Match report; Michael O'Grady

Kilmeena      4  -  7       7  -  11      Achill

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Kilmeena V Achill Boys U14 B C/Ship

Match report; Michael O'Grady.

Kilmeena       5   -  07 (22)           6  -  06 (24)      Ardnaree

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Kilmeena V Ardnaree U14 Boys C C/Ship Semi-Final

Thursday, 8th June, 2017

Kilmeena vs Kiltimagh

With a win at home last week over Erris St Pat’s,  Kilmeena travelled to the mid-Mayo town looking for a result, that would book them a semi-final  spot in the U14C Championship.

Playing a ‘13 aside’ game, Kilmeena were first out of the blocks, with a goal from Evan O’Donnell. Shortly after, Kiltimagh responded with a point. In a generally competitive first half, both teams exchanged points, with the pick of those for Kilmeena being a long range point from Cillian O’Grady. Both teams created but squandered chances in the opening 30 minutes, with Kilmeena being the guiltier party here. Then somewhat against the run of play, Kiltimagh worked a good passage of play which resulted in a goal for the hosts. Kilmeena responded with a point to leave it 1 – 5 to 1 – 3, in favour of the visitors at the small whistle.

After the interval, Kilmeena hit the ground running, with Ciaran Kilcoyne scoring the first point of the second half. Following some minor positional changes, Kilmeena began to dominate play, gaining the vital possessions and making the runs at the Kiltimagh defence. And it wasn’t long before their efforts began to pay off – a foul on Cillian O’Grady inside the square and a penalty. Up stepped Chris McGlynn; who beat the keeper with a shot into the corner.

From here to the final whistle, Kilmeena took control; with goals from Ciaran Kilcoyne, Sean Prenty, Jack Walsh and Chris McGlynn.

As Kilmeena took the foot off the gas, Kiltimagh made some inroads into the otherwise solid Kilmeena defence (Ben Lennon & Harry Sheridan in the full-back line and at half back Colin Hastings, Oisin Grimley and Darragh Slattery); to score a late goal and a brace of points.

In the end, Kilmeena were convincing winners and have booked a semi-final spot, in a match scheduled to be played in two weeks time.

The panel present this evening comprised of the following:

Darragh Slattery, Ben Lennon, Harry Sheridan, Adam O’Grady, Colin Hastings, Chris McGlynn (Capt.), Liam Moore, Sean Prenty, Oisin Grimley, Ciaran Kilcoyne, Cillian O’Grady, Brian Durkan, Evan O’Donnell, Daniel O’Malley, Gavin Mulchrone, Sean Gallagher, Cian O’Brien, Lorcan Caody, Jack Walsh, Tadgh Costello.

Well Done Lads……

Final Score:   Kilmeena; 7 - 9,    Kiltimagh; 2 - 6

Match report: Michael O'Grady

Thursday, 14th July, 2016.

St Patrick’s GAA Park, Westport was the venue for this West Mayo B Final, between Kilmeena and Ballintubber.

Throw-in was set for 8pm and as is typical for the West of Ireland in mid-July (otherwise referred to as summer-time…….), the weather was overcast with light rain and drizzle.

However, not even the weather could detract from the spectacle that unfolded over the next hour and a quarter, in front of the large contingent of supporters present, for both teams. The (GAA) slogan says ‘To Be There…..’ and yes, to appreciate the wildly fluctuating fortunes of each team during the hour long contest, you just had ‘to be there……’

As soon as Mel Kenny threw the ball in (8.10pm), the game took on a blistering pace. Kilmeena dominated the first 10 minutes, scoring 1 – 2 to a goal for Ballintubber.

However, Ballintubber steadied the ship, started wining primary possession and the lion’s share of breaking ball, which allowed them to run at Kilmeena and score at will. Whilst Kilmeena battled on and scored some hard earned points, the Ballintubber dominance continued for the remainder of the first half; a period in which they put a further 5 goals in the back of the Kilmeena net.

The Ref blew for half time and with a scoreline of 6 – 5 to 1 – 7 in favour of Ballintubber, it looked like ‘game over’, with Kilmeena resigned to play out the remainder of this contest ‘for pride of the jersey’…………. As the Kilmeena lads headed to the dugout (on the opposite side to the stand), the Ballintubber lads (with a pep in their step…….) headed to the comforts of the dressing rooms. Perhaps (in hindsight) this was a defining moment – who knows….??? 

What I do know is that every Kilmeena player and squad member present at that sideline dugout resolved to go back out onto the pitch and play to their potential - as we (management) knew they could…………..

Right from the second half throw-in, Kilmeena got down to business, wining primary possession and breaks in the middle third and driving at Ballintubber. After ten minutes of play, Kilmeena had scored 4 points - Ballintubber had netted their 7th Goal of the game plus a point in this opening period of the second half.

However, with Kilmeena now dominating possession and driving at the opposition, the ladscould sense the change of momentum in their favour and driven on by the relentless workrate of Mikey Hastings (midfield) and the runs from wing back of Ian Murphy, feeding ball to Kian Moore (up front), the scores began to clock up – 4 Goals and two points in this 10 minute spell. The more the second half wore on the greater the intensity of the play – the gap now down to a few points with less than 10 minutes to go………… Then in one of their rare forays into Kilmeena territory in the second half, Ballintubber netted their eight goal of the game. Game over…??? Not on your life……….

Back down the pitch and another superb point from Kilmeena. From the Ballintubber kickouts, Kilmeena won possession again and again and drove on scoring another goal (5th of evening) and 3 points. In between Ballintubber responded with points. The contest was frantic…….

With time almost up and the contest tied (although nobody quite knew the exact tally at this juncture…………) Chris McGlynn (now operating in the forwards) won possession and kicked a fine point – and ultimately the wining point.

The final whistle and everyone wondered…………..who the victor was. Mel Kenny (Ref) requested a few minutes to double check his scoresheet and the result………………………

Kilmeena: 5 – 18 (33 points)                      Ballintubber: 8 – 8 (32 points)

The celebrations began……………………

As Managers/Coaches to this bunch of young men, we (Padraig Moore, Michael O’Grady and James Prenty) would like to take this opportunity to say that we are very proud of what the lads have achieved over the past 5 months, culminating in this fantastic victory – West Mayo U14 B Title. 

These lads have been a pleasure to work with – skilful, determined, and committed, a hard-working bunch and full of character.

What they have achieved is a just reward for all their efforts and what they have learned will serve them well in their future sporting and personal lives.

Well Done……….

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(Images courtesy of Angela Campbell)

Mayo Gaels registered the game’s first score, with a point from open play. Playing against a stiff wind, Kilmeena responded emphatically with goals from Chris McNally, Sean Costello and Robbie Staunton giving a scoreline of 3 goals to one point in Kilmeena’s favour at the quarter hour. Once they overcame Kilmeena’s first fifteen minutes of dominance, Mayo Gaels settled into the game and with a strong wind on their backs, they posted 5 points on the trot. Kilmeena continued to press and their efforts were rewarded with a fourth goal – scored by Chris McNally. Mayo Gaels then replied with a goal at the other end. A point a piece from each team tied up the scoreline at 4 – 1 to 2 - 7 at half time.

Throughout the second half the pendulum swung back and forth; finally resting in Kilmeena’s favour at the big whistle. 

It all re-started with Mayo Gaels (now playing into the wind), posting a goal and a point. Kilmeena responded with 4 points from play. Back came the Gaels again with another goal and a point, giving them a 4 point advantage going into the final 5 minutes. A couple of positional changes, coupled with great player determination (a little verbal encouragement from the sideline…….!!) and a will to win, produced a blistering finish from Kilmeena; yielding 2 goals -by Kian Moore – and 3 points (including two great efforts by Chris McGlynn) to swing the contest in Kilmeena’s favour.

Results of the other games in Division 1B means that Kilmeena will just miss out on a semi-final spot.

However, this was as good a finish as we could have asked for.

Well done to all the lads – who can now look forward to the championship

Match report; Michael O'Grady

Kilmeena      6   -   8         4   –   10      Mayo Gaels

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(Images courtesy of Colm Barrett)

The pre match form guide suggested that Ballaghaderreen were the team to beat and in rising to the challenge, the Kilmeena lads played their best football of this league campaign

Kilmeena (aided by a slight breeze), dominated matters for the first quarter of an hour, so much so that Ballaghaderreen failed to get out of their own half of the pitch; whilst Kilmeena  posted 1 – 5, without reply. The goal scorer, Kian Moore (operating at midfield in place of the injured Ronan O’Donnell) was pulling the strings for Kilmeena.

Ballaghaderreen slowly found their rhythm and pointed a couple of frees to make it 1 – 5 to 0 – 2 after 20 minutes of play.  Kilmeena continued to press hard and but for a few handling errors should have notched a few more scores in the second quarter.  However, it was Ballaghaderreen who finished the half strongest, scoring 1 – 1 from play (and but for some good shot stopping by the Kilmeena Goalie – Cathal Cawley, it could have been more!!) in the final few minutes, to leave it 1 – 5 to 1 – 3 in Kilmeena’s favour at the small whistle.

The second half was equally as competitive with Ballaghaderreen coming out strongly in the first few minutes, scoring a goal and a couple of points. Kilmeena then upped the tempo and pinned Ballaghaderreen back into their own half for another spell; with Chris McNally blasting a goal into the Ballaghaderreen net and Ian Murphy posting some fantastic points. All this left Kilmeena with a 3 point advantage going into the final 10 minutes. 

However, it was Ballaghaderreen who finished stronger, outscoring Kilmeena by 2 -5 to 1 – 1, in the final 10 minute period - Mark Hastings scoring Kilmeena’s third goal of the evening. 

A competitive and enjoyable encounter and one in which Kilmeena gave it their all. Well done to all the lads.

Match report; Michael O'Grady

Kilmeena     3   -   9        4   -   -10      Ballaghaderreen

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(Unfortunately, due to a corrupted SD card there are no images available for the first half of the match, including team pictures. Some action shots salvaged from the second half. The equivalent of "no film in the camera". The volatility of modern technology... Apologies to all).

Playing with the wind, Kilmeena started brightly and were 5 points to no score, after 10 minutes. Ballintubber gradually got into the game, posting a couple points, to open their account. However, Kilmeena responded with a few well taken points and a goal from Chris McNally before Ballintubber pounced late in the first half, to grab 2 goals and a point. Having dominated much of the possession in the first half, Kilmeena only held a 3-point advantage at the small whistle; on a scoreline of 1 -9 to 2 – 3.

Playing against the elements and with the subs bench already depleted through minor injuries, the second half was always going to be a challenge.

However, Kilmeena started the second period brightly; with Chris McNally getting his second major of the evening, within the first few minutes of the restart. Both teams pressed hard for the next quarter hour, with Ballintubber edging closer to leave the sides level going into the final quarter.

At this critical juncture of the game, Kilmeena lost its midfield ball winner and runner (Kian Moore) after he sustained a heavy knock to the head. This unfortunate event, combined with an increased headwind (and sleet shower…yes, I know it’s nearly May day…!!) and the aforementioned depleted subs bench, resulted in a serious dip in Kilmeena’s form. Ballintubber capitalised and added 1 -5 without reply, to seal it, at the final whistle.

Try as the lads did, perhaps this is one that just got away from us…………..

Match report; Michael O'Grady

Kilmeena     2   -   11        5   -   10     Ballintubber

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Match report; Michael O'Grady

Kilmeena     10   -   7      2   -   8     Kiltimagh

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Match report; Michael O'Grady

Kilmeena     2   -   6         8   -   13     Moy Davitts

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