Notes 27/2/13

The junior A footballers and the U16 footballers both got their seasons underway this past weekend and both sides started with victories, the junior footballers defeating Diarmuid O Mathunas in Castletownkenneigh by 0-17 to 0-10 last Sunday afternoon while the U16 footballers defeated Mizen Rovers in Leap last Sunday morning on a score line of 2-10 to 0-8.

Under new management, the junior footballers started their league campaign with a comprehensive display against Mathunas last Sunday afternoon in Castletownkenneigh. On a dry crisp day, ideal for football the Kilmacs started slowly and the home side, fresh from their draw with St Colums last weekend, started the brighter and had the Kilmacs under pressure. But with the experienced Tom Sheahan and Niall McCarthy starting to get to grips with the game and the ever impressive Sam O Driscoll marshalling the back division well, the Kilmacs eventually took control of the game and were leading at the short whistle by 0-10 to 0-2. The second half started like the first half ended with the Kilmacs in total control, but while the scoring slowed down, they never looked like losing the game, even when Mathunas rallied late in the half. The game ended on a score-line of Kilmacabea 0-17 Diarmuid O Mathunas 0-10. Scorers for Kilmacabea: Donie O Donovan 0-8 (0-7 from free’s). Diarmuid O Callaghan, Joseph Collins (0-2 each), Sam O Driscoll, Barry Glavin, Clive Sweetnam, Andrew O Callaghan, Niall McCarthy (0-1 each) . Kilmacabea team vs Diarmuid O Mathunas: Kevin McCarthy, Donie O Donoghue, Eoin O Donovan, Peadar O Leary, Mark Jennings, Sam O Driscoll, Diarmuid O Donovan, Tom Sheahan, Niall McCarthy, Donie O Donovan, Joseph Collins, Clive Sweetnam, Diarmuid O Callaghan, Barry Glavin, Andrew O Callaghan. Subs used: Thomas Jennings, Adrian O Driscoll, Richard Jennings, Brian Hayes, Martin Collins.

The U16 footballers were involved in a typical early season game. With players finding their position this was a game where there were some fine moves but there were also breakdowns in play which will improve as the group get used to playing together. Mizen settled the quickest and were exerting the early pressure. The Kilmacs got the boost with a goal from a shot that deceived the Mizen goalkeeper. Both sides were working hard and play was even. The half time score was Kilmacabea 1-7 Mizen 0-5. The third quarter was again even with no score for 15 minutes. The Kilmacs had the slight advantage in the chances created but weren’t able to convert them. Some indiscipline in the Mizen ranks meant they finished the game a man down and the Kilmacs were able to take advantage to finish the game. The team worked well and showed a good attitude and demonstrated that they could use the ball skilfully. Team John Patrick Sheehan, Caelan O’Mahony, Tiernan Kerrisk, Ross Cantwell, James O’Driscoll(0-1), Darren Whooley, Matthew O’Neill(0-1), Ciaran French, Dan Lynch, Eoin O’Sullivan(0-3), John Walsh- O’Reilly(1-0), Damian Gore(1-6), Patrick O’Donovan, Karl Ronan, Myles Tobin.

The U21 footballers are in championship action next Sunday 3^rd of March, when they take on Ballinascarthy in the Quarter Final of the Clona Milk U21 B Football Championship in Rossmore. This game has a 12 noon throw in and supporters are encouraged to come out and support the team. The club is also hosting a game next weekend, with the U21 A Football championship game between near neighbours O Donovan Rossa and Carbery Rangers taking place in John William Goulding Park at 4pm on Saturday. Stewards will be needed for this game and are asked to be at the club grounds from 2pm onwards.

The U14 footballers also get their their league season underway next Sunday, as they make the short trip to Skibbereen to take on O Donovan Rossa with throw in at 10am in the Marsh field.

A limited number of scholarships are available to GAA members who wish to attend Irish courses in the Gaeltacht during the summer. Applications are now being taken, anyone interested is asked to contact Donal O Donovan (club secretary) on 086 2644445. All Club Members are also reminded that the Sports Prophet deadline is Friday 8^th March, so get your entries in ASAP, either online at www.sportsprophet.ie or contact Dan Hourihane for a paper entry form.

Notes 20/2/13

The minor footballers got the competitive action underway this season, when they took on Carbery Rangers last Saturday afternoon in the first game of the Minor A football league played in Ardagh, Rosscarbery. This was a hard fought game with little between the sides and it was the Kilmac boys who came out victorious after the hour on a score-line on Carbery Rangers 1-4 Kilmacabea 1-9. Played on a soft, sandy surface it was the kilmac lads who came out of the blocks quickest, registering three points in the first ten minutes to Carbery’s two. With Niall Hayes, Kevin Whooley and Shane McDermott working hard to deny the Rangers players any clear opportunities and with Whooley registering another kilmac score after twenty three minutes it was the Leap lads who looked like taking total control. Credit to the Ross midfielder Tadgh O Mahony who fought manfully against a rising tide, their task was made harder when a long ball was won by kilmac full forward Martin Collins and dispatched to the back of the Rangers net to leave the half time score Carbery Rangers 0-3  Kilmacabea 1-4. With their mentor’s words ringing in their ears and thanks to a mistake in the kilmacs defence, John Hodnett managed to hit the back of the Kilmac rigging and reduce the deficit to one point for the Rangers. But this kilmac side are made of tough stuff and with the impressive Hayes now operating at midfield and Podge Cronin and Seamus Murphy getting through an amount of work on the flanks the kilmac boys extended their lead to five points by the forty seventy minute.  The kilmac lads then began to hold onto possession and only for some poor shot selection and missed passes could have extended their lead further. Overall this was a strong performance, although early season mistakes were evident, this was a good win to get the campaign started. Best on the day: Gavin Daly, Niall Hayes and Podge Cronin.  Kilmacabea team vs Carbery Rangers: Matthew O Neill, Odhran Connolly, Niall Hayes, Gavin Daly, James O Driscoll, Shane McDermott, Aidan Williamson, Diarmuid O Callaghan, Declan O Sullivan, Podge Cronin, Kevin Whooley, Seamus Murphy, Darren Whooley, Martin Collins, Kevin O Donovan.

The u21 footballers are out in championship action on Sunday the 3^rd of March vs Ballinascarthy in Rossmore. This game is pencilled in for a 12 noon start so support will be needed to cheer the lads on to victory. The club is due to host Carbery Rangers vs O Donovan Rossa in the 1^st round of the u21 A championship on Saturday 2^nd of March with a 4pm throw in. Help will be needed for this game, so stewards are asked to assemble from 2pm onwards.

All club members are reminded that the Sports Prophet prediction competition is now up and running. Cost is €20 and questions range from who will win the All Ireland Football and Hurling championship to how many horses will finish the Aintree Grand National. Entries can be filled out either online at www.sportsprophet.com or can contact Dan Hourihane (club coordinator) for a paper entry form.

Fixtures for the coming week:  Junior A Football League vs Diarmuid O Mathunas in Castletownkenneigh next Sunday 24^th at 3pm, U16 Football League vs Mizen Rovers in Leap next Sunday 24^th at 11:30am. All fixtures are liable to change so check locally before travelling. Also keep up to date with any fixtures changes and club news via the club facebook account, www.facebook.com/OfficialKilmacabeaGAAClub or the club twitter account, www.twitter.com/KilmacabeaGAA

Notes 14/2/12

Another training day is being arranged for CPR and defibrillator use in the near future. It is vitally important that all team mentors should have this training as no one knows when this training may be needed. All those who wish to participate should contact Jennifer Sweetnam without delay on 086 0585224.

The monthly club draw for February was held last Wednesday night as the club monthly meeting and the results of the draw are as follows:

1^st prize:   Sean and Kay Tobin, Kifinnan

2^nd prize:  Niall McCarthy, Reavouler

3^rd prize:   John Collins, Kilmacabea

4^th prize:   Frank and Mairead Wilson, Corran

5^th prize:   Dan Moloney, Bandon

6^th prize:   Johnny and Teresa O Sullivan, Clounties

7^th prize:   Denis McCarthy, Bawnfune

Fixtures for the coming week:  
Saturday 16^th Minor A Football League vs Carbery Rangers in Ardagh at 3pm.
Result Kilmacabea 1-9 Carbery Rangers 1-4.
Results will be posted on club twitter and facebook accounts during and after games .

Club Notes 5/2/13

With the playing season still a few weeks away, attention last week was on the draw for the first round of the Junior A Football Championship made last wednesday the 30^th of Jan at the GAA Pavilion in Dunmanway. With twenty-three teams in the hat for the draw it was Gabriel Rangers who the Kilmacs will play in the 1^st round. Gabriel’s been the champions in 2010 and will prove a good test for the junior footballers. The  team who is defeated in the 1^st round will face a difficulty test in round 2 where they will face the loser’s of the tie between St Mary’s and St Oliver Plunketts. The Junior 3 championship draw was also made and this see’s the Kilmacs pitted against great rivals Tadgh MacCarthaigh in the Quarter Final with the winners to meet Castlehaven in the semi final. This team won this title last year in a tight tense final against St Colums in Aughaville and will be hoping to defend their title this year. The u21’s will need to wait a little while longer to find out who they will play in the u21 B championship 1^st round as this draw has been delayed due to an issue regarding grading. As soon as this draw is known it will be posted on the club facebook and twitter account.

All team mentors are advised that a Defibrillator training course is taking place this Saturday 9^th February in the GAA Pavilion between 9:30am and 2:30pm. It is very important that all mentors attend.

Kevin Whooley (Shreelane) and Diarmuid O Callaghan (Maultrahane) were part of the St Fachnta’s De La Salle school team that was defeated by De La Salle Macroom in the Corn Ui Mhuiri schools competition recently.

A fundraising Ceili will take place this Friday night 8^th February in the Community Hall in Leap at 9:30pm. Music will be by Tim Joe and Anne and refreshments will be served on the night.