DELAYED DECISION ON RETURN TO TRAINING

With Level 5 lockdown extended until early March, the GAA announced on Monday night that the incidence of Covid 19 in the community remains at a level where it would be irresponsible to permit a return to collective training at this time. It will reconvene in two weeks’ time to assess the matter again. With the virus remaining fluid they are unable to put a definite date in place for when training or games may resume. However, there are positive indications in terms of the reduction of case numbers and the continued roll out of the Covid vaccine, so there may be some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of getting up and running for the year. The GAA will issue revised master fixture calendar, once a date for the commencement of the 2021 intercounty season has been agreed. 

For now, the message remains the same as in previous weeks, all club activities remain on hold and our GAA grounds remain closed. Thank you again for all your cooperation here. We ask all members to continue to look after each other, follow public health guidelines and stay safe. Be aware of those who may feel a little isolated and 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

KILWORTH LADIES FOOTBALL AGM

Congratulations to Kilworth ladies football club who held their first AGM on Microsoft Teams on Monday night. 

A lot of work has gone on behind the scenes in the setup of the club to date and progressing it to this stage so a big well done to all involved. Kilworth GAA Club chairman Liam Kenny opened the meeting and presided over the election of officers which resulted as follows: President; Canon Leahy; Vice Presidents; Mossie McNamara & Tom Howard, Chairman Joe Aherne Snr, Vice Chairman; John Sheehan, Joint Secretary; Claire Harrington and Colette Sheehan, Treasurer; Sarah Greehy, Assistant Treasurer; Brian Sheehan, PRO; Kelly Condon, Assistant PRO; Caroline O’Brien, Development Officer; Deirdre Kenneally; Club Registrar; Bebhinn Kenneally, Child Welfare Officer; Trish Murphy; Cultural Officer; Kate Aherne, County Board Delegates; Garry Harrington, Joe Aherne Snr and Laura Sheehan. Congratulations to all officers and committee members and best wishes for the season and years ahead. 

 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 upcoming club development. 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. The first draw will take place on Thursday, March 25th. This will incorporate three monthly draws, for January, February and March. 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, 3rd 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

VOTES OF SYMPATHY

The club would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the O’Driscoll family Glanworth and the Hannon family Doneraile following their recent bereavements.

REELING IN THE YEARS – NORTH CORK JUNIOR A HURLING CHAMPIONS - 1971

This week we continue our look back at the clubs North Cork Junior hurling successes with the focus on Kilworth’s fourth championship win of 50 years ago in 1971.

As the Kilworth GAA AGM drew near in 1970, a lot of discussion was taking place as to the grade the team should play at for the following year. The general consensus (with a few notable exceptions) was that they should regrade from intermediate, rebuild and attempt to win another junior county. Whilst they had competed quite well at the higher grade, reaching two quarter finals and a semi-final between ’68 & 70, the heavy defeat to Cobh in their most recent championship game had given pause for thought and the decision was taken to line out at junior level in 1971. 

The team had seen significant changes since their first junior north Cork victory 10 years earlier with only Johnny Hogan remaining from that wonderful side. In fact, of the 16 men that played in the all-conquering ’67 county final win of 4 years earlier, only 8 players would start the 1971 North Cork final. 

The year began with an easier than expected victory over great rivals Kildorrery at Fermoy on a 4-14 to 1-03 scoreline in mid-June. What was to have been a 2 week break to the semi-final clash with Ballyhea was abruptly shortened to 1 week by the board (who were looking ahead at potential clashes with intercounty games). A titanic struggle ensued at Kildorrery on June 20th in a game where both defences were on top throughout. Jack Russell, who went on to coach Kilworth almost 40 years later, was a colossus at centre back for the magpies whilst his opposite number Johnny Hogan used all his experience in front of an outstanding full back line of Tom Shanahan, Lar Flynn and Dave Hogan at the other end. In a low scoring encounter, the sides were level at 1-05 to 0-08 with 57 minutes on the clock and it took a late free from the ever reliable Fred Sheedy to push Kilworth over the line. Whilst improvement would undoubtedly be needed before the final, the fact that Kilworth had prevailed without both Casey brothers, Sean and Kieran, was seen as a positive.

The final was fixed for Castletownroche on September 19th and saw Kilworth pitted against a Liscarroll side who were appearing in their second final in succession. Despite this fact, Kilworth went into the game as favourites but the 3 month lay-off between the semi-final and final seemed to have taken the edge off their play. Liscarroll started the brighter and had the first score of the game within seconds of the throw in. Kilworth captain Fred Sheedy promptly replied with a goal from a 21m free however Liscarroll were winning the midfield exchanges and after a miss-struck 21m free of their own, full forward Tom Jones bellowed the Kilworth net. Tom Condon and Fred Sheedy kept the scoreboard ticking over with 2 points each for Kilworth, but they were only good enough to have the sides on level terms at 1-06 apiece at the short whistle. 

Johnnie Keane, who had an excellent game for Liscarroll, had the opening two points of the second half before a fine Danny Fenton score finally got the Kilworth attack in gear. Marked improvement all across the team was rewarded when corner forward Christy O Callaghan got in for two well taken goals. Liscarroll rallied again and a quick fire 1-01 had the Kilworth supporters worried for a period. In the closing stages however, Tom Condon had 1-01 whilst Fred Sheedy and Christy Callaghan had the clinching points to secure Kilworth’s fourth North Cork title. Amidst thunderous applause the cup was presented to captain Fred Sheedy by the chairman of the North Cork Board Derry Gowen.

The Kilworth team lined out as follows;

Liam Shanahan, Tom Shanahan, Lar Flynn, Dave Hogan, John Kenny, Johnny Hogan, Sean Long, Danny Fenton, John O Connor, Tom Condon, Kieran Casey, Sean Casey, Christy O Callaghan, John Carey, Fred Sheedy (capt). Subs; Jimmy Hanlon for Kieran Casey, Dinny Condon for Sean Casey

Kilworth went on to play Killeagh in the county quarter final at Fermoy on October 24th and after a solid first half, having played against the breeze and the sun, they found themselves 2-08 to 2-04 in arrears. An endless succession of wides however put paid to their chances of making an immediate return to intermediate grade as they eventually lost out on a scoreline of 4-11 to 3-06. Jim Foley had 3-03 for the east Cork men whilst Noel Tracey and Tom Barry had 3 points apiece. For Kilworth Fred Sheedy (1-02) along with Christy O Callaghan (1-00) and Dinny Condon (1-01) did most in attack whilst the Hogan’s Johnny and Dave along with Seanie Long were best in defence.

CLUB HISTORY

One of the few positives to come out of this pandemic is that it has given us the chance to look back to our past and at the great men and women who did so much to put our club on the map in the early years. With social media and the internet, recent history has been captured however we would like to fill in some of the blanks from the second half of the last century in particular. If anyone has old programmes, team sheets, paper cuttings, club records etc, we would be most grateful if you could pass them on to any club officer. Any items offered will be treated with care and will be returned to their owners. 

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.