Boys U12 (2014) Major - Kilcock Celtic

Kilcock Celtic 1–1 Naas AFC

Kilcock Celtic win 5–4 on penalties

Naas AFC suffered a heartbreaking exit from the KDUL U12 Shield, losing 5–4 on penalties after a fiercely contested 1–1 draw away to Kilcock Celtic.

Kilcock, playing with the breeze in the first half, started on the front foot and applied the early pressure. Naas had their first opening after five minutes when Alex S headed just wide from a corner.

Evan was called into action shortly afterwards, producing a great save on six minutes before making another good stop three minutes later.

Naas began to find opportunities of their own, with Alex S seeing a chance blocked on 11 minutes. The game remained tight and scrappy, with the Naas back three of Bobby, Darragh P and Alex K rock solid and well protected by the midfield in front of them. James was providing a great running threat down the right-hand side.

One of the best chances of the half came from a Kilcock corner on 25 minutes. Naas broke at speed and Alex S looked certain to score, only for his shot to be cleared off the line.

Kilcock threatened on the break two minutes later, but Alex K produced an excellent clearance. James then made a great run at the other end, with his effort blocked wide.

HT: Kilcock Celtic 0–0 Naas AFC

Naas raised the tempo considerably after the restart and immediately began to cause Kilcock problems.

On 31 minutes, Alex S was put through by Man of the Match Bobby, but as he broke clean through on goal he was pulled down. Max stepped up to take the resulting free kick, which took a deflection and went agonisingly wide.

Two Naas corners followed in quick succession, with Max heading the second just wide, as Naas began to take control of the game. Another corner on 36 minutes kept the pressure on, but Kilcock managed to clear.

The breakthrough arrived on 51 minutes — and it was worth waiting for.

Dotser produced a brilliant piece of skill before playing a superb pass through to Alex S, who finished to put Naas deservedly 1–0 ahead.

Kilcock pushed for a response, but Naas continued to defend superbly. A last-ditch tackle from Max, followed by another intervention from Evan, helped preserve the lead.

With just three minutes remaining, however, Kilcock found their equaliser. Evan saved the first shot, only for Kilcock to convert the rebound and make it 1–1. The scorer appeared to be in an offside position from the initial effort, but the referee waved away the Naas protests.

There was no time for either side to find a winner and the tie went to penalties.

Penalty Shootout

⚽ James — Scored | ⚽ Kilcock — Scored ❌ Alex K — Saved | ❌ Kilcock — Missed ⚽ Eoghan — Scored | ⚽ Kilcock — Scored ⚽ Conor — Scored | ⚽ Kilcock — Scored ⚽ Max — Scored | ⚽ Kilcock — Scored

4–4 after five penalties each. Sudden death.

❌ Darragh P — Saved ⚽ Kilcock — Scored

FT: Kilcock Celtic 1–1 Naas AFC Kilcock Celtic win 5–4 on penalties

A cruel way for Naas to exit the Shield after a performance full of hard work and determination.

The back three were excellent throughout, the midfield worked tirelessly to protect them, and after a scrappy opening half Naas really lifted the tempo and produced the better football after the break.

Ultimately, there was nothing between the sides after 60 minutes and it took sudden-death penalties to decide it.

Hard luck lads. Plenty to be proud of. 🔵⚪