League 3 Kilcock Celtic were away to League 1 Rush Athletic in the Eastern Women's Football League O’Neill cup on Monday evening. The Celts knew this would be a step up for the team, especially after a 4 week break from the league, but it presented Kilcock with good practice for the final 4 games of the league.

Both teams got off to a fast-flowing start, however Rush had the ball in the back of the Kilcock net within 5 minutes of kick-off. Kilcock pulled one back at the 10-minute mark with Sharon Nolan making sure the shot from Laney Kennedy crossed the goal line. Edie Carey making her debut in goal pulled off a great save 2 minutes later. Kilcock piled on the pressure and had numerous attempts to go ahead and were rewarded in the 29th minute by a great cross from midfield to Jessica Worth Kenny who found Mary O’Meara to score Kilcock’s 2nd goal of the game. Hazel Fitzpatrick then had a shot on target saved by the Rush keeper 2 minutes later. In the 35th minute Kilcock were unfortunate to concede a penalty and Rush slotted it home to bring the game to 2-2, that lead was short lived. Kilcock pulled another goal back in the 37th minute, Leona Pozjay delivered a great pass to Laney Kennedy who slotted it to the back of the Rush net, 3-2 to Kilcock. That wasn’t the end of the drama, Rush pulled level 2 minutes later. 3 - 3. Leona then had a another shot just wide of the Rush goal just before half time.

Rush pilled on the pressure on in the second half of the game, however the Celts remained very resilient and held them out. Kilcock had few opportunities, however in the 73rd minute Rush gave way to some Kilcock pressure and conceded an own goal, 4 – 3 to us. Kilcock held firm with the assistance of Edie Carey who pulled off a number of great saves to keep us just ahead right through to the end.

Congratulations to the Kilcock Celtic Senior Women’s team on a great team effort, the grit and determination throughout the game got the Celts through to the quarter-final of the EWFL O’Neills Cup. Commiserations to Rush who fought right through to the end and we wish them the very best of luck in the rest of their League 1 campaign.

We are back to league action next Wednesday evening away to Liffeybank in a top of the table clash..