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