Kilworth GAA Notes 22nd April 2021 2021-04-24 20:42:00

FINAL COUNTDOWN TO RETURN TO PLAY

The long wait is almost over with underage return to play from next Monday 26th April, with adult teams expected to be sanctioned for return in May. The return for now will be in a non-contact environment and will be subject to similar protocols and guidelines as pertained last season. The finishing touches are being put in the training schedules for 26th onwards by club officers and team mentors. It will be great to have our youth back out training, exercising, having fun and enjoying the social interaction once more. It has been missed but from Monday night on, the club grounds will echo with the sound of children back playing hurling and football.

MEMBERSHIP REMINDER

A reminder that club membership is now due and can be paid on line by logging onto www.foireann.ie. If you have any queries in relation to the system, please do not hesitate to contact club registrar Alan Kenny. For insurance purposes all players, members, coaches and management teams must pay their membership before they return to the pitch. New members are always very welcome.

LOTTO JACKPOT UP TO €7,800

There was no winner of this week’s lotto jackpot of €7,600 held on Monday April 19th. The numbers drawn were: 1, 8, 19 and 24. The lucky dip winner of €50 was Jamie O’Callaghan c/o online. The lucky dip winners of €25 each were: Joe Aherne Jnr c/o online, Kevin Whelan & Jeanette c/o Centra and Liam Kenny c/o online. Next week’s jackpot on Monday 26th April is €7,800. Tickets cost just €2 each or 3 lines for €5 and they are available locally in O’ Sullivan’s Centra Kilworth, Carmel’s Garden Centre Kilworth , 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.

GET WELL WISHES

The club would like to send best wishes to Michael O’Donovan, Araglen  following his recent accident.

REELING IN THE YEARS – HISTORY MAKING NORTH CORK U21 A FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS – 1996

Kilworth’s finest period on the football field came over thirteen fantastic days a quarter of a century ago in the spring of 1996. Coached by current club chairman Liam Kenny who was assisted by Ciaran Hynes and Tom Twomey and playing at the A grade in the division Kilworth had the distinction of beating all three towns and then powerhouses of the grade, Fermoy, Mallow and Mitchelstown to gain a historic, first and only U21 A grade title to date.

Played over successive weekends Kilworth first beat near neighbours Fermoy, in the first round. Seven days later they met defending county champions  Mallow in the semi-final and playing a superb brand of football came out on top. The final (played 25 years ago to the day last Monday – April 19th 1996)  saw Kilworth who were led superbly by captain Donal Kenneally once again as underdogs against hot favourites Mitchelstown on a beautiful Friday evening in Fermoy. Showing little respect for the form book however, Kilworth produced one of the finest displays seen from a team from the village for a long time to claim a unexpectedly comfortable 1-08 to 0-04 victory.

Kilworth 0-15 Fermoy 2-06 (First Round; April 6th, 1996, Venue; Ballyhooly)

Our U21 footballers capped a great performance when the overcame Fermoy in the first round played at Ballyhooly on Easter Saturday evening. Played in ideal conditions Fermoy made the early running and jumped into a four point lead before Darren Kenny pointed after seventeen minutes. We fell further behind when Fermoy goaled before Donal Kenneally pointed with five minutes of the half remaining. We had the chance to narrow the gap when we were awarded a penalty. Elton Pierce stepped up to take it however a good effort was saved by Derek Slattery. Elton from a free and Darren Kenny pointed to leave Fermoy go in at the break leading 1-4 to 0-4.

The second half was barely a minute old when Fermoy went through for their second goal. Elton Pierce pointed two frees in the 36th and 37th minutes before further points from Donal Kenneally and Alan Carey cut Fermoy’s lead to two points (2-4 to 0-8) entering the final quarter.

The next five minutes saw two Fermoy points cancelled out with white flags coming from Dave Barry and Elton Pierce. Kilworth got back level with five minutes remaining thanks to points from Trevor Harrington and Elton Pierce (0-12 to 2-6). Will Twomey gave Kilworth the lead for the first time with four minutes left on the clock and further points from Elton Pierce and Darren Kenny paved the way for a splendid win. Such was the marvellous all round second half performance it would be unfair to single out anyone for special mention. Team and scorers; K Walsh, B Hegarty, J Tobin, F McCormack, A Kenny, K O ‘Donoghue, W O ‘Donoghue, A Carey (0-1), W Twomey (0-1), D Kenneally (0-2), E Pierce (0-6), D Barry (0-1), N Gowen, D Collins, D Kenny (0-3). Subs used; L Flynn for B Hegarty, T Harrington (0-1) for D Collins, S Tobin for N Gowen.

Kilworth 1-08 Mallow 0-08 (Semi-Final, April 13th, 1996, Venue; Castletownroche)

Our U21 footballers wrote another glorious chapter when they overcame last year’s North Cork and County Champions Mallow in the A grade semi-final at Castletownroche to qualify for a first ever final appearance.

Mallow settled early and pointed two early frees in the 6th and 8th minutes. Elton Pierce opened our account when collecting a great ball from Will Twomey and made a telling run through the middle to put over a marvellous point after twelve minutes. Noel Gowen levelled proceedings when he pointed from an awkward angle out on the right a minute later. Points from Elton Pierce, Dave Barry and Pierce again before Mallow pointed a free in injury time to leave Kilworth go in at the interval leading 0-5 to 0-3.

The second half saw Mallow take the initiative and make the early running to add two points in the opening twelve minute. During this period they were guilty of some bad shooting in front of goal. However, Kilworth found their composure when Alan Carey coolly shook the net from a penalty after the tireless Darren Kenny was fouled inside the area. We led at this stage 1-5 to 0-5 entering the final quarter. Mallow pointed a free which was quicky cancelled out by Elton Pierce following a great passing movement involving Will Twomey and Denis Collins.

With ten minutes remaining the score stood at 1-6 to 0-7 following a Mallow pointed free. Pierce restored our three point advantage when he pointed thanks to a well taken pass from the very industrious Donal Kenneally who played a truly captains part. Mallow and Pierce exchanged late points which left us ahead at the final whistle on a score line of 1-8 to 0-8. As with the win over Fermoy no one could be picked out for special mention as every player gave over 100% effort to the cause. Team and Scorers; K Walsh, L Flynn, J Tobin, F McCormack, A Kenny, K O ‘Donoghue, W O ‘Donoghue, A Carey (1-0), W Twomey, D Kenneally, E Pierce (0-6), D Barry (0-1), N Gowen (0-1), D Collins, D Kenny. Sub used; T Harrington for N Gowen.

Kilworth 1-08 Mitchelstown 0-04 (Final, April 19th, 1996, Venue; Fermoy)

Our rags to riches story continued at Fermoy when we were crowned North Cork U21 ‘A’ football champions for a historic first time. Even though we came through the tough side of the draw following wins over Fermoy and Mallow we still went into the game as underdogs.

From the throw in both sides fought hard for the opening score which came after eight minutes when Elton Pierce pointed a free after he was pulled down. A great ball won out on the right by Donal Kenneally found Will Twomey in full flight who ran on to score a great point after fifteen minutes. Noel Gowen and Kenneally scored further points to leave us 0-4 to 0-0 ahead after 20 minutes. The last ten minutes saw us play second fiddle and we allowed Mitchelstown score three points without reply to give us a slender lead of 0-4 to 0-3 at the interval.

On the resumption Elton Pierce pointed from a free after two minutes. Five minutes in a ball played out of defence was picked up by Denis Collins who played a delightful ball onto Pierce who ran on to score a cracking goal from thirty yards. This was a goal worthy of any occasion and was followed when Alan Carey pointed from long range two minutes later. The next five minutes saw Kieran Walsh bring off two point blank saves as Mitchelstown went in search of goals. Elton Pierce made the score 1-7 to 0-3 when he collected a fine ball from Alan Carey to point with thirteen minutes remaining. Mitchelstown’s only score of the half  came when they pointed a free a minute later. It was only fitting that the final point of the game should go to Elton Pierce who crowned anther great performance when he dissected the posts five minutes from the end.

The sound of the final whistle saw great scenes of jubilation and Donal Kenneally received the cup much to the delight of the huge Kilworth following. Donal in his speech thanked his fellow players for their commitment and also selectors Liam Kenny, Ciaran Hynes and Tom Twomey. The ‘Bull’ in particular came in for special mention as they led the players to believe that they were capable of lifting the title from the start of the campaign. Those who shone out on a night when every player played his heart out included Kieran Walsh, John Tobin, the half back trio of Aidan Kenny, Kieran O ‘Donoghue and Will O ‘Donoghue, Will Twomey, Donal Kenneally and Elton Pierce. Our victorious team was; K Walsh, L Flynn, J Tobin, F McCormack, A Kenny, K Donoghue, W O ‘Donoghue, A Carey (0-1), W Twomey (0-1), D Kenneally (0-1), E Pierce (1-4), D Barry, N Gowen (0-1), D Collins, D Kenny. Subs used; T Harrington for N Gowen, B Hegarty for D Collins.

After a long gap to the county section, the team unfortunately had to give second best when they came up against an excellent Clonakilty side in the county championship but this in no way took from their historic and memorable achievement within the division.

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




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