GOALS PROVE THE DIFFERENCE

Kilworth 1-19 Courcey Rovers 3-17

Courcey Rovers had four points to spare following a high scoring opening league game in Kilworth last Sunday afternoon. The Ballinspittle side who led from pillar to post were quicker to settle, and looked dangerous in the opening exchanges scoring from the throw in and led 0-4 (2 frees) to 0-0 after five minutes. Consecutive points from Will Condon and Noel McNamara (free) reduced the deficit as Kilworth began to find their feet. Courcey’s and Will Condon exchanged scores before another Noel McNamara pointed free left a single score between the teams after fifteen minutes 0-5 to 0-4. Rovers found another gear landing three points in a row, two from frees to lead  0-8 to 0-4 at the first water break. On the resumption their lead was extended with a further two points, one from a free, before Noel McNamara replied with two points from placed balls a ‘65’ and a free following a foul on Leo Coffey to leave it 0-10 to 0-6. The lads were beginning to find their range, gradually working their way into the game, showing more composure in possession and were unlucky not to goal soon after. Following a great move, Luke Carey on his league debut with a great cross field ball found Will Condon who passed to Noel McNamara who in turn headed towards goal being unlucky to be dispossessed. The ball fell to Jamie Sheehan whose shot from the left side of goal was deflected out for a ’65’ which Noel converted. With the deficit reduced to three our momentum was halted in the next play as Rovers goaled to move 1-10 to 0-7 in front. A long ball in was gathered by their full forward who turned and rattled the net. Noel and Courcey’s exchanged white flags from a free each to leave it 1-11 to 0-8 at the short whistle.

Nathan Byrne from distance opened the second half scoring and there was a noticeable uplift in work rate which led to Kilworth’s best spell of the game. We began to match the Carrigdhoun men in the physicality stakes and a further four unanswered Kilworth points (Noel Mac 0-3, Will Condon 0-1) without reply reduced the arrears to the bare minimum 1-11 to 0-13. Courcey’s relieved the pressure somewhat with two more white flags to leave it 1-13 to 0-13 after thirteen second half minutes. Leo Coffey on his first competitive start found the net following great work and a slick finish to tie up the game and it looked as if a nail-biting last quarter was in prospect. However, in the very next play Courcey’s added their second goal following a mix up in defence to retake the lead 2-13 to 1-13. Two further points for each side, Kilworth’s courtesy of a Noel McNamara free and Will Condon with his fourth from play left it 2-15 to 1-15 at the second water break. Kilworth looked to reduce the deficit once more with Noel McNamara adding another point from a free but Courcey’s response was immediate as they snatched a third goal pouncing on a defensive error, that killed the game as a contest. Two additional points one from a free extended the gap to seven points. Noel McNamara had the last three points of the game ( 1 free, 1 ‘65’) to leave it 3-17 to 1-19 at the final whistle.

While disappointing to lose it was the first competitive game of the year and all in preparation, looking at the bigger picture which is the championship later in the summer. There is no time to dwell on the result as the lads have a quick turnaround with a Round 2 game V Fr O’Neill’s on Sunday.

Team and scorers; K Walsh, L Carey, M McNamara, A O’Hara, N Byrne 0-1, D Twomey, J McCarthy, B Tobin, L Whelan, J Saich, N McNamara (0-14, 0-8 f’s, 0- 4 ‘65’s), W Condon 0-4, B Sheehan, J Sheehan, L Coffey 1-0. Subs used; M O’Connor for B Sheehan, E McGrath for J Saich, S Keane for J Sheehan.

CLUB LOTTO  RISES TO  €9,600

There was no winner of this week’s lotto jackpot of €9,400 held on Monday June 21st. The numbers drawn were: 2, 11, 18 and 19. The lucky dip winner of €50 was Dan McCarthy c/o Alan Kenny. The lucky dip winners of €25 each were: Patricia Coughlan c/o Brian Carey, Brian Clancy c/o online, Colm Carey c/o Brian Carey. Next week’s jackpot on Monday June 28th is €9,600. Tickets cost just €2 each or 3 lines for €5 and they are available locally in O’ Sullivan’s Centra, Carmel’s Garden Centre, Bedina’s, Ger Hennessy Hair Studio, Hair by Helen, online at www.kilworthgaa.com or from any of our usual sellers. Be sure and play today for your chance to win the jackpot! Best of luck to all our players! As always, we would like to thank you for your ongoing support.

REBELS BOUNTY JUNE DRAW

The June Rebels Bounty draw takes place tonight in Pairc Ui Chaoimh at 7.30pm. Top prize is €20,000 in cash. Best of luck to all our members entered.

GOLF CLASSIC

Our annual golf classic will take place this year on Friday September 10th once more at Fermoy Golf club. More details will follow in the coming weeks, but for now it’s a date to mark off in the diary.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY

The club would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the Barry family, Kilworth and the McSweeney and Roche families, Kilworth, following their recent bereavements. 

FIXTURES

Red FM Division 3B League Cup Round 2, Sunday 27th June, Fr O’Neill’s V Kilworth @ 12pm in Aghavine

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