ROUND-UP: Kilkenny Premier Division kicks on and stellar career ends

There was no signs of an end to the goal rush in the St Canice’s Credit Union Premier Division this season with 18 goals served up across four games. Strikers have certainly been to the fore in recent weeks with just one clean sheet over three rounds of matches in the top tier.

Nine in a row chasing Evergreen remain hot favourites to retain their title with five wins from five but their greatest threat still remains unclear with Fort Rangers, Freebooters and Newpark their greatest contenders.

Elsewhere, Kilkenny player Karen Duggan ended a glittering career, hanging up her boots after the final round of games in this season's Premier Division.

The Peamount United player was capped 35 times for Ireland and won four league titles and one FAI Cup.

FREEBOOTERS 2, FORT RANGERS 3 - It was a tale of two halves on the Fair Green on Saturday night as Fort Rangers (2nd) held off a second half comeback from the home team to record their fourth win of the season.

The winners held a surprising 0-3 lead with half-time approaching in a comprehensive 45 minute performance. A brace from Emmet Nugent who moves on to eight goals for the season and a well taken finish by Daniel Kenny had the Cuffesgrange outfit in a promising position.

However, ‘Booters (4th) failed to let the scale of the task discourage them and a Paul Kiely goal on the brink of half-time proved to be the springboard for a courageous second half showing.

A sending off for Fort Rangers manager Jim Nugent and subsequent penalty by Joe Banville made for a grand stand finish but ‘Fort weathered the storm for a valuable three points.

READ NEXT: The final whistle - Duggan calls time on one chapter of glorious sporting career

EVERGREEN B 3, THOMASTOWN UTD 1 - Most of the drama came deep into stoppage time on Saturday with two red cards and a late goal solidifyng the three points.

Evergreen B (6th) bagged the only goal of the first half just six minutes into the half as Colin Rowan found the target for the first time this season.

A clever assist from John Nolan opened up an avenue for Harry Cummins to double the Evergreen B lead by the 53rd minute in a game where a leaky Thomastown Utd (8th) defence in 2025 appeared to have had nullifed the threat to goal.

The Grennan team, who have netted 12 times this season found a goal of their own from the experienced Steven Connolly on the 75th minute made for a nail biting finish but a clinching 93rd minute goal from Finn Desmond put the game to bed.

NEWPARK 3, CALLAN UTD 2 - Callan Utd (9th) relinquished a two goal advantage to fall to an inform Newpark, who have now won their last three league games.

Two Bergins (Ryan and Darragh) combined for a brace of Callan goals in the 5th and 36th minutes respectively.

But a late first half Anthony Delaney penalty turned the tide back in the hosts favour with Henry O’Neill and Alex Molloy completing the comeback.

DEEN CELTIC 1, LIONS 3 - After goalless first half, the second to be more eventful as a strong Lions (7th) away performance leaves Deen Celtic (10th) waiting for their first win.

Lions goal from Eoin Sheppard, John O’Brien and Cillian Keane cancelling out a Steven Daly finish.

FOR MORE KILKENNY SOCCER NEWS, CLICK HERE