This is nothing to do with our adult hurlers, but rather yesterday evening a group of 30 junior and senior infants travelled over to Ballindereen and played some lovely hurling!

The evening wasnt the greatest, with a slight drizzle and wind factor, but that did not deter this bunch of hardy bucks who braved the elememts to play a series of go-games with our neighbours. Credit to the young hurlers from both clubs who gave a great display and entertained their parents and other family members.

Thanks to Pat Conole for organizing with Mark Ganly from Ballindereen. And thanks to all the parents for bringing out the kids on an evening it may have been easier to stay by the fire! 

Well worth while! 

Please note the following:

Minor Match postponed v Mullagh.

Junior B Match v Craughwell now on this evening, Cuckoo Saturday in Craughwell at 6.30pm.

U14 Match v Cappataggle goes ahead on Cuckoo Monday in Kinvara at 11.00am.

UNDER 14 B HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP

GORT 2-5, KINVARA 1-7

It took a late late winner for Gort U14 hurlers to see them take the spoils in this group match played this lovely (but windy!) evening in Faiche Padraic, Kinvara. This was Kinvara's second group match after last weeks opening win over Meelick-Eyrecourt, and they just fell short in this great tussle between two dedicated and spirited teams from two clubs whose rivally goes back a long way.

Gort started the brighter and stole an early lead with one of their earliest attacks. But it took the Kinvara side several minutes to settle into this game, and one of their first attacks was rewarded with a fine point from play from the stick of Liam Byrne. Conor O'Shea followed up with that shortly after with a superb effort from a tight angle. Kinvara were now leading 0-2 to 0-1, but it didnt take long for Gort to regain control when Brian Mullins was allowed solo through and he sent a shot to the back of the net, despite the best effort of Kinvara goalie Peter Mulleady. But Kinvara responded bravely and before the interval they tacked on four white flags, including two Liam Byrne frees, plus other two fine efforts from Conor O'Shea, inluding another from an even tighter angle than his first. Gort were now finding themselves two points behind, but reduced the gap before the break with they pointed a free.
Half-time: Kinvara 0-6, Gort 1-2.

The third quarter of this match belonged to Gort who came out at half-time with great intent. Although they hit four early wides, including a couple of good goal chances, they soon drew level from a free, and then went one up by scoring from play. The Kinvara middle sector was struggling at this stage, but they soon again found their form. More ball began to get inside to our forward line, and with 6 minutes left they won a free on the '21 towards the sideline. Conor O'Shea sent in a hard shot that was blocked, but only for Liam Byrne to pounce and strike home for a green flag under intense pressure. The score now read Kinvara 1-6, Gort 1-4. But that didnt last long. Again, Gort's Brian Mullins was allowed solo in, and he duly accepted the invite and struck home for a goal, and a one pont lead for Gort. 
Time was now running out, and after missing a couple of frees, Kinvara levelled with only two minutes remaining when Conor O'Shea pointed well from placed ball.
The match was now on a knife edge with both sides searching for the win. Up the field the ball went for Gort, and they took the opportunity to send over a point.
The match was now in injury time, and Kinvara went searching for the equaliser, but some brave efforts were only matched by some fine solid defending from Gort. So, the final whistle went for disappointment for Kinvara, while jubilation for Gort.

Well done to both sides for a sporting and entertaining match. Kinvara will have to try and bounce back on Monday morning as we welcome Cappataggle for our third game. We were a much younger side on average to Gort, but matched them in every aspect. However, there was areas that the players will know themsleves that they can each improve on. For too long in the second half, and parts of the first, did we have players that simply went missing. Something that every side will punish if we dont improve on. No better time to show improvement than Mnday morning! 

Kinvara:
Peter Mulleady, Jeff Stephens, Patrick O'Gallachoir, Seanie Cahill, Neil Huban, Keelan O'Rourke, Cathal O'Dwyer, Colm Keady-Taabal, Brendan Connolly, Gerard Linnane, Conor O'Shea 0-4 (0-1 free), Conor McGourty, Thomas Connolly, Liam Byrne 1-3 (0-2 frees), Luke Connors.
Subs: Simon Whelan for C. McGourty, J. McHugh.      

Out now!
Copies available in local shops and pubs. Please get one and bring home. Better still, we ask you to bring one for a elderly neighbour or relative, and help us pass the club news around.



CUCKOO!!!

With two championship matches to be played over the Fleadh na gCuach, our U14 hurlers will be by far the most active group in the club over the coming days.

First up is the local derby against Gort in Kinvara pitch at 5.30pm this evening, Friday. The Gort lads have already one over the Kinvara lads as they beat us earlier in the year in the Brendan Linnane Cup. That match was played in Gort, so we wll hope the locals will come out and support us this time and help give us the edge.

Following that then there is another championship match as we welcome the visit of Cappataggle to Kinvara on Monday. The time for this match has yet to be confirmed. Cappy are always a good skillful strong side so there will be nothing easy here either. They have already newn and one defeat to date, so they will be seeking a much needed victory here.

The following is the group table as it stands this morning. Remember, top three to qualify.

League table for Ocean Hygiene Supplies U-14 B Group C

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Points For	Points Against	Points Diff	Points
Sarsfields	2	2	0	0	33	14	19	4
Meelick/Eyrecourt	2	1	1	0	28	20	8	2
Kinvara	1	1	0	0	10	8	2	2
Cappataggle	2	1	1	0	22	27	-5	2
Portumna	2	0	2	0	20	32	-12	0
Gort	1	0	1	0	4	16	-12	0

Results to date:

Gort	1-1	3-7	Sarsfields	Gort	23/04/2012	18:30
Kinvara	2-4	1-5	Meelick/Eyrecourt	Kinvara	23/04/2012	18:30
Cappataggle	3-3	2-4	Portumna	Cappataggle	23/04/2012	18:30
Gort			Kinvara	Gort	04/05/2012	17:30
Cappataggle	1-7	4-5	Sarsfields	Bullaun	30/04/2012	18:30
Portumna	2-4	4-8	Meelick/Eyrecourt	Clonfert	30/04/2012	18:30

 

Kinvara minor hurlers will play their third group match in this years Pier Head Minor B Hurling Championship this coming Saturday evening in Mullagh at 6pm.
The Kinvara side will take on the home side as they seek to continue their good run of form. They now have two wins against Balindereen and Ahascragh-Fohenagh but will need the win in this match too before the break for the Leaving Cert exams. Mullagh are always a tough proposition and they will be all gunning to get a much needed win to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Remember: top four sides qualify for quarters.

Group Table as on 30th April 2012.

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Points For	Points Against	Points Diff	Points
Oranmore-Maree	2	2	0	0	49	27	22	4
Kinvara	2	2	0	0	38	22	16	4
Rahoon/Salthill	2	2	0	0	28	23	5	4
Cois Fharraighe	2	0	2	0	32	38	-6	0
Ahascragh Fohenagh	1	0	1	0	13	20	-7	0
Ballindereen	1	0	1	0	9	18	-9	0
Mullagh	2	0	2	0	18	39	-21	0

 

GROUP MATCHES SO FAR.

Oranmore-Maree	3-14	4-8	Cois Fharraighe
Rahoon/Salthill	0-13	2-5	Mullagh	Tonabrocky	09/04/2012	15:00
Ballindereen	1-6	2-12	Kinvara	Ballindereen	09/04/2012	15:00
Ahascragh Fohenagh			Ballindereen	Ahascragh	14/04/2012	19:00	Not Played
Cois Fharraighe			Mullagh	Athenry	18/04/2012	19:00	Not Played
Oranmore-Maree	3-17	0-7	Mullagh	Oranmore	22/04/2012	12:00
Cois Fharraighe	2-6	2-9	Rahoon/Salthill	Spiddal	24/04/2012	19:00
Kinvara	4-8	3-4	Ahascragh Fohenagh	Kinvara	25/04/2012	19:00
Cois Fharraighe	-	-	Mullagh	Carnmore	27/04/2012	19:00
Mullagh	-	-	Kinvara	Mullagh	05/05/2012	18:00
Ballindereen	-	-	Oranmore-Maree	Ballindereen	09/05/2012	19:00
Ahascragh Fohenagh	-	-	Rahoon/Salthill	Ahascragh	09/05/2012	19:00

 

KINVARA 0-16, ARDRAHAN 0-13

Kinvara became the first team to qualify for the group stages of this years new look County Senior Championship thanks to a solid win over neighbours Ardrahan in Kenny park this evening. Losing at half time and down by three points halfway through the second half, it took a finishing run of six unanswered points to give the seasiders the win.
This was Kinvara's first championship win in almost 24 months. During that time we have played 10 without success, but this one was worth waiting for and enables Kinvara to advance to the safety of the championship proper, and who knows what happens then.
For Ardrahan it will be disappointment. They looked in a good position in the third quarter but several missed chances in that quarter was their updoing. But they have another chance in Round 2 and no doubt will be a tough proposition for any side.

The first quarter of this match belonged to Kinvara who took an early lead of 0-6 to 0-2 after 15 minutes. Main player here for Kinvara was Damien Huban, who rolled back the years with three well taken points from centre-forward. He opened the scoring with a white flag, and although Iarla Tannian responded shortly after, Damien added his second, and then Conor Kavanagh pointed after some good build-up. Ardrahan's Johnny Glynn raised a white flag of his own, but then Kinvara hit Ardrahan for three more - Damien Huban added his third, Conor Kavanagh a second and Colm Burke popped over one.  
But if the first 15 minutes were Kinvara's, there is no doubt that the next 15 belonged to Ardrahan. They outscored Kinvara 0-8 to 0-2 in this space and had Kinvara looking extremely shaky. Iarla Tannian raised another minor from play, Gerry Hennelly struck one, then the unstoppable Iarla Tannian struck again, and then Johnny Glynn pointed from a free. Kinvara had one reply from a placed ball from Conor Kavanagh, but the next four scores came from blue jerseys. Johnny Glynn, Iarla Tannian and Gerry Bond all pointed from play, while Iarla Tannian struck over a '65. As the interval aproached Kinvara did narrow the gap thanks to another free from Conor Kavanagh.
Half-time: Ardrahan 0-10, Kinvara 0-8.

Kinvara started the brighter in the second half, and within three minutes the sides were level again, with Johnny Kavanagh driving over from midfield, and Dara Smith taking advantage of good Kinvara forward pressure to slot one over. But the next 15 minutes was all one-way traffic as Ardrahan assumed control. Points from play were got from the sticks of Davy Kennedy, Cormac Diviney and Gerry Hennelly, to give the blues a three point cushion. But this could well have been much more as they missed five scorable chances that could have seen them with an almost unassailable lead.

But cue the Kinvara revival. The busy Ger Mahon struck the first one from half-way as he burst through. Next up was Niall Curtin from play and this was swiftly followed by the equaliser from Cathal Curtin, also from play. This game was now on the edge, but one did feel that the balance of power was with Kinvara as the fresh legs of Peter Mahon, Niall Bermingham and Tadhg Reynolds began to tell. Ger Mahon won a free on his own half-back line, and as we seen before, up stood goalie Colm Callanan, and he made no mistake in rifling it straight over the bar to give Kinvara the lead. With time running out, he was again urged from his line and this time struck a free sweetly over the black spot from 70 yards. Kinvara now had a dangerous two point lead, and Ardrahan were doing all they could to get a late winning goal. They dropped in 4 long range frees into the square in the dying minutes but could not get the winning score, although they did have one very close effort. With the Kinvara forwards still working hard, they were rewarded when a nice combinaton between Conor Kavanagh and Colm Burke saw the former being fouled on the '21 and he duly sloted it over for a white flag and the three point win.

This was as much a team effort than individual performances. All fifteen starters and three subs played their part in this win. Work rate was high with some great teamwork being shown. Colm Callanan was faultless in goals, and deadly for points! All six backs did extremely well, with Aidan Moylan and Shane Quinn being outstanding in the corners, while full back Brian Carroll guarded the house like his own with a flawless display. Much of the platform of this late win must rest on the stickwork of wing backs Ger Mahon and Alan Leech who swept and drove plenty of ball upfield. In the centre of defence Shane Kavanagh had a very good evening's work, and quietened the risk of Ardrahan's Johnny Glynn in the second half.
Up front, the workrate of all was second to none. This can best be shown in that 8 different players scored from play for Kinvara. And although David Huban was held scoreless, his contribution was invaluable, especially when moved to the half forward line in the second half, as he led the challenge home from there. Rumour has it he was also spotted driving out with the ball from his own full back line with a minute left on the clock! 
The three subs did very well when inroduced and contributed to this handome win. 

Ardrahan too had many fine displays throughout. Their star man Iarla Tannian struck five points in an awesme first half performance, while corner back Pat Holland was also most effective throughout. We wish them all the best in their next game, and hopefully we will see this very proud club in the group stages.

So, a good day for Kinvara and the management of Ollie Bergin, Mike Burke, John Linnane and Michael Kilkelly. There will be tougher challenges ahead. But for now we will take this and look forward to being in the last 16 of the 2012 Galway Senior Hurling Championship:

Kinvara:
Colm Callanan (0-2f), Aidan Moylan, Brian Carroll, Shane Quinn, Alan Leech, Shane Kavanagh, Ger Mahon (0-1), Cathal Curtin (0-1), Johnny Kavanagh (0-1), Niall Curtin (0-1), Damien Huban (0-3), Conor Kavanagh 0-5 (0-3f), David Huban, Colm Burke (0-1), Dara Smith (0-1).
Subs: Peter Mahon for J. Kavanagh, Niall Bermingham for Damien Huban, Tadhg Reynolds for D. Smith.
Mike Smith, Stevie Moylan, Ger O'Dea, Paul Keane, Ian Bermingham, Paul O'Sullivan, Sean Bermingham, Eanna Linnane, Ger Linnane, Mark Kavanagh, Enda Mahon, Darragh Kilkelly.

Ardrahan:
Ciaran Callanan, Pat Holland, Damien O'Shaughnessy, Shane Kennedy, Joe O'Leary, John Greene, Gerard Forde, Iarla Tannian 0-4 (0-1'65), David Kennedy (0-1), Ritchie Mullins, Jonathan Glynn 0-3 (0-1 f, 0-1'65), Gerard Bond (0-1), Cormac Diviney (0-1), Brian Glynn, Gerry Hennelly (0-2)

Referee: Peter Murphy (Loughrea)

Kinvara U14 Footballers dates off destiny in this years County U14 Football Championship have recently been released. Our lads play the preliminary round against Fr. Griffins/Eire Og on Friday 6th July at home. The championship is a straight knockout format, and our lads will be hoping to repeat the feats of our previous and only county championship winners - our U14s C champions of 1988 - who incidently were managed by current Club Secretary Michael O'Sullivan, assisted by the late John McLaughlin, RIP. There are more conections from that side to today - maybe we'll look at it at a future date.

The lads will compete in Division 2 and the full line-up is as follows:

Preliminary Round - 6th July 2012
1. Kilkerrin-Clonberne v Headford
2. Menlough v St. Michaels
3. Athenry v Salthill/Knocknacarra
4. Kinvara v Fr. Girffins/Eire Og

Round 1 - 13th July 2012
A. Clifden v winners of 2
B. Winners of 4 v winners of 1
C. St. James v winners of 3
D. Dunmore McHales v Caherlistrane
E. Caltra v Carna-Cashel
F. Clonbur v Ballinalsoe
G. Aran Islands v St. Brendans
H. An Spideal v Claregalway

Best of luck lads!