AFC reach League Cup Final.

Kilcullen AFC first team reached the Final of the Georgina Donnelly Cup last Sunday.

They beat a fancied Rathangan team 4-3 in an extra time thriller.

The game started at a frantic pace with Rathangan attacking the Kilcullen goal but a combination of good goal keeping and tenacious defending by Kilcullen kept the home team from scoring. In the 30th minute Rathangan got the goal they deserved but Kilcullen equalised a minute from half time with a superb headed goal from Michael “Hook” Kelly.

In the second half Rathangan regained the lead but again Kilcullen showed their mettle when Brian Kelly latched onto an Aidan Carroll through ball and he slotted it away neatly.

Again Rathangan took the lead after persistent pressure on the Kilcullen goal. Then as if the team was not under enough pressure, they were reduced to 10 men ... but again they battled hard and got the equaliser through an Aidan Carroll screamer.

Extra time beckoned and it was a tense affair with both teams creating good chances but it was Kilcullen who eventually got the winner when Brian Kelly was taken down in the Rathangan area. Brian coolly got up and scored from the spot. A great result for the team and now a Final against Portlaoise Celtic in a few weeks.

Ironically Rathangan and Portlaoise are also in the league running so a great few weeks left in the season.

Ray Kelly.