Seniors:
A performance that deserved more saw us come up agonisingly short when going down to Dr Crokes by two points in round 2 of the senior club championship.
We made just the one change from our defeat to Austin Stacks last week with Diarmuid O’Sullivan being introduced to the attack in the place of midfielder John C O ‘Connor.
Having won the toss, Crokes elected to play into the slight breeze but John Ferguson was first to raise a white flag when pointing from play after good approach work from Con Barrett and Tommy Walsh.
From the outset, it was clear that we were a different side to last week and took the play to Crokes at every opportunity.
Kieran O’Leary quickly wiped out our lead when having slipped inside, his initial shot was parried by Gary Kissane but the ball fell kindly for him and he nudged the ball over the line; a wide from Barry John was followed by two quick points from Jack Savage and Gavin O’Brien to level the scores.
A point at the other end from Tony Brosnan was quickly negated by John Ferguson in the 11th minute but Crokes edged ahead again when Kieran O’Leary pointed, 1-02 to 0-04. It was to get better for the Killarney side almost immediately when Daithi Casey seized on a ball in midfield and ran through the heart of our defence for a killer goal.
However, we regrouped and regained our composure and with good play from Cormac Coffey and Karl Mullins in defence allied to the continued threat from John Ferguson up front we chipped away at the lead and points from Jack Savage (2), Barry John ( 2) and Gavin O’Brien had us in the lead at the half time whistle, 0-09 to 2-02. Crokes had failed to score in this half for approx 16 mins.
The resumption saw no changes to either side and when Tommy Walsh won the throw in, the ball found its way to Gavin O’Brien who slipped his marker and bore down on goal- he was hauled back for a free and a black card for David O’Leary who was replaced by Mike Potts – Jack slotted the free and we were two to the good.
Dr Crokes found their rhythm with Johnny Buckley and Paul Clarke to the fore and with Buckley firing over two points and a further minor from Micheal Burns, Crokes had edged ahead again; there was 3 points between the sides with the clock showing 10 mins left when a defence splitting move saw Gavin O’Brien rise highest at the far post to fist to the net, game on.
Crokes who had by this time introduced Colm Cooper and Eoin Brosnan, edged ahead again but the sides were all square as the clock showed 25 mins gone.
An attack which had score written all over was lost when the ball was fumbled leading to a Crokes score which was followed by another point from Tony Brosnan.
We strove manfully to wrestle back the initiative but were denied by some inconsistency from the referee who failed to award a free for a foul on Tom Hoare and who then deemed a Crokes defender was fouled when it looked like he had nowhere to go and was in fact overplaying the ball.
The exchanges were robust at this stage and following a late tackle on Jack Savage, the referee having consulted with his linesman, flashed a red card to one of the Crokes attackers. Soon after, the final whistle sounded, resulting in a second loss in this competition.
As stated at the outset, this was a game where we really ought to have gotten something out of but the performance if built upon gives plenty of reason for optimism for our trip to Gallarus next weekend which will see the loser of this game finish on zero points and a relegation battle later in the year with the bottom team in Group 2.
Team: Gary Kissane, Danny O’Sullivan, Ross O’Callaghan, Shane Brosnan, Ryan Carroll, Karl Mullins, Cormac Coffey, Cian Sayers, Con Barrett, Gavin O’Brien ( 1-01), Tommy Walsh, Jack Savage ( 0-05), Barry John Keane ( 0-04), Diarmuid O’Sullivan, John Ferguson ( 0-04).
Subs: John C O’Connor, Tom Hoare.
We now play An Ghaeltacht in Gallarus next Sunday 15th April @ 14.30 in the final game in this competition – the winners will be safe on two points whilst the losers will play the bottom placed team in Group 2 to preserve their senior status for 2019.
Minors:
We are away to Austin Stacks on Tuesday night next ( 10th) in Connolly Park with a start time of 18.30
Junior Blues:
The Easter Canal Walk was a great success last bank holiday Monday. It was a pleasantly dry afternoon with a good crowd taking off from the club heading back the canal walk way. Everyone arrived back to the club safe and sound !!
The Easter Party in the club proved to be as always very popular. The little ones got their faces painted along with lots more fun and games.
Thanks to everyone who supported and sponsored the event.
A Huge Thank You to Leo Foley of FastWay Couriers
for sponsoring the U14 new jersey’s.
It is very much appreciated.
There was a big crowd at the Academy this Sunday morning. It was a dry mild morning. Well done to all the players and their expert coaches. The parents watched on, while sipping on a cuppa tea or coffee along with some delicious home baking. There’s no better way to spend a Sunday morning !!
Well done to our Players of the week : U6 Mia Leane
Harry Collins
: U8 Sarah McMahon
Ben Pierce
Have a great week everyone and see ye all at academy training next Sunday the 15th April at 11am
U-16:
Had their 2nd Central League game away to Annascaul/Lispoil on Monday evening last and came away with a very comfortable victor. We started in whirlwind fashion and we were up 3-02 to no score after 15mins. The game was truly put to bed before half time, indeed we had the luxury of taking off Daniel Bowler, T.J. McMahon and Conor O’Sullivan and introduce some of our U14 squad and they acquitted themselves very well, while it was great to get a win ,we know well we will have much more difficult tasks ahead . Final score KoR 7-16 to A/L 0-04.
Thanks to all the parents who provided transport, It was much appreciated.
U16 have no game this coming week.
U14 B’s at home to Stacks defeated by a stronger Stacks team.
U14 Feile Team play away to Laune Rangers on Wednesday evening the11th April.
U12 A’s and B’s Were due to play away to Milltown Castlemaine this evening at 7pm in the 1st Round of the County League. Milltown Castlemaine’s football field was unplayable , therefore Kerin O’Rahilly’s had home advantage to start the season off.
The A Team had a fine physical game of football in Ballyrickard this evening.Each and every player on the field gave it their best. There were some hard contested battles to be had. Their Goalie this evenin, Leo Keane was exceptional and kept them in the game. It was tense and a fast game to the final whistle, but we were unlucky and lost in the end.
Final Score: KoR 2-8 to Milltown 2-15.
B Team : All players played well against a physically stronger Milltown team. They were still in the game at half time, but Miltown proved the stronger team in the end.
Final score KoR 3-5 To Miltown 5-20
Next U12’s Game A&B Team Away to Firies next Sunday 15th April evening at 6pm.
Ladies:
U12 Girls
We travelled back to Listowel last Thursday evening for Round 2 of The North Kerry League. At half time the score was 1-06 to 2-06. Our girls faced into a stiff breeze in the second half and were victorious with a final score of 1-08 to 2-09. Well done to all.
In Round 3, this Tuesday we are away to Corca Dhuibhne. Throw in at 7p.m. in Gallarus. Best of luck to the girls and their mentors.
U14 Girls
Training on Monday and Thursday evening at 6pm this week in preparation for the Féile competition this Saturday, April 14th. More details to follow.
We are away to Castlegregory in Round 3 of The County League- more details to follow.
U16 Girls
A great turnout last Sunday morning in Ballyrickard for training. Keep up the good work girls!
Unfortunately Moyvane had to postpone Round 2 of The County League due to a family illness. In Round 3 of The County League we are home to Castlegregory. More details to follow.
Minor Ladies
Texts will be sent about training.
Registration
Registration is due shortly ladies! Everyone will receive a registration form next week. For further enquiries please email Shirley korladiessec@gmail.com or phone or text ( 086) 8713552
Lotto:
There was no winning ticket in last week’s draw where the winning numbers drawn were: 2, 9, 12 & 27 – Brian Murphy ( Abbeydorney) matched 3 and wins €25. Next week’s jackpot will be for a grand prize of €3,500.
The five entrants for the special December draw are as follows: Helen Hennessy, Kat Stack, Mary McCarthy, Anne Marie Gleeson and Joe O’Brien.
Sympathy:
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Joe Murphy, Cockleshell Road who passed away last week – ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
