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Kinvara U14 hurlers scored a great win earlier today in their first outing in this years Toddie Byrne Feile Cup. The lads travelled east across the county to Kiltormer and came up against a great game against a spirited home side.

The Kinvara side started bright and took an early lead from play from the stick of Conor O'Shea. Kiltormer though replied with a fine effort from play, but then Kinvara settled into the match better and took control. Liam Byrne pointed a free and then Conor O'Shea pointed from play after being superbly played in by Gerard Linnane. Then Liam Byrne took a shot from 30 yards out and it found its way to the top corner of the net. Kinvara now led by 1-3 to 0-1 with half-time approaching. But complacancy crept into their game, and before the half-time whistle blew the blue of Kiltormer had the Kinvara net rattled for two goals. Both these goals arose from slack marking and not covering back by both midfield and defence, and left goalie Peter Mulleady with no chance.
Half-time score: Kiltormer 2-1, Kinvara 1-3.

A good talk must have been given at half-time by the management of Dominic O'Gallachoir and Nicola Huban, as the lads really responded from the restart. However, it was Kiltormer who scored first and stretched their lead to two points, after a pointed effort from a free. Liam Byrne was then fouled on the '21 on the wing, and he pointed it himself from a narrow angle. But Kiltormer replied wth another good white flag from play. The scores now read Kiltormer 2-3 to 1-4. One felt that Kinvara needed a goal or two to win this. The goals never came, but victory did follow, thanks to a huge effort in every position on the field and also to 5 well taken points. 

First to score in this late rally was Conor O'Shea from a free. Then Colm Keady-Taabal soloed through the defence after picking up the ball on the half-way line, and he shot under pressure from 14 yards and pointed. The sides were now level. Next up was Brendan Connolly who pointed from play. When Kiltormer fired out a very quick puck-out, it was caught by Conor O'Shea and he rifled it back over the crossbar. With time running out and Kinvara holding a dangerous 2 point lead, it was the time of our defence to hold firm and that they did, repelling wave after wave of Kiltormer attacks.The final score went to Kinvara and Brendan Connolly popped up for his deserved second white flag and a great 3 point victory.

An impressive display by Kinvara and indeed credit also to Kiltormer who played their part in an exciting game. Peter Mulleady played solid in goals and cleared his lines well. The full back line of Seanie Cahill, Patrick O'Gallachoir and Jeff Stephens really tightened up in the second half and cleared well, with Patrick anchoring and directing the defence very well. Half backs Neil Huban, Cathal O'Dwyer and Keelan O'Rourke also did well and cleared and tackled throughout. They were the launch of many of the Kinvara attacks and scores. Midfielders Colm Keady-Taabal and Brendan Connolly worked very hard and contributed nicely to the scoreboard with those three second half points between them. Up front, Conor McGourty hurled well and won his battle, as did Gerard Linnane on the other wing who distributed the ball well to set up other scores. Conor O'Shea in the centre also worked hard and took his scores nicely. The full forward line of Louis Fossatti, Liam Byrne and Thomas Connolly worked tirelessly, put pressure on the Kiltormer defence and gave them little easy. Subs that came on were Simon Whelan and John McHugh. Both lads played their part, settled in the game once introduced and got stuck in.

Overall a good win. Plenty of work to do yet but these lads are going in the right direction. Their tackling and blocking was impressive, while they brought a good intensity into the game. There are always areas to improve, and one such would be the marking-up, as too often the Kiltormer lads were left loose and had it to easy to clear or take their scores.

A good win, but there will be bigger challenges ahead!

Kinvara team:
Peter Mulleady, Jeff Stephens, Patrick O'Gallachoir, Seanie Cahill, Cathal O'Dwyer, Keelan O'Rourke, Neil Huban, Colm Keady-Taabal 0-1, Brendan Connolly 0-2, Conor McGourty, Conor O'Shea 0-4 (0-1 free), Gerard Linnane, Thomas Connolly, Liam Byrne 1-2 (0-2 frees), Louis Fossatti.
Subs: Simon Whelan for T. Connolly, and John McHugh for C. McGourty.    

KINVARA......0-22; BALLYGAR.......2-8

 

After last Wednesdays heavy defeat to Portumna, Kinvara minors bounced back with a solid win over North Galway visitors Ballygar, in Kinvara pitch last Sunday evening.

The Kinvara lads played a better brand of hurling this time around, and passed the ball around well in front. They led 0-12 to 1-3 at half-time, and continued the good point scoring in the second half.

Although this was a solid win and much improved performance, there are still areas for improvement. Again we leaked two goals to Ballygar and that must be tightened up more. Also, we scored 22 times and no goals. A time will come when goals will be needed in a match, and the lack of those scored from open play will have to improved on by all six forwards.

Kinvara side:
Darragh Kilkelly, Philip McNamara, David Burke (capt), Stephen Bermingham, James O'Hara, Jason O'Connor, Caolan McMahon, Tadhg Reynolds, Ruairi Cullinane, Ronan Kilkelly, Eanna Linnane, Conor Morgon, Dylan O'Hanrahan, Nessan O'Hanrahan, Conor Whelan.
Subs on:
Thomas Kavanagh, Rory O'Dwyer and Shane Byrne

(Match played in Kinvara on Sun 3rd July 2011)

Portumna.....7-14; Kinvara......4-5

A very good performance by high flying Portumna saw them account for the Kinvara challenge last Wednesday evening by the banks of the Shannon in this Minor Hurling B1 Championship tie.
It was a lovely evening for the hurling and the East Galway lads made the most of it.

Portumna got off the mark early with a pointed free, but Kinvara responded in style when a well worked move up the wing ended with Dylan O'Hanrahan goaling. 
But the reply from that from the Portumna side was a goal of their own. They followed that with 3 points from play, before Ruairi Cullinane pointed a free for Kinvara. Portumna scored 7 points then in succession. Ronan Killkelly did bring some hope with two pointed frees for the Kinvara lads, but then Portumna struck for two quick goals just before the half-time mark. That was unfortunate for Kinvara who weren't really doing that bad and playing against the wind. The half-time score was Portumna 3-11; Kinvara 1-3.

Kinvara got off to a flyer in the second half when Ronan Kilkelly goaled twice from two frees. He also got a point from another placed ball, while Portumna did reply with one from play. That left the scores Portumna 3-12; Kinvara 3-4, so a 14 point deficit was now reduced to 8 points.
But then Kinvara's momentum broke. Portumna got through for a point and then goaled. In the goal process Kinvara custodian Darragh Kilkelly was injured and so had to be replaced.
From then on Portumna took full control, and got another two very quick goals in succession. Nessan O'Hanrahan did manage a goal for Kinvara, but Portumna pushed out again with another point from a '65, and another goal. Tadhg Reynolds had the last say with a long range pointed free for Kinvara, but the referee blew up time shortly after.

In fairness the Kinvara lads did work hard throughout and there was many good performances. Other lads failed to get to speed with the game and the Portumna players, and will look to the coming games to improve and work harder.
Credit to Portumna. They played a fast open brand of hurling and their backs gave very little away. One could clearly see the influence in their style of play from their two mentors Eugene McEntee and Niall Hayes.

For the Kinvara management team of Noel Bermingham, assisted by Alan Leech, Ger Mahon and Ollie Bergin, it was their second defeat of the campaign, and with a much needed win required in the upcoming match with Ballygar.

Kinvara side:
Darragh Kilkelly, Philip McNamara, David Burke (capt), Stephen Bermingham, James O'Hara, Jason O'Connor, Caolan McMahon, Tadgh Reynolds, Conor Morgon, Ronan Kilkelly, Nessan O'Hanrahan, Ruairi Cullinane, Dylan O'Hanrahan, Eanna Linnane, Conor Whelan.
Subs on: Shane Byrne, Rory O'Dwyer and Thomas Kavanagh.

 

(Match played in Portumna Weds 29th June 2011)

 

Loughrea 2-18 v Kinvara 2-8

 

A strong second half performance from Loughrea saw them get their championship hopes back on track, while Kinvara's third loss of the campaign means that their next game is vital to win, or else a relegation battle is on the cards.

Loughrea played with the breeze in the first half, but the Kinvara defensive unit were very tight. Indeed Loughrea were forced to shoot from distance and took a lead by 0-6 to 0-2. However Conor Kavanagh struck for a fine kicked goal after a good mazy run through the Loughrea defence. David Huban struck a free, and then Conor Kavanagh gave Kinvara the lead with a point from play.  But the last two scores of the half went to Loughrea as two Neil Keary frees gave them a marginal halftime lead by 0-8 to 1-4.
So into the second half, and things one would imagine would favour Kinvara as they now had the strong breeze. But Loughrea had other thoughts and ran into a 0-16 to 1-6 lead. Kinvara now needed goals and fast. Conor Kavanagh struck for goal, and two points from Shane Kavanagh (65) and David Huban (free) brought the deficit to only 2 points, and only five minutes remaining.
But then it all went wrong as Johnny Maher scrambled a goal for Loughrea, and then in injury time Johnny Coen embarked on a solo run from midway, and scored a great goal. Loughrea scored two more late points to give a deceiving final scoreboard.
So although Kinvara corrected their first half problems as encountered in both the Craughwell and Beagh games, their finishing of the game is still a problem.
Kinvara:

Colm Callanan, Alan Leech, Shane Kavanagh 0-1(65), Paul O'Sullivan, Jonathon Kavanagh, Brian Carroll, Aidan Moylan, Niall Curtin, Stevie Moylan, Damien Huban, David Huban 0-5f, Conor Kavanagh 2-2, Niall Bermingham, Paul Keane, Cathal Curtin.

Subs: Sean Bermingham for N. Bermingham, and Mark Kavanagh for Damien Huban.
Loughrea:

Nigel Murray, T. Regan, Damien McClearn, Brian Mahoney, P. Hoban, Nigel Shaughnessy, S. Sweeney, Gavin Keary 0-1, Johnny Coen 1-2, K. Colleran, T. Hoban 0-1, J. Regan, S. McCormack, Johnny Maher, Neil Keary 0-11 (0-10f).

Subs: E. Mahony for S.McCormack. 

Kinvara 4-2 v Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry 4-4

A blustery wet evening in Faiche Padraig last Wednesday evening saw Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry hold out against Kinvara U14 hurlers. This was the final game of the group, and with both sides already qualifed qualifed for the quarters, there was still much to play for as both wanted to finish higher in the group.

TAD started brighter with an early goal. Kinvara replied with a point from Ollie Nilan. But TAD replied with two more of their own. Kinvara through the hard-working Sean Linnane score another point, but that was quickly responded by a well-worked TAD goal. They led at half-time 2-2 to 0-2, but in fact could have been more ahead as they shot several wides.
TAD settled better in the second half and shot an early point. But the Kinvara lads rallied and scored two goals through James Cronin-Rodgers and Ollie Nilan. This left the scores now 2-2 to 2-3 to TAD. However TAD went back up the field and shot another goal and point to leave them now 3-4 to 2-2 ahead. Time was now running out. Kinvara responded with another goal to leave just 2 points in it. But again TAD replied with another goal. With time almost up Kinvara shot another goal to leave two points in it. In the dying second a goal shot from Kinvara was brillantly saved and so TAD held on for a much deserved win.

 

Credit to the TAD lads who proved more up for the game, and will be happy with this win away from home.

The Kinvara side will be disappointed with their performance, and will know that more displays like that will see an abrupt end to their championship hopes next Monday.

 

Kinvara side:
Oisin Fahy, Cathal O'Dwyer, Gary Kilkelly, Alan Keane, Conor O'Shea, James Cronin-Rodger 1-0, Joe Tully, Patrick Whelan, John Donoghue, Keelan O'Rourke, Owen Whelan, Tomas Fordham, Patrick O'Gallachoir, Sean Linnane 0-1, Ollie Nilan 3-1.
Subs: Liam Byrne for P O'Gallachoir, Brendan Connolly, Sean Cahill, Neil Huban, Gerard Linnane, Colm Keady, Odhran Keane and Conor McGourty.

Kinvara 1-12 v Ardrahan 4-10

Kinvara junior hurlers lost last Wednesday evening in this Junior B Hurling League game played in Ardrahan.
Although Kinvara lost, there was plenty of positives to get from this game. Again the young gaels of Kinvara GAA were to the fore with one third of the starting fifteen being aged 17 this year. Daragh Kilkelly, Eanna Linnane, Jason O'Connor, Dylan O'Hanrahan and Ruairi Cullinane all started while Philip McNamara came on as a sub. All these lads showed good appetite for the game, and were well helped along by some of the experienced lads (like Mike Kilkelly, Ian Bermingham and Kieran Burke!). Good also to see Dara Smith back from injury, and playing his part. We hope to see more of him as the year goes on. 

Kinvara side:

Daragh Kilkelly, Gerard Linnane, Kieran Burke, Shane Byrne, Mike Smith, Ian Bermingham, Jason O'Connor, Eanna Linnane, Dara Smith, Cathal Coughlan, Enda Mahon, Shane Sullivan, Dylan O'Hanrahan, Mike Kilkelly, Ruairi Cullinane.
Subs on: Patrick Canney, Anthony Byrne, Peter Nolan, Philip McNamara and Colin Burke.

U14 Hurling Championship

Kinvara 2-5 v Kiltormer 1-6

A solid workmanlike team effort was the key in this Kinvara win against an impressive Kiltormer side in Faiche Padraic yesterday evening.

Playing with the aid of the wind in the first half, Kinvara took an early lead with an Ollie Nilan point. However we failed to take our other eearly oportunities and were punished as a result. Up the field went Kiltormer, and after some fouling, they took the lead with two pointed frees. They then took advantage of some loose marking to score a well worked goal. Score Kivnara 0-1, Kiltormer 1-2. But Kinvara responded with first an Ollie Nilan free, then he scored a goal straight from a '65. He finished the half with another point from play to help us to a half-time lead of 1-3 to 1-2.
In the second half Kinvara knew it would be backs to the wall as Kiltormer had the wind. However we got the best possible start when after some good work, the ball was worked into the full forward line and Ollie Nilan scored a goal. Kiltormer did come back with a point, before Kinvara scored a reply. Kiltormer scored another, then another Kinvara pointed free. That left the scores 2-5 to 1-4 with five mins left. Two points for Kiltormer left an exciting finish but the Kinvara lads held out to score an impressive win.
Kinvara had solid peformances throughout, and all 15 players played their part. No one player gave more than another, so no player can be singled out. It was an impressive team performance, with "team" being the main word.
Credit to Kiltormer for a sporting game. Mention must be given to their player who scored two points from sideline balls, and almost scored a goal with another. His points were applauded by spectators on both sides.
For Kinvara, they now know more about what it takes to win, but there will be bigger challenges ahead. Certain areas of their game must be improved on, so hopefully they can knuckle down and work on those areas.
Kinvara Team:
Oisin Fahy, Alan Keane, Gary Kilkelly, Cathal O'Dwyer, Conor O'Shea, James Cronin-Rodger, Joe Tully, Johnny Donoghue, Patrick Whelan, Keelan O'Rourke, Eoin Whelan, Tomas Fordham, Liam Byrne, Sean Linnane, Ollie Nilan 2-5.
Subs: Patrick O'Gallachoir, Oran Keane, Neil Huban, Sean Cahill, Brendan Connolly, Gerard Linnane and Mark Deegan (injured).