Club Notes 3/5/13

Last Sunday was a day which brought both joy and sadness to the club and also to the local community. When we woke on Sunday morning with championship fever, it was quickly tempered with sadness when we heard that Michael Crowley; Kilmacabea had been called to his eternal reward after a short illness. Michael will be fondly remembered by all those in the community as a hard working, honest man who always had the time and energy to help with whatever event or project was ongoing in the locality. It was with his help that Kilmacabea GAA were afforded the opportunity, to buy and ultimately develop John William Goulding Park into the fantastic facility that it is today. The club will be forever grateful for he did and we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Margaret and the whole Crowley family on Michael’s passing. Ar dheis de go raibh anam.

It was with this sad news that the Junior A footballers travelled to Rath to take on the 2010 champions, Gabriel Rangers in the first round of the Buckley Financial sponsored Junior A Football Championship. On a bright day, with a stiff breeze blowing in from Baltimore harbour both sides served up a marvellous hour’s football, and it was fitting that the  Kilmacs honoured Michael’s memory by winning on a score-line of Kilmacabea 2-10  Gabriel Rangers 0-13. A tight tense opening saw the Kilmacs struggle with the Gabriel’s forwards and it looked like another long afternoon for the Kilmacs. But credit to this bunch of players, they hung in there, and inspired by team captain Sam O Driscoll,  and Ger O Donovan the Kilmacs managed to go in at half time level at five points apiece. The pivotal moment in this game came ten minutes into the second half when, a searing run by Sam O Driscoll ended with Ger O Donovan rifling to the Gabriel’s net. The game still wasn’t over but the gap of three points was still maintained and when full back Eoin O Donovan crashed a second goal to the net with a little over ten minutes to go, the result was then in no doubt. A late surge was not enough for the western men and it will be the Kilmacs who will march on to the next round of the championship in early July.

The club was also proud last Friday night as a small band of supporters made the journey to Austin Stack Park  Tralee to watch Richie O Sullivan and the rest of the Cork minors as they disposed of Kerry’s challenge on a score-line of Cork 3-6  Kerry 0-10 in a tense Electric Ireland Munster Minor Football Championship 1^st Round replay. Their next assignment will be against Tipperary in Thurles on May 15^th at 7:30pm and we wish Richie and Niall Hayes the very best of luck.

Fixtures for the coming week: Junior B Football League vs Clonakilty on Friday 3^rd May at 7:30pm in Leap.

Please check locally as fixtures are subject to change and don’t forget you can keep up to date with all club activities and events by logging on www.facebook.com/Official Kilmacabea

GAA Club or www.twitter.com/KilmacabeaGAA.

Upcoming underage fixtures as follows

U13 Football championship V Carbery Rangers B on Wednesday 1^st May in Castlehaven at

19.30

Minor hurling  V Ibane Gaels on Thursday 2nd May in Leap at 19.30

U14 football  V Kilmichael on Thursday 2nd May in Leap at 19.30

U12 hurling  V Ilen Rovers on Saturday 3^rd May in Rath at 11am

U16 football  V Beal Atha Gaoraidh  on Sunday 5th May in Ballingeary at 11.30

Check prior to travelling

Notes 23/4/13

This past week was a quiet week for the club on the playing pitch, so attention turned to those who were representing the club at both county and divisional level. It was with great pride that a small band of supporters travelled to Pairc Ui Rinn last Friday night to see two Kilmacabea men in action for the Cork Minors against our old foes Kerry.  The likes of John Daly, Sean Crowley, Kevin McCarthy, Barry Glavin and Daniel O Donovan have all wore the famous blood and bandage of the county before at this level, but those that travelled on Friday night were delighted to see two Kilmacabea players named in the match day squad. Niall Hayes and Richie O Sullivan have both worked hard to get their chance to represent their county and were both involved as the Cork Minors came from behind to grab an unlikely draw on a score-line of Cork 2-13 Kerry 2-13 After extra time. The replay takes place this Friday 26^th of April at 7:30pm in Austin Stack Park in Tralee.

Then on Sunday Joseph Collins, represented the Carbery Senior Footballers as they fought out a 3-11 to 2-11 extra time victory over Beara in the Colleges/Divisions section of the Cork County Senior Football Championship played in Adrigole.

Attention this weekend reverts to local action, as the junior footballers enter the championship fray on Sunday, when they take on Gabriel Rangers in the first round of the Buckley Financial Junior A Football Championship. This game is fixed for 3pm in Rath, Baltimore and a large crowd is expected for this highly anticipated first round game. The Kilmacs will be hoping that they can negotiate this hurdle and set their sights on a summer of championship football ahead.

Fixtures for the coming week: Junior A Football Championship 1^st Round vs Gabriel Rangers on Sunday 28^th April at 3pm in Rath, Baltimore.

 Please check locally as fixtures are subject to change and don’t forget you can keep up to date with all club activities and events by logging on www.facebook.com/Official Kilmacabea GAA Club or www.twitter.com/KilmacabeaGAA.

Underage activity

Currently most of the activity at underage levels has been on the hurling side as part of St Patricks. While things are still at the settling in period and getting to know faces, progress is being made. While the score lines may not be positive there are definitely indications of commitment and spirit and with games will come a better understanding and improvement in the skill levels.

The U14 Hurlers played Bandon in Bandon on Thursday and while they lost there was a general improvement in the team display.

The U10 footballers had their first outing of the season when they took part in a blitz in Skibbereen and it was enjoyed by all.

Upcoming fixtures as follows

Minor hurling v Clonakilty in Clonakilty on Thursday 25^th April at 19.15

U14 Hurling v Barryroe in Rath on Thursday 25^th April at 19.15

U12 Football v Ilen Rovers in Leap on Saturday 27^th April at 11am

U16 Hurling v Kilbree in Rossmore on Monday 29^th April at 19.15

U13 Football championship V Carbery Rangers B on Wednesday 1^st May in Castlehaven at 19.30

U10 Football v Carbery Rangers in Ross on Wednesday 1^st May at 19.00

Check locally prior to travelling

There is also hurling training for U10 and U12 taking place in Leap on Monday evenings under the guidance of John Collins. All newcomers are welcome to try it out.

Club Notes 16/4/13

With the euphoria of the U21 victory last weekend, this past weekend was back to league action with both junior teams involved. 

The junior B footballers travelled to Ballydehob on Friday night to take on Gabriel Rangers while the junior A footballers took on Barryroe in Barryroe on Sunday morning.

A youthful second string lined up under the lights in Ballydehob to take on the hosts, and can count them-selves unlucky not to get anything from the game after a stirring second half comeback but ultimately losing out on a score line of Gabriel Rangers 1-13 Kilmacabea 2-9. The team started sluggishly and found them-selves pinned back into their own half for long periods of the half. But with a few canny switches the Kilmacs finally got a few scores on the board, but the concession of a soft penalty left them trail by nine points at half time.

It took until ten minutes into the second half for the Kilmacs to awaken from their slumber and two quick-fire goals from Colin McCarthy and Brian O Donovan turned the game in the Kilmacs favour and they led by two points. But ill discipline and lack of match practice was ultimately to cost the team in the end.

The junior A team was in Barryroe on Sunday morning to take on the home side in section one of the football league. With the 1^st round of the championship fixed for the 28^th of April at 3pm in Rath vs Gabriel Rangers, this game was very important to boost confidence before that championship encounter. A lively Kilmac side started this game well, even though the under-foot conditions and strong wind militated against quality football, but the Kilmacs still lead at half time. A more tactical second half didn’t yield the scores that both sides were looking for, but the Kilmacs higher work rate and better use of the football helped them to a 2-12 to 2-2 victory.

The Rebel Og underage championship draws were made last Friday night and are as follows:

Minor A Semi Final: Kilmacabea vs winners of Ahan Gaels/Naomh Aban

U16 C Quarter Final: Kilmacabea vs Castletownbere

U14 B Quarter Final: Kilmacabea vs O Donovan Rossa

U13 Championship vs Carbery Rangers ‘B’ in Castlehaven on Wednesday May 1^st at 7:30pm.

The club would like to wish Niall Hayes and Richie O Sullivan the very best of luck, along with the rest of the Cork minor panel, as they take on Kerry in the Quarter Final of the Munster Minor Football Championship on Friday night, 19^th of April at 7pm in Pairc Ui Rinn.

Don’t forget you can keep up to date with all club activities and events by logging on www.facebook.com/Official Kilmacabea GAA Club or www.twitter.com/KilmacabeaGAA.

Congratulations to Damian Gore who was part of the Carbery Beara U14 football team that won the inter divisional blitz in CIT recently.

The U12 Football team started their playing season on Friday night with a tough assignment when they were away to Castlehaven with victory going to the home team

Fixtures for the coming week

Thursday 18^th April Minor H, St Patricks v Bantry n Leap at 19.00

Thursday 18^th April U14 H St Patricks v Bandon in Bandon at 19.00

Monday 22^nd April U16H St Patricks v Pedlars Cross in Aughaville at 19.15

As fixtures are likely to change check prior to travelling

St Patricks (Kilmacabea, O’Donovan Rossa, Ilen Rovers and Tadgh MacCartaigh) make the club debut on the playing fields on Thursday 18^th April.

The U14 hurlers played Ballinascarthy in Rath. While the score indicated there was a gap the sides were balanced and the visitors better understanding gave them a small edge. Indications are that the team would be competitive as understanding among players grows. On this team were Jamie O’Donoghue, Ellis Wilson, Conor Nash, Myles Tobin and Ian Jennings.

The minor hurlers were also in action on the same night in Enniskeane when they took on Ahan Gaels. Again the more experienced team had the advantage. This team would have potential with some players missing and their opponents would be at a higher grade. Kilmacabea representatives on the night were Martin Collins, Euan Tobin and Tiernan Kerisk

The St PatricksU14 Hurlers 11/4/13 Rath v Ballinascarthy

Club Notes 8/4/13

(Theses are the same as the facebook site except for underage fixtures)

‘’Hunger, desire and an insatiable appetite for work and to win”, these were some of the words that club chairman William Williamson used last Sunday evening after the club captured their fourth South West u21 B Football title in ten years after a hard fought 1-4 to 0-4 win over Clann Na nGael in wet and windy Aughaville. This was a win that was based on hard- work, team- work and an undying spirit which has been a feature of this team’s championship campaign this year.

On a day when even the ducks didn’t want to venture out, the Kilmacs finally had their day in the sun, when in the grey skies of Aughaville they outfought a highly fancied Clann outfit. The winning of the game came before the throw in when the Kilmacs won the toss and elected to play with the gale force wind at their backs. The opening minutes were fraught with nerves as both sides looked to gain an advantage. The advantage came the Kilmacs way when, in the tenth minute a free from lively corner forward Kevin Whooley dropped short and a grateful Oisin O Sullivan drove home to the net to open up a three point gap. This was soon followed by two quick Joseph Collins points, one from a free and the Kilmacs now had a 1-2 to no score lead. Credit to Clann, they keep trying but against a stead fast Kilmac defence, well marshalled by full back John O Sullivan, corner back Thomas Jennings and Niall Hayes at centre back , they kept them at bay until Damian O Brien managed to break free and register their first score after twenty three minutes. Joseph Collins and Diarmuid O Callaghan added two further points to leave the half time score, Kilmacabea 1-4 Clann Na nGael 0-1.

The second half will live long in the memory for all those in attendance as the Kilmac lads produced a heroic half an hour of constant defending, akin to what Donegal produced two years ago, to keep the Clann team at bay. It was a credit to the team that it took Clann all of twenty five  minutes to register a score with the wind, which was quickly followed by two further points to reduced the arrears to three points, but with the outstanding Padraig Burke and John Sullivan proving to be immovable objects at the back the Kilmacs lads hung on, and when Tim Murnane blew the final whistle the scenes of unbridled joy were unparrelled. As captain Joseph Collins received the Margaret and Matthew O'Sullivan Memorial cup after the game he mentioned that nobody gave them a hope of winning the game, but he and the rest of the team were only too happy to prove them wrong.

The team will now take a well deserved rest before they tackle a county quarter-final against Muskerry champions Canovee sometime in mid summer.

The club has the honour of hosting the u21 A Football Final between Castlehaven and Clonakilty next Sunday at 3pm. All stewards are asked to attend at the club grounds from one o’clock onwards.

The club monthly draw results are as follows: 1^st Michael Tobin, Kilfinnan 2^nd Ann Burke, Maultrahane 3^rd The O Donovan Family, The Quay 4^th Sean Walshe, The Mall 5^th Denjo Twomey, Madaranna 6^th Helen Donovan, Ballyroe 7^th Adrian Healy, Ballyhilow

Fixtures for the coming week: Junior B Football League provisional vs Gabriel Rangers on Friday 12^th April at 7pm in Leap .

Junior A Football League vs Barryroe on Sunday 14^th April at 12 noon in Barryroe.

Underage fixtures

Minor Hurling  League St Patricks  vs Ahan Gaels in Enniskeanne on Thursday 11^th April at 19.00.

U14 Hurling  League St Patricks  vs Ballinascarthy in Rath on Thursday 11^th April at 19.00.

U12 Football  vs Castlehaven in Castlehaven on Saturday 13^th April at 11.00.

U16 Hurling  League St Patricks  vs Ibane Gaels in Barryroe  on Monday 15^th April at 19.00.

U10 Football  vs Tadgh MacCartaigh in Leap on Wednesday 16^th  April at 19.00.

Please check locally as fixtures are subject to change and don’t forget you can keep up to date with all club activities and events by logging on www.facebook.com/Official Kilmacabea GAA Club or www.twitter.com/KilmacabeaGAA.

Notes 4/4/13

If Our Lord or Lazarus had been present in Aughaville on Sunday last he would have definitely been on the side of the Kilmacs, as for the third time in this championship, they managed a miraculous comeback to draw this enthralling South West u21 B football championship final with Clanna Gael. When Richie O Sullivan escaped from the clutches of Clann fullback Paul Crowley and billowed the back of the net deep into injury time, a little tremor could have been felt in the Aughaville hinterland as the large Kilmac following celebrated a magnificent finish to an otherwise superb final played in driving wind and rain.

Playing against the strong breeze in the finish half, the Kilmac lads took a long time to get used to the conditions and this gave the Drimoleague/Drinagh outfit time to speed into an earlier lead. Quick-fire opening points by lively wing forward Paul Hickey, Eric Crowley and the industrious Gavin Connolly gave Clann the early foothold and a sweeping move in the fifteenth minute lead to Don O Driscoll crashing the ball to the Kilmac net leaving a six point gap to overcome. But never count out this Kilmac outfit, who with the Collins brothers at midfield ,centre back Niall Hayes and the creativity of wing forward Diarmuid O Callaghan, got to grips with the game and started to create openings of their own. No sooner had Clann hit the back of the Kilmac net, that the umpires at the opposite end were raising the green flag, when an effort for a point by Joe Collins dropped in the grateful arms of Diarmuid O Callaghan who dispatched the leather to the net. He soon followed this up with pointed free to leave the score-line Kilmac1-1 Clanna Gael 1-3. The Clann forward line profited from a little indiscipline in the Kilmac defence and landed two more points to leave the half time score Kilmac 1-1 Clanna Gael 1-5.

With the words of the Kilmac management ringing in their ears the Kilmac lads turned to play with the breeze at their backs and renewed endeavour they set about over turning the deficit. With commanding John O Sullivan at full back, the tigerish Niall Hayes and Martin Collins, the lads started the brighter and only for some wasteful shooting could have been back level. The ever dangerous Joe Collins finally landed his side’s second point and the pressure was increasing around the Clann goal mouth. Some good link up play landed Clanna their sixth and seventh points of the game and at this stage it looked very bleak for the Kilmac lads, even with two pointed frees from Diarmuid O Callaghan and one from Kevin Whooley and Kilmac goal was badly needed to swing the game back in their favour. A late Clann point with two minutes of normal time stretched their lead to four points and it looked very bad for the Kilmacs A point from full forward Richie O Sullivan cut the gap to three points heading into injury time, and the dramatic end to this contest. Solid custodian Padraig Burke’s kick out was well fielded by captain Joe Collins, who fed the tireless Diarmuid O Callaghan. A mazy run by the wing forward opened up some space and a perfectly timed pass to Richie O Sullivan put the Kilmac speedster away. With over thirty metres to the Clann goal and a major needed to tie the game, it was in little doubt what the Kilmac full forward needed to do. His beautifully arched shot past the despairing dive of Clann custodian Donnacha Shanahan into the net begun scenes of joy through the Kilmac supporters and mentors and when referee Donal Shorten blew the final whistle moments later the relief within the Kilmac camp was immense. The final score of this thrilling final, playing in a fine sporting air, was Kilmacabea 2-5 Clann Na nGael 1-8.

The replay of the u21 B Football Final will take place next Sunday 7th April at 3pm in Aughaville. All support will be greatly appreciated as the lads go in search of the crown last annexed in 2008.

Fixtures for the coming week: u21 B Football Championship Final replay vs Clann Na nGael on Sunday 7th April at 3pm in Aughaville. Junior B Football League vs Clonakilty on Friday 5th April at 7pm in Leap.Cancelled

Please check locally as fixtures are subject to change and don’t forget you can keep up to date with all club activities and events by logging on www.facebook.com/Official Kilmacabea GAA Club or www.twitter.com/KilmacabeaGAA.

Top of Form

Other fixtures Check before travelling

U16 Hurling St Patricks v Kilbrittain in Aughaville Saturday 6th April at 15.3O Cancelled Issues with registration affiliation and insurance Should be sorted this week

U14 Hurling St Patricks v Sam Maguires in Dunmanway on Sunday 7th April at 11.30am  Cancelled Issues with registration affiliation and insurance Should be sorted this week

Minor Hurling St Patricks v Ahan Gaels in Enniskeane on Thursday 11th April at 19.00

U14 Hurling St Patricks v Ballinascarthy in Rath on Thusday 11th April at 19.00

Notes 26/3/13

The u21 footballers took centre stage this weekend when they took on near neighbours and great rivals Tadgh MacCarthaigh in the semi final of the Clona Milk u21 B Football Championship played at a wet and wind Rossa Park, Skibbereen last Saturday evening. After a thrilling hour of football, where no quarter was asked or given by both sides it was the Kilmac lads who emerged victorious on a score-line of Kilmacabea 0-11 Tadgh MacCarthaigh 0-10.

The Kilmac lads settled to their task well and with the aid of a strong breeze took an early 0-2 to 0-0 lead after ten minutes. But this Tadgh MacCarthaigh team are nothing but tigerish and lead by Cork u21 player Brian O Driscoll levelled the scores after 15 minutes. With very little between the sides the lead swapped hands again before Diarmuid O Callaghan gave the Kilmacs the lead in the 29^th minute, to give the Kilmacs a slender one point advantage at the interval, Kilmacabea 0-5  Tadgh MacCarthaigh 0-4. The second half continued in much the same vain as the first, with both sides trading scores to leave the tie finally balanced heading into the final quarter. The switch of Patrick Kirby to full forward helped the Caheragh lads open up a one point lead before Padraig Burke, the every reliable Kilmac custodian, pulled off a great penalty save which left the gap at two points with little time remaining. But one final effort from the Kilmac lads managed to level the tie going into injury time and a little bit of good fortune gave Diarmuid O Callaghan the opportunity to win the game for the Kilmacs. Wild celebrations followed the final whistle by referee David Whyte and meant the Kilmacs were back in the final of this competition for the first time since 2008, where they will take on Clann Na Gael.

That u21 final vs Clann Na Gael is provisionally fixed for Easter Sunday 31^st March in Aughaville with a 3pm throw in. A large crowd will be expected on the day so make any extra special effort to come out and cheer the lads onto victory.

After the excitement of Saturday, it was back to league action on Sunday, when the junior footballers entertained Bandon in Section 1 of the football league in Leap. Minus the u21 contingent the team, the team competed well with a physical strong Bandon side and were unlucky to be behind at the short whistle, Kilmacabea 0-4 Bandon 0-6. Playing some nice football but guilty of overplaying the ball at times the Kilmac lads found hitting the target a struggle and Bandon, who were more economical with the ball, managed to grind out a  victory on the score-line  of Kilmacabea 0-6  Bandon 0-10. Although it is early in their season, this game gave the team much food for thought and will help them build for their 1^st round championship encounter against Gabriel Rangers on April 28^th in Baltimore at 3pm.

The u16 footballers were also in league action on Sunday morning when they travelled to Clonaklity to take on the home side. Playing some excellent football they were unlucky to come out the wrong side of the score-line, Kilmacabea 5-9 Clonaklity ‘B’ 8-5. The game was also notable for a nasty injury to young Eoin O Sullivan, who is only after resuming playing after a year out of football. All within the club would like to wish Eoin all the best with his recovery from this injury.

As part of the schools coaching program, 80 boys and girls from 3^rd to 6^th class from Maultrahane, Leap and Glandore NS assembled in the GAA pitch for a school blitz on Wednesday 20^th. Four teams of 10 boys played three 20 minute games and four teams of girls also played three 20 minute games. The Kilmacabea club would like to thank the three schools for taking part in the program and would also like to thank Kevin Whooley and Shane McDermott for referring the games.

The club would also like to congratulate the Instrumental group who finished 2^nd at the County Scor Na bPaisti finals held at the GAA Pavilion in Ovens over the weekend. The group consisting of Chantelle and Katelyn French, Saoirse and Davina Connolly and Clara Dineen put in a great display of traditional Irish music. Great credit must go to their mentor, Martina French for putting in great work with this group for the past number of months.

Fixtures for the coming week: U21 B Football Championship final vs Clann Na Gael on Easter Sunday 31^st of March in Aughaville at 3pm. The junior football league game against Tadgh MacCarthaigh due to be played on Easter Sunday has now been re-fixed for the 2^nd June.

Please check locally as fixtures are subject to change and don’t forget you can keep up to date with all club activities and events by logging on www.facebook.com/Official Kilmacabea GAA Club or www.twitter.com/KilmacabeaGAA.

Notes 18/3/13

The U 14 footballers played in the County Feile competition on Saturday 16^th March. The competition was run off as a series of blitzes with games of 12minute halves. Kilmacabea were part of a group which played  at Ballygarvan.

The Kilmacs drew the short straw in that their first game was against the home team and eventual group winners and they were slow to start.  By half time they had found their feet and were back in the game behind  1- 2 to 0-3. For the third quarter playing some excellent football they put themselves in a good position and had edged two point s ahead. Unfortunately they got caught on the break for a couple of key scores which were their undoing. Final result was Kilmacabea 0-7 Ballygarvan 3-3. The second game was a titanic battle between two evenly matched sides. Whitechuch got the lead score but play was up and down and the Kilmacs equalised before half time. The Kilmacs got the key score mid-way through the second half and while both sides had chances the Kilmacs held out for a morale boosting victory on the score 1-1 to 0-1. In the next game they played Naomh Aban. The team was now playing  good football with confidence and a better balance to the side and were able to win the game on the score 1-6 to 0-4. In the final game they had too much for the St Finbarrs “B” team and went on to win 2-8 to 0-1. All in it was a super experience for the players and the team and players learned a lot from it. The team played some fine football throughout with a great effort, attitude and commitment from all who took part. Team Conor Nash, Mikey O’Mahony, Adrian  Gore, Odran Kerrisk, Ian Jennings, Jamie O’Donoghue, Jamie Ronan, Ashley Deane, Damien Gore, David Whelton, Myles Tobin, Dara Tobin, Oisin O’Driscoll, Ellis Wilson, Christy Wilson, Ciaran Hernon. The competition was run off efficently and with great hospitality by the home club

U21 B Football c'ship semi final vs Tadgh MacCarthaigh Saturday 23rd at 5:00pm in Skibbereen