Hope, desperation, excitement, and despair, all these emotions were contained in a few seconds, deep into injury time, of this under 12 inter-league match in Scanlon Park last Sunday afternoon.
After controlling long periods of the match the home side found themselves facing a frustrating draw as the game went deep into injury time.
When all hope seemed gone a corner from Kilkenny saw Brian Smith make a fine save but the rebound bounced around the six yard box and Robbie Buckley strode onto the ball and crashed a shot into the roof of the net. This result brought scenes of joy from the home side and their supporters. It was a really great contest. As usual this Kilkenny side knocked the ball around with purpose of a side of much more maturity.
Although Dylan Jordan, Robbie Murphy, and Alan Phelan are fine players with great skill and pace, goals were very hard to come by. In midfield Robbie Buckley was at the heart of everything and he seemed to cover every blade of grass on the pitch in his efforts to win this tie.
As usual Kilkenny gave away nothing at the back with Brian Crowdel and Cathal McGrath playing excellently and the odd time that the defence was invaded, Aidan Hynes in goal dealt with everything in an efficient way.
All in all a great contest as the Dublin side tried really hard and made life very difficult for a classy home side but without threatening to take the points.
