AGM NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Our Club AGM will take place next Wednesday night (December 1st) at 7.30pm sharp in the Parish Hall. It is important that as many members as possible attend this meeting as we review the year that was and look forward and plan for 2022.

JUVENILE AGM TONIGHT

Kilworth Juvenile AGM will take place tonight (November 25th) at 7.30pm sharp in the Parish Hall.

MEETING PROTOCOLS

To attend either or both meetings, you must be vaccinated (as per current guidelines against Covid 19). Masks and covid certificates are compulsory for all those attending. Covid Certs will be checked on entry and please ensure you wrap up well as windows will be open to aid ventilation. We look forward to seeing a big crowd on both nights. Please spread the work.

PLAYERS VIRTUAL FUN RUN/WALK

Our players annual 5K fun run/walk fundraiser will take place virtually again this year, over the Christmas period. More details will follow in the coming weeks.

CONGRATULATIONS

Huge congratulations to club player and club Children’s officer John Horgan who won the All-Ireland Handball over 35B singles final in Kingscourt, Co Cavan last Saturday. A great achievement and well deserved.

COUNTY SUCCESS

Congratulations to all involved with Ballygiblin GAA club on a historic county final victory last Saturday 

BEST WISHES

The club would like to send best wishes and a speedy recovery to Motty McCormack. Get well soon.

CLUB LOTTO STANDS AT €14,000

There was no winner of this week’s lotto jackpot of €13,800 held on Monday November 22nd. The numbers drawn were: 02, 20, 26 and 29. The lucky dip winner of €50 was Jennifer Rodgers c/o Carmel’s Garden Centre. The lucky dip winners of €25 each were Aisling O’Connor c/o Online, Hannah O’Donoghue c/o Centra, Finbarr Cunningham c/o Brian Carey.  Next week’s jackpot on Monday November 29th is €14,000. 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. As always, we would like to thank you for your ongoing support.

VOTE OF SYMPATHY

The club would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the Flynn family Ballyduff and McNamara Flynn family, Kilworth following their recent bereavement.

REELING IN THE YEARS

Avondhu Silver Jubilee - Cork County Senior Hurling Champions 1996

Sunday October 6th 1996 will long remain in the memory for Gaels throughout Nork Cork and in our great club as Avondhu were crowned Cork County Senior Hurling champions. There were scenes of jubilation as our own Aidan Kenny lifted the Sean Og Murphy Cup to prove Avondhu the kingpins of Cork hurling and a most memorable night followed in Kilworth as the team, management and many family members and supporters returned to the village and club of the team captain as is the winning tradition. 

That 1996 county senior hurling winning team from Avondhu were honoured at half time of this year’s county senior hurling final last Sunday afternoon in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The panel of players and team management (or their representatives) were treated to a meal before being introduced to the crowd at half time in the premier senior final. On that memorable winning panel 25 years ago were Kilworth players, Aidan Kenny (team captain), Will Twomey, Will O’Donoghue and Mickey Dunne with Fred Sheedy RIP (centre forward on the last Avondhu winning side in 1966) a selector.

1996 produced a final involving two divisions for the very first time, with victory going to Avondhu after two hard fought encounters with Imokilly. It was a third triumph for the North Cork Division after a 30-year lapse, the first title was won in 1952 with the second secured in 1966. The team that beat UCC in the 1966 County hurling final included John Carey, Johnny Hogan, Jerry Keating and Fred Sheedy, while Danny Fenton and Seanie Long were among the subs. 

The 1996 title was achieved by a team whose never say die attitude hauled them back from the brink of defeat on a number of occasions during a campaign which saw Avondhu contesting seven championship games in all before garnering the glory. A spirited and determined panel had victories over Cork RTC, Carbery, St Catherine’s, Glen Rovers (after a replay) and Imokilly in the final, again following a replay. The Avondhu side with Jack Russell (Ballyhea) as coach and our own Fred Sheedy RIP, Johnny Keane (Liscarroll), Tommy O’Brien (Fermoy) and Patsy Morrissey (Newtownshandrum) as selectors had a very busy season and contested 14 games other than championship, between challenge and tournament games. 

Below is an extract from ‘The Avondhu North Cork GAA Round Up’ from 1996 which provides a synopsis of the epic season which culminated with ultimate honours.

Avondhu opened their championship campaign on 23rd of June against Cork RTC in a double header programme at Rathcormac with UCC meeting Midleton. Avondhu proved far too good for the college side and in the end ran out winners by a massive 9-18 to 0-6 score line, Ronan Sheehan emerged top scorer with 4-4 to his credit. The Avondhu side in that first championship outing of the season lined out as follows; Seanie Clifford, Niall O’Donnell, Conor Hannon, John McCarthy, John Walsh, Trevor Cooney, Pat O’Keeffe. Aidan Kenny, Fergal McCormack, Brian O’Driscoll, Dave Moher, Austin Walsh. Ray O’Connell, Ronan Sheehan, Shane Killeen. Subs; Diarmuid Lynch, Will O’Donoghue, John O’Brien.

Avondhu’s next outing was two weeks later against Carbery in Coachford on July 6th. On the evening Avondhu found the going very tough up front with the forward line finding it very difficult against a strong West Cork defence. In the dying moments a late foul on Brian O’Driscoll led to Ray O’Connell securing the winner on a 0-10 to 0-9 score line.

The prize at stake for Avondhu was a meeting with St Catherine’s at Fermoy on July 28th in the county quarter final. Avondhu were forced to line out without two key players, Seanie Clifford and Conor Hannon due to injury. Avondhu produced a marvellous display against the East Cork side and with a great second half performance, ran out winners 0-20 to 0-10. Team; Derek Slattery, N O’Donnell, P Mulcahy, J McCarthy, J Walsh, T Cooney, D Lynch, A Walsh (0-3), F McCormack, R O’Connell (0-8), B O’Driscoll (0-3), D Moher (0-3), R Sheehan, J Hayes, A Kenny (0-2). Subs; S Killeen, W O’Donoghue (0-1).

Glen Rovers were Avondhu’s opponents in the semi-final. The game did not take place until September 8th at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. The Blackpool side with two goals proved a major handful and dominated for long periods. It took an injury time point by Brian O’Driscoll to force a replay. Avondhu scored 0-17 to the Glens 2-11. Team; S Clifford, N O’Donnell, C Hannon, J McCarthy, J Walsh (0-1), P Mulcahy, D Lynch, T Cooney, F McCormack (0-2), A Kenny (0-1), B O’Driscoll (0-3), R O’Connell (0-5), D Moher (0-5), R Sheehan, J Hayes. Subs; W O’Donoghue, M Noonan.

Just 6 days elapsed for the replay again at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday September 14th. Avondhu produced a marvellous display with Shane Killeen emerging as top scorer with 2-2. Avondhu defence were in splendid form, Seanie Clifford and Pat Mulcahy being excellent, and Fergal McCormack and Aidan Kenny teamed up very well at midfield where they gained control and the forwards worked very well as a unit notching up 4-14 to 2-12. Team. S Clifford, D Lynch, N O’Donnell, J McCarthy, J Walsh, P Mulcahy, T Cooney, F McCormack (0-3), A Kenny (0-2), R Sheehan, B O’Driscoll (1-4), D Moher, R O’Connell (1-2), S Killeen (2-2), J Hayes. Sub W O’Donoghue (0-1).

The final against Imokilly took place on Sunday September 18th. Imokilly coached by Seanie O’Leary were a formidable outfit and enjoyed the better of the exchanges for long periods. A goal by Ronan Sheehan after 22 minutes brought the North Cork men back into contention and they trailed at the break 0-10 to 1-4 after being well out of the game. Imokilly started the second half with Jimmy Smiddy goaling after 5 minutes. Avondhu’s indomitable spirit enabled them to raise their game when the need was greatest. In the end of an absorbing dule for supremacy Avondhu forced level at 1-12 each as the county final would head for a replay. Team; S Clifford, D Lynch, N O’Donnell, J McCarthy, J Walsh, P Mulcahy, T Cooney, A Kenny, F McCormack (0-1), R Sheehan (1-0), B O’Driscoll (0-3), D Moher (0-1), R O’Connell (0-6), S Killeen (0-1), J Hayes. Subs used; W Twomey, W O’Donoghue, M Morrissey.

It was back again two weeks later, on Sunday October 6th. Conor Hannon was back for Avondhu in a side that showed many positional changes. Avondhu got off to a flying start and were 0-8 to 0-4 in front at half time. Imokilly never threatened or looked as impressive as in the drawn game. McCormack was an inspiring figure at midfield. The Avondhu defence were very tight all through and never allowed Imokilly to dominate as they did in the drawn game. Brian O’Driscoll was very impressive at centre forward and later at midfield with Ray O’Connell deadly accurate from frees and play. Imokilly however never gave up and a goal late in the game brought them great hope. It took a marvellous display by the Avondhu defence with Conor Hannon named man of the match, to hold out for victory on a score line of 0-13 to 1-8. Team. S Clifford, N O’Donnell, C Hannon, J McCarthy, J Walsh, P Mulcahy, T Cooney, D Lynch, F McCormack (0-2), A Kenny (0-1), B O’Driscoll (0-2), R O’Connell (0-5), S Killeen, D Moher, R Sheehan (0-2). Subs used; J Hayes (0-1), W O’Donoghue.

Amid scenes of wild excitement Kilworth clubman Aidan Kenny was presented with the Sean Og Murphy cup by Co Board chairman (and future GAA President) Christy Cooney. 

It was a fantastic finish to a very long season that started back on March 18th and concluded on October 6th

The celebrations

Following a meal and after parading through Fermoy the cavalcade then arrived in Kilworth for an unforgettable night. The first thing to greet them was a fine bonfire that blazed through the night. A very large crowd lined the street where the heroes were welcomed on the open lorry with Aidan parading the cup. The team were led by the Thomas Kent pipe band. At the platform in the square a massive crowd assembled. Speeches were made by our own club chairman Mick Twomey, Chairman of the North Cork Board John Dillon, and selector Fred Sheedy who was given a very warm reception, a player on the ’66’ side and a selector on this occasion. He congratulated the players from the club for their massive contribution, three of the four players were U21, and all had played during the campaign at one stage or another. Mickey Dunne, who was also on the panel, contributed immensely to Avondhu over the past 6 or 7 years. 

The last speech of the evening was left to captain fantastic amid a loud applause from the huge gathering he held the cup aloft. In his address he thanked all who helped in any way with the success. As an U21 player it was a marvellous achievement to captain such a fine side. He paid tribute to the local club and his parents for all the help and encouragement he was given in the lead up to this success. 

A great night was enjoyed by all which lasted into the early hours of Monday morning. Two other Kilworth member of the 1966 Avondhu winning side in addition to Fred Sheedy - John Carey and Johnny Hogan were present.

On the following day both teams were guests of the TSB for the annual lunch at which the ‘Man of the Match’ award was presented to Conor Hannon. The cup on the Tuesday visited the local schools.

Long and successful seasons are also expensive and there was no better man than another one of our own Patsy O’Mahony looking after the purse strings as Treasurer of the North Cork board. Following Avondhu’s success Fred Sheedy was nominated to the Cork senior hurling management team going on to be a selector with 3 All Ireland winning teams in 1999, 2004 & 2005.