CLUB ACTIVITIES REMAIN ON HOLD

Under Level 5 of the plan for living with Covid-19 all club activities remain on hold. No meetings, gatherings, or group training can take place. Individual training only is permitted for GAA clubs, neither adult or underage teams may train collectively, club games are not permitted and GAA grounds must remain closed. Thank you all for your cooperation here. We ask all members to continue to look after each other and to look out for vulnerable friends and members of our community. Please see below a list of players names and numbers below who have very kindly offered to help in any way. Please don’t hesitate to contact any name on the list below if you need help

Austin O’Hara - 086 366 5458

Sean Keane - 085 875 7035

Liam Whelan - 086 363 9557

Kieran Walsh - 086 395 6359

Ned O’Brien - 087 934 9071

Brian Sheehan - 086 261 4580

Brian Tobin - 087 652 1992

Mark O’Connor - 087 673 1473

Cormac Donnellan - 085 135 8130

Tom Twomey - 083 854 2147

Noel McNamara - (086) 376 3728

Michael O’Callaghan - (086) 010 3371

CLUB LOTTO 

As advertised over the last few weeks club lotto is suspended due to level 5 restrictions until further notice. Anyone paid up for the lotto prior to its postponement, will carry over to the next draw. We will keep you updated and give plenty notice as to when that lotto draw will be. Next Lotto Draw Jackpot; €7,400, date TBC.  As always, we would like to thank you for your ongoing support.

REBEL BOUNTY TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Rebels’ Bounty is a new initiative of ‘ONE CORK’ to give clubs a significant opportunity to raise funds at a time when traditional fundraising has been impacted by restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Key points;

100% commission to clubs above minimum targets

€500,000 in prizes

12 monthly draws

360 chances to win

Support your local club

Join the Cork GAA Rebel Bounty Draw today and support Kilworth GAA at the same time! This year more than ever, your support of the newly launched Rebel Bounty Draw is incredibly important to our club. All money we raise from the draw will be set aside for the development which we hope will start very soon. Tickets cost €100 each and that includes 12 monthly draws (you pay for 10 and get 2 free!) and you have the chance to win from a prize pot of €500,000! There are 30 prizes each month, 360 winners each year and the December draw alone is worth a whopping €100,000! What’s not to love? Maybe you could be one of those winners? You have the option to pay the €100 upfront now or you can pay €10 a month, whichever is easiest for you. The first two draws will take place at the end of February. After we sell our minimum target of 70 tickets, 100% of all money raised will go directly to the club so it’s very important we get as many members as possible. Tickets are available from a number of executive committee members or they can be bought online: WWW.GAACORK.IE/REBELSBOUNTY. Please support & spread the word.

MEMBERSHIP

The new membership site “Foireann” is now up and running. For those who completed Covid Health Questionnaires last year for games and training, you will recognise the site. For those who haven’t it is simple enough to navigate.

Firstly, log on to www.foireann.ie. If you used the site last year, your log in details will not have changed. If this is your first time using the site, first click “New User? Register” and follow the directions to first verify your email address and to then create your profile. Please note you must add Kilworth as your club on your profile.

Once you are set up on the system, first click the membership option on the left hand side, select Kilworth as your club and then you can select which ever membership option suits you. As previously, there are discounted rates for family membership, wives/partners, 3^rd and subsequent children, OAPs etc so please take time to ensure you are selecting the best option for you. The system also replaces the older paper form where you were asked your preferences in relation to club communications, use of your/your child’s image in team photos, action shots etc, any medical issues which the club may need to be aware of etc.

The system is now up and running and we would ask that you pay your membership as soon as possible. All players and management teams are to be paid in advance of your return to training / playing games. If you have any queries in relation to the system, please do not hesitate to contact club registrar Alan Kenny.

 Full list of membership prices is as follows:

Adult players €50,

adult (non-player) €40,

husband (player) & wife €70,

husband (non-player) and wife €55,

OAP €20,

Student (over-18) €30,

juvenile (under 18) €30, (€30 for first & second child, third and subsequent children are €15 each),

family 2+2 €100

family 2+3 €115

REELING IN THE YEARS - 2011

Holding the record with 11 North Cork junior hurling titles Kilworth have had considerable success in years ending in one with three top grade championships secured; the clubs first title was annexed 60 years ago in 1961 (county runners up following a replay), the forth 50 years ago in 1971 after regrading following 3 years playing at intermediate level and the clubs 7^th title was captured 30 years ago in 1991. Kilworth claimed all  11 championships in a 45 year period between 1961 and 2006 to leave us in top position on the all time roll of honour. The other 8 wins were in 1966, 1967 (County Champions), 1980 (county runners up), 1983, 1993 (county runners up), 1995, 2005 (county runners up), 2006 (County & Munster Champions)

In 2007 the North Cork Championship was split into two with the top teams competing in the newly named North Cork Premier Junior championship. Following the change the North Cork Junior hurling championship was contested by second tier teams. With our first team competing at intermediate level our second selection would go on to compete in this newly formed competition and continue the clubs proud tradition in the Avondhu division. Another title was to follow in a year ending in one and this week we look back at the North Cork junior hurling title win of a decade ago in 2011.

Capturing the Shrewlawn Oil North Cork junior hurling championship was the playing highlight of 2011 and was a huge boost the club needed,  lifting the spirits on what was an otherwise disappointing year in terms of silverware. Following final defeats to Buttevant in 2009, who went on the win the premier final in 2010 and Harbour Rovers in 2010 following a replay the lads showed great resolve to get back to a third final in a row.

Under the guidance of Noel Daly as team manager and selectors Declan Walsh, Mick Slattery and James McCarthy, we opened our campaign with a preliminary round clash with Churchtown at Kildorrery on June 19^th. Following a very disciplined performance in a tough bruising encounter we emerged winners with three points to spare. After 22 minutes the sides were level but we pushed 2 points clear 0-9 to 1-4 by halftime. The second half was again very tight for long periods with the score deadlocked 0-16 to 1-13 entering the final quarter. Our better accuracy with 3 excellent points in the closing stages saw us run out victors by 0-20 to 1-14.

We had a long wait until September 28^th for a quarter final tie with a youthful Doneraile side who lost out narrowly in the All Ireland JBHC club final earlier in the year. This was a tough battle at Glanworth where we trailed by 5 points, 1-6 to 0-4 at the break following the concession of a soft goal. A number of positional switches at half time, contributed significantly to a very impressive and superior second half display. We got an early goal that provided the spring board to propel us to a 7 point winning margin in the end by 2-14 to 2-7.

This win provided huge incentive as our semi-final opponents were near neighbours Fermoy. Hunger and desire would not be an issue entering this game and U21 defeat to the same opponents a few weeks earlier was still fresh on a lot of minds. Played in Araglen on October 2^nd we started very well and led 0-9 to 0-5 at the interval. In truth we should have been further ahead at this juncture. By the 40^th minute it looked as if this would prove costly as Fermoy upped their game rattled off two rapid goals to move ahead by 2-7 to 0-10. Their lead was extended to 4 points midway through the half. The lads never gave in or left their heads drop and didn’t panic with the concession of two goal so close together and fought back right into contention. The first of two well taken goals made a one point game of it before we drew level 2-9 to 1-12. Fermoy’s response was immediate with a point putting them ahead again with the clock running down fast. Our second goal, in the last minute of normal time with a dangerous ball in deflected to the net put us two points ahead. The final whistle sounded shortly with the final score 2-12 to 2-10 and a place secured for a third final in succession. This was a great win and the manner in which victory was captured right at the death made it more special.

To reach the final for the third year in a row was a huge achievement but this would count for nothing if defeat was our lot once more. A well prepared, focused and skillful team contested the final at Buttevant on October 16^th with a youthful, physical and fit Kilshannig side our opponents.

Here is the match report carried in the Avondhu on October 20^th 2011;

Kilworth 3-10 Kilshannig 0-10

On Sunday last in front of a large attendance in Buttevant our junior hurlers claimed the North Cork junior A championship title. Having lost out in the previous two finals motivation was high to finally land the prize. 

Kilshannig opened the scoring with a point, which was answered by Justin Ahern with a pointed free after 6 minutes. It took a while for the game to settle and scores were at a premium for the opening quarter of an hour. In this time Michael McCormack, who had an excellent game between the sticks, made an excellent save when it looked like a goal was on for Kilshannig. Sean Keane gave us the lead after 18 minutes with a well-taken point. Michael O’Callaghan extended our lead with a superb long-range effort against the wind. Kilshannig pointed on 25 minutes.

Our first goal came on 26 minutes when Brian Whelan finished to the next after a good pass from Elton Pierce. Elton who had been performing well on the wing sustained an injury and play was stopped for a few minutes. This unsettled us a little and on the resumption Kilshannig managed to close the gap with 3 points to leave the half time score 1-03 to 0-05 in our favour. This could have been much different though, if it weren’t for two more excellent saves from goalkeeper Michael McCormack in the closing stages of the half.

The lads upped the anty in the second half and we gained the upperhand in the vital sectors of the pitch, particularly in the halfback line where Aidan Kenny, John Hegarty and Michael O’Callaghan were all on top of their game. Although Kilshannig levelled early in the second half with a pointed free we responded quickly with an Elton Pierce goal, who was now operating at full forward. A Justin Ahern free pushed us further ahead on 10 minutes. Kilshannig added two points of their own, but these were cancelled out by Justin Ahern with 1 and Sean Beecher with 2 excellent points. Our third goal came after 55 minutes when a good movement saw Sean Keane finish to the net and in doing so settle the match. The lads continued to play well and finished strong with points from Brian Whelan and Sean Beecher. 

After the match John Hegarty accepted the Foxy O’Leary Cup on behalf of the panel. Sean Beecher was named man of the match for an excellent display on some fine score taking. To be honest there were a number of credible performances all over the field. The club with to thank Noel Daly and his selectors for a job well done and also the players who put in a huge effort over the last few weeks. It was nice to see them get their just reward on Sunday.

Team and scorers: Michael McCormack, Shane Kenny, John Horgan, Brian Roche, Aidan Kenny, John Hegarty, Michael O’Callaghan (0-01), Sean Beecher (0-03), Chris Kenny, Sean Keane (1-01), Paddy Moakley, Elton Pierce (1-00), Damien O’Donoghue, Justin Ahern (0-04) 3f, Brian Whelan (1-01). Blood sub, Pat O’Brien for Paddy Moakley.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY

The club would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the Howard family Kilworth and the Walsh family Fermoy; and the Ryan family Watergrasshill and Ballingeary following their recent bereavements.

FOLLOW US:

Please like our “Kilworth GAA” Facebook page (facebook.com/KilworthGAA), follow us on Twitter

@KilworthGaa or check out our new website @ www.kilworthgaa.com. You can also follow us on

Instagram @kilworthgaa. These pages are updated on a regular basis so keep an eye for all club activities on there!

MAIN CLUB SPONSORS: Mike Walsh Pharmacy, Aherne’s Pub, The Village Inn, KDC Ltd, Kilally Stables and Mitchelstown Dental Clinic.