Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan GAA Club Notes:
Under 16 Hurling County Final
ABK Desmonds 2-04 Knockaderry 0-14
There was disappointment for our under 16 hurlers on Saturday in Mick Neville Park as they came up four points short in the end versus Knockaderry in the County Under 16 Hurling Final. On a day when our opponents found it that bit easier to score we battled to the end and kept in touch right up until the final whistle.
After a slow start in which our opponents raced in to a 4 point lead it was centre forward Todd O’Shaughnessy who opened our account with a fine point on the run. A fine 65 from goalkeeper Cathal Daly followed before Cillian Murphy flicked a beautiful goal to the net to bring us right back in to contention. Knockaderry responded with 4 points of their own as the half time whistle loomed. A tonic of a goal from Harry O’Toole cut the deficit to one before Brooklyn Delahunty hit a cracking point from the wing to bring us in at half time all square on a scoreline of 2-03 to 0-09. Unfortunately the second half would see us only scoring one point from a placed ball from the stick of centre back Gavin Rushe. Poor shooting from ABK Desmonds and tight defending from a tigerish Knockaderry defence was the story of the second half. Our own defence stood up manfully to contain Knockaderry to just five second half points. As the final whistle sounded there was a great deal of disappointment for the lads but they can hold their heads high after a fine season and can also look forward to a county football final in two weeks time. Team and scorers Cathal Daly 0-01 65, Tom Kelly, Aaron Cregan, Donnacha O’Gorman, Mark McDonagh, Gavin Rushe 0-01 f, Danny Murphy, Darragh O’Shaughnessy, Eoin McNamara, Harry O’Toole 1-00, Todd O’Shaughnessy 0-01, Nathan Dalton Capt, Brooklyn Delahunty 0-01, Lorcan Blackwell, Cillian Murphy. Subs Hugh Sheehy, Rory Moran, Martin Meehan, Paidi Ryan, Cian Byrnes, Peter Hoda, Jack McDonagh, Tom Harty.
Griffin Coaches County Intermediate Football Championship Group 1
Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan 2-07 Cappagh 1-14
Our Intermediate Footballers were in action in Foynes last Saturday in the final group game of the Championship, it was a winner takes all game as they would claim top spot and go straight into the semi-final. The pitch was in fine order and conditions were perfect for football, referee Mike Sexton got the game underway, and the early exchanges were tense with both sides trying to assert physically.
First blood went to Cappagh, after missing an earlier attempt Seamus O’ Carroll slotted a 2 pointer from a placed ball to open the scoring. Askeaton Ballysteen Kilcornan responded with a Joey Rushe free in a tight opening ten minutes. O’ Carroll added two free’s and another 2-point free in what became a battle of the kickers in the first half. Luke Gammell and Sam Colgan were both piling forward in support of the attack and a ball worked down the right side through hands found its way to Joey Rushe who fired over the bar to reduce the deficit. Cian Costelloe added a point for Cappagh before the half, Padraic McMahon benefited from some good fielding from Shane Gallagher, a high ball won was moved quickly through Alan McGrath and when Padhraic got a sight of goal he dispatched it over the bar, Joey Rushe added another free from a move that could have yielded a goal with David O’ Shaughnessy in a good position before being fouled. Askeaton Ballysteen Kilcornan though had Jamie Dolan to thank for a miraculous save, having come out to engage an onrushing forward who offloaded to his left, but Dolan hustled back to make the diving save down to his right and keep the deficit at just three at the half. Askeaton Ballysteen Kilcornan 0-04
Cappagh 0-07. The second half brought a renewed effort from Askeaton Ballysteen Kilcornan as they tried to claw back the deficit and got the better of the early exchanges. James O Meara and Alan McGrath combining to release Danny Neville who got his opening score of the day. The ever-dependent Joey Rushe tapped over another free before a five minute one two punch from Rushe and Neville. Bill Casey, who had been solid throughout smothered an attempted kick, John Fitzsimons drove out with the loose ball and as this was worked through Danny Neville and Sean Whelan it was Joey Rushe who was released on goal, a last ditch effort at a tackle did knock the ball loose but Joey let fly with the left and sent it across Colin Barry to the far side of the net for a vital goal. This was quickly followed up by a second goal, McGrath getting up to spoil a kickout and Neville was released through the middle, under close attention from the covering defender he switched hands and unleashed with the left boot and the ball squirmed into the net to put Askeaton Ballysteen Kilcornan two points to the good with ten minutes left, 2-06 : 0-10.
Cappagh though reacted well and got a grip on the middle third, they added a couple of points from placed balls before they struck the decisive blow, a contentious John Wall fielded kickout, that could easily have been a free to Alan McGrath saw the ball quickly worked into Seamus O’Carroll who sent his shot past Jamie Dolan to give Cappagh the cushion they needed to see out the game. Askeaton Ballysteen Kilcornan threw everything forward and fashioned a couple of half chances at goal, Danny Neville just missing the top corner with a free after being hauled back but Cappagh added an insurance score on the break and although the game finished with a goal mouth scramble at the Cappagh end it wouldn’t have been enough. That win puts Cappagh into the semi final and our next game will be Saturday 25th Oct in a County Quarter Final with Pallasgreen, mark it in the diaries and make sure your out in support of the boys. Full time Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan 2-07 Cappagh 1-14. Team Jamie Dolan, John Fitzsimons, Bill Casey, Niall Barry, Luke Gammell, Shane Gallagher, Sam Colgan, Jamie O Sullivan, Alan McGrath, Sean Whelan, Padraic McMahon (0-01), James O’ Meara, Joey Rushe (1-05 4f), David O’ Shaughnessy, Danny Neville (1-01)
Subs: Brian Neville, Eddie Murphy, Colm O’ Flaherty, Callum Daly, Fiachra Butler-White, John Blackwell, Evan Costelloe, Luke Kelly.
Under 20 Hurling Championship:
Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan 1-15 South Liberties/Crecora/Manister 2-12
Our under 20 hurlers opened their campaign last Sunday and came away with a draw in their first outing of the season. Hopefully they can equal the heroics of 2024 and annex this years County Under 20 B title.
Under 14 Football Super 10s:
Well done to the under 14 footballers who rounded off the year in style with some great performances in UL last Sunday morning at the Super 10s.
In match one after a slow start we lost out to Newcastle West team who had the benefit of playing a match before us by just two points on a scoreline of 2-03 to 2-01.
After this loss we didnt put a foot wrong winning our next three games firstly defeating Galbally 6-01 to 1-03, next up we beat South Liberties 4-03 to 2-02 setting us up for our last game against Kildimo Pallaskenry who had won their three games comfortably.
After an exciting game we held out a last ditch attack from our neighbours to win on a scoreline of 2-03 to 1-04. NCW, KP and ABK all finished on 3 wins and 1 loss with KP having the better scoring average.
Intermediate Football County Quarter Final:
Our intermediate footballers will contest this years County Intermediate Football Quarter Final on Saturday week versus Pallasgreen. Best of luck to all involved.