Kiltimagh/Knock United out for more of the same after remarkable return

MAYO SUPER LEAGUE PREVIEW

ONE of the stories of last year's Mayo Super League season was undoubtedly that of newly promoted Kiltimagh/Knock United and their superb run of form, writes Cian McNicholas.

Finishing the season in fourth on 32 points and beating teams such as the champions Ballyheane, Westport United and Manulla would certainly lead you to believe it was a season of great overachievement. But Kiltimagh/Knock United stalwart Ronan Mallee, ahead of the new season, is looking for much the same as last year.

“I think we started off the season to try and get as many points on the board as possible, and to be competitive in every single game home or away. So, it’s much the same again - get points early on the board and try and then go on a run and anything can happen from there,” the Kiltimagh/Knock United midfielder said.

ATTACK

Anyone who went and saw Kiltimagh/Knock United play last season would be a witness to the real attacking flow they brought to their game. It was real counter-attacking and free flowing football that was on display throughout the season. Many teams in Kiltimagh/Knock’s position last season would maybe play it safe, especially against the big teams, and hope to snatch a point or possibly even a win. But in Mallee’s words: “Winning breeds confidence.”

He elaborated: “I think it was more the competitiveness of the league, coming up from the Premier League. I think we actually slipped up not winning the league itself. So, we came up with little or no fear I suppose. We knew we would be competitive; we knew we would get the wins and draws we needed. Also, lads hit form. Lads got more and more confidence. We got the likes of James McGraith and Jack O’Connor back playing and it just took them a couple of games to get used to playing with everyone.

“We got the key results we needed and winning breeds confidence, and that certainly showed in the run that we went on.”

This year’s first few training sessions have gone well too, Mallee said. “We went back in the first week of January because we had Athenry in the cup on the 15th, so it was just about getting a little bit of match fitness ahead of that fixture. We only finished up in the third week in November after the cup final, so it was a short enough window of a break.”

Looking ahead to the teams that Kiltimagh/Knock will have to face again this year in the Mayo Super League, the midfielder believes that each team has bolstered their teams ahead of the new season.

“I think across the board everybody has strengthened and as the league table finished last season the top five were within eight or nine points of each other. So, I think it will be a very competitive season again this year. Obviously Ballyheane are the league champions and have won it two years in a row, so they will be hungry to make it three in a row. But I honestly think it is a very open league this year.”