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Welcome to the
Kilmacabea Gaelic Athletic
Association club homepage. Kilmacabea is a club involved in hurling and
football and plays in the Carbery division in Cork County. Kilmacabea
is based
on the parishes of Kilmacabea and Kilfaughnabeg. This is centred on the
villages of Leap, Glandore and Connagh in West Cork and stretches from
Derryleigh Bridge in the West to Connagh in the East and from the coast
in the
South almost to Drinagh in the North. The area is approx. 45 miles from
Cork
City on the N-71 between Clonakilty and Skibbereen. Kilmacabea has been
translated as the Church of
the Maccabees. The club competes in the Carbery Division of
County Cork, which has a very strong tradition in football.
This
website is intended to be of interest to
all who are interested in the affairs of Kilmacabea GAA club. It is
hoped it
will be especially useful to those who are no longer living locally.
There is
much work to be done to develop the history of the club and all items
that
would assist with that would be most welcome. The club is
for the people and the club
welcomes any contact from past members. Hoping that you find this of
interest.
Weekly
Notes :
If
Kilmacs were lucky to win the week before, they were lucky to draw in
last
Sundays Junior Football Championship game against Gabriel Rangers,
which was
played in O Donovan Rossa Park, in the heat of early afternoon. Despite
a very
lively start, they had only two points on the board at the end of the
first
quarter. Gabriels playing more direct football dominated most of the
remainder
of the first half scoring four points from play and putting two frees
over. As
we moved into time added on Kilmacabea snatched two very valuable
points, one
from a free, to retire just two minor scores down.
The western men opened the
second half with another point from play. For the remainder of the
third
quarter five points were scored from placed balls, one for Gabriels and
four
for Kilmacs all by John O Driscoll including one from a penalty rebound
which
had rocketed back off the crossbar. With the sides now deadlocked, the
scene
was set for an exciting last quarter, another point each from play,
could
anybody break the deadlock? With a couple of minutes left Gabriels went
one
clear again. Kilmacs saw two chances to equalise drift just wide. Then
in
injury time substitute defender Diarmaid O Donovan cut through and
coolly
slotted over, but the drama wasn’t over. Gabriels were denied a winner
by the
upright so these two teams who have already met in the first round must
meet
again to decide who fills the coveted fourth slot in the semi-finals.
Fixtures:
Junior 1 championship versus Gabriel Rangers on the 26/07/08 in
Skibbereen at 7.30pm.
Latest
News
24/06/08
The U14 hurlers played St Colms in
the final of the championship in
Dunmanway. Making light of difficult
weather conditions the team took the game to their opponents from the
off and
were ahead after the first quarter. Colms came back into it for the
second
quarter with some fine long range free taking and the score was 3-3 to
1-6 in
favour of the Kilmacs at halftime. Raising their game after halt time
the
Kilmacs went on to dominate the second half even if they didn’t reflect
it on
the score board and were winners on the score 4-7 to 2-6. All the
players can
feel proud of their contributions to a fine team effort but especially
prominent were Niall Hayes, Liam Cahalane, Liam Thompson, Martin
Collins,
Richie O’Sullivan, Diarmaid O’Callaghan and Oisin O’Sullivan. The
outstanding
individual player, who was everywhere and superb in everything he did,
was
captain Eamon O’Sullivan who was presented with
the Fintan O’Callaghan Memorial cup by Fintan’s
parents. Team
Diarmaid O’Callaghan, Liam O’Driscoll, Oisin O’Sullivan, Stephen
Crowley, Eamon
O’Sullivan, Richie O’Sullivan, Martin Collins(0-4), Liam Cahalane(0-1),
Declan
O’Sullivan(1-0), Niall Hayes(0-2), Liam Thompson(1-0), Denny
Hayes(1-0), Eoin
Collins, David O’Donovan(1-0), Kevin O’Donovan, Odhran Connolly, Emma
O’Callaghan, Matthew O’Neill, Jonathon O’Regan. Well done to all who
worked
with the preparation of the team.

U14 Hurllers that won the west Cork Championship
12/04/08
Could the replay possibly match the
drawn game, for entertainment, excitement
and quality of football, was the question being asked last week about
the Under
21 B Football Final. Well it did and it was even better. The clerk of
the
weather played a part by providing an almost perfect evening for
football, in
the fine Rosscarbery venue. Both teams gave it their all again in the
same
positive sporting manner. While a few yellow cards were issued, they
were very
much of a technical nature. St James’s were thoroughly disappointed no
doubt by
the narrow defeat but they can take a lot of positives from their
campaign and
this fine bunch of players must have a bright future. Kilmacabea Club
wishes
them well. Both clubs have a lot in common at many levels.
For Kilmacs this was a very heart
warming victory. Almost half of last year’s
team had moved on. The new players joining the panel had never won
anything
under age, until they captured the 2007 Non Exam Minor League Title.
Most of
the panel had a taste of success last year for the first time and it
whetted
their appetites for more. They honed the traditional skills of the game
and
played for each other as a team. Daniel O Donovan, clearly much
improved after
his recent injury, had us two points up by the fourth minute. However
the
Ardfield men got a bit of a grip around the centre and were three
points clear
by the 20th minute. Were we going to be overrun this time?
The
selectors made a few positional switches up front involving Daniel,
John O
Driscoll and Coleman O Riordan which steadied the ship and four more
points to
two from James’s narrowed the gap to one at the break.
The
second half lived up to everything these two teams had produced so far.
The quality of the exchanges and the closeness of the scores had
everybody
on tenterhooks. Only twice was there more than the minimum between the
sides.
To the delight of Kilmacs and the dismay of Ardfield, one of those was
at the
final whistle, when the score was 0-12 to 0-10. Ruairi Hourihane did
Trojan
work around the centre of the field. His partner Kevin O Sullivan
should be
very happy also with his contribution. Clive Sweetnam’s work rate at
centre
back was very significant and he went forward for two great points from
play
which proved to be the difference in the end. Sam O Driscoll was solid
as ever
at full back. What he lacks in stature he makes up for in skill,
courage and
ability to read situations. Mark Jennings and Stephen Calnan completed
a very
effective last line of defence and gave great cover to Colin McCarthy
in goal;
he wasn’t tested as severely this time as he had been in the earlier
games. His
reading of the game and great kick outs were very important in a game
where
every ball counted. On the wing Thomas French was his usual lively
self, ever
ready to drive forward and link up with the attack and Jonathan Hill
policed
his opposite number very effectively for the hour. John O Driscoll at
centre
forward won some great ball especially in the second half. Richard Jennings, Timothy Nyhan, Coleman
O Riordan and Andrew O Callaghan hero of the drawn game all worked very
hard in
attack. Daniel O Donovan, who was held scoreless in the drawn game,
notched 10
points (6 from frees) matching the opposition’s total. What more needs
be said.
Connor O Callaghan came on as sub late in the game. Tom Collins,
Patrick O
Driscoll and Joseph O Callaghan all played their part during the
campaign. The
shrewd management of Mick O Donovan and his co- selectors Dan Hourihane
and
John Keohane meant it was in fact a twenty two man effort. All of them
can take
immense pride in this success.
Kieran O Sullivan was present for
the presentation of the magnificent trophy
commemorating his late parents as was Teresa Cadogan representing the
sponsors
Clona Milk. Captain Ruairi’s acceptance speech was the most emotional
this
writer has heard in over twenty years involved with the club. The
graciousness
of the St. James’s camp in defeat was exemplary and when Ruairi called
for
three cheers for them, he got a very genuine response. See below for
some images of the lads celebrating.


09/03/08
The
first competitive game was played on
the redeveloped full size pitch when the U-16 footballers took on
Gabriel Og in
their first game of the season on Sunday morning 9th March.
It was a
fine day for what turned out to be a very entertaining game. Due to
other
commitments it was a struggle to get a full party but the younger lads
who took
to the field certainly did not let the side down. Gabriels had already
a game
under their belt and it showed as they were much faster and combining
better.
This was reflected on the scoreboard with Gabriels going in at half
time
comfortably ahead on the score of 2-8 to 1-3. With Gabriels getting
another
goal on the restart it could easily have become
a white wash on the scoreboard. Instead with a few
positional
switches and a huge work rate from the men around the middle, Joseph
Collins,
John O’Sullivan, Sean O’Regan and Thomas Jennings the Kilmacs raised
their game
and by the 24th minute of the half had took the lead. From
here to
the whistle the game swung from end to end and even though victory went
to
Gabriels on the score of 6-10 to 5-8 there was a lot of pluses to be
taken from
the game especially the attitude and effort of all. Team –Niall Hayes,
Finnán
Tobin, Eoin O’Neill, Padraig McCarthy, Thomas Jennings(1-0), Richie
O’Sullivan,
Joseph Collins(1-2), Sean O’Regan(0-1), Declan O’Sullivan, John
O’Sullivan(0-4), Padraig French, Padraig Burke(1-1), Tommy Hayes(2-0)

Back
(Left to
Right)Padraig Burke,John Collins, Eoin O'Neill, John O'Sullivan, Tommy
Hayes,
Sean O'Regan, Padraig French
Front (Left to right) Padraig McCarthy, Thomas Jennings, Declan
O'Sullivan,
Richie O'Sullivan, Niall Hayes, Finnán Tobin

Some images from the game.
09/02/08
It may have seemed like
two
for the price of one, as Kilmacabea GAA celebrated their victories of
2006 and
2007 playing seasons, at their club Dinner Dance in the West Cork Hotel
on
Saturday night the 9th February but in fact all seven finals
were
played during the calender year 2007. It must have been unique
achievement for
the club to have successes in two seasons in a row in both football and
hurling.
Pride of place must go to the
small but enthusiastic panel of hurlers and their dedicated mentors,
led by
T.J. Collins, who are fostering the ancient game of the Gaels in what
would be
seen as traditional football country. The fact that they might have
campaigned
in C or D grade didn’t take in any way from the sense of achievement of
all
concerned. A few recruits from our neighbour’s territory across the
harbour
helped the cause. A little help from
your friends can be very valuable. One of those players has the
distinction of
winning Under 16 Championship medals in both football and hurling. The
football
was won with his home club Castlehaven. Medals were presented by club
Vice
President Fr. Pat O Sullivan MSC for the 2006 U.14 Hurling Championship
and the
2007 U.16 Hurling Championship, with most the player being involved in
both
victories.
Fr O Sullivan presented
plaques to the Minor Footballers who won County B 12 a side non exam
League.
They can be very proud of their achievement, it being only the third
time that
the club has ever captured a county title at any level. Next to receive
their
medals were the U.21 Footballers who clinched the B Championship in
2007,
having been narrowly defeated in the 2006 final virtually the same
group of
players. The shield which was awarded to them as Buckley Finance Team
of
the
Month of June was also on display to enhance the impressive array of
trophies
decorating the top table.

The U21
footballers displaying their 2007 trophies, the B championship and June
Team of the Month.
The final group to receive
their Celtic Crosses from Fr. Pat were the 2006 Junior 1 League
winners, again
a first for the club at this level. Sincere thanks to the 2007
Winners Bandon for the
loan of the Michael
Godley Memorial Cup to honour the occasion. Also on display was the All
Ireland
Junior 7 a side Shield won a competition hosted by St Jude’s Club in Dublin.
Cill Mhic
Abaidh add their name to an impressive spread of clubs from Cork to
Donegal
The formalities were completed
with the presentation of new individual awards to be presented annually
to Club
Members of the Year. Diarmaid O Donovan presented the Timothy O Donovan
Memorial Cup in memory of his brother, to Sam O Driscoll as Young
Player of
2007. Sam just pipped one or two other under age players in the votes
of the
members. Timothy O Donovan who lost his life in 1993 at the early age
of
fifteen had won three Under 14 Football Championship medals, a rare
enough
distinction. The evergreen Timmy O
Mahony was awarded the Player of the Year Trophy for his outstanding
defensive
displays in 2007. Did he ever have a bad year since he first pulled on
the green
and gold jersey? Finally hardworking
club honorary secretary John O
Sullivan
was presented with a plaque Club Person of the Year. His work load was
doubled
if not trebled in 2007 with all the administration involved in fund
raising and
grounds development.
The two hundred patrons
were
well looked after by the West Cork Hotel management and staff and were
entertained until the early hours of Sunday morning by John O Brien
musical
duo. Chairman Patrick Burke and M C John Keohane can be well pleased
with their
nights work.
21/10/07
The U 16 hurlers took on
Ardfield in the
championship final on Sunday 21st October in Rosscarbery.
After
getting the ideal start with a goal and a point in the first minute the
early
exchanges were even. The team were playing well within themselves and
had a
physically advantage when they received a major set back when a player
was sent
off for a clumsy challenge after 10 minutes. As they were only a point
ahead at
this stage this looked like a major blow early in the game. The next 10
minutes
were even as both sides came to grips with the situation. In the last
10
minutes of the half the Kilmacs had managed to extend their lead to 3
points
when they were dealt what appeared to be further severe blows with the
concession of two goals coming up to half time and went in down on the
score
1-5 to 3 –2. With the concession of a further point at the start of the
second
half and with Padraig Burke making a great save it looked as if it
might not be
the Kilmacs day. They were now working very hard throughout the pitch
and got
to grips with the numbers disadvantage and were creating opportunities
but not
taking them. They got the break they needed when Colin McCarthy(1-1)
got a goal
in the 4th minute. This lifted the team and with the effort
of every
player they increased the tempo and eventually regained the lead mid
way thro
the half. From here to the end it was close but the Kilmacs were on top
possession wise but again were not reflecting it on the score board. It
was nip
and tuck to the end but in the last minute as in the first John
O’Sullivan(2-3)
split the defence to goal and to copper fasten a deserved victory. The
final
score was 3-10 to 3-6. As well as those already mentioned Joseph
Collins((0-5)
and Michael Dineen were the power house at midfield, Richard(0-1) and
Thomas
Jennings were very lively, Sean O’Regan, Eoghan O’Neill and Liam
Cahalane were
on top of their game in defence. Other panel members were Kevin Hayes,
Padraig
McCarthy, Liam Thompson, Tommy Hayes.

Billy
Creedon Chairman of the West Cork Board presenting the cup to Colin
McCarthy
captain of the Kilmacabea U16 hurlers after they defeated Ardfield 3 –
10 to 3-
6 in the West Cork final on Sunday 21/10/07 in Rosscarbery.

Back Left
To Right - Sean O’Regan, Kevin Hayes, Padraig Burke, Michael Dineen,
Joseph
Collins, Conor O’Callaghan, Tommy Hayes, Eoghan O’Neill,
Front L-R
Liam Cahalane, Thomas Jennings, Colin McCarthy, John O’Sullivan, Liam
Thompson,
Richard Jennings, Padraig McCarthy.
20/10/07
Some photos of their visit to Leap
to play Kilmacabea U16 footballers were contributed by Tir Chonaill
Gaels of London for the Kilmacabea GAA website, along with the
following message;
"All at Tir Chonaill Gaels would like to sincerely thank you for your
hospitality, our lads had a great weekend and a fantastic game against
the Kilmacabea lads. It was good to see all the players from both teams
after in the Leap Inn.
Once again,
Many Thanks,
Karen Williamson".

(L to R) James McFadden, John Collins and Rick Williamson
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(L to R) James McFadden
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The 2007 Tir Chonaill Gaels panel
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The Kilmacabea and Tir Chonaill Gaels panels of 2007
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(L to R) James McFadden, John Collins and Rick Williamson
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(L to R) William Williamson, John Collins and Rick Williamson |
27/07/07
An award
ceremony for the U21 footballers, who were named June Carbery team of
the month,
was held in The Leap Inn on Friday 27th July. The award was
presented by Buckley Financial Services of Dunmanway. The Under 21
footballers
had a fantastic year winning the West Cork
‘B’ Championship. The team defeated
Ballinscarthy 1-12 to 2-04 in the first round, Barryroe 2-17 to1-05 in
the
quarter final, Muintir Bhaire 3-09 to 0-12 in the semi-final and
Caheragh 1-13
to 0-10 in the final to gain the title. This small panel of 19 players,
along
with mentors Dan Hourihane, John Keohane and Michael O’Donovan, have
been
together from underage. They have experienced great success along with
some disappointment
along the way. This championship and honour of June Carbery team of the
month
was a just reward for their efforts over the years.
Below
is a photo of the Under 21 panel, mentors
and Mr. Timmy Buckley of Buckley Financial Services, along with the
Under 21 West Cork championship trophy and the team of
the month award. For more pictures from the night please click here.

Back row (L to R): Daniel O’Donovan, Kevin
O’Sullivan, Michael O’Donovan,
Niall McCarthy, Ruairi Hourihane, James Calnan
and Timothy Nyhan.
Middle row (L to R): Clive Sweetnam, Sean
O’Regan, Mark Jennings, Brian O’Sullivan,
Thomas French, Barry Ronan,
Brian O’ Donovan and Mick O’Donovan.
Front
row (L
to R): John
Keohane, Dan Hourihane, Timothy O’Donovan, Timmy Buckley,
Ciaran O’Donovan, John O’Driscoll, Sam O’Driscoll and Ger O’Donovan.

(L
to R) Mick
O’Donovan, Timmy Buckley, Dan Hourihane and John Keohane.
27/06/07
The minor non-exam team
continued the
clubs good week when they took on Bishopstown in Ahiohill on Wednesday 27-6-07 in the final. Bishopstown started in a hurry and showing
great
skill looked a team of all talents and was completely on top from the
start one
of the turning points of the game came in the first minute. Bishopstown
were
awarded a harsh penalty but Joseph Collins produced a superb save to
keep the
sheet clean. Bishopstown continued to dominate possession for the next
10minutses but kicked some good scoring chances wide and the Kilmac's
were
doing well to be behind 0-1 to 0-2 after 11 minutes when a second
turning point
came. Again Bishopstown cut through the Kilmac defence but were denied
by
another outstanding save from Joseph Collins. From this the team seemed
to lift
themselves all round the field. The defenders were now on top of their
game and
the Kilmac's were winning possession. In possession they were moving
the ball
excellently and were now creating and scoring and playing superb
football
throughout the pitch. Ball was played accurately from defence to attack
and
converted to the extent that the Kilmac's were 0-7 to 0-3 ahead coming
up to
the halftime whistle when a third crucial moment came. After another attack Mark
Jennings strike for a point deceived the Bishopstown goal keeper and looped
into the
corner of the goal so that the Kilmac’s went in ahead on the score 1-7
to 0-3.
Coming out at the start of the second half they continued where they
left off
and extended their lead by 2 points. Bishopstown were always dangerous
and they
broke through for a goal after 5 minutes. The Kilmac's were still
winning
possession but now unlike the first half they were giving away
possession
easily and started to look nervous and were now amassing the wides.
Being able
to bring on a player of Kevin O’Sullivans ability after 15 minutes when
the gap
was down to 5 points was a big boost and the Kilmac’s were able to
weather the
pressure and went on to win on the score
of 1-11 to 1-4. This was a all round superb performance. Joseph’s saves
were
crucial in keeping the Kilmac’s in the game early on. Captain Sam
O’Drsicoll
produced his usual dynamic performance leading from the front and
winning ball
he had no right to and Stephen Calnan was rock solid beside him. Clive
Sweetnam
was a giant at center back driving the team forward scoring (1-1)and
got great
support from Jon Hill and Thomas Jennings who once they settled,
mastered their
dangerous opponents. Brendan McCarthy(0-1) was effective in getting
through a
huge amount of work at midfield. The attack with Colin McCarthy leading
the
scoring with 6 points from play and frees, Mark Jennings(0-1), Timothy
Nyhan
(0-2), Andrew O’Callaghan and Sean O’Regan were superb
as a unit with excellent passing and movement and
running off the
ball and created and scored some excellent points. John O’Sullivan was
an
effective sub and Padraig Burke, Richard Jennings, Joseph O’Callaghan
and
Colman O’Riordan were also part of the panel. This was a fine game of
football
played in the right spirit throughout by both teams and was a pleasure
to
watch. Bishopstown had very skilful and dangerous players but the saves
by
Joseph and the all round effectiveness of the defensive work must have
been
soul destroying.
This
group of Kilmacabea players have worked as
hard as any team with
little success over the years but they have never faltered and it is a
credit
to their own determination as well as their ability that they have
succeeded.
Well done to what the mentors Sean Tobin and Michael Gore with help
from Johnny
O’Sullivan have achieved with this group.

Back
row (left to right): Sean
O'Regan(Dunscullib), Clive Sweetnam(Killinga), Mark Jennings(Gortroe),
John
O'Sullivan(Clounties), Conor O'Callaghan(Maultrahane), Joseph
Collins(Kilmacabea), Kevin O'Sullivan(Dromillihy), Brendan McCarthy(The
Mall),
Andrew O'Callaghan(Barleyhill), Johnaton Hill(The Mall), Stephen
Calnan(Dromillihy), Timothy Nyhan(Gortroe), Sean Tobin (Selector)
Front row: Richard Jennings(Gortroe), Thomas Jennings(Gortroe), Sam
O'Driscoll(Captain), Colin McCarthy(Aughatubber), Padraig
Burke(Maultrahane),
Joseph O'Callaghan(Dungannon) Missing Colman O'Riordan(Gortnadihy)
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