ROUND-UP: Kilkenny soccer season hits halfway mark

The Christmas period may be approaching but there was no festive spirit in the air last weekend as teams fought it out for precious points across the divisions in the Kilkenny & District League.

ST CANICE’S CREDIT UNION PREMIER DIVISION:

Freebooters 2, Callan United 2 - Freebooters’ stuttering season continued on Saturday night as Callan secured matchday points for just the third time this season in the Fair Green.

After playing out a stalemate first half, the home side eventually did get their noses in front by the hour mark as a Joe Banville delivery set up Paul Kiely to score his third goal of the season in all competitions.

However, the momentum swung in favour of the away side just minutes later as Freebooters (fourth) were hit by the worst possible storm.

Ryan Bergin drew Callan (ninth) level on the 66th minute and in a disastrous 60 second period, Eoin Delaney was sent off for a second bookable offence leaving ’Booters with 10 players for the remainder of the contest.

Callan United supporters were dreaming of a rare win when Jack Canavan put them in front with his eighth goal of the campaign with 13 minutes to play.

However, the visitor’s wait for a third Premier Division win of 2025/26 will have to go on a little bit longer as Banville turned provider for Freebooters once more to find 19 year old Afeez Ramoni in the right place and time to net and rescue a point. The result leaves Callan United five points clear of Deen Celtic at the foot of the table, with Freebooters 13 points adrift of table toppers Evergreen halfway through the Premier Division season.

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JUNIOR DIVISION 1 LEAGUE:

Clover United 5, Stoneyford United 1 - Clover United moved to within a point of Stoneyford United after a five star performance.

The Rathdowney side hadn’t won in their last three games and were facing a team no doubt on a high after winning a five-goal thriller against Castlewarren Celtic two weeks earlier.

But, like so many matches in local soccer this match didn’t go to script and was over as a contest by half-time.

Goals in the opening 45 minutes courtesy of Shane Madden, Aaron Costigan and Kieran Bowe put Clover United (fourth) in an unassailable lead.

The South Kilkenny club (third) did pull a goal back from PJ Fennelly just a minute into the new half but further goals from Oisin Smeaten and Shane Madden in the 62nd and 74th minutes respectively secured all three points.

Castlewarren Celtic 2, Tullaroan FC 1 - After two defeats on the bounce Castlewarren Celtic (second) returned to winning ways in Kilkenny’s second tier last Sunday morning with a gallant win over Tullaroan (sixth).

Tullaroan, who have been a mixed bag this season with two wins, two draws and three defeats, started the brighter and took the lead via Jason Dermody on the 22nd minute.

Their advantage didn’t last for long though as Killian Duffy and Billy Wall linked up well with the latter tying up proceedings on the 35th minute.

As the game ticked down to a conclusion a draw appeared to be on the cards, that was until super sub Robbie Dowling snatched a dramatic late winner deep in stoppage time to send the crowd wild upon the full-time whistle.

Freebooters B 3, Highview Athletic 0 - Although their ‘A’ team may be struggling, the Freebooters ‘B’ team (first) are having no such problems and earned yet another win last weekend, putting struggling Highview Athletic (seventh) to the sword.

Ben Maher and Mark Flynn bagged first half goals for the hosts in the 31st and 38th minutes respectively to put the winners in a strong position by half-time.

It was far from comfortable though and home fans had to wait until the game clinching third goal arrived on the 83rd minute as Chris Hayes put the game beyond all reasonable doubt.

Freebooters B have dropped just two points so far this season and are currently nine points clear at the top.

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