INTERMEDIATE HURLERS BOW OUT

Last Sunday afternoon, September 7th, Kilworth once again returned to Pairc na Bride Rathcormac to contest Ballinhassig in their final group game of the 2025 Co-Op Superstores Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship with the pinnacle prize of a Quarter-Final berth at minimum up for grabs to the winner. Kilworth opened the scoring in this fast paced encounter within thirty seconds of play through a Liam Óg Hegarty strike before Ballinhassig equalized seconds later with a carbon copy effort from the resulting puckout. Over the next eight minutes of play, Kilworth, who were playing with the advantage of a strong wind, really excelled forward and provided the spectators with some fine bouts of hurling as they converted five strikes in succession to extend their advantage on the Carrigdhoun divisional side.

Ballinhassig got their second point of the afternoon on the 10 minute mark through a converted free, but this was quickly cancelled out by Noel McNamara who pointed from play after an excellent first touch to restore Kilworth’s five point advantage. The blue and white colored side of Ballinhassig then slowly started to get a grip of proceedings as they crept their way back into contention and even after being reduced to 14 men they outscoring Kilworth six points to three albeit half of these efforts came from placed ball strikes. During this period Liam Óg was Kilworth’s main threat and sole representative in keeping the scoreboard alive but the wide count from both teams during the first 30 minutes of play was also a major telling factor in this encounter as Ballinhassig clocked up seven to Kilworth’s five. Half time score: Kilworth 0-10, Ballinhassig 0-08.

Kilworth were hit with a double blow upon the restart by Aghada referee Willie Wallace as following a half time schemozzle Liam Óg was sent to watch the second semester of play from the sidelines alongside manager Pat O’Brien who was also politely asked to take up a new external viewing point. Ballinhassig started the better of the sides upon the resumption of play and within seven minutes they secured four unanswered white flags to lead by two points for the first time in the contest. Jamie Sheehan then added a peach of a score from an acute angle which seemed to settle Kilworth, but after two more wides and multiple efforts dropping short, Ballinhassig once again availed of our misfortunes and hit the target to regain their two point lead on the three quarter mark.

Kilworth to their credit, determined to not throw in the towel, fought back hard and hit a badly needed purple patch which saw five consecutive points go our direction as we regained a three point advantage with just 10 minutes of play remaining. Ballinhassig, however, seemed to excel from this setback and over the remaining minutes kept Kilworth scoreless by converting three points in succession to put the teams back of level terms as the clock struck 60 minutes. Noely, who had now taken over free duties converted a placed ball which put Kilworth one point ahead in stoppage time, but Ballinhassig then got the rub of the green and within a minute had equalized before being awarded a final free which they duly pointed to conclude the afternoons proceedings. Full time score: Kilworth 0-17, Ballinhassig 0-18.

Team & Scorers: Killian Heggtveit, Michael Gowen, Kieran Lane, Austin O’Hara, Jeremy Saich, David Twomey, Pierce Riordan 0-01, Luke Carey, Eoin McGrath, Eoin Carey 0-02, Jamie Sheehan 0-02, Liam Óg Hegarty 0-06 (0-4f), Brian Sheehan, Noel McNamara 0-05 (0-4f), & William Condon 0-01. Substitutes used: Leo Coffey & Michael Sheehan.

JUNIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL THIS SATURDAY

All roads lead to Killavullen this coming Saturday evening, September 13th, as Kilworth once again contest Newtownshandrum in the final of the Denis Gallagher Refrigeration JB2 Hurling Championship with throw in fixed for 5.30pm. Over the last five weeks, Kilworth overcame the challenges of Mallow (2-23 to 3-16), Ballyhea (2-16 to 0-10), and Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels (4-21 to 1-13) respectively in the group stages of this year’s competition, and with old rivals and 2024 competition runners-up Newtownshandrum now left standing in their way of re-capturing the throne, it is sure to be another very competitive fixture. The club would like to wish all the players, and their management team the very best of luck as they set out to secure the clubs eleventh title at this grade of hurling, so be sure to come along and support the lads in their pursuit of silverware.

WEEKLY CLUB LOTTO

There was no winner of last week’s lotto jackpot of €16,600 held on Monday September 01st, the numbers drawn were: 02, 19, 23 & 29. The lucky dip winner of €50 was Claire McGrath c/o Centra. The lucky dip winners of €25 each were Will Hennessy c/o Online, Paul McCormack c/o Yearly, & Mary McHugh c/o Online. The jackpot prize on Monday September 08th is €16,800.

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 sympathies to the McCarthy families, Kilworth/Fermoy/Ballyhooly following the recent sad passing of Dr. Peter McCarthy.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

UPCOMING FIXTURE

This coming Saturday, September 13th; Denis Gallagher Refrigeration JB2HC - Final; Kilworth V Newtownshandrum in Killavullen at 5.30pm.

Sunday, September 28th; Country Clean Recycling U21 B Hurling Championship; Kilworth V Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels; venue & time TBC.

Please keep a watchful eye on club social media platforms for fixture updates etc.

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

THROWBACK THURSDAY

As the Kilworth Junior hurlers prepare for their North Cork JB2 hurling final this coming Saturday and seek to capture the clubs eleventh title at this grade, this throwback goes back ninety years to 1935 when the Kilworth junior hurlers captured the clubs first ever honours as they won the North Cork Novice Hurling Championship at Dromina’s expense. Following a semi-final exit to Marshalstown in the previous year’s campaign, Kilworth entered the 1935 season eager for redemption and after a positive league campaign along with some tournament action, Kilworth’s path to championship success began at Ballindangan on August 11th, when they convincingly beat Oldcastletown on a scoreline of 2-1 to nil. Due to adverse weather conditions in September of that year which left numerous pitches unplayable, Kilworth had to wait until early October for their next encounter as they overcame the spirited challenge of Killavullen, 6-3 to 4-2 which was played at Shanballymore. A week later, this time at the Killavullen hurling ground, Doneraile provided the opposition for the eastern area semi-final which Kilworth compellingly won on a scoreline of 8 goals to nil, sending Kilworth through to their first ever divisional final on Sunday October 27th at Doneraile’s hippodrome.

The following match report was published following the divisional finale:

“The day, although dry, was rather wild and the pitch was somewhat greasy owing to recent rains. Field arrangements were perfect and reflect great credit to the local Gaels. There was a fairly large mustering of spectators. Kilworth won the toss and played with the advantage of the strong wind. Dromina’s backs were prominent in the first half and succeeded in beating off the attack time and time again. At half time the scoreline stood - Kilworth 2-0; Dromina nil. Dromina were away to the attack on the resumption and had matters practically their own way in the half, but due to erratic shooting and faulty forward play owing to the Kilworth solid defense, they were denied the winning score. The final whistle found Kilworth winners on the score – Kilworth 4-0; Dromina 3-1. Mr. J. O’Brien, Treasurer North Cork Board had charge of the whistle.”

However, further events would conspire following the final as Dromina objected to the North Cork board of Kilworth being awarded the Novice Hurling final on the grounds that three players were not properly registered. At a special sitting of the North Cork Board in November at Doneraile town hall the Kilworth club representative explained that the men’s names were registered in Irish and therefore could be written in three separate ways. A committee was formed to deal with the case and after very short deliberations with both sides they unanimously agreed that this case was utter nonsense and subsequently awarded the match result to stand in Kilworth’s favor.

Pictured is the 1935 Kilworth hurling team who became North Cork Novice Hurling Champions for the clubs very first time.

Back Row: (l-r) M Bermingham, J Horgan, M Pearse, T Griffin, C Horgan, P Flynn, J Brackett, J Lomasney, J Daly, J Pearse, P Farren, & M Howard. Front Row: (l-r) E Forde, T Doran, B  Brackett, C Higgins, M Dwyer, & T Quirke.