Club Notes 12-03-2020
There was great relief from both players and supporters last Saturday afternoon in Ahiohill, as the U21’s managed to salvage a draw in their 2nd round Championship encounter with Ahan Gaels. With a gale force wind blowing straight across the field and a deluge of rain falling, it was only right and sensible as the referee informed both teams that extra time would not be played due to the deteriorating conditions.
As the players left the playing field, both sets of supporters applauded the efforts of their teams on a day that not even ducks would have enjoyed. Playing against the elements in the opening half, the Kilmacs were finding it extremely difficult to retain possession and progress up the field. A number of handling errors led to the Ballineen/Castletownkenneigh boys opening up a 3 point advantage before a defensive mistake was punished as the ball was scrambled into the back of the Kilmac net. The team eventually got off the mark, when a 25th minute free from Damien Gore cut the gap to 5 points, before one final Ahan point left the half time score Kilmacabea 0-1 Ahan Gaels 1-4.
Turning to play with the elements, it was the Kilmacs who upped the work-rate and began dominating possession. Two quick free’s from the boot of Ian Jennings had the deficit cut to 4 points with 20 minutes to go. While the Kilmacs dominated the ball, their shot selection and passing was letting them down in the final third. A long delivery into the Ahan square saw an almighty scramble, which eventually saw the ball worked out to full forward Keith Whelton who converted to leave until the goal between the sides. Ahan, at this stage were being to gain some dominance around the middle third, but some resolute defending from Ellis Wilson, Myles Tobin, and the rest of the defensive unit kept them scoreless. Then the decisive score of the game, Ian Jennings won a great ball around the middle of the field and drove at the Ahan defence and sending a speculative shot towards goal, the ball dipped in over the Ahan keepers head and into the net.
The Kilmacs, having drawn level had one last chance to win the game, but Ian Jennings free just went wide of the post and soon after the referee blew the final whistle.
This game will now need to be replayed but no date and time has been fixed at the time of writing.
On Sunday morning the Junior C Footballers played their first league game of the season and were unfortunately beaten by a stronger O Donovan Rossa on the day, but 0-7 to 1-12.
Fixtures for the coming week: Minor Football League Division 3 v Urhan in Eyeries on Sunday 15th at 4pm. Junior Football League Division 1 v Kilmeen in Rossmore on Sunday 15th at 3pm.
