FROM BOYS TO MEN

Kilara crowned U15 champions

U15 PREMIER 2 FINAL

On Sunday last, Kilara Óg U15 Premier 2 hurling team lined out against Mallow in this year’s final. On a perfect morning for hurling, the fine crowd in attendance were not left down by these 2 brave and gallant teams.

In a well turned out Shanballymore pitch, both teams gave everything they had and a bit more. Indeed this was very much helped by Dave Twomey, our referee on the day, who left both teams play good, hard and fair hurling and has to be thanked for doing a great job.

Kilara got off to a flying start - their first point came from Tomas Maher from play in the first 50 seconds. This was soon followed by a brilliant goal from Olan McCarthy after some great defensive work from David Noonan, whose ball down the line found Olan, beating his man and burying it to the net.

In the 5th minute we had a 2nd goal from Tomas, after a great ball in from Ben Carey. And so a dream start for Kilara. Another point was recorded in the 6th minute after a goal line clearance led to a ‘65, which Liam Óg pointed.

Mallow had their first point in the 7th minute from a free and had a great goal chance, only for Sean Moriarty with a brilliant flick to deny them.

Mallow had a good spell in the next 5 minutes, scoring the next 3 points - 1 free and 2 from play - to leave the score 2-2 to 0-4 to Kilara with 12 only minutes gone.

Kilara came back again with 2 more points before the water break - 1 from Tomas (a free) and 1 from Liam Óg (from play), to leave us 6 points up at the water break. It was a great start for Kilara with the half back line of Denis, Gearoid and Killian all playing well.

Rory Gill got us going again with a point from play followed by a pointed free from Mallow. Another close call again, when Sean Moriarty was on hand with the vital touch to keep Mallow out. Mallow got the next point from play - 22 minutes gone.

On the 23rd minute Kilara got their third goal after hard work from out forwards, refusing to leave Mallow clear and the ball broke to Eoghan Leddy who blasted it to the net.

Mallow pointed next from play, before Olan pointed again from play, he was having a massive game. Mallow got the next 2 points to keep in touch.

Both teams got one more point apiece before half-time, both frees, to leave it Kilara 3-7 Mallow 0-10 at the half-time whistle.

Mallow would now have the wind at their backs for the second half. Kilara got the first score on the resumption after a great free up the line to Olan from Liam Óg, which Olan slotted over.

Mallow got their first goal of the final, from play and also got the next 2 points, but these were cancelled out by 1 free from Tomas and 1 from Liam Óg, after good work from Alex Flynn.

Another pointed Mallow free was followed by another from Olan from play heading to the water break. Just before that however, Mallow got their second goal to leave it 3-11 to 2-13 at the second water break - Kilara were a point up and all to play for.

On the resumption, Aaron found Tomas with a perfect puck out, who played in Olan who again pointed. Our centre back Gearoid was now working on 1 and a half legs, so Tomas fell back to help out and clear numerous balls. Our full back line of David, Sean and Jason were keeping close tabs on the Mallow full forward line.

Tomas fielded a ball out of the sky, had a quick look and found Olan who was fouled - Liam Óg pointed to leave us 3 up with 25 minutes gone.

Mallow got the next 2 points - 1 free and 1 from play - to leave it a one point game again. Mallow had us under a lot of pressure, but again the lads stood strong with Denis coming in to the game more and when Gearoid came out of a ruck of players to clear and got fouled, it looked like it could be our day.

Again, from the free, Olan was fouled and Liam Óg pointed with 28 minutes gone. Mallow got a free in the 30th minute which they pointed and with 2 minutes of extra time to be played, it was all hands on deck. Again, Mallow threw everything they had to get the equaliser but our lads stood firm and won a free out, which led to the final whistle and an explosion of relief, excitement and pure joy.

This was a full team and panel performance and a great win for the group. The cup was presented by Denis Twomey to the Kilara captain, Liam Óg Hegarty, who accepted it on behalf of the team.

Massive congratulations to all involved, to all the management who put in a load of work to get this team to this stage. To William O’Donoghue, coach; selectors Donal Kenneally, Noel O’Brien, Mike and Liam Hynes, the backroom team of Darren Kenny, Chris O’Mahony and Chris Beecher, a massive thanks.

The panel were treated to dinner in Corbett Court that evening and many thanks to all the people that gave sponsorship towards this. Later on there was a parade of the winning team, where a massive crowd from the parish turned out to welcome them back.

It was a great achievement for this team going through the year without being beaten. True champions.