilled from his grasp and Sporting followed in to score from the rebound.

The response from the boys was excellent. Around six or seven minutes later, we produced an absolutely brilliant goal.

Harry Gaffney, playing wide on the left, received the ball and played it into David Carman in CM . Dave turned on the ball, opened his body and, just before switching the play, dropped his left shoulder and threaded a superb pass between the winger and full-back. Eli Gubbins read it perfectly, ran onto the ball, took a great first touch and then produced a brilliant finish, lifting the ball over the goalkeeper. It was a fantastic team goal. 

Unfortunately, our joy didn’t last long enough. One of our vulnerabilities after scoring is sometimes that we can switch off for a moment, and Sporting punished us. Some of their Major League 1 players got through the middle of our midfield and played a couple of clever one-twos around the edge of the box before sliding the ball into the corner.

We were 2–1 down, but we didn’t stop fighting. Jude Gallagher produced a brilliant piece of play at a crucial point in the game, controlling the ball superbly with his first touch, opening his body and playing a great ball through to Harry Keane. Harry got onto it but unfortunately pushed his effort just wide of the goal.

Then, with only a few minutes remaining, we had a huge shout for a penalty. The ball was whipped across the box and the Sporting player raised his arms, with the ball appearing to strike his hand. There were plenty of appeals from our players and the sideline, but the referee decided not to award the penalty. From our point of view, it was a frustrating decision, particularly so late in the game. 

The game eventually petered out and we came away with a 2–1 defeat. Ultimately, the small margins decided it. We made one mistake for their first goal, they produced a very good move for their second, and we couldn’t find the equaliser. 

Great effort by the boys.

Excellent performance by the boys on Saturday morning against a tough opponent. We worked hard and moved the ball well creating lots of chances. Two cool finishes by Riain Guha and one from Quin Maguire had us 3 up at halftime.

 Second half we battled really well, a mistake at the back allowed them get one back, but the boys rallied and saw out the game with intensity, winning their battles and creating a number of good chances. Sean Campbell and Alex Gallagher with the last two goals following some excellent team play. Well done boys, on to next week!

 

Some really positive football by the lads today but unfortunately we were hit for 2 late goals to let 3 points slip away.

Leixlip started the brighter of the 2 and some great pressure from the Leixlip forward line midway through the first half led to Liam White slipping one by the Joeys keeper. We continued to play the better of the 2 sides for the majority of the half. Unfortunately we conceded a great counter from Joeys 5 minutes from half time.

Second half was a bit more 50/50, we created some great chances down the right  - hit the post, the crossbar. Eventually Harry Reilly turned the ball in at the far post to out us 2-1 up going into the last 10.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be today for the lads, as Joeys finished the game strongly and got the points on the day.

 

Great win for the lads on Saturday against a big physical aggressive side.

We started brightly and dominated possession. Ollie Newport opened the scoring and probably sown up the October goal of the month up after 25 mins. Dribbled by two and unleashed a rocket into the top corner.

We continued to dominate but lost the ball high up the pitch and Bohs played a long ball over the top their big striker equalised before halftime.

Ollie put us ahead again pouncing on a spill from the keeper from a Cian Brady shot.  Bohs were awarded a penalty 2 mins later when a free out looked like the right call. 2 all.

We worked on a high press this week and it paid off 10 mins from time. Hayden Wynne showed great composure to round the keeper and finish calmly. Two minutes later we sealed it Ollie fed Cian who twisted and turned the centre back inside out and opened his body to finish in the corner. 

Still time for more drama as another penalty was awarded to the opposition.

Man of the Match was our keeper Oran McAuley, brave commanding and good distribution set the tone.

Great win for the lads at a place not many teams will get points this year.

 

Probably our best performance so far this season. We started well creating a few half chances and got the opener 20 minutes in. A slick passing move in midfield ended with Tadhg Mallon putting Tate Rampaul through  and he finished calmly. 

We got the second 10 minutes into the second half when Lucas Duffys corner found Tate unmarked at the back post and he headed home. A minute later Francis got 1 back after a long clearance fell to their centre forward who was at least 10 yards offside and the ref said play on and he took his chance. 

We made it 3 from another Lucas Duffy corner which was met by Isaac O'Brien and added a fourth a couple of minutes later when another corner from Lucas hit the goalkeeper and went in. 

Francis got a second goal when a corner fell to an unmarked player at the back post. We rounded off the scoring with another assist from a corner from Lucas when Adam Corban headed in. We could have had a few more but it was a well deserved win.

Man of the Match: Tate Rampaul

A great game on Saturday.  We initially went 2 down but got level.  It was tit for tat, for the remainder of the game and we finished 6-5 winners. 

Man of the match was Jishnu Ram Gantala,  the best game he ever played.  

Goals from: Conor O Mahony x2,  Ronan Fitzgerald x2  Lúc Ford and Brandon Lennon Kenny.

 

Good conditions at Leixlip Amenities for our clash with a good Palmerstown side, we went into this match light of 5 players through injury or unavailability and welcomed a couple of players back from injury. Not ideal conditions to be facing a strong and organised Palmerstown. 

Palmerstown dominated the early exchanges and no surprise when they took the lead in the 7th minute with a sublime 30 yard strike, low like a heat seeking missile in off the post. Unstoppable.

For the next 15 minutes Leixlip did well to stay in the game with Palmerstown shooting on site and Leixlip doing well to just hang in there plugging holes or getting a toe in where they could to disrupt. 

Slowly Leixlip managed to drag themselves back into the game with Szymon Czekman, Eric Savin and Sean O’Reilly eventually putting some calmness back into proceeding with some slick passing which gave Palmerstown some pause for thought after their near complete dominance of the first 30 minutes. 

A beautiful 1-2 between Savin and O’Reilly nearly opened up the Palmerstown defence and a corner which was eventually well dealt with by the Palmerstown defence, Leixlip’s best opportunities of the first half.

Second half opening was a disaster for Leixlip, from our attack up our left hand side, one stray pass was severely punished, a quick counter attacking move saw Palmerstown switch play and caught Leixlip short bodies on the opposite side of the pitch and inside 40 seconds of the restart, Palmerstown centre forward was left with an easy finish to double their lead.

Though Leixlip at this stage were battling well, passing the ball where they could they were still playing a strong side who’s third goal on the 50th minute effectively ended the game. Another incredible strike from the unmarked Palmerstown striker near the penalty spot, near took the nets off the frame gave Will Corscadden in goal absolutely no chance. 

Leixlip showed a lot of character, sticking to their principles of moving and passing the ball and clearly coming into it. Kealan Harpur, the anchor in midfield and man of the match seemingly everywhere all at once, leading, tackling, passing, running with the ball, coercing his teammates to follow, was the instigator for Leixlip in staying with the game, in fact it was his selfless run in the 60th minute that led to Palmerstown clearing the ball out for a corner.

Sean O’Reilly stepped up with a perfectly dangerous centre from the resulting corner right into the 6 yard box completely took the Palmerstown keeper who’s handling all day was near perfect, out of the game and a swipe at the landing ball was turned into their own net via a Palmerstown foot.

Harpur doing a lot of running at this stage was taken down outside the box in the 68th minute and the resulting free kick by Eric came ever so close. A goal now for Leixlip would have shifted the momentum given the boys the encouragement they needed to get back into this game. Donal McCarthy in his second start up top never stopped running, giving the Palmerstown defenders something to think about throughout the game, and his layoffs just seemed to be taken away by a toe, a stray leg, on another day it could have been a different story.

Leixlip’s tough beginning to the season following promotion continues, made more difficult by a thin squad and injuries, it’s important they see the positives in their game and stay in touch as we bring boys back from long layoffs.

The 8 boys available today put in a top performance. They never stopped working hard and created plenty of chances that put us 3-0 up. In a nervy finish Park Celtic pulled two goals back but the boys defended resolutely to see out the win.

Goal scorers: Daniel Brennan, James Gaffey and Hugo Cronolly. 

Man of the Match: Daniel Brennan

The first loss of the season and a difficult 1 to take, both Goals conceded were very sloppy and we never got to grips with the physical side of the game today. 

We never played the fluid football that we have in the previous games and allowed ourselves to get involved in a physical route 1 game, our goal was a great strike from Josh Riordan and we did have chances to get an equaliser but it wasn't our day today.

Goal Scorer: Josh Riordan

A good win against a strong Leicester Celtic side on Sunday out in Loreto Park. 

We started the game strong but found ourselves 1-0 down at half time despite hitting the post and the cross bar. 

The second half started similar to the first but we got a penalty when Ben Cambpell was taken down in the box and Benny Tyrell put it in the bottom left corner to tie the game. 

The lads got their heads up and we found our second when Ben Cambpell found the roof of the net with an excellent run on the right wing leaving the Leicester defence for dust. 

Leicester got awarded a penalty a couple of minutes later when their shot struck the arm of our centre back Danny Gorman, they stepped up and hit the inside of the right post but the ball bounced across our goal and our right back Ryan Casey put it out of play. 

We found our 3rd goal after an excellent ball played by Ethan Sheridan found Ruadhan Kelly who turned the Leicester centre back went around the keeper and slotted home to seal the victory which leaves us top of the table with 6 games played. 

Our goalkeeper Byron McAuley was once again excellent, acting like sweeper and making 2 great one on one saves.

Goalscorers: Benny Tyrell, Ben Cambpell and Ruadhan Kelly.

 

After a stop start season so far we got back to winning ways. Peamount beat us first day of the season 3-2. Near a full strength squad we created a few chances early on with Matthew Dempsey and Stevie Owens going close. We should have went 1 up after 20 mins when Brendan Carolan through on goal only for Peamount keeper to make a great point blank save. We finally got the breakthrough after 25 mins with Calum Dodd getting to byline and putting in cross to back post, their Keeper made a great save from Matthew Dempsey and Aidan McConville reacted the quickest to calmly slot home. In reality we should have been at least 2 or 3 up at half time

Second half again we created more chances. Matthew Dempsey went close again cutting in from the right only for their Keeper to make a great save. Peamount came into the game more and started to gain more possession but our back line held firm. We got the 2nd goal with 15 mins remaining against the run of play with Kristiyan Ivanov reacting to misplaced back pass and headed home to pick up 3 points. Special mention to our Keeper Conor Horan didn't have a lot to do but good distribution and communication from the back. Excellent team performance from all lads really worked for each other. We just wanted it more today. Just need to back it up next week.

 

A great performance from the girls on Sunday morning as they came away with a well-deserved win against Clonee. We didn’t get off to the best start, with Clonee taking control early on. However, we soon settled into the game and began to find our rhythm.

Our opening goal came from a corner. Emily Corcoran delivered a lovely ball into the box, which Penny Rose Molloy controlled brilliantly before smashing it home from close range.We grew in confidence and started to take control. Emily Corcoran was involved again, playing a beautiful ball through to Kate Deane, who finished brilliantly to make it  2–0. We could have been four or five goals ahead by half-time, but we didn’t take all of our chances.

The second half started strongly, and we added a third. Hollie Muddiman played a great ball through, and when the Clonee keeper came out and fumbled it, Kate Deane was quickest to react and tapped the ball home. Our back five were outstanding throughout, giving Clonee very little and defending with great organisation and determination.

Overall, a fantastic team performance. The girls showed great character after a slow start, played some excellent football and worked hard for each other. A brilliant win and a performance the girls can be very proud of.

Goals from: Kate Deane x2 and Penney Rose Molloy.

 

Four wins from four for Leixlip United U11.6, with a hard-fought away win against local rivals Maynooth FC. 

After a 4-4 draw in pre-season, we knew this would be tough. The sun was shining and the pitch was in great shape, still damp from the previous day's rain. Perfect conditions for a proper battle.

Leixlip started strongly, with Sam Lopez scoring twice early on with two fine finishes from distance to make it 2-0 at half time. Maynooth pulled one back after the break, but Jonah Kerrigan restored our two-goal lead to make it 3-1. Maynooth hit back again to make it 3-2, and the lads battled right to the final whistle for a well deserved win.

Goal scorers: Sam Lopez x2 and Jonah Kerrigan. 

 

Leixlip United travelled to Walkinstown for a 12:30 kick-off against a very strong Greenhills side that had defeated us in Leixlip just a few weeks earlier.

With windy conditions, Greenhills opted to play with the wind in the first half. Leixlip, however, started very strongly and could have taken an early lead when Connor Jones was played in behind the Greenhills back four by Evan Barton.

The opening goal arrived after some excellent play, with Setempie  Olajumoke slotting home as the midfield three of Glen Hannon, Marco Andres and Shane Nolan dominated the middle of the park. Leixlip added a second before the break when Connor Tighe headed home following another excellent passage of play.

At half-time, Leixlip regrouped, expecting Greenhills to come at them strongly in the second half — and they did. However, the defensive unit of Josh Tyrell, Eoghan Ruane, Connor Roche and Evan Barton held firm. Mark Flood in goal was called upon on a number of occasions and dealt with every danger very effectively.

Leixlip then scored a superb third goal straight from a training-ground routine. From an Arron Becker delivery, Connor Roche pulled away at the back post and calmly slotted home. Another well-worked short corner from the opposite side saw Marco slip the ball into the path of Arron Becker, who sent a sweet strike across the box and into the top corner to make it 4–0. Greenhills pulled one back in the final few minutes to deny Leixlip a clean sheet, but overall, it was an excellent performance from the lads.

Great squad performance with the lads coming off the bench during game to make sure the team got the result over the line. A fantastic response to the defeat a few weeks ago and a very well-deserved three points. 

 

Not a great day at the office for our lads. We had the balance of play for long spells and created a lot of scoring opportunities, but unfortunately we couldn’t get the ball into the back of the net. Credit to Celbridge, who defended valiantly throughout making a number of important blocks when we looked certain to score. 

At the other end, they caught us on the break a few times, and deserved their win. Hopefully we can get back to winning ways next weekend.
Goal scorer: Liam Kaminski Saes

 

The girls continued their strong start to the season with a battling performance at home Sunday morning, securing their sixth win in the league. It was a fantastic all-round team performance today, as the girls controlled the tempo of the game from start to finish. The defence earned a well-deserved clean sheet once again.

Player of the Match, Aoife Martin, playing in midfield, completely controlled the centre of the pitch and proved to be the match-winner, driving forward to score both goals with class.

 

It was a comedown for the lads today after Wednesdays super win. We came up against another team who are unfortunately in the wrong division. All that aside, the boys played their hearts out and never gave up. We scored plenty of goals ourselves which was great to see.

Goalscorers: Logan McCarthan x3, Séimí Kelly, Ryan Connolly, Caedan Haugh and Tadhg Walsh.