07/09/2026
⚽Kilmore Rec Rovers vs Newcastle Town Swifts ⚽
The new season kicked off with an away fixture in the newly revamped McCalls Division 1.
Both teams started brightly, trying to suss each other out.
Curran, Keenan, Trainor and Simmons, all worked hard to keep Pickering, Davy, Ibinson and McMullan at bay. The first half produced few chances for both teams.
Newcastle started quickly in the 2nd half, Smyth, McGreavy, McDonnel and Thomas found Simmons, Baker, McCafferty and Trainor a handful. McAteer, Young, Doyle and McLoughlin won their battles and distributed well. On 51 minutes a great ball from the wing found McCafferty free, who found Baker, then Simmons cooly slotted past the keeper. 1 nil.
Newcastle won the ball back quickly with Curran, Trainor and McAteer pulling the strings and Baker was free to make it 2 nil with just under a minute between the 2 goals.
Kilmore where shaken but kept going, Morrisson and McGonagle, worked hard and on 68 minutes, McMullan pounced on a defensive mix up to beat Sloan and make it 2-1.
Newcastle introduced Easton, King(making his debut) and McLoughlin. Newcastle pressed and battled hard. Baker got his 2nd on 71 minutes with a great strike to leave Dornan well beaten.
Newcastle where playing some great football and Kilmore couldn't get to grips with it. Easton started running at the Kilmore defence, King was battling hard and winning those 50/50 challenges, McLoughlin pushed hard and created great spaces for Baker and Simmons to run on to.
On 84 minutes Easton made a great run on the right and with Curran and Baker supporting him he fired home to make it 4.
The game finished 4-1 to Newcastle.
A great game of football played in great spirits, Kilmore never gave up and the discipline Smyth has installed in his team is great.
We would like thank Kilmore for their hospitality and wish them all the best for the season.
We would like to thank The Anchor Bar for their new sponsorship.
Man of the match (Newcastle) - Callum Simmons
