Kilmacabea GAA

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.

The minor footballers took on Kilbrittain in the county final on Saturday 15/11/08 in Enniskeane and their outstanding effort deserved a better reward than a one point defeat which was to be the heartbreaking outcome. The day was dry but conditions underfoot were slippery. Playing into the stiff wind in the first half the Kilmacs were slow to settle and were punished by a razor sharp Kilbrittain side who were winning the battles throughout the field. The Kilmacs were rocked by the concession of a goal on the 18^th minute and by the 20^th minute were eight points down and struggling. Few if any would have given them a chance at this stage and they would have been forgiven for capitulating. As so often with this team their fantastic spirit comes through and so it proved again. With a few positional switches they began to drag themselves back into the game and had reduced the gap at half time to a more manageable 6 points on the score Kilmacabea 0-4 Kilbrittain 1-7. Coming out for the second half they made a truly magnificent effort and hauled the game back with some fine play based on a true team effort. They closed the gap to a single point, missing some glorious goal chances on the way but time ran out on them, losing on the score 0-10 to 1-8. While this was a frustrating and heartbreaking defeat the players should put that behind them and be proud of their outstanding performance on the day and during the year. At the start of the year they had no ambitions of this level and they can feel proud of their achievements and the pleasure they gave to their followers with their undoubted ability. Well done to all involved. Team Padraig Burke, Joseph O’Callaghan, Thomas Jennings, John O’Sullivan, Stephen Calnan, Colman O’Riordan, Joseph Collins, Colin McCarthy(0-6), Timothy Nyhan(0-1), Andrew O’Callaghan(0-2), Richard Jennings(0-1), Padraig McCarthy, Padraig French, Conor O’Callaghan, Tom Collins, Sean O’Regan, Eoin O’Neill.   

On Sunday afternoon last Kilmacabea’s second junior football team had home advantage in their 3^rd round championship game against Randal Ogs. Conditions were quite good for the time of the year. Two early points from play by experienced full forward Noel Crowley sandwiched a pointed free for Randals, who added a well taken goal after 10 minutes. A few minutes later Paul Tobin, who had a very lively game, beat the visitors’ goalkeeper to fist a dropping ball to the net, restoring Kilmacs lead. Two well taken points by Noel Crowley and Timothy Nyhan stretched the home lead to 3 points. A pointed free by James O Donovan and a like score for Randals, completed the action of an entertaining 1^st half.

On resumption Randals quickly had the ball in the net to level the game again. Another point from a free by James O Donovan was cancelled by a Randals free. Timothy Nyhan again edged the home side into the lead with a point from play. Two more points from James (one free) were matched by similar scores from Randals who were now giving everything for the cause, with time running out. Could Kilmacs hold on to their slender lead? A low ball across in front of the goal was deftly controlled on the ground and finished into the corner of the net by Kevin McCarthy, who had come on as a sub for Barry Glavin (injured) before half time. Randals added a point from play, leaving the final score Kilmacabea 2-9, Randal Ogs 2-6.          

A talk on the history of GAA in Carbery will be given by Mr Tom Lyons in the West Cork Hotel on Wedensday next at 8.30pm. It should be very interesting to all West Cork Gaels. 

Fixtures for the week : -

Minor hurling league s/final vs. Western Gaels.

Sunday 23/11/08 Junior B Football championship vs. Kilmeen in Leap.

U14 football league final vs. Urhan

As these fixtures are liable to change check locally for details prior to travelling.

    02/11/08

On Sunday morning 2^nd November the U12 footballers took on Pedlars in the final of the league in Ardfield. Again the conditions were good and the pitch was in excellent condition. In the first half the Kilmacs played second best to Pedlars who were flying and were on top throughout the pitch. Even though one of the goals was of the soft variety, the Kilmacs could have no complaints going in at half time, 8 points down on the score of Kilmacabea 0-4  Pedlars 2-6. Little did the crowd expect the turnaround that took place after half time and it was as if a different team took to the pitch. Taking over completely, they proceeded to cancel the deficit to the extent that they were 7 points up with minutes to go. While Pedlars did make a nervous finish with 2 goals in the final minutes  the Kilmacs held on for a deserved victory on the score 1-16 to 4-6. Each and everyone of the players can take pride in their performance and the way they played the game and what it meant could be seen in their joy at the end. Team – Matthew O’Neill, Shane O’Neill, Darren Whooley, Daniel O’Sullivan, Odhran Connolly, Aishling Cahalane, Euan Tobin(0-1), Martin Collins(0-1), Eoin O’Sullivan, Diarmaid O’Callaghan(0-12)(Captain), Kevin Whooley(1-1), Aidan Williamson, Sean French, Damian Gore(0-1), Tiernan Kerrisk, Ciaran French.

Kilmacabea U12 footballers after winning the League final against Pedlars on the score 1- 16 to 4-6 on Sunday 2/11/08 in Ardfield.

Back row Euan Tobin, Shane O’Neill, Aishling Chalane, Martin Collins, Diarmaid O’Callaghan, Odhran Connolly, Kevin Whooley, Aidan Williamson.

Front Damian Gore, Darren Whooley, Ciáran French, Matthew O’Neill, Tiernan Kerrisk, Sean French, Daniel O’Sullivan, Eoin O’Sullivan.

Tim John Donoghue congratulating captain Diarmaid O' Callaghan
after his man of the match performance

    07/09/08      St. Fachtnas win west cork minor Championship

The combination of Kilmacabea and Carbery Rangers  as St Fachtnas may not have been a marriage made in heaven but it has certainly proved a successful union after contesting the West Cork minor hurling final against St. James at Ahiohill on Sunday 7^th September. The early exchanges were even with scores being exchanged and there was little between the sides. Towards the end of the first half St. Fachtnas were able to use their physical advantage and with some good use of the ball and space were able to create openings and with 3 chances being converted into goals they had a firm grip of the game at half time on the score 3 –10 to 0 –7. St. James made a determined effort in the second half and did close the gap  but St. Fachtnas always had enough in reserve to hold out for a historic victory on the score 4-16 to 2-16. All the players showed that they have listened to their mentors in developing the skills of the game. Padraig Burke was very reliable in goal. Colin McCarthy and Mike Walsh were a good last line of defence and were impenetrable all through. The half line of Eoin Kelly, Stephen Calnan and Paudie Hodnett were very strong with some great surging runs to set up attacks. Joseph Collins(0-3) got through a huge amount of work around the middle. Timothy Nyhan(1-0) used his size to advantage and he had two very able and skilful wing men in Conor O’Callaghan(0-1) and Sean O’Neill(0-1). The inside line were lethal with two very good finishers in John O’Sullivan(1-4) and John O’Rourke(1-6) who showed all his  ability when he moved out the field. Subs used from a plentiful supply were Padraig Donovan(of Maultrahane stock), Kieran Fitzpatrick, Padraig Hicks(1-1) vital scores, Andrew O’Callaghan and Michael Dineen. Well done to the mentors T.J. Collins and John Fitzpatrick for harnessing the resources to a cohesive unit.

The Junior Football championship semi final against champions Bandon, was played in Rosscarbery in perfect conditions
 last Friday evening. Kilmacabea started very well with three early points but were rocked by a three goal blitz to leave
 them trailing by nine points. However they steadied the ship with three good points before half time to reduce the margin
 to a more manageable but still daunting six. On resumption substitute John C. Keohane recently returned to the panel was 
called on to help the forward division allowing captain Diarmuid O Donovan drop back into his more familiar defensive role 
and Kilmacs began to dominate the exchanges. Gradually the deficit was reduced to four points. John C. knocked in a goal 
and it was anyone’s game. A well taken point levelled it. But champions don’t surrender easily and Bandon using their 
superior physical strength and greater experience of the big-time damped the Kilmacabea momentum and reclaimed the lead 
with a point and with time running out they cut through for a fourth goal to make sure of their place in the final. Kilmacs were 
left wondering what they have to do to break through, what for them has become something of a glass ceiling, of the 
semi final. What they have to do of course is keep up the good work because a lot of good work has been done by all 
concerned. The complete panel of players, the officers and especially the team manager Dan Hourihane and his fellow 
selectors Kevin McCarthy and John O Sullivan can be very proud of their efforts.          

        09/08/08

West Cork U-14 championship Triumph!!!

After much uncertainty the West Cork U-14 championship final went ahead on Saturday 9^th August in Skibbereen when the Kilmacs took on Ilen Rovers. This was a test of endurance as well as skill as the game started in a downpour which proceeded to get worse. But while conditions were extremely testing, it did not affect the standard of football played, which was top drawer. It seemed to be tougher for the spectators than the players who did not let it affect the play. The Kilmacs started with the advantage of the wind and were well on top possession wise. However, despite their dominance they were finding scores hard to come by. They got the lift needed when Liam Thompson scored a goal from a free kick in the 6^th minute and from here they pushed on. With all the team working for each other they were dominant throughout the pitch. Ilen were a skilful side, were making attacks and did create some opportunities of their own, but the Kilmacs defence was tight and coping well. Going in at half time the Kilmacs were ahead on the score of 4-5 to 1- 2.

Kilmacs started the second half as the first and but for a number of top class saves by the Ilen goalie could have stretched their lead further. The game continued as a contest and while the Kilmacs had a clear lead the Ilen were creating opportunities of their own to give their supporters some cheer. At the final whistle the Kilmacs were the winners on the score 5- 10 to 3-6 to add the football title to the hurling title won by this group in July and to celebrate a historic first double for the club. This was a powerful team performance with every player playing their part. The defence was sound and resolute, midfield dominated possession and the attack worked hard for each other and linked excellently to create their scores. The cup was presented to the joint captains Liam Cahalane and Denny Hayes by the chairman of Bord na nOg Mr Aidan O’Rourke. Thanks to Ilen Rovers for a sporting contest. Thanks to the referee Pat Fitzgerald for a job well done in difficult conditions and the O’Donovan Rossa club officials for braving the conditions. Well done to those who have worked with this group including William Williamson, Karl McCarthy, May Cahalane, Tom Hayes and John Keohane. The Team: Denny Hayes, Liam O’Driscoll, Fiona O’Sullivan, Declan O’Sullivan, Eamon O’Sullivan(2-0), Euan Tobin, Niall Hayes(2-0), Liam Cahalane, Oisin O’Sullivan(0-2), Liam Thompson(1-1), Richie O’Sullivan(0-2), Martin Collins, Diarmaid O’Callaghan(0-5), David O’Donovan Eoin Collins, Emma O’Callaghan, Thomas French, Kevin O’Donovan, Jonathon O’Regan, Aishling Cahalane.

Aidan O'Rourke, Chairman of West Cork Bord nOg presenting the cup to joint captains Denny Hayes and Liam Cahalane.

The team celebrates their victory.

        26/07/08