Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan GAA Club Notes:

ABK Clinch County Junior Hurling Semi Final Spot:
ABK 1-18 Monaleen 1-16
With three minutes of injury time played Sean Whelan fed Oisin O’Farrell to fire over his 13th point of the afternoon to put ABK two points clear and clinch a fantastic victory over Monaleen to confirm our place as Group winners and qualify us for our first County Junior hurling semi final since 2010 on Sunday last.
In a game played in dry conditions on an excellent surface in Pallaskenry it was the wind which had the biggest influence on proceedings. Playing with the aid of the elements in the first half we failed to fully capitalise scoring just three points from open play courtesy of Fiachra Butler with two of his trademark strikes from the wing and one from talisman Oisin O’Farrell. O’Farrell kept the scoreboard ticking with 6 frees but things looked ominous at half time as the city side led on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-09 with their conversion rate far superior.
It was a much more determined and composed ABK who emerged for the second half with a long range Oisin O’Farrell free in to the teeth of the wind levelling matters within minutes and signalling his sides intent. It was tit for tat in the third quarter with Colm O’Connell and substitute Declan Guerin landing two minors as O’ Farrell continued to be unerring from frees and from play. With the game tied at 0-14 apiece it was midfielder Sean Whelan who really brought the game to life with a magical goal after a 40 metre run. Unfortunately, Monaleen hit back instantly with a goal of their own to level the game again with 12 minutes remaining on a scoreline of 1-14 apiece.
Some heroic defending followed from goalkeeper Guerin along with Tadgh Hanley, Niall Barry and centre back Eoghan Grant to prevent Monaleen taking the lead. As the clock showed just four minutes remaining and with the scores deadlocked that man O’Farrell fielded a puck out and wheeled away to put ABK back infront. Super sub Declan Guerin pushed us two clear moments later before Monaleen pulled one back but O’Farrell was to have the final say as he split the posts to confirm our place in the County semi final and secure a well merited victory. Team and scorers Cathal Guerin, Tadgh Hanley, Matthew O’Meara, Niall Barry, Evan Costelloe, Eoghan Grant, Alan McGrath, Sean Whelan 1-00, Matthew Keaveney, Senan O’Brien, Oisin O’Farrell 0-13 9frees, Chris Kenny, Colm O’Connell 0-01, Fiachra Butler 0-02, Tadgh O’Brien. Subs used Declan Guerin 0-02, Padhraic McMahon, Jamie Dolan.

County Junior C Hurling Championship:
ABK 1-12 Doon 1-09
Our Junior C Hurlers rounded off an excellent day for the club when they defeated Doon in Ballysteen in round 4 of the County Junior C Hurling Championship on Sunday. In a novel pairing which saw Doon make the long journey to Ballysteen a determined second half performance against the gale saw our Junior C’s register their third win of the championship. Tom Lyng was to the fore registering 1-04 from play and was ably assisted in the scoring stakes by Finn O’Gorman and Sean McMahon upfront. Four huge points from McMahon against the wind proving decisive in the end. Conor Ranahan in goals kept Doon at bay with some excellent saves and was rock solid throughout while Luke Kelly also chipped in with a fine performance at corner back. This win leaves us joint top of the group with 3 wins and 1 loss from our 4 games played. Team Conor Ranahan, John Fitzsimons, Roger Somers, Luke Kelly, Cathal Moran, Rob Whelan, Conor McNamara, Paul Maher, Johnathan Hartigan, Finn O’Gorman, Sean McMahon, Davey Ryan, Conor Purcell, Tom Lyng, Maurice Somers. Subs Adam O’Sullivan, Rob Cuddihy, John Blackwell, Declan Ryan, Maurice Hayes, Zach Birdthistle, Sean McEnery, Donagh McEnery.

County Under 14 Football Shield Semi Final:
ABK Desmonds 3-01 Granagh/Ballingarry 3-03
Our under 14 footballers suffered an agonising two point loss to Granagh Ballingarry in the County Shield Semi Final in blustery conditions in Askeaton on Monday night. Despite playing against the wind we raced in to a two goal lead courtesy of two great strikes from Danny Anglim and Tom Harty. Granagh Ballingarry hit back with a two pointer free and a goal to put just one point between the sides despite our dominance in a first half where we played against the wind. Saul Birdthistle struck a great goal to push our lead out to 4 points but unfortunately Granagh Ballingarry hit back with two goals to leave us frantically chasing a goal in the last ten minutes. Despite a huge effort in terrible conditions we failed to find the all important goal and unfortunately our season came to an end following a two point defeat.
Team and scorers Darragh Moran, Cian Sheehan, Dylan Sheahan, Jake Gallagher, Kieran Condon, Dylan O’Connor, Kieran Hanley, Hugh Sheehy, Aaron Ranahan, Michael O’Shaughnessy, Danny Anglim 1-01, Tom Harty 1-00, Saul Birdthistle 1-00, Cian Somers,
Sean Greene. Subs Niall Sheehy, Paidi Sheehy, Callum Dalton, Callum Harte, Oisin O’Connor. Bradley Kelly,
Photo Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan Junior A Premier hurling team who have qualified for the County Semi final:

Weeky Club Lotto:
Winning numbers 11, 16, 18, 20. Lucky dip winners Jamie O’Sullivan, Jack Gallagher, Michael Grealish, Aidan Barret. Next weeks Jackpot €5600.