Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan GAA Club Notes:

Winning Start for Premier Junior A Hurlers:
Woodlands House Hotel County Premier Junior A Hurling Championship Group 1
Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan 0-20 Tournafulla 3-10
This year’s Championship got underway on Thursday night in Dromcollogher against Tournafulla, and a great contest was served up for the bumper crowd in attendance. Askeaton Ballysteen Kilcornan opened the scoring from a lovely Senan O’Brien sideline cut out on the right, Tour levelled with a free before Tadgh O’Brien got his first of the night from a nice layoff by Senan. The early exchanges were frantic and both teams were trying to impose themselves on the game, Oisin O’Farrell got his first score of the game from a placed ball and Tour then hit three quickfire points from Eoghan Collins and Jamie Dore. In reply Oisin got a great score from out wide right and levelled the score again with a long range free from out around the 65 that saw the team’s level at 5 apiece after 15 mins.
Tour would be the first to raise a green flag when a long ball inside wasn’t dealt with, in the ruck that ensued Eoghan Collins emerged with the ball in hand and took plenty of steps before striking to the net. ABK reacted well to the goal with Tadgh notching a second point after great work from Colm O Connell winning primary ball from the puckout and Cathal Guerin later found Tadgh O’Brien with a puckout, he laid off to Jack Ward who cut the deficit to one. We finished the half much the stronger with Matthew Keaveney and Sean Whelan getting on plenty of ball out around the middle and that was reflected with Oisin getting four points, two frees, Colm O Connell pointing from the left and we finished the half with a great team score. Guerin found Senan O’Brien in space, he worked the ball to Jack Ward who under pressure slotted over to leave ABK 4 points ahead at the half. Half time Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan 0-13 Tournafulla 1-6.
The 2nd half saw Tour get off to the best possible start with Anthony Hartnett picking up a break from a ball dropped in and rifling to the net, he added a point soon after and when Eoghan Collins sent over a free it put Tour back into the lead. Askeaton Ballysteen Kilcornan made some changes, we saw the introduction of both Matthew O Meara and Fiachra Butler-White and the pendulum swung back the other way. Oisin O’Farrell got a first clear sight on goal and despite being dragged back got his shot off only for Liam Keogh to make an excellent save down low to his left, the subsequent free was put over to once again level matters.
Both teams made further changes going into the final quarter and Padhraic McMahon and Declan Guerin were introduced for us. The battle out around the middle was heating up with Alan McGrath and Eoin Condon winning a lot of ball and driving the team forward. Oisin converted after a lovely high field and added two more from placed balls to give ABK a three-point lead however Tour were not going away and when they added a 3rd goal again from the stick of Eoghan Collins the teams were level with less than 5 minutes remaining. In a rollercoaster last few minutes Oisin struck first with a well taken score on the run. Tour responded with a point from play and with a minute left took the lead from a long range free. There was no panic from ABK and a short puckout to Tadgh Hanley was worked down the field to Oisin who sent the ball sailing over to level with time seemingly up, there was one last sting in the tail though when the ball was worked to Colm O’Connell out near the touchline on the far side and he backed himself sending over the winning score and getting the team off to the perfect start. Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan 0-20 Tournafulla 3-10.
Team Cathal Guerin, Tadgh Hanley, Eoghan Grant, Niall Barry, Evan Costelloe, Eoin Condon, Alan McGrath, Sean Whelan, Matthew Keaveney, Senan O’Brien (0-01), Oisin O’Farrell (0-13 7f), Colm O’Connell (0-02), Tadgh O’Brien (0-02), Chris Kenny, Jack Ward (0-02). Subs Matthew O’Meara, Fiachra Butler-White, Padraic McMahon, Declan Guerin, Cathal Moran, John Fitzsimons, Jamie Dolan, Paul Maher, David Ryan, Conor Purcell, Zach Birdthistle, Adam O’Sullivan, Cormac McMahon, Conor McNamara, Jonathan Hartigan, Luke Kelly, Donagh McEnery.

County Junior C Hurling Championship Round 1:
ABK 2-14 Drom/Broadford 1-13
Our junior C hurlers came from five points down to record a great victory away to Drom/Broadford on Friday night in the first round of the County Junior C Hurling Championship rounding off a great couple of days for our two adult hurling teams. Well done lads. Team and scorers Conor Ranahan, Adam O’Sullivan, Roger Somers, John Fitzsimons, Cathal Moran, Rob Whelan, Sean McEnery, Johnathan Hartigan, Sam Duggan, Sean McMahon 0-02, Tom Lyng 1-10 1-08 frees, Conor Purcell, David Holland, Zach Birdthistle,Cormac McMahon. Subs used Michael O Meara, Declan Ryan 0-01, Maurice Somers 1-01, Robert Cuddihy.

Under 14 Hurling Championship:
ABK Desmonds 5-07 Croagh/Kilfinny 1-07
Our under 14 hurlers made it 4 wins from 4 on Thursday night with a good win away to Croagh Kilfinny. This win qualifies us for the County Semi final with a game to spare. Our final game is against unbeaten city side Southside Gaels as we bid to maintain our winning run before a county semi final outing. Well done to all involved. Team and scorers Darragh Moran, John Hanlon, Frank Murphy, Cian Sheehan, Dylan O’Connor 1-01 1f, Dylan Sheahan, Kieran Condon, Hugh Sheehy 0-02 1f, Michael O’Shaughnessy, Danny Anglim 2-01, John O Brien, Kieran Hanley 1-02, Darragh Whelan 1-01, Jack Fitzgibbon, Niall Sheehy. Subs used Saul Birdthistle, Paidi Sheehy, Jake Gallagher, Callum Dalton.

Minor Hurling Championship:
ABK 2-10 Bruff 1-14
Hard luck to our minor hurlers who suffered a one point defeat versus Bruff last Wednesday night. A late Finn O’Gorman goal looked to have earned us a draw but Bruff struck for an injury time winner.

Under 16 Football Round 1:
ABK Desmonds 2-06 Ballylanders 0-12
Our under 16 footballers had to settle for a share of the spoils last Monday night as Ballylanders came from behind to force a draw on a damp night in Askeaton in round one of the under 16 football championship. We had some good performances from Cormac Fitzgerland and Danny Murphy in defence aided by Cillian Murphy at midfield and half forward Eoin McNamara while Brooklyn Delahunty kept the scoreboard ticking upfront. Well done lads. Team and scorers Luca Zoncada, Tom Kelly, Gavin Rushe, Aaron Cregan, Cormac Fitzgerald, Danny Murphy, Cathal Daly
Cillian Murphy 0-01, Brooklyn Delahunty 2-03, Eoin McNamara 0-01, Darragh O’Shaughnessy 0-01 f, Nathan Dalton, Martin Meehan, Lorcan Blackwell, Sam Costello. Subs used
Rian Kelly, Donnacha O’Gorman, Rory Moran.

:
Our under 12 footballers enjoyed the magical experience of playing on the hallowed turf of Croke Park on Tuesday last. Less than 48 hours since David Clifford lit up Croke Park it was the turn of our young ABK footballers as they played Listry, O’Donovan Rossa and Galtee Rovers in three action packed games. 26 boys headed off from the arena car park at 7.30am decked out in their new club gear and represented the club superbly all day both on and off the pitch. Well done to all involved.

Under 12 Football Tournament:
Our under 12 footballers rounded off a busy week by taking part in the Ballylongford Gaa Oyster Festival football tournament on Saturday last. Unfortunately we suffered defeat to eventual Cup winners Beale and Shield winners Ballydonoghue where the standard of football on show was very high. Thanks to Ballylongford GAA for the invite.

Under 8 Hurling:
Ours u8 hurlers welcomed Adare to the top pitch in Askeaton on Friday evening. Well done to both teams for putting on a great display of Hurling with some excellent scores.
Keep it up lads.

Weekly Club Lotto Results:
Winning Numbers 6, 15, 16, 24. Lucky dip winners, Carmel Fitzsimons, Clodagh O Meara, Declan Ryan, Orla Moran. Next weeks Jackpot €5,000.

Adult Fixtures:
County Premier Hurling Championship Round 2
ABK v Monagea Thursday at 7pm in Newcastle West,

Photos:
ABK Desmonds pictures of their under 12 footballers trip to Croke Park.