U21 FOOTBALLERS DEFEATED

Last Sunday afternoon our U21 footballers officially kicked off the 2025 playing season for the club as they travelled to Castletownroche to contest Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels in the Quarter final of the O’Sullivan Lewis sponsored U21 B Football Championship. Conditions at the venue were splendid for early February and Castletownroche must be commended for having their pitch in fine playing order.

A physically strong and skillful Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels side were by far superior in this contest and dominated play with some fine set pieces throughout the hour. Castletownroche official Justin Murphy was tasked with overseeing proceedings and with the implementation of the new GAA football rules he managed the game well throughout the hour, but ultimately it was the western divisional side who were worthy winners come the final whistle.

In a contest that’s probably best put to one side, one item that may be talked about in future years is that Denis O’Riordan became the clubs first player to ever score a two-pointer with the introduction of the new football rules.

Team: Pierce O’Riordan, Sam O’Brien, Sean Moriarty, Michael Lenihan, Darragh Gill, Brian Dunne, Gearoid Carey, Sean Óg Kenneally, Denis O’Riordan, Darragh Sheehan, Adam Duggan, Ben Carey, Aaron Browne, Liam Óg Hegarty, Patrick Murphy. Sub used: Cathal Burdett

CLUB MEMBERSHIP NOW DUE

Club membership for the 2025 season is now open on the GAA membership site ‘Foireann’ and we would ask that you pay your club membership as soon as possible. All players and management teams must be fully paid-up members in advance of returning to training / playing games. If anyone has any questions or issues, please contact club Registrar Rhona Heggtveit on 086-0863816. Full list of club membership prices are as follows:

Adult Player €70, Adult Non-Player €50, Adult Player & Gym €170, Family (2+2) 2 x Adult Memberships & 2 x Children’s (u18) Memberships €125, Family (2+3) 2 x Adult Memberships & 3 x Children’s (u18) Memberships €140, Husband (Non-Player) & Wife/Partner €70, Husband (Player) & Wife/Partner €90, Juvenile Membership (u18) x 1 child €40, Juvenile Membership (u18) x 2 children €80, Juvenile Membership (u18) x 3 children €100, OAP (Over 65 on 1st January) €20, Student Membership (Over 18 in Full Time Education) €50, Student Membership & Gym (Over 18 in Full Time Education) €120.

SEAN LONG R.I.P.

We were all very saddened last week to hear of the sad passing of Kilworth native and Glanworth resident Sean Long. Sean was a much noted GAA man in his playing days and won many accolades down through the years in both hurling and football including ultimate honours in hurling on two occasions. He played a prominent role in the Kilworth Junior A county winning hurling team of 1967 and also holds the prestigious Cork Senior hurling Championship medal which was won with the Avondhu Senior Hurling team in 1966.

Sean proudly donned the red and white Kilworth colours throughout his playing days and was a major player at the heart of Kilworth’s great successes in the 1960’s. Sean brought silverware home to his Daly’s terrace residence on many an occasion which started from an early age with victory in the 1959 U14 North Cork Hurling Championship. He collected U21 A North Cork hurling medal’s in both 1965 and 1967 against Ballyhea and Charleville respectively, and in 1964 added a North Cork football title to his collection when victory over the Sons of Liberty club gave Kilworth their first ever Novice football title. Fast forward eight years to 1972 and another Novice football title came his way when Kilworth beat Clyda Rovers with Sean the hero of the hour as he fisted the ball to the oppositions net to secure a crucial winning score in that 3-05 to 1-09 victory.

But hurling really was Sean’s forte and he was a familiar figure to wear the number seven jersey during Kilworth’s golden age in the mid 1960’s collecting three North Cork Junior A Championship titles in 1966, 1967 and 1971. However, the roller coaster year for Sean was to be 1966 as along with Kilworth claiming the North Cork Junior A League and Championship double, he topped up on this success with a Senior County medal when as part of the Kilworth contingent composed of Johnny Hogan, Fred Sheedy (R.I.P.), Jerry Keating, John Carey, and Danny Fenton they donned the black and amber colours of Avondhu to capture the Cork Senior Hurling title with a one point victory over UCC. The following year Sean once again played a central role with the hurlers as following a North Cork final win over Freemount, they went on to capture the 1967 Cork County Junior A Hurling Championship title for the clubs first time as they overcame Cloughduv at the Cork Athletic Grounds on a final scoreline of 3-11 to 2-07.

A brilliant and stylish player in his heyday as well as one of the best left half backs to ever wear the Kilworth jersey Sean’s playing career spanned across three decades, and in 1968 his ability with the camán was duly noted as he also had the honour of representing Cork at Intermediate level going on to reach the Munster provincial final.

The large crowd that turned out for his removal in Mitchelstown, followed by his requiem mass and burial in Glanworth were testament to the respect that he held. With the red and white Kilworth number seven jersey draped on his coffin and the guard of honour that was formed by GAA members, friends and colleagues, it was a fitting testament for the man himself, and he will be profoundly missed by everyone associated with the club, his wide circle of friends, and his loving family.

To Sean’s wife Mary, children Tadhg and Orla, sisters Barbara and Mary, and all of the extended family together with his wide circle of friends and neighbours we extend our deepest sympathy. May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace. R.I.P

CLUB LOTTO REACHES €11,000

There was no winner of this week’s lotto jackpot of €10,800 held on Monday February 10th, the numbers drawn were: 01, 04, 17 & 28. The lucky dip winner of €50 was Betty O’Sullivan c/o The Village Inn. The lucky dip winners of €25 each were Chris O’Brien c/o Ger Hennessy Hair Studio, Natalie Pierce c/o Online, & Tom O’Brien c/o The Village Inn. Next week’s jackpot on Monday February 17th is €11,000.

Tickets cost just €2 each or three 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 Stack family, Fermoy following their recent bereavement.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

MAIN CLUB SPONSORS: Mike Walsh Pharmacy, Aherne’s Pub, The Village Inn, KDC Ltd., Kilally Stables, Mitchelstown Dental Clinic, Joe and Trish Bonner, Centra Kilworth

THROWBACK THURSDAY

Pictured 45 years ago at Páirc Uí Chaoimh during the 1980 Cork County Junior A Hurling Championship final is Kilworth wing back Kevin McCarthy in pursuit of Newcestown full forward and dangerman Noel Collins. Whilst the number 14 was held to 2 points in this encounter Kilworth unfortunately went under on a final scoreline of 1-12 to 2-06 leaving the Carbery divisional side capture their 2nd Championship title and promotion to Intermediate ranks. Trained by Bill Hegarty and captained by Dave Hogan, the Kilworth scores that day came from the sticks of Pat (Chopper) Shanahan 1.01, Johnny Hogan 1.00, Pat Greehy 0.02 (1-f), John Kenny 0.02 (2-f), & Christy O’Callaghan 0.01.