.
Seniors:
We travelled to Kilcummin on Saturday night for the 2nd round of the county league where throw -in took place at 5 pm.
To say we were understrength would belittle those that started but we were without Donagh Buckley, Ross O’Callaghan, Tom Hoare and Barry John from our previous outing vs Laune Rangers.
Many of our fringe players, who have performed with distinction in the lower leagues, certainly put forward their credentials for more regular game time at this level and will have benefited enormously from the experience.
Darragh O’Connor was the only change from the starting XV with Daniel Bowler dropping to the bench.
We won the toss and played with the strong breeze and were quickly into our stride notching 3 early points through Darragh (2) & Gearóid Savage to a solitary Kilcummin white flag.
Kilcummin reduced the deficit but further scores from Darragh, Shane McElligott and the dangerous Gazza had us in the ascendancy and we retired to the dressing room , 0-07 to 0-05 ahead – perhaps we should have been a bit more ahead given the chances created.
Our defence was rock solid in this opening period, defending in numbers and not committing any fouls – Sam Pituch in particular along with Darragh McElligott and Ryan Carroll were unyielding. Seán Collins for a second week in row put in a good shift and can be happy with his display.
The half back line of TJ Heaphy and Stephen Nix too were solid and essayed forward at every opportunity – one particular sally upfield from Stephen saw him find Gearóid Dillane with a peach of a ball which resulted in a point following a foul on Gearóid.
The 2nd half saw the introduction of both Con Barrett and Conor Hayes and we found ourselves having to defend more as Paul O’Shea thundered into the game and the locals levelled by the 10th minute following two good scores.
Daniel Bowler was next to enter into the fray and he was not long in making his presence felt.
Firstly he tracked back to win a turnover and he was next involved when finding Con Barrett who offloaded to Conor Hayes to put us back in front again.
The pivotal moment of the game then took place in the 15th minute; we worked the ball upfield and this time Daniel again, popped a lovely ball into Con who was dragged back as he sought to find the net – the ref duly pointed to the spot but Kilcummin were saved any further damage as he did not deem the foul worthy of a card.
Ryan Carroll came forward and despite striking his shot well to this right, keeper Keith O’Leary dived to his left and with a strong hand deflected the ball away from the danger area – this save gave the homesters further oxygen and whilst they fired a number of wides they scored the final 3 points from Paul O’Shea, Cian Foley and Noel Duggan.
In the final analysis, we were perhaps unlucky to come away empty handed – we go again next week when we travel to Dirreen to take on Legion.
Team: Robert O’Connor, Sam Pituch, Darragh McEllligott, Seán Collins, Stephen Nix, TJ Heaphy, Ryan Carroll, Jake Foley, Fenton Collins, Padraig Griffin, Shane McElligott, Gearóid Dillane, Gearóid Savage, Conor O’Sullivan, Darragh O’Connor.
Subs used: Conor Hayes, Con Barrett, Daniel Bowler, Sam McCarthy, TJ McMahon.
Div 6:
Kilcummin were the visitors to Strand Road on Easter Sunday for our opening game in this year’s competition.
We gained a modicum of revenge for the defeat of our division 1 side when coming out on top by a 3 goal margin, 5-11 to 2-11.
We handed senior competitive debuts to the likes of Jake Hoare, Odhran Kerins and Ryan Houlihan and they did not disappoint – Gearóid Meehan too excelled with the evergreen Rory Molloy wearing the no 3 shirt; Ben O’Brien fielded some great ball in midfield with TJ McMahon and Sam McCarthy being particularly effective up front.
Overall a great start to the league – mol an óige agus tiocfaidh siad!
Club PRO Pat Flavin and Club Chairman Oliver Molloy at the Golf Classic on Friday.
Golf Classic:
Our fundraising golf classic took place last Friday in Tralee GC and to say it was a success would be a gross understatement.
The morning sun was a portent for a brilliant day that followed with some great golf, great banter, laughter and the overall consensus being that everybody had a wonderful day.
The prize giving ceremony later in Strand Road was a most memorable night with some great fun and craic – Niall Quinn, a guest of Bulmers team for the day, regaled those present with some great stories of Italia ‘90 etc bringing to a close a perfect day.
Adams Garage took the overall prize, with Ber Walsh winning the longest drive for ladies and Joe Collins taking the men’s accolade.
Norman & Elaine Foley and family were the main sponsors for which we are truly grateful with the Healy family and McCauley’s Pharmacy for sponsoring the longest drive and nearest the pin.
The raffle for a weekend away for two in the Skellig Hotel, kindly donated by the Garvey group was won by local man Fionbarr Walsh with Joe McCarthy being the winner of a night in Benners Tralee compliments of Alan O’Sullivan.
The organising committee, spearheaded by the indefatigable Antoinette Sayers, deserve huge praise for executing such an enjoyable and profitable event with a special thanks to Tralee GC who were most helpful all along and also provided such great support last Friday – the course was in fantastic condition given the recent harsh weather events.
Condolences:
We offer our sincere condolences to our juvenile secretary Nora Corridon on the passing of her aunt, Catherine ( Dalton, Ballybunion) – ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
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