Seniors:

There are times when winning is not about elegance and precision but rather about grit, determination and experience.

Experience was the key factor tonight,  bringing as it did a deep understanding of what was needed to win, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and the mental toughness to push on and not panic when the game was there to be won.

We lined out as selected on the match programme with Laune Rangers making four changes to their original selection and having won the toss, playing with the breeze in the first half.

They adopted a defensive set up from the get go, often having up to 12 players defending, keeping two up front at all times.

In the first half we were sometimes sluggish, sometimes ponderous and found it hard to break down the massed defence – Rangers for their part, dictated a lot of the play with Eoin Clifford, Eoin O’Sullivan at midfield and John Burke dangerous – the result was that we trailed by 3 points at the break, 0-06 to 0-03, our 3 scores all coming from play from Tomás Kennedy (2) and Gearóid Dillane.

We twice struck the post with fisted efforts but it was Laune who would have been the happier at half time following good scores from Eogan Hassett (3), John Burke (2) and Eoin O’Sullivan who had opened the scoring from play.

The 2nd half saw Laune extend their advantage again through Eoghan Hassett but Tommy had us back to a 3 point deficit before David split the posts from long range in the 5th minute.

Laune again hit back but then Tommy, now much more influential, won a long ball and laid it off to the inrushing Barry John who billowed the net from close range. It was now game on and when Tomás Kennedy fired over from a free we led for the first time.

The introduction of Cormac Coffey on 12 minutes was vital as he showed he had lost none of his skills when he made ground before slotting a lovely score to leave us two ahead with 12 minutes remaining.

Laune then hit back with 3 rapid points to go one ahead before Cormac, again found the target to leave the scores level 1-08 to 0-11 with only 4 minutes remaining.

Laune again took the lead with a score from play from sub John Tyther but then came the decisive moment when we attacked down the middle, Tommy again winning the ball before parting to Tom Hoare who  played a captain’s part as he found the bottom corner of the net low to his right.

The clock ticked to 30 minutes when Eoin Clifford pointed to reduce the deficit to the minimum but the kickout was ours through David and following a good bout of interpassing BJ pointed off his left guaranteeing us the win.

There were still a couple of minutes to play but Laune failed to hit the target and the kickout brought out the best in Tomás who soared high to win us a vital possession and though we fell short with the effort at a point, it was enough to garner the win.

This was a real championship encounter, but it was in the big moments that our experience shone through. We dug deep, drawing on all our years of training and competing at the highest level and found a way to grind out the victory.

Every man deserves great credit for getting us over the line from Rob in goal who made two great saves, our defensive sextet who were tested time and again, our midfield duo of David & Tom who wrestled back control in the second half and our attacking unit who never stood back and kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Commiserations to Laune Rangers who left with nothing to show for their efforts but there are 2 big games remaining and they will still have a big say in what two teams emerge from this group.

Final score:

KO’R 2-09

LR     0-13

Team: Rob O’Connor, Darragh McElligott, Ross O’Callaghan, Donagh Buckley, Ben Hanafin, Jake Foley, Daniel Bowler, David Moran (0-01), Tom Hoare (1-0), Gearóid Dillane ( 0-01), Shane McElligott, Barry John Keane ( 1-01), Gearóid Savage, Tommy Walsh ( 0-01), Tomás Kennedy ( 0-03).

Subs: Cormac Coffey ( 0-02), Ryan Carroll, Con Barrett.

Round 2:

Kilcummin overcame Listowel Emmets in the other group game by 0-11 to 0-09 which was played in Castleisland.

As a result, we will now be at home next weekend in Strand Road to Listowel – the game will be played on Sunday 4th August with a throw in time of 1.00 pm

Congratulations and best wishes to Seán Walsh and his fiancée Emma Curtin who were married on Saturday – we wish them and Éadhla a lifetime of health and happiness.

Academy:

Pat Healy Park was a very busy spot on Sunday morning  with our U7 & U9 Boys and U8 & U10 Girls playing go games against local teams.  Academy training continued as normal for our U5 Boys and U6 Girls learning their skills through fun games and drills with their coaches.  We are giving everyone a well deserved break next Sunday 4th August and the academy will return on Sunday 11th August at 10am.  We hope everyone enjoys their Bank Holiday  weekend.

U7 Boys:

Our Under 7 Boys hosted Milltown Castlemaine GAA Club Sunday  morning in a sun drenched Healy Park Ballyrickard. Both teams showed great skills throughout the pitch and put on a great display for everyone watching. Thank you to Milltown Castlemaine for coming in to play us.

U8 Girls:

Our U8 Girls welcomed Na Gaeil to a sunny Pat Healy Park Sunday Morning. Great skills on show by all throughout the games they played.  Thanks to Na Gaeil for coming down to play with us.

U9 Boys:

Pat Healy Park was a hive of activity Sunday morning.  There was a great atmosphere as our U9 boys hosted our neighbours John Mitchels. The boys put in another fine performance and we wish Mitchels the best of luck for the rest of the season.

U10 Girls:

Our U10 Girls welcomed Na Gaeil to a busy Pat Healy Park Sunday morning.  Fantastic football on display throughout the game and  well done to all involved. Thank you to Na Gaeil for coming to play us best of luck with the rest of the season.

U11 Boys:

Great performance by our U11s again Thursday night against Ballymac in the Town League. Great skills on display and some lovely scoring and defending. Well done to all.

U13 Boys:

Well done to both our U13 Boys teams on their wins Saturday.  Both teams played extremely well, great team work throughout the field.

Central League Div 1 KOR U13 A 3-13 An Ghaeltacht A 2-11

Central League Div 6 KOR U13 B 5-12 An Ghaeltacht 5-10

Summer camp:

Our summer camp is taking place Tuesday 6th to Friday 9th August. Check out our social media pages for details on how to book.  Don’t miss out, it’s always a fun week while learning key skills. Everyone is welcome to join us.

Everyone in the Juvenile Academy wishes our U11 Coach  Declan Quill and the Kerry Ladies and management the best of luck in their All Ireland Final next Sunday.

The Club has organised a bus to travel to Croke Park for the final – seats are limited. If you would like to book a seat please contact Deirdre on 087 6103366 by Wednesday 31st @ 5 pm for details – if you have already contacted the club via ClubZap there is no need to make any further contact.

Thank you to the coaches for sending on their reports and pictures for club notes every week.

Ladies notes:

Everyone in our club is very proud of Kelly and Aoibhinn for their involvement with the Kerry Minor team and reaching the All Ireland final.

Unfortunately they were defeated in the final Saturday against Cavan. We are sure they will be back there again and wish them all the best in the future.

The ladies would like to wish Declan and the Kerry ladies and management the best of luck in the final next Sunday. We look forward to watching them in action.

Keep in touch:

As always, we are looking for any items of interest which you feel should be aired – please contact us on Facebook via Messenger or you can call or text to 085 2095001.

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