Club Notes 6/3/13

The U21 footballers stepped out in the heat of championship football last Sunday afternoon in Rossmore, when they took on Ballinascarthy in the Quarter final of the Clona Milk u21 B football championship. After a titanic battle in which the Kilmacs looked dead and buried midway through the second half and strong final quarter, coupled with superior fitness helped the Kilmacs come out on top after extra time, on a score line of Kilmacabea 1-12 Ballinascarthy 0-14.

On a dry cold day, on a decent sod both sides played out a marvellous game of attacking football under the watchful eye of referee, David Whyte (St.Marys). It was the eastern men who started quicker and had five points on the board in the opening quarter of an hour, before the Kilmacs raised their first white flag with a Richie O Sullivan free in the 18th minute. With the full back line of Martin Collins, Kieran O Sullivan and Thomas Jennings having a torrid time keeping the Bal full forward line and especially corner forward Aidan O Donovan at bay, it looked like Bal would cut loose and end the Kilmacs charge before it even begun. But credit to the Kilmac lads they dug in and with captain Joe Collins a power house at midfield, reduced the deficit at half time to four points, thanks to a second point from Declan O Sullivan leaving the score Kilmacabea 0-2 Ballinascarthy 0-6 at the short whistle. If the first half belonged to Bal, the second belonged to the Kilmacs lads. Trailing by seven points with fifteen minutes to go, it looked all but lost, but with some reshuffling of the pack most notably the redeployment of Martin Collins to the midfield sector the Kilmacs began to claw their way back into the game. Four quick points from Declan O Sullivan (2), Oisin O Sullivan and Kevin Whooley cut the gap to three points and when Oisin O Sullivan poked home for the only goal of the game in the 59^th minute the momentum was well and truly with the Kilmacs. Even with a player being dismissed, the Kilmacs hung on and managed to force extra time. In the additional two periods the Kilmacs dominated and despite a missed penalty managed to eke out a one point win.

While it was a great victory, the team will know that a much improved overall display will be needed if they want to advance further in the competition. The team that defeated Ballinascarthy was: Padraig Burke, Kieran O Sullivan, Martin Collins (0-1), Thomas Jennings, Sean O Regan, Niall Hayes, Liam Thompson, John O Sullivan, Joseph Collins, Aidan Williamson, Declan O Sullivan (0-3), Diarmuid O Callaghan (0-1), Kevin Whooley (0-2), Richie O Sullivan (0-4, 0-2 from frees), Oisin O Sullivan (1-1). Subs: Shane McDermott, Padraig McCarthy, Odhran Connolly.

The u14 footballers also had a victory on Sunday, when they defeated O Donovan Rossa in their first league game of their season, on a score line of Kilmacabea 4-18 O Donovan Rossa 7-7. This was a game that at times the Kilmacs were well on top and at other times in serious trouble. For a first outing it was good performance and all the more satisfying with the win at the end. It was close but would have been disappointing to lose. Team Conor Nash, Mikey OMahony, Adrian Gore, Jamiee Ronan, Orahan Kerrisk, Jamie O’Donoghue, Myles Tobin, Ashley Deane, Damian Gore, Gareth Whooley, Ian Jennings, Dara Tobin, Oisin O’Driscoll, Ellis Wilson, Ciaran Hernon, David Whelton, Christy Wilson, Eoin Burns

In the Scor Na bPaisti West Cork finals last Friday night in Rossmore, the music group consisting of Chantelle and Katelyn French, Saoirse and Davina Connolly and Clara Dineen won their catergory, Kate O Donovan came 2^nd in the recitation, and Chantelle French came 2^nd in the Solo Dancing. The other performers on the night were Olivia O Sullivan in Solo Singing and the Novelty Act of Aoife Hernan, Kate O Donovan, Ben Christie, Chantelle French, Clara Dineen and Dara Tobin. Congratulations to all those involved on the night.

The club would like to extend thanks to all those who helped out at the U21 game on Saturday last. Without these volunteers who give up their time to help park cars, sell tickets, prepare the pitch, hosting these games would not be possible.

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.

Fixtures for the coming week: 

Football League vs. Castletownbere in Leap on Sunday 10^th at 11:30am

Check locally before travelling as fixtures dates and times are liable to change.

There is hurling training for the new group of teams comprising St Patricks on Monday evening in Abbeystrewery National School all weather facilities, Skibbereen. 7pm for U14's and 8pm for U16/18. It is important that everyone interested coes along as matches will be starting in a few weeks time.

U21 Footballers Sunday 3/3/13 v Ballinascarthy