Massive Congratulations to the Kilmeena U-12 boys who won Division 2 of the County summer league this evening by beating Knockmore in the final round. This victory ensured Kilmeena maintained their unbeaten record in this competition. Kilmeena travelled with a panel of 27 lads which all got game time. Two teams were selected and both games were played in parallel on a beautiful warm evening in the impressive Knockmore grounds.
The two Captains were Adam O Grady and Conor Kelly who both played leading roles on their respective teams. Conor’s team put in a fine performance with both sides tied at the end of full time on a score line of 4 - 09 to 6 - 03. The goals were scored by Stephen O Grady, Conor Feehan, Conor Kelly and Odhran Tieran.
 Adam O Grady’s team played with slight wind advantage in the first quarter. However, the lads found it hard to get going and only for the efforts and scores of Colin Hastings they managed to keep it level scoring 0 - 03 to 1 - 00 at the end of the first quarter. Knockmore started the second quarter in blistering pace capitalising on some slopping marking in the Kilmeena defence outscoring Kilmeena by 4 - 04 to 2 - 02. The Kilmeena scores this time coming from Darragh Slattery (1-01), Jack Mulchrone (G) and Colin Hastings (1). The half time score read 2 - 05 to 5 - 04 giving Knockmore an eight point advantage.
At half time the Kilmeena lads were reminded again that the league title was at stake and references were made to the heroics of the Kilmeena U-14 team last Thursday evening where they turned around a much bigger margin. Some positional changes were made moving Jack Mulchrone into the forwards and bringing in the two resilient defenders, Donal Hastings and Rian Kilcoyne who both helped considerably in turning this game around. Rian back from his travels gave a wonderful display on how to defend with tight marking and great reading of the game. The defence now working as a solid unit kept Knockmore scoreless in the third quarter while the Kilmeena forwards started to play with scores coming from Evan O Donnell (2), Jack Mulchrone (3), Colin Hastings (1-02) and F Gibbons (1). It was unfortunate Finley Gibbons had to be substituted at the start of the second half after picking up a hand injury. Going into the final quarter the score line read 3 - 13 to 5 - 04, a 3 point advantage to Kilmeena.
With only the kick of a ball between them and with Knockmore having wind advantage the Kilmeena boys knew they had to give it their all to get the result and that is exactly what they did by outscoring Knockmore 3 - 05 to 2 - 01 in the fourth quarter leaving the final score line reading 6 - 18 to 7 - 05 in Kilmeena’s favour. Kilmeena’s scores in the final quarter came from Liam Moore (3), Colin Hastings (1-01), Jack Mulchrone (2-00) and Evan O Donnell (1).
Special mention must go to Colin Hastings with a man of the match performance. Colin touched every blade of grass on the Knockmore pitch this evening and encouraged his teammates at every opportunity scoring in each quarter with a massive personal tally of 2 - 07. Darragh Slattery excelled in the second half leading the way at midfield while Jack Mulchrone can be very satisfied with his hat-trick of goals and points.
The Kilmeena panel that were present this evening was;
 Lorcan Coady, Brian Durkan, Conor Feehan, Cormac Feehan, Sean Gallagher, Conor Gibbons, Finley Gibbons, Colin Hastings, Donal Hastings, Charlie Hughes, Conor Kelly, Rían Kilcoyne, Liam Moore, Brian Mulchrone, Gavin Mulchrone, Jack Mulchrone, Cian O Brien, Evan O Donnell, Adam O Grady, Jack O Grady, Stephen O Grady, Joseph O Malley, Darragh Slattery, Dylan Staunton, Odhran Tieran, Harry Sherdian and Keelan Corcoran.
Well done to Knockmore for two good sporting games and thanks to all the Kilmeena support that travelled to the game.

Match report; Ollie Mulchrone.

Kilmeena     6   -   18       7   -   05     Knockmore

(Images courtesy of Ollie Mulchrone)

U14 Boys Gaelic Football – West Mayo ‘B’ Final

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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https://picasaweb.google.com/116414218992329230135/6309362217995647729#6309362224353615378

(Images courtesy of Angela Campbell)

REMINDER

A bucket collection to raise vital funds for the development of the Kilmeena club takes place this Friday 8th July 9:00am to 6:00pm

A Rota has been done up and circulated to all families who have girls involved in the club. Each family has been allocated a time and a location.

We appreciate that it is summer holidays for parents & families, however in order for this event to be a success it is vital that everyone makes an effort to give one hour of their time and works to the Rota. 

If you have not received a Rota or have inadvertently been left off the Rota, please make contact with a member of the organising committee below who will allocate you a time slot.

John McDonald 087 2475733, Trish Hogan 086 8281455, 
Joan Bourke 087 6641870, Majella O'Malley 087 2037138

                                                                    U12 Girls 

                                                       Kilmeena  3 - 8  Achill  2 - 3

Kilmeena travelled to Achill this evening  to play round 7 of division 3 game, the captain for this game was Abbi McGreal who lead her team by example, winning primary possession  helped the teams confidence to grow as the game progressed.

Kilmeena won the toss and elected to play with wind in the first half, which turned out to be the correct decision as they needed to impose themselves on this game in getting a good start.

 However it took the group a little time to adjust to the conditions, but once they managed to get a few early points on the scoreboard they settled them into their rhythm and from there they built up a lead which they managed to hold throughout the game.

Emma Murray, Ashling Hoban & Grace Gibbons created and were on the end of some brilliant scores and further out the field Aibhlinn O'Flynn,  Aine Regan, Grace McNally, Holly Barrett, worked hard in driving the team on, the backs were fantastic with good close marking on the evening, they needed to be especially playing into a strong wind in the second half, notable performances here by Anna Moran, Eabha Carney, Molly Keane & Eve Flynn, well done girls.

To their credit Achill they never gave up and persisted with their plan which yielded very good scores, well done to them and thank you for a sporting and entertaining game.

Team on the evening were Ellen O Toole, Ciara Walsh, Eabha Carney,Roisin Moran,Isobelle Sammon,Molly Keane, Aisling Hoban,Grace McNally,Emma Murray,Ellen Lonergan,A Ingham, Eve Flynn, Aibhinn O'Flynn, Anna Moran,Aine Regan, Grace Gibbons, Holly Barrett & Abbi Mcgreal.

Thank you to all the parents who car pooled this evening, our next game round 8 is against Westport on this Wednesday (6th July) evening @ 7.00 pm the match venue is the Sacred Heart School pitch, car pooling from the pitch @6.10 sharp. 

Match Report: Colm Barrett