Killorglin AFC

The Youths kicked off the year with a fantastic 4-3 victory over Killarney Celtic in the league in Killarney on Saturday. Stephen O’Loughlin opened the scoring after a fine through ball from Evan Madden after 20 mins. And Killorglin doubled their lead when a fine cross field ball from Eoin Clifford was taken on by Ronan O’Shea who had a lot to do but finished with a fine strike into the far bottom corner. The Celtic keeper made some fine saves from Stephen, Eoin and Tim O’Shea but as the first half drew to a close, a fine individual effort from Celtic saw the score at 2-1 at the break.

Killorglin started the second half the stronger team, and a cracking 30 yard strike from Eoin Clifford put us 3-1 up. But Killorglin couldn’t get a 4th despite lots of chances. And Celtic got themselves back into the game when a defensive lapse let them in for a second. And shortly after, they equalised from a corner.

Dean Callan and Shane O’Sullivan Rouse came on and gave us some energy back, but it looked like the points would be shared, before a through ball from Eoin Clifford was excellently finished by Stephen O’Loughlin with just 3 minutes remaining to give Killorglin the 3 points.

There were 4 senior teams out this weekend.

First off were the Youths on Saturday at home to St.Brendans Park in the final of the Kerry section of the Munster Youths Cup. This was a tough encounter with the weather conditions not helping. Despite having all the early possession and playing some great football, it was Park who struck first mid way through the first half. But before the break, Jack O’Leary pulled the goal back with a composed finish to leave the sides level at half time. The second half saw Killorglin getting on top and despite Park hitting the woodwork, Eoin Clifford deservedly put Killorglin ahead with about 15 minutes to go. It looked like we were going to see the game out before a fast break and emphatic finish from Park brought the game to extra time. No goals in the first period, but at the start of the second, Evan Madden got the decider to give Killorglin a magnificent victory. They now face Douglas Hall in the last 16 of Munster.

The As had a challenge game Saturday evening against Premier A side Tralee Dynamos. Both teams missing a few players but it was a good run out with Killorglin winning 5-1. A Lee Carey hatrick and also goals from Brendy Breen and Tommy Cahill.

The B’s were away to Killarney Athletic on Sunday morning in the league. With Athletic one place and one point below Killorglin in the table it was vital that Killorglin got something out of the game. The 1st half was fairly uneventful with all the goals coming in the 2nd. It was Athletic that took the lead in the 56th minute with Keith Curtin getting Killorglin back on level terms in the 68th. Athletic thought they had the 3 poits in the bag when they took the lead again with 5 mins remaining but 3 mins into added time a Mitchell O’Sullivan long throw found Mike O’Donoghue who levelled the game. So an important point to keep Mike Griffins men out of the relegation zone.

Finally on Sunday afternoon the Cs were at home to Annascaul/Inch who had 4 wins and a loss from their first 5 games. The game was played in the Killorglin astro pitch in front of a decent crowd (mostly the A’s and B’s..much appreciated lads) Similar to the Bs game there were no goals in the 1st half and with 4 goals coming in the 2nd half. Manus Gallagher with a super clearance off the line from an Annascaul corner the main talking point of the 1st half. 3 minutes into the 2nd half, Annascaul were awarded a penalty which they converted. To be fair, Killorglin probably edged the game up to that point. Then in the 73rd minute Annascaul were 2 up with a wonder strike from about 30 yards giving Chris O’Connor no chance in the Killorglin goal. With 15 mins left Killorglin pushed on and Kieran O’Shea with a fine pass found Aiden O’Sullivan in space and with a terrific strike he got one back for the home team. Killorglin made some changes bringing in Kevin Falvey, Mike Carey and Dean Callan and it was young Dean who levelled the game with 5 mins left with his 1st goal for the seniors. A Kieran O’Shea free found Darren Curtayne at the back post. His header was saved but Callan banged home the rebound. A great result in a very entertaining game. A busy weekend but 2 wins and 2 draws – we’ll take that.

That’s all for this weekend for all the results, tables and fixtures check out http://www.kerrydistrictleague.ie

There was only one game this weekend with the Bs at home to Brendan’s Park being postponed. So that left only the  C team away to Chlocain Breannain (Brandon for write up purposes). With a valuable point picked up from their previous league game, the C team were hoping for a similar performance. The game started well and 2 free kicks from Captain Kieran O’Shea, Sheazo could have taken the lead, and the 2nd hitting the crossbar. Unfortunately it was Brandon that opened the scoring when, from a corner, Michael O’Dowd headed home. Midway through the half Killorglin thought they had a lifeline when Lorca Maher was taken down inside the box but the ref saw differently. 1-0  at the break. Conor Staunton came on at half time and himself and right back Shane Flynn started to press Brandon up the wings, but it was Brandon who doubled their advantage much the same as the first half – a corner tapped in at the back post from Adam O’Donnell. Killorglin captain Sheazo had to be substituted after picking up an injury and also Dean Callan, Kevin Falvey and Manus Gallagher were brought on. To be fair, Killorglin then had a greatspell (I’m sure it was only a coincidence Sheazo), creating a number of chances with Aiden O’Sullivan getting one back for Killorglin. We could have been on level terms when Shane Moriarty just volleyed over the crossbar from a corner. With 5 mins to go, Brandon got their 3rd (suspicion of offside) – Tadgh Kerin with a tidy finish. So a loss, but a lot of positives to be taken from the game against a well organised Brandon outfit. Some great performances on the day – but a mention for Killorglin’s Chris O’Connor in goal, who made a number of tremendous saves. Still a lot of work to do but that valuable point keeping us off the foot of the table.

Sorry no write up last week – hadn’t the heart. There were 2 games – the A’s played Killarney Celtic A’s AGAIN but despite a decent display we went down 4-1 eventually. Dan Whittleton with the goal. The C’s were out last sunday morning against table toppers Ballymac Celtic with a game to forget going down 8-2. Ricky Flaherty and Lorca Maher with a cracker got the Killorglin goals.

Things were looking up a small bit this week the C’s were out midweek in the Dragons Den against Mainebank who they had lost 6-1 to a couple of weeks ago. A fantastic team performance saw them come away with a well deserved 2-2 draw. Killorglin coming back twice with goals from captain fantastic Sheazo (penalty) and a late goal straight in from the corner from Aiden O’Sullivan who had a great game.

Our youth’s were away to Mastergeeha on Saturday and kept their good form going with a 4-2 win. Dylan O’Neill opened the scoring with a cracking strike from the edge of the box. He then turned provider for Stephen O’Loughlin’s first with a great run and through ball which was nicely finished. Aaron Broderick then had a goal bizzarely ruled out when he made a fantastic run across his man to score. A mistake at the back let Mastergeeha in against the run of play to bring the score back to 2-1. But shortly afterwards, Ronan O’Shea played a wonderful ball across for Stephen O’Loughlin to make it 3-1. And before half time, Killorglin put the tie beyond doubt when an emphatic run from Danny Considine, saw him feed Stephen O’Loughlin to complete his hat trick. A sloppy goal from Mastergeeha mid way through the second half completed the scoring, but Killorglin were unluck not to add to their tally with James Hurley, Dean Callan and Stephen O’Loughlin going close before the end. Man of the match (despite Stephen’s hat trick) goes to Dylan O’Neill with a wonderful all round performance. This win keeps Killorglin on top of Section B of the Youth’s League.

The A’s were also in action Saturday night away to Killarney Celtic B’s in the league. They also came away with a 4-2 win with goals coming from Lee Carey (2), Dan Whittleton and Tommy Cahill in his 1st game of the season (dancing career didn’t work out). Darragh Bergin also made his debut for the A’s – so Killorglin A’s back up to 3rd in the table and hopefully after a shaky start to the season they are back on track.

That’s it for now for all results and fixtures check out “www.kerrydistrictleague.ie”

There were 3 games this weekend in the senior section. The A’s were in action Sat evening at home to Killarney Celtic B in the league. After losing 2 weeks ago in their 1st game of the league campaign 3 pts were vital but it was the away side that struck first. Celtic’s Stephen McCarthy made a great run through the Killorglin defence and struck well giving Chris O’Connor deputising in goals for the injured Tony Lyons no chance. On the 20 min mark Killorglin were back on terms when from a Mike Carey corner Paul McKenna headed home. Killarney playing better than their league position suggests had 2 or 3 great chances but Chris O’Connor was equal to them so 1-1 at the break. 6 mins into the 2nd half Killorglin had the lead with a great move starting from Pa Knightly at right back and well finished by the left back Paddy Collins. 6 mins later Celtic were back on terms when from a free the Killorglin keeper was only able to parry the ball out and Killarney’s Ryan Kelliher was quickest to the rebound. In the 70th min Killorglin were dealt another injury blow when Pa Knightly had to be carried off with was turned out to be a fractured shin(we wish him a speedy recovery)…5 mins later Killorglin’s night got worse when Stephen McCarthy found himself in space and with another good run and excellent strike got his 2nd and Celtics 3rd. It would of been easy for the heads to drop but Killorglin made a few changes bringing in Dan Whittleton, Tim O’Shea and Eoin Clifford and 5 mins later Lee Carey was brought down in the Celtic area and it was Whittleton that was given the task of taking the penalty…he made no mistake so the game level for the 3rd time. With time nearly up and both sides looking like a draw was on the cards it was that man again Lee Carey who never stopped running during the whole game nipped in when Celtic’s defender headed back to his keeper and gave Killorglin the 3 pts with a lovely finish… Young Ronan O’Shea came on late for his senior debut but credit to the home side for never giving up

The B’s were away to top of the table Castlegregory and after a good draw at home last weekend to Kenmare were hopeful of a good performance again. Unfortunately they found themselves 1-0 down after 3 mins. In the 29th min they were back level when Brendan Aherne scored. The 2nd half started similar to the 1st and 2 mins in Castlegregory were 2-1 to the good.Killorglin made a couple of changes bringing in Dylan Joy and Anthony Abogunrin…in the 62 min C’Gregory were 3-1 up. 3 mins later though Killorglin pulled one back when Captain Sean Costello headed home from a corner. Chris O’Connor, Ryan Riordan and Mike O’Donoghue were also brought in and in the 78th min Killorglin thought they were back on level terms when Aiden O’Sullivan headed home but the goal was not given despite the Killorglin protests. 3 mins later Killorglin had a penalty, Dylan Joy stepped up but the keeper saved so double disappointment…C’gregory added 2 more goals to add to Killorglins woes so the lads finding it tough with the step up this season but to be fair Castlegregory are top of the table.

Finally the youths were also in action on sunday morning at home to Ballyhar with the game finishing in a 2-2 draw. Killorglin started the better of the 2 with chances for Conor Burke and Dylan O’Neill testing the keeper early on but unfortunately Conor had to go off with an injury. With the break in play Ballyhar got the opener but Killorglin levelled before the break when Stephen O’Loughlin scored from a Dylan O’Neill cross. Killorglin welcomed back goalkeeper Alex O’Connor who had been on duty with the Kerry u-17’s and he made 2 fine saves but with Killorglin pushing for the win were caught out when a long ball found the back of the Killorglin net. Killorglin well on top for the final half hour introduced Ronan O’Shea, Shane O’Sullivan and Stephen Seely with both Shane and Stephen unlucky not to score. With time running out Ballyhar looking like taking all 3 pts but for a wonder strike from captain Gabriel Griffin with 2 mins left on the clock. Killorglin nearly took all 3 pts when Dylan O’Neill and Stephen O’Loughlin nearly scored but for some fine keeping to tip the ball away from both, and a point a piece was probably a fair outcome. A man of the match performance from Jack O’Leary, who was introduced early on for Conor Burke.

Killorglin Youths continued their winning start to the season in the Munster Youths cup in Killorglin on Saturday afternoon. Killarney Athletic were again the opposition, and they proved dangerous in the first half, forcing Jack MacGillycuddy into a number of saves. Goal opportunities for the home side were limited. But Gabriel Griffin marshalled them well at the back, and the teams were scoreless at the break.

A much improved second half display saw Killorglin unlucky on a number of occasions with Dylan O’Neill and Eoin Clifford in particular going close. We were dealt a double blow when Jack O’Leary and Darragh Dennehy, who had put in fantastic displays, went off injured. But 0-0 at full time meant extra time.

And Killorglin finally found the breakthrough in extra time. Eoin Clifford danced through the Athletic defence and a deflection past the keeper gave us a much deserved lead. A fantastic corner routine saw Aaron Broderick flick a magnificent header in for number two. And a wonderful dipping strike from the edge of the box from Stephen O’Loughlin put the tie beyond doubt. A late consolation from Connie Cremin meant it was Killorglin that march on to a second round tie with Killarney Celtic.