Large attendance at football blitz hosted by Kilworth Celtic FC
Kilworth Celtic hosted a highly successful Soccer Sisters Coach and Parent Information evening at the clubhouse in Sheila Flynn Park.
We were delighted to welcome Ray Claffey and Derek Coughlan of the FAI. Derek and Ray held an excellent session covering all aspects of female participation in football, which was very well received by the coaches and parents present.
“Running since 2010, the Aviva Soccer Sisters is a grassroots football development programme for girls aged 7-14 who get to enjoy football in a free, fun, friendly and safe environment. The objective of this year’s programme is to retain girls in football through developing the skills and awareness raising of both coaches and parents.
“To support this, there will be tailored coaching modules to help increase coaches’ awareness of specific topics in relation to the girls’ game eg. menstrual cycle, providing a parents’ awareness workshop with the necessary support and information, resulting in a better environment for our players.”
SOCCER SISTERS BLITZ
Kilworth Celtic FC hosted the FAI Aviva Soccer Sisters Football Blitz on Saturday last at Sheila Flynn Park. Over 100 girls, coaches and travelling supporters made it a memorable morning.
Special thanks to Carrigaline United Soccer Club and Carrigtwohill United AFC for travelling. Many thanks also to Derek Coughlan from the FAI for helping make it all happen, to club chairman Peter Kellaway, Kes Vaitkunas, coaches Graham Byrne, Conor Cooney and Liz O’Donoghue, the Committee members who turned out to support the event, and a special shout out to our own U14 Lilly O’Donoghue for reffing. Star bar! It was great to see the coffee van on site to help keep us all hydrated.
The girls had a fantastic time, and it speaks volumes about the FAI’s focus on the rise and rise of girls in the Beautiful Game.
Breaking news! Kilworth Celtic FC has been selected to attend the FAI Aviva Soccer Sisters Blitz in Dublin on Saturday, 22nd! This is a massive honour for the club and the girls who have taken past in this outstanding programme. Over 100 clubs nationwide took part, so it is indeed a fantastic achievement to make it to the Aviva Stadium. We will be heading up the motorway with flags, banners, supporters and parents to let Dublin know what is means to be from Kilworth!
BOYS BOW OUT OF WW/EC U13 CUP Brideview Utd 3 Kilworth Celtic FC (AET) 1
Our mighty U13s fell at the penultimate hurdle in the WW/EC U13 Cup. 1-1 at the end of normal time, Brideview Utd scored a brace in extra time to progress to the final, where we wish them the very best of luck. Goal by Peter Sarsfield. Impressive performance by Jack Condon and Justin Gowen.
Thanks to our sponsor Camida.
GIRLS U12 AWAY TO WATERGRASSHILL UTD
A tough game for the girls against a very strong side. They were up for the challenge though, and all played really well, with great effort right up to the end. We scored a deserved goal, and were unlucky not to get a couple more. Well done girls!
Thanks to our sponsor MMD Construction.
CSL YOUTHS U18 CARVE OUT GUTSY WIN AT CORKBEG Corkbeg AFC 1 Kilworth Celtic 4
Our U18s got back to winning ways with an impressive, gutsy away win over close rivals Corkbeg on Sunday last.
We travelled to Whitegate with the bare 11 and in the knowledge that Corkbeg had meted out a 4-0 drubbing to us back in September. But we set out our business in very impressive fashion. After 15 minutes we were 2-0 up.
We put the Corkbeg defence under pressure from the off with Darragh and Jack stretching them down both flanks with their pace and aggression. And it was these two players who registered both goals. Firstly, Jack scored a fine goal from just outside the box – an unstoppable shot into the top left corner after sustained pressure. Jack then turned provider when, after great work from Brian at centre half and Niall and Gearoid in the middle, he played a dangerous ball across the goal from the left wing. Darragh timed his run perfectly and finished with a first-time shot to the net.
Slowly Corkbeg began to work themselves into the game and got a deserved goal after a half an hour when their centre forward headed to the net from a free. After this we stepped up our defensive work – and while our opponents continued to threaten, our centre defensive line of David, Brian and Oisín were very solid at snuffing out threats. In goal, Eoghan’s safe hands ensured we got to half-time on slight 2-1 lead.
Corkbeg continued to threaten at the beginning of the second half. They also began to threaten out wide and PJ needed to be at his best to stifle their threat out wide. He continued to stick admirably to his task and eventually began to dominate his opposite number. Mal began to work his way into the game on the left and on the hour he played a good ball into the box for Darragh who beat his man and cut the ball back for Niall who finished a great team move with a decisive first-time shot to the net.
The game was put to bed by Jack who beat the offside trap with a clever run, after good work by Pa, Gearoid and PJ. As the keeper advanced Jack slid the ball underneath him. It was a deserved second for him as he was a constant thorn in the defence’s side and on another day could have had a couple more if some questionable offside decisions had gone his way.
We saw out the remainder of the game without too much bother. This was largely down to a great defensive performance by Eoghan, David, Brian, Oisín and PJ. They were ultra-solid throughout and provided the solid base for this gutsy performance. Niall was moved into midfield for this game and along with Gearoid and Pa they provided a screen for our defence and a launchpad for our attack – a great midfield performance by all three.
Mal out on the left stuck at his task and provided a real presence when needed and contributed greatly to the third, and decisive goal. Up top Jack and Darragh set the tone throughout. As well as their three goals they were aggressive and pacey from first to last. Overall, a gutsy ninth league win of the season. We look forward to our two final games and to securing second spot in this competitive league.
Team: Eoghan Leddy, PJ Flynn, David Noonan, Brian Dunne, Oisín O’Keeffe, Gearoid Carey, Niall Cloney, Malachy Coffey, Pa Kenny (capt), Darragh O’Brien, Jack Murray.
Thanks to our sponsor O’Sullivan’s Centra Kilworth.
CWSSL SENIOR LADIES IN FAI INTERMEDIATE CUP ACTION Douglas Hall LFC 5 Kilworth Celtic FC Ladies 0
Kilworth Ladies Senior team completed another historic step forward by competing in the FAI shield last Sunday. They faced an exceptional side in Douglas Hall AFC who were stronger on the day. Final score was 5-0.
Kilworth Ladies put in a valiant performance and exceptional team work and never dropped the head throughout. Kelly Condon in goals had an excellent performance and led from the back with multiple high class saves. Karen O’Sullivan, the midfield general, had a very strong performance in the centre of the park. All players from 1 to 16 showed great resilience and team work and had several purple patches throughout the game. Subs were crucial in the second half when they came on to assist in the high tempo game.
Overall, a brave performance and several lessons learned in this upcoming team of positive female soccer players.
Thanks to our sponsors One Stop Home Store and Fiona Turley Gallery, Kilworth.
MSL SENIOR MEN AWAY TO WILTON UTD Wilton Utd 4 Kilworth Celtic FC 0
The Seniors travelled to Wilton last Saturday in the 1st round of the Pop Keller Cup. We knew we were going to be up against it playing a quality side that are near the top of the division above us. Despite the best efforts of everyone who togged out on the day, we went down 4-0 to a quality home side. Attention now turns to the remaining league fixtures.
GIRLS U14 VS BANDON AFC
This was to have been the final match of the season for our U14 girls, as they push for promotion. Unfortunately we were informed late in the day that Bandon were unable to field a team, and were handed a walkover. The girls have had a very successful season, and it is very rewarding to see the development and progression in the squad. Coaches Liz O’Donoghue and Peter Kellaway have instilled a real sense of ambition and skill across the team, who play an attractive brand of football.
BOYS U11 Kilworth Reds 1 Passage AFC 1
A very entertaining game was played in Sheila Flynn Park on Sunday morning. With Kilworth Celtic again in action against a very strong Cork Schoolboys League team in the form of Passage AFC.
With the weather holding firm and the pitch a little greasy, the conditions were good for fast attractive football, and it’s fair to say neither side let down the large crowd in attendance. Kilworth started the game on top with lovely combination passing in midfield between David Sisk and Fergus McCallum, with Zack Long and Rian Crumlish backing up the play from both flanks. It was this play that led to the first corner of the game after 10 minutes.
A beautifully whipped in ball to the near post by David Sisk caused confusion and crept just inside the post to secure Kilworth an early lead. As expected, Passage soon found their feet, and the game was very much end to end with some fantastic defending from both teams.
The Passage backline were superb and gave very little away. The Kilworth Celtic backline, was led by Frank O’Brien who commanded his troops at the back, aided by JJ Clattery and the ever-reliable Jamie Brosnan. Changes were made with James Kearney and Evan Aherne coming into the game for fresh legs. As the game approached half-time, a long ball down the middle caught the Kilworth defence out and the through ball was latched onto by Passage striker Charlie Cremin, and he stroked the ball past Fionn Twomey to level the game, a superb finish from the young man.
The half-time whistle was blown, and some re-hydration and replenishment was needed by both sets of players in preparation for the re-commencement of the battle. The second half began with an early opportunity for Kilworth’s Kai O’Meara to make it 2-1, a through ball from David Sisk played into his path and only for a fantastic last tackle by the strong passage defence, Kai would surely have scored. Zack Long was very unlucky with a snapshot that went the other side of the post on the 40th minute. Passage also had their opportunities and a few very good saves from Fionn Twomey kept the game square.
Next up was Frank O’Brien, with one of his ‘ now famous’ runs into midfield and through on goal but again the passage centre backs were equal to the measure. With 5 minutes to go, a through ball from Fergus McCallum broke David Sisk off on the right-hand side of the pitch. As he closed in on goal, he was brought down by the Passage keeper, and the referee pointed to the spot.
The resulting penalty was superbly saved by the passage goalkeeper James Daly who managed to hold his nerve for the crucial kick. The game finished in a deserved 1-1 draw. It was a fantastic advertisement for schoolboys’ soccer in Cork.
Thank you to Passage AFC for travelling to us this morning. We wish them all the best in their upcoming Cup run in the Cork School Boys League. And we look forward to returning to their ground soon for the return leg. Thank you to the large crowd in attendance this morning. Thank you to our Sponsors Specsavers Mallow.
Kilworth 1 Valley Rangers 1
Our second match of the Sunday morning was against local WWEC club Valley Rangers, making the trip from Conna. We have yet to play Valley in the WWEC U11 division so it was a good opportunity to test ourselves against them.
The pitch was holding up after the first game and the rain had held off. We started slowly and it was all Valley for the first 10 minutes. We struggled to get a handle on the game and get things moving. Valley had a series of chances and we were definitely lucky, combined with some last ditch defending and some great saves from our goalie Cian O’Donoghue.
However as is with this team they started to learn and adapt, getting a foothold in the game. The defence of Cathal Lane, Thomas Looney and James Roche got themselves organised and from that foundation we started to build some nice moves. Our captain for the day, Jaydon Browne began influencing midfield accompanied in the middle by Darragh Casey and Shane O’Donoghue, and Darragh Murphy on the wings. Our two forwards of Jack Brokenshire and Nathan Molnar worked hard up front though didn’t get many opportunities in the first half. 0-0 at the break and a chance to reset.
The second half was much better with Kilworth finding space and chances started to come our way. Into the 35th minute and a nice move down the left was passed in to Darragh Murphy who was still a good bit outside the box. As the old phrase goes if you don’t shoot you don’t score, and Darragh let one fly. It took a deflection that caught out the keeper before going in off the post. 1-0 and on merit of the improved performance it was justified.
After that it was end to end, with chances now for both teams. Kilworth had some good play and good chances to wrap it up but a combination of good defending and goalkeeping kept us out. As luck would have it Valley did get a chance when we failed to clear our lines and they took it well. 1-1 it finished and a great learning experience for our lads against a good WWEC team. Many thanks to Valley for making the trip to Kilworth. Also thanks to our stand-in referee.
As always thanks to our sponsor SpecSavers of Mallow.
Girls U10 0 Blarney Utd 1
The girls entertained Blarney at home on Sunday following their heroics in the blitz on Saturday. Understandably there were a lot of tired legs and the visiting Blarney team made life quite difficult for them early on. They grew into the game and created plenty of chances but just couldn’t break through. They conceded late on and some heroics from Clodagh McRae in goals kept the score to one nil. They were all spent afterwards but had a great time all the same.