13/09/2026
Saturday 12th September
*U15 Division 2*
Killorglin B v Killorglin C
HT 1-0
FT 2-2
⚽ Darragh Flynn
⚽ OG
*New Faces, Local Rivals and Absolutely No Respect for Our Blood Pressure*
After earning promotion from Division 3, our first assignment in Division 2 was a local derby against Killorglin B. A nice, gentle introduction — in the same way being pushed into a lake is a swimming lesson.
We were missing eight key players from last season, but thankfully welcomed three new U15s and two lads from the U14A team. Having never played together, the pre-match tactics included learning names and establishing who was on our side.
The game began like two heavyweight boxers sizing each other up, except with shin pads and considerably more shouting from parents. The B’s applied pressure down the right wing, where Liam and Dylan had set up a defensive checkpoint. Very little was getting through without two forms of identification.
After around 20 minutes, a corner finally breached security. We went into half-time 1–0 down, still very much in the game.
Credit to the lads: they kept their shape, stayed disciplined and began passing with real confidence. The B’s remained dangerous, but Daniel Poff was having the sort of afternoon that makes forwards consider taking up a different sport. Our eventual Man of the Match pulled off several heroic saves, keeping us in the contest while the rest of us aged visibly.
Then came the breakthrough. Darragh Flynn, who covers so much ground he should be claiming mileage, slotted home the equaliser. 1–1. Game on.
Moments later, Martin delivered a wicked free kick into the danger zone, where an unfortunate defender supplied the finishing touch. Own goal. 2–1 to us. We accepted this generous contribution with absolutely no intention of returning it.
Could we actually win our first Division 2 match? Against the local rivals? With a team that had practically met in the car park?
With seconds remaining, football remembered its responsibility to ruin a perfectly good celebration. The B’s swung in a well-taken corner and headed home. 2–2. Somewhere on the sideline, a triumphant match report was being mentally deleted.
There was still time for one last piece of madness. Straight from the restart, an audacious shot whistled over the crossbar. A fraction lower and we’d have had an early goal-of-the-season contender.
It finished 2–2, a fair result after a cracking derby, although both sides will have gone home explaining exactly how they should have won.
A terrific effort from our lads, especially with so many new faces, and full credit to both teams for the football, commitment and respect shown throughout.
Man of the Match: Daniel Poff.
Medical update: Everyone on the sideline is expected to recover.
