Kill 2 AIB 1.
On a day where AIB could have all but sealed division 3, Kill dug deep and got 3 massive points.
A soft pitch awaited the huge travelling party of AIB. The soft pitch did nothing to dent the football from either side with both teams playing some fluid football at stages. Kill dominated the early possessions with the 3 midfielders of O Connor (L), Cusack and Kinsella seeing plenty of the ball. Conroy and Carroll were lively down the wings. Despite kills early pressure, chances were limited. AIB opened the proceedings after their midfielder fired a long range shot and an unfortunate bobble bounced over keeper, Kilkelly. The goal was a sucker punch for Celtic but they immediately got on the front foot again as they took a more direct route from Davis' at centre back, still though chances were few. As the half time whistle blew, Kill had played well, dominated the possession but were a goal behind. Some kind words from Aidan Gannon saw the lads believing again and buzzing to start the second half. AIB started the better playing in their big striker but the centre half pairing of Davis and O Connor (S) dealing with the threat well. Not long after the 50th min mark, Maguire picked up a second yellow after an over zealous tackle. The first yellow was admittedly harsh but he got his walking orders. Down to 10 men but Kill dug in with each and every man in the red and black battled well. Leon Carroll was introduced for Ste Carroll and Kill reverted into a 3-4-2 as they searched for an equaliser. It was Carroll who played a big part in the equaliser. He was first fouled as he battled with a man twice his size. He opted to take the free kick but instead of shooting he worked the ball to Conroy who was at an almost impossible angle. Conroy rifled into the bottom corner. 1-1. A quick formation change followed after the goal but did nothing to dent Kill's attacking flow. Carroll was proving to be a real menace bringing Power into the game. The two interchanged well on numerous occasions. Kill took the lead around the 75th mark as Dean Conroy whipped a ball into the box from a corner and Liam O Connor rose like a salmon and met the ball perfectly. His resulting header looped over the AIB keeper and Kill were 2-1 up. A huge goal in the title race.AIB to their credit also kept attacking but again Davis was calm and composed at the back. AIB in fact spurred a massive chance as their winger scuffed a near open goal. Fagan was in the right place as he cleared off the line. Kill nearly scored from a free kick as a Niall O connor shot come cross hit off the back of Conroy and was in bar the extended fingertips of the AIB keeper, who was impressive in both games this season. The final few minutes saw every kill player throwing themselves at the ball. As the full time whistle blew, 10 exhausted men left the field. A superb 3 points which now sees Kill 9 points behind AIB, with 3 games in hand.
MOTM goes to Ray Davis but honourable mentions to both Conroy and Leon Carroll.
