Backs to the fore for U12s
Kilworth Araglen Og 1-09 Bride Rovers 1-05
A solid defensive display laid the foundation for our U12s win against Bride Rovers in round 3 of the Group 2 North hurling league which was played in Kilworth last night week. Our lads didn’t reach the heights of their performance in the earlier games, due in no small part to the efforts of a tenacious Bride Rovers side.
Playing against the elements in the first half, Kilworth Araglen Og took a while to settle and struggled to get to the pace of the game. The Rovers played some good stuff in this period and with an excellent work rate they ensured the tie was very much in the balance at the halfway mark, as Kilworth Araglen Og led by the slenderest of margins, 1-05 to 1-04.
Turning to play with the elements in the second half, Kilworth Araglen Og needed a good start but try as they might they could never shake off their East Cork opponents. The game remained in the melting pot right to the final whistle and it took some excellent defensive work, in addition to fresh legs from the sideline that had a telling impact, to see the home side win 1-09 to 1-05.
Team: Mikey Hurley, Sean Bonner, Culann Russell, Charlie O’Brien, Micheál Quirke, Jack Condon, Ronan O’Driscoll, Darragh Lynch, Bobby Kiernan, JJ Cahill, Jason Dunleavy, Tadgh Aherne, Darragh Crowley. Subs: Caleb Clancy, Fionnan Looney, Dylan Mee, Paul Og Philpott, Cian Dillon.
FÉ12 FOOTBALLERS MAKE IT 2 WINS IN THE WEEK Kilworth Araglen Og 7-18 Castlelyons 8-10
On a beautiful Monday evening last at Araglen, our Fé12 footballers played what can only be described as a cracker of a game in round 4 of the league. The two teams were very even in the first half trading scores in a high scoring contest with Castlelyons finishing stronger to take a 4 point lead into the break, 3-07 to 4-08.
The second half was as free scoring as the first with some excellent football on display, Kilworth Araglen Óg took control early in the second period with some excellent points, before Castlelyons finished stronger with the home side just holding out to win on a score-line of 7-18 to Castlelyons 8-10.
Team: Mikey Hurley, Jack Condon, Caleb Clancy, Dylan Mee, Darragh Lynch, Bobby Kiernan, Darragh Crowley, Michael Quirke, Jason Dunleavy, Charlie O’Brien, Ronan O’Driscoll, Fionnan Looney, Culann Russell. Subs: Cian Dillon, Sean Bonner, Cian Condon, Paul Og Philpott.
FÉ14S DEFEAT DOUGLAS Douglas 2-09 Araglen Og 3-10
Having lost out to table toppers Ballinora in the previous game, the Fé14 P2 hurlers were anxious to get back on track against Douglas in their round 6 clash in Douglas on Friday evening last.
Whilst we were all but out of contention for a place in the semi-final, Douglas had only lost one game coming into the tie (against Ballinora), so our lads knew a stern test was in store. It was clear from the off however that our lads were up for this one and that they needed to be. Both sides proceeded to play some excellent hurling with action moving from end to end. The half time whistle saw Kilworth Araglen Og hold a slender 2 point advantage.
The second half proceeded in much the same fashion as the first. The play continued to be of a very high standard with the result in doubt right up to the final whistle. Goals from Conor Lynch, Luke Browne and Kuba Ciosmack allowed us to keep our noses in front and to eventually run out 4 point winners, 2-09 to 3-10.
Team: Darragh Collins, Ciaran Crowley, Jack Cotter, Ruairí McCallum, Paudie Hurley, Evan Gowen, Harry O’Brien, Oran Hegarty, Sean Riordan, Danny Kenneally, Kuba Ciosmack, Killian Ball, Bailey Browne, Conor Lynch, Luke Browne. Subs: Justin Gowen, Paddy O’Brien, Sean Kelleher and James Kenneally.
FÉ 14 C3S FINISH WITH A WIN Kilworth Araglen Og 6-07 Cobh 3-03
On Saturday evening, Cobh were our opponents for our final Fé14 C3 hurling league game in front of a good home crowd on what must have been the warmest day of the year so far.
The opening exchanges were tight and while Kilworth Araglen Óg had more possession, it wasn’t showing on the scoreboard. Eventually, in the second third, our forwards kicked into gear and started landing some goals. While Cobh pulled some points back, Kilworth Araglen Og kicked on.
As we entered the final 20 minutes, we began to play some of our best hurling of the year, with good first-time pick-ups, fast delivery of ball and tenacious tackling. We were rewarded with a good win on a final scoreline of 6-07 to 3-03.
The final league table sees us finishing third with 2 wins and 2 losses. The effort has been excellent from this side and they were unlucky to miss out on qualifying for the knockout stage.
Team: James Kenneally, William Nash Khan, Paddy O’Brien, Sean Kelleher, Harry O’Brien, Ciaran Crowley, Justin Gowen, Killian Ball, Sean O’Loughlin, Peter Sarsfield, Kuba Ciosmack, Luke Browne, Jack Fitzgerald, Bailey Browne, Darragh Cooney. Subs (all used) Shane Leddy, Paul Óg Philpott.
FÉ14 P2 HURLERS WIN Kilworth Araglen Og 4-12 Glen Rovers 0-09
On Monday evening last, the Fe14 P2 hurlers played their last league game in Kilworth against Glen Rovers. From the start, it was a flat affair with both sides trading points, mostly from frees for the opening quarter, before Kilworth Araglen Óg struck with a penalty goal. The Glen pulled a few more points back before we goaled again, leaving the interval score 2-03 to 0-07.
The second half was a much different affair from Kilworth Araglen Óg with renewed energy and vigour. Our forwards hunted in packs while our defence kept it extremely tight limiting the opposition’s ability to score. Over the final quarter, our lads pulled away for 4-12 to 0-09 win.
On a positive note, we had a good spread of scorers with Conor Lynch, Oran Hegarty, Evan Gowen, Bailey Browne and Luke Browne all getting on the scoreboard.
A solid campaign overall which left us with 4 wins and 3 losses. Unfortunately, this was only good enough for third position in the league with Ballinora and Douglas qualifying.
Team: Darragh Collins, Ciaran Crowley, Jack Cotter, Paddy O’Brien, Harry O’Brien, Evan Gowen, Paudie Hurley, Oran Hegarty, Sean Riordan, Kuba Ciosmack, Danny Kenneally, Killian Ball, Luke Browne, Conor Lynch, Bailey Browne. Subs (all used): Darragh Cooney, Eoin Toland, James Kenneally, Justin Gowen, Oisín Dillon, Sean Kelleher.
FE16S WIN AGAINST BALLYGIBLIN Kilworth Araglen Og 2-12 Ballygiblin 2-10
Having lost out to Fermoy in Round 3, Kilworth Araglen Og knew that a loss to Ballygiblin, who are also very much in the shakeup at this grade, would most likely spell the end of our involvement in this competition when the sides met in Araglen in this hurling league tie on Sunday morning.
The first half was nip and tuck as both sides had periods of dominance. Ballygiblin made better use of the breeze however to take a 3 point lead, 1-06 to 1-03, into the halftime break.
Turning to play with the elements, Kilworth Araglen Óg came out firing on all cylinders as they set about reducing the deficit. Much like the first half, there was again little between the sides. The ability of the home defence to close down space, whilst at the same time delivering some quality ball to our attack, ensured a number of opportunities were created and we managed to take just about enough to win out 2-12 to 2-10.
Our last remaining game will be against Kilshannig in late June, however up first we face off against Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels in our final football league game in Araglen on Monday evening at 7pm.
Team: Sean O’Flynn (BC), Sean Murphy, Kevin Maher, Kevin Reidy, Kieran Hynes, Denis O’Riordan, Mike Linehan, Alex Flynn, Ronan Fenton, Cathal Burdette, Killian Watts, Sean O’Flynn (Orchard), Conor Rielly, Adam Duggan, Sam Beecher. Subs: Daniel Fitzgerald, Dave Kenneally.
FIXTURES
Monday, 22nd May: Fé12 Hurling League v Na Piarsaig in Na Piarsaig at 6.30, Fe16 Football League v Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels in Araglen at 7pm.
MEDAL PRESENTATION
Sincere thanks to current Cork senior hurling captain Niall O’Leary who was the special guest at our medal presentation to our victorious 2022 sides in Scoil Mháirtín last Saturday evening. Niall spoke very well on the evening, congratulating the players on their success and encouraging them to keep practicing and to listen to their coaches. Niall was excellent with his time and chatted, signed autographs and took photo’s with everyone in addition to presenting the medals on the night.
The event itself was very well received with a sizeable crowd in attendance to congratulate the U12s (Group 2 East Hurling Cup, Group 5 East Hurling Shield and Group 1 East Football Shield winners), the U13s (Premier 2 Hurling and Football Shield winners) and the U17s (Div 1 North Hurling Shield winners) on their success.
Tom Fitzgerald, chairman of the Kilworth Araglen Og committee, carried out the roll of MC and spoke of the good work that’s being done. He congratulated the winning teams on their success and urged all players and coaches to keep it going in 2023.
Thanks also to everyone who helped out for the event. Many hands make light work we are very grateful to the school for the use of the hall, those who brought food, helped to distribute the teas, coffees and hot food on the evening and those who helped tidy up afterwards.
See report elsewhere in The Avondhu.
GO GAMES
The younger boys were all back in action over the last week or so with Go Games. On Saturday the U8s put in some very impressive performances in their monster blitz in Ballyhea. We had three teams in action against Mallow, St. Marks and Croke Rovers and the coaches were thrilled with the effort from all the boys.
Our U9 hurlers played a couple of very good games with Ballygiblin in Araglen on Saturday morning also. These two sides are very evenly matched and on Saturday there was again very little between them. Keep up the practice away from the pitch and between training sessions boys.
Our U10s had been due to play in Kilworth on Saturday but unfortunately the opposition had to withdraw at short notice and so a very good training session was held instead.
Or Fe11 hurlers were the last team in action as they welcomed Banteer to Kilworth for a hurling game also on Saturday. We had to mix up the teams for this one as we had more players than the Duhallow boys, but it was still a worthwhile exercise.
Please tie in with your respective coaches for details of upcoming games.
PRIMARY GAME
Best of luck to Oran Hegarty (Kilworth) and Bailey Browne (Araglen) who will line out with Cork for the Primary Game at half time during next Sunday’s senior hurling championship tie in Ennis. Both boys are very important members of our Fe13 and 14 sides. Best of luck boys.
NO LUCK FOR LIAM OG
Commiserations to Liam Og Hegarty who suffered double disappointment over the last week. On Tuesday evening week last, he was an extended panel member with the Cork minor hurlers who went under to Clare in the Munster final. All is not yet lost at this grade however, as the defeated Munster finalists face the Leinster winners (Galway) in the All-Ireland semi-final next Saturday in Thurles at 3pm.
On Saturday last, Liam Og was back in action as he captained the Cork North side in the Celtic Challenge All-Ireland semi-final in Kilworth. Despite a good performance from Liam Og from both play and placed balls, his side lost out to Cork East 4-21 to 1-17.
SCIATH NA SCOL
Best of luck to Sciol Mháirtín who come up against Charlaville CBS in the semi-final of this years hurling Sciath na Scol competition this Thursday. There is a great deal of work being carried out by the teachers in the school in recent years which is of huge benefit to the GAA club as a whole.