• Killorglin AFC 0 – 4 St Brendans Park

It was heartbreak for Killorglin in the Kerry Cup final in Mounthawk Park on Friday night, as the premier league leaders proved just too strong on the day. Early pressure from Park was absorbed well with Darragh McKeefry marshalling Jason O’Sullivan, Dylan Francis and Kaiya O’Flaherty in defence. Cillian Burke was outstanding in Midfield, while Jack O’Leary and Aaron Broderick  put in an amazing effort to keep Killorglin pushing forward, and playing good football whenever possible. But about 15 minutes in, Park scored the opening goal, and followed up with a second about 5 minutes later. Killorglin heads didn’t go down, and despite having to be disciplined in tracking back, Stephen O’Loughlin and Ethan Coffey on the wings did exceptionally well in attack. With Gearoid Hassett up front, Killorglin always looked like they could get one back. Just before half time, Gearoid latched on to a through ball from Jack O’Leary and was unlucky not to slip one past the Park keeper. 2-0 at the break, but it was clear that everyone was committed to getting back into the game.

The second half started well for Killorglin, with Ethan and Stephen keeping Killorglin pushing forward, and Aaron in particular showing amazing energy. Martin in goal was dealing with any Park pressure, but the stand out player for Killorglin was Gearoid. On a difficult night, with little support up front, he always looked a threat, showed fantastic touch and skill, and was unlucky on several occasions not to get on the scoresheet. When Stephen was replaced by Dylan Moriarty mid-way through the second half, Gearoid dropped deeper and kept Killorglin competitive. But when Park scored a third with about 10 minutes to go, it was looking like cup glory was a step too far. Max Doyle replaced Dylan Francis at full back, and Callum Russell swapped with a shattered Kaiya, and both did well for the remainder of the game. With 5 minutes to go, Park got a fourth, but Killorglin finished the game with their heads held high. I was proud to manage the team tonight. Each and every player gave 100% and that is all I could have asked. Even after the game, the players picked up their medals, and watched Park lift the cup with respect and envy. This team will have better days ahead – but should look back on this final with no regrets.

Team: Martin Fay, Jason O’Sullivan, Dylan Francis, Darragh McKeefry, Kaiya O’Flaherty, Cillian Burke, Jack O’Leary, Aaron Broderick, Stephen O’Loughlin, Gearoid Hassett, Ethan Coffey. Subs: Dylan Moriarty, Max Doyle, Callum Russell, Dean Francis

Gabhan

John Joe Naughton Kerry Cup Semi-Final

• Killorglin AFC 3 – 0 Tralee Dynamos

Killorglin faced last year’s premier league champions in the Kerry cup semi final on Thursday night (30th April). And although the home team had a full squad to choose from, it was always going to be a challenging tie. And so it proved from the word go. The first ten minutes were played at a frantic pace. While Dynamos looked good on the ball, Killorglin kept their own shape and imposed themselves on the game. Jack O’Leary really looked up for the game, and the captain dominated the midfield, encouraging those around him, and breaking up play well. Cillian Burke and Aaron Broderick made up a midfield three that gave the visitors no space, and it was Aaron that gave the home side the lead mid way through the first half. An in-swinging corner whipped in from the right side was half controlled by Stephen O’Loughlin, and despite not being able to get a clean strike away, the ball fell kindly for Aaron who tucked it away brilliantly. Towards the end of the half, a long-range free kick from the visitors saw Martin Fay parry over the bar well to keep the home side in front. Fantastic organisation from Darragh McKeefry at the back kept the Dynamos attacks to a minimum. Kaiya O’Flaherty, Jason O’Sullivan and Dylan Francis were superb alongside Darragh. 1-0 at half time.

The visitors again started brightly in the second half, but straight from a Dynamos corner, Stephen O’Loughlin picked up a loose ball on the edge of his own penalty area and set Gearoid Hasset away with a good clearance upfield. With Stephen in support, Gearoid showed wonderful skill and balance to beat three defenders, and a slip the ball past the keeper to put Killorglin well and truly in control of the tie. For the first time in the game, the visitors realised they had to chase the game, and this opened up space for Ethan Coffey, Gearoid and Stephen up front. Killorglin were now looking more likely to nick a third than concede. Another good save from Martin in the Killorglin goal saw the home team mount an incisive attack, and when Gearoid Hasset was taken down in the penalty area it looked a certain penalty. Even the opposition stopped briefly waiting for the whistle, but the ref wasn’t giving it! However, Stephen O’Loughlin was alive to it, and took the ball off a Dynamos defender and beat the remaining defender and keeper with a lovely strike! At 3-0, Killorglin looked comfortable, and Cillian Burke worked tirelessly to help Killorglin keep ownership of the middle of the park. The introduction of Dylan Moriarty gave the home team even more to trouble Dynamos, and Dylan was unlucky on a number of occasions. Another good take from Martin in goal late on ensured a clean sheet and a Kerry Cup Final against Park in Mounthawk Park next Friday (May 8th) at 8.30pm.

Team: Martin Fay, Jason O’Sullivan, Dylan Francis, Darragh McKeefry, Kaiya O’Flaherty, Aaron Broderick, Cillian Burke, Jack O’Leary, Ethan Coffey, Gearoid Hassett, Stephen O’Loughlin. Subs: Dylan Moriarty (on for Stephen), Dean Cahill (on for Ethan), Max Doyle, Callum Russell.

Goals: Aaron Broderick, Gearoid Hassett, Stephen O’Loughlin

Apologies for the lack of updates recently, but with fixtures changing daily to accommodate the end of season run in, it was better to not post fixtures, than to post inaccurate ones, or even try to keep up with the changes!!

Under 11

• Tralee Dynamos v Killorglin AFC A – 10.30am

Under 13

• Mastergeeha v Killorglin AFC – 11am

Under 13 Division 1

• Killorglin AFC 7 – 1 Park B

Following a decent National Cup run, the under 13s finally got to play a league game with Park B the visitors to the Dragons Den. An awful night for football in terms of weather, saw the visitors start brightly, and it looked like Killorglin might be in for a tough night. But a free kick from Jack O’Connor, and strikes from Gearoid Hassett and Dylan Francis saw Killorglin settle in and take control. Park, to be fair, didn’t give up and grabbed an equaliser shortly before the break, to leave the half time score at a far from comfortable 3-1. And the second half started poorly from the home team when Park were awarded a harsh penalty. A fantastic save from Martin Fay in goal kept Killorglin well ahead, and we pushed on from there with goals from Stephen O’Loughlin and Kaiya O’Flaherty.

Late in the game, Dean Cahill came off the bench, and despite looking decidedly cold and subdued, he managed to convert a 25 yard effort on the half volley, and produce a nice turn and finish in the box to complete a brace. So 7-1 didn’t flatter Killorglin in the end, but it took stand-out performances from everyone to put us in control at key points in the game. Tireless work from Jack O’Leary and Aaron Broderick in midfield where their quality shone. Good wide play from Stephen and Ethan, and later on Kaiya gave us an attacking threat that wasn’t seen from the visitors. Dylan up front worked hard, and Gearoid Hassett was in a different class! Special mention to the defence who haven’t played together as a back 4 previously: Jason, Oisin, Jack and Kaiya showed a fantastic attitude and worked for the team throughout. It was hard to be a sub on a night like this, but they all contributed and I appreciate that.

Team: Martin Fay, Jason O’Sullivan, Oisin Cronin, Jack O’Connor, Kaiya O’Flaherty, Aaron Broderick, Jack O’Leary, Ethan Coffey, Stephen O’Loughlin, Gearoid Hassett, Dylan Francis. Subs: Cian Naylor, Darragh McKeefry, Dean Cahill

Under 13 SFAI National Cup

• Killavilla 3 – 1 Killorglin AFC

Killorglin Under 13s bowed out of the national cup on Saturday after a tough encounter in Roscrea. Despite a bright start, Killorglin failed to break down a well organised Killavilla side, with Jack O’Leary and Jack O’Connor dominating an exceptionally tall Killavilla midfield. Midway through the half Killorglin went behind after a corner kick was scrambled into the net. Despite a few half chances, we went into the break a little disappointed to be a goal down.

The second half started better, and a fantastic in-swinging corner from Jack O’Connor was glanced in to the net by Dylan Moriarty. 1-1 and game on. Gearoid Hasset worked tirelessly in midfield to service the two Dylans up front, but again Killorglin were behind when a harsh free kick saw Villa head the ball into the Killorglin net. Despite exceptional work from Darragh McKeefry and Cillian Burke at the back, and Jack O’Leary and Aaron Broderick in Midfield, Killorglin couldn’t break down the Villa defence. And before the end, a break-away goal from Villa broke Killorglin hearts.

3-1 in the end, but I was unbelievably proud of the effort and commitment of all 14 players who travelled to Roscrea on the day. You did the club proud!

Team: Martin Fay, Stephen O’Loughlin, Kaiya O’Flaherty, Cillian Burke, Darragh McKeefry, Jack O’Connor, Jack O’Leary, Gearoid Hassett, Aaron Broderick, Dylan Francis, Dylan Moriarty. Subs: Jason O’Sullivan, Cian Naylor, Max Doyle

Under 13 – National Cup

• Ennis Town 3-4 Killorglin AFC

Scorers: Gearoid Hassett x 2, Jack O’Leary, Kaiya O’Flaherty

Under 13 – SFAI Cup

Ennis Town v Killorglin AFC 2pm

Under 11

Listowel A v Killorglin AFC A 2pm

Listowel B v Killorglin AFC B 2pm