Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan GAA Club Notes:
County Glory for our Intermediate Footballers:
Askeaton-Ballysteen-Kilcornan 2-15 St Senans 2-07
A near perfect County Final performance from our intermediate footballers saw them crowned 2025 County Intermediate Football Champions in Sean Finn Park on Sunday afternoon. Apart from an excellent first minute St Senans goal ABK were imperious throughout the remaining 59 minutes of this years intermediate showpiece played in dry but heavey conditions in the excellently presented Rathkeale GAA grounds.
ABK refused to be perturbed by the early St Senans major and responded immediately with two neat points from the lively Joey Rushe before full forward Paul O’Shaughnessy rampaged his way through the St Senans full back line to blast to the net and propel ABK in to a 1-02 to 1-00 goal lead inside 11 minutes.
Showing no signs of stage fright our youthful side quickly threw off the shackles with our hugely impressive forward unit led by the untouchable Danny Neville at centre forward hitting the next three points from play through two excellent Padraic Murphy efforts from tight angles and Neville with his first of the day.
Senans replied but three excellent points from play from Danny Neville (2) and James O Meara put real daylight between the sides as ABK led by seven.
With all six ABK backs on top and Captain Alan McGrath driving the team on we finished the half with three further white flags as Padraic Murphy kicked his third of the half and Danny Neville his fourth either side of a Joey Rushe free to send us in at half time 8 points clear on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-03.
The impressive Joey Rushe opened the scoring in the second half with his fourth of the day off his trusted left boot to put us 9 clear before Senans plundered their second goal of the afternoon to give them a glimmer of hope.
This hope was soon distinguished when Murphy responded with a crucial free and the lively Joey Rushe buried a goal in to the dressing room goals to re-establish our nine point lead and ABK now had one hand on the cup with 17 minutes remaining.
Padraic Murphy landed his fourth of the day and Joey Rushe brought his tally to an impressive 1-06 as ABK cantered to the finish line and claimed the Moss Carrig Cup and secure a return to Senior football for 2026.
Alan McGrath lifted the cup amid great scenes of jubilation afterwards as the huge ABK support celebrated on the field.
Well done to the entire squad and management team on an excellent campaign which ultimately delivered the County title.
We now look forward to a Munster Intermediate Football Semi Final in two weeks time versus Corks Aghabullogue in a Cork venue. Team and scorers Jamie Dolan, John Fitzsimons, Bill Casey, Niall Barry, Luke Gammell, Patrick Moran, Sam Colgan, Shane Gallagher, Alan McGrath, Padhraic McMahon, Danny Neville 0-04, James O’Meara 0-01, Joey Rushe 1-06 2f, Paul O’Shaughnessy 1-00, Padraic Murphy 0-04 1f. Subs: Sean Whelan for Padhraic McMahon (43 minutes), Jamie O’Sullivan for James O’Meara (54 minutes), Shane Hallinan for Shane Gallagher (56 minutes), Colm O’Flaherty for Paul O’Shaughnessy (56 minutes), Mark Ranahan for Padraic Murphy (60 minutes).