CITY INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL FINAL: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 1-5 Claughaun 1-12. There was disappointment for our footballers as they fell to Claughaun in the City Intermediate final on bank holiday Monday. The game was always likely to be an uphill battle, with it being very early into our season while the opposition are facing into their first County Championship this week. Considering that Claughaun did appear to be further ahead in their preparations and that we were missing a number of key players due to injury, it was an impressive performance from Kildimo/Pallaskenry all the same.

 

The first-half was a battle, with scores hard to come by on both sides. There were some standout performances from our backline, who applied a lot of pressure to the intermediate side, while equally their backline made it difficult for our forwards to find space. This resulted in a very low-scoring half, with the score after the first half hour being Kildimo Pallaskenry 0-1 Claughaun 0-3.

 

We suffered a blow early in the second half as midfielder Tom Guiney was injured as he fielded a high ball, and had to be replaced. Lorcan O'Leary moved out to midfield and Evan Considine took Lorcan's place in at corner-back. Having battled well, Claughaun finally found a few openings and rattled off six points without reply to take command of the game. We did manage to have a bit more joy in attack in the second period; Darragh Deegan, Tony McCarthy, Tom O'Shea and Conor Staff all hitting the scoresheet but it was not to be enough. Claughaun's preparations for next weekend's Championship opener did give them an edge on the day and they were convincing winners in the end.

 

They won by seven points in the end on a scoreline of Kildimo/Pallaskenry 1-5 Claughaun 1-12. But it was an encouraging performance considering how early it is in our season and with a number of key players to return, there is plenty to look forward to in the year ahead.

 

Team: John Chawke; Barry Walsh, Steven Hodnett, Lorcan O'Leary; Bob McKeogh, Tony McCarthy, Conor Staff; Keel Maloney, Tom Guiney; Darragh Walsh, Eoin Cuddihy, Tom O'Shea; Michéal Keating, Darragh Deegan, Martin Nunan

 

Matchday Panel: Evan Considine, James Fitzgerald, Rory O'Donnell, Féilim O'Leary

 

MINOR A HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 2-15 Monaleen 1-16. Our minor hurlers had a fantastic win in the first round of the hurling championship, to follow up last week's victory in the opening round of the football championship. Again, our lads had a bit of a slow start as Monaleen scored an early goal and used that to build an advantage in the first half. But our lads did not let that affect their confidence and grew into the game as the half wore on. Dara Mills scored a goal from distance to pull us back into contention, before Shaun Barry scrambled the ball over the line for what was our second goal of the half. Adam Butler was a threat as always in attack and very accurate from placed balls, and the backs began to take control and do a lot of hurling.

 

Although Monaleen still held a lead, the pendulum of momentum had begun to swing our way. Aaron O'Donovan's puckouts were being won by the likes of Liam Griffin and Naoise McGarrigle, and Shaun Barry was also being utilised as a ballwinner. Mikey Hayes really grew into the game in the second half as he and Liam really took control of the middle third, well-aided by the tenacity and aggression of Jack Mullane. The scores continued to come and Liam Griffin also landed a few huge frees from distance. With the lead now in our favour as we entered the closing stages, our players showed great bravery and determination to fight for everything.

 

There was great composure shown in the final stages, as our lads kept their cool to take their scores but also keep Monaleen out and they held on for what was a very impressive victory. This is a very young team, with a lot of the players underage again next year but they have the talent to make an impact right now and this victory should give them great confidence for the year ahead, and they will fear no one from here on out.

 

Team: Aaron O'Donovan; Daniel Pearse, Luke O'Keeffe, Jai Chaudri; Ciaran Downes, Darragh O'Brien, Jack Mullane; Liam Griffin, Mikey Hayes; Dara Mills, Naoise McGarrigle, Adam Butler; Matthew Lucey, Shaun Barry, James Pomeroy

 

Matchday Panel: Padraig Hartigan, Jamie Hickey, Tadhg O'Shaughnessy

 

ALL-COUNTY HURLING LEAGUE: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 6-21 Staker Wallace 2-13. Our hurlers were comprehensive winners against Staker Wallace in the hurling league on Friday night. Still without a number of key players, our forwards were on fire as they racked up a huge score. Ruairí Maher was top scorer from open play, as he hit the back of the net on two occasions but there were scoring contributions from all over the pitch. Our players did work very hard and it was encouraging to see this kind of performance ahead of the Championship. There is still plenty of work to be done but with players still to come back, the team will hopefully be fully firing by Sunday week.

 

U-15 HURLING DIVISION 2: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 2-6 Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan 1-9. Our U-15 hurlers were back in action during the week against our neighbours to the West and a tight, tense battle ensued as one would expect from local rivals. There were some good displays from players on both sides and in the end, nothing could separate the teams and we had to settle for a share of the spoils.  

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