All SQUARE IN THRILLING CHAMPIONSHIP OPENER

KILWORTH 1-20 BALLINCOLLIG 0-23

An injury time pointed free from Noel McNamara earned Kilworth a share of the spoils in this cracking premier Intermediate hurling championship opener at Carrignavar last Sunday. A draw was probably the fair outcome given the momentum swings throughout the game, with the lads digging deep late to earn a deserved point. Kilworth were the better side in the first half leading by four points (1-7 to 0-6) at the first water break and again at half time 1-13 to 0-12. Ballincollig upped it in the second half and the sides were level 1-15 to 0-18 at the second water break with the lead exchanging hands in the fourth quarter. With Ballincollig leading deep into injury time a foul on Brian Sheehan as he advanced towards goal was punished with the pointed free levelling proceedings at the death. 

Both sides were well up for this one from the off, Ballincollig opening the scoring following a move directly from the throw in. Brian Sheehan opened our account capitalising on a poor Ballincollig line ball. In a tight opening a Noel McNamara free and a Brian Tobin point from play either side of two Ballincollig while flags left it 0-3 each after seven first half minutes. The game was very much tit for tat at this stage, two further Ballincollig points were cancelled out with a Noel McNamara free after he himself was fouled and a superb score from Nathan Byrne, catching a Ballincollig puck out in his right half back position before landing a huge effort from distance to tie the score 0-5 each after ten minutes. Will Condon netter the only goal of the game a minute later. Following a mix up from a Ballincollig puck out, Will was on hand to punish the error as we led 1-5 to 0-5. A pointed free from Ballincollig was followed by a Noel McNamara over from play, Noel gathering a great cross field ball out of defence from Eoin McGrath. Another pointed free from Noel following a foul on the industrious Liam Whelan left it 1-7 to 0-6 following an exciting first quarter. We were unlucky not to have raised a second green flag just before the water break. A shot from Mike Sheehan was well saved with the rebound falling to an outstretched Jamie Sheehan, however his first time pull veered to the left of the post.

Ballincollig had the better of the opening exchanges following the break and three points without reply (1 free) reduced our lead to the minimum after twenty minutes. Jamie Sheehan landing the first of his three points after good build up play from defence by Eoin Carey to leave it 1-8 to 0-9. Ballincollig continued their spell on top with a further three points (1 free) to lead 1-8 to 0-12. Kilworth regained their composure to finish the half strong with five points on the bounce two each from Noel McNamara and Will Condon and one from Jeromy Saich to leave it 1-13 to 0-12 at half time.

On the resumption Ballincollig hit the ground running with a quick white flag and went on to dominate the third quarter. Liam Whelan restored our four-point advantage before Ballincollig tagged on five points in succession to lead 1-14 to 0-18 by the 42nd minute. Mike Sheehan stemmed the tide equalising just before the second water break.

Ballincollig retook the lead before Jamie Sheehan made it all square by the 50th minutes. The contest continued to eb and flow, Ballincollig pushing two points clear (1 free) before Kilworth replied with a Noel McNamara free and a fantastic Jamie Sheehan effort dissecting the posts, to leave it finely balanced, 1-18 to 0-21 entering the closing stages. Excellent pressure and work rate from our forwards forced Ballincollig into the concession of a free following over carrying which Noel McNamara converted and we led by one heading for added time. Ballincollig replied with two sublime efforts from the left side-line to retake the lead with time now at the discretion of the referee. A quick restart found Brian Sheehan who turned and drew a free which Noel McNamara coolly converted to tie up the game 1-20 to 0-23 as the final whistle sounded. 

While the game could have gone either was in the end the lads showed great determination and effort to level the game in injury time and gained a well-earned point.

Team and scorers; K Walsh, M McNamara, K Lane, A O’Hara, N Byrne 0-1, E Carey, E McGrath, B Tobin 0-1, J Saich 0-1, M Sheehan 0-1, L Whelan 0-1, B Sheehan 0-1, N McNamara 0-9 (8 F’S), W Condon 1-2, J Sheehan 0-3. Subs used, J McCarthy for K Lane, L Coffey for M Sheehan

It’s a quick turnaround for the panel of players and team management with Round 2 this Saturday against Imokilly side Aghada. The game is fixed for Castlelyons with a 2pm throw in time. Please note tickets for the game will only be available to purchase online via gaacork.ie. Tickets will not be available to purchase through the club and there will be no tickets on sale at the gate on the day. Tickets must be purchased online before Saturday priced at €8, student and other concessions will also be available online. Any member or supporter who may need a hand purchasing tickets please contact Michelle O’Keeffe @ 0876647238 and she will be happy to help. 

FIXTURE

Co-Op Superstores PIHC R2 Kilworth v Aghada in Castlelyons Saturday September 18th at 2pm.

Co-Op Superstores PIHC R3 Kilworth v Ballinhassig in Glantane Saturday October 9thth at 7.30pm.

Synergy Fermoy Credit Union JAFC Kilworth V Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels in Doneraile Sunday September 26th at 3pm.

GOLF CLASSIC HUGE SUCCESS

Our annual golf classic kindly sponsored by Blackwater Motors was an incredibly successful event last Friday. It was a wonderful day and was made possible with the support of everyone who took part – to our main sponsor Blackwater Motors who came on board again this year, to those who entered a team, to the sponsors of tee boxes and to those who bought raffle tickets, thank you.

Thanks to Fermoy Golf club for the use of their top class facilities, to Jason from O’Sullivan’s Centra  for sponsoring the goodie bags, and to Michael Lucy and all those who sponsored the fantastic raffle prizes. The prize presentation and raffle took place in the Village Inn Friday night. Thanks to Chris O’Brien and all at the Village in for accommodating the event on the night. 

Finally, to our wonderful group of volunteers and especially the leader and driving force behind the evert, Ned O’Brien. Ned did trojan work behind the scenes and did a great job bringing the event together and making it such a success. Thanks also to the team of people who assisted Ned, I wont name ye as I may omit someone inadvertently. Ned is already looking ahead to next year’s classic so roll on 2022!

LOTTO HITS €12,000

There was no winner of this week’s lotto jackpot of €11,800 held on Monday September 13th. The numbers drawn were: 05, 19, 22 and 23. The lucky dip winner of €50 was Seamus Barry c/o Online. The lucky dip winners of €25 each were: Chris O’Brien c/o The Village Inn, Pat O’Farrell c/o Carmel’s Garden Centre, William Hegarty c/o Yearly.  Next week’s jackpot on Monday September 20th is €12,000. Tickets cost just €2 each or 3 lines for €5 and they are available online, in the local business outlets or from your usual local 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.

IMPORTANT MEETING

A Kilworth Juvenile GAA Club Development meeting will take place on Friday September 24th at 7.30pm (Venue TBC)

BEST OF LUCK

Best of luck to Kilara Og U15 hurlers who take on Mallow in the Premier 2 County final at Shanballymore on Sunday at 12 noon. Best wishes also to the children of the parish who are receiving their confirmation this week.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY

The club would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the Murray family Ballard, the Barry family Fermoy and the Cahill family Cloyne following their recent bereavements.

FOLLOW US:

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

@KilworthGaa or check out our 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, Ahearne’s Pub, The Village Inn, KDC Ltd, Kilally Stables and Mitchelstown Dental Clinic.