Congratulations to the Kilcummin U10 team who won bronze medals at Tralee, this Bank Holiday Monday, 4th June 2012. The team showed great skill and determination during a very long day, playing in 6 games and emerged 3rd of 17 teams in Kerry in this coveted competition.
Their first game proved to be crucial as they overcame Kenmare with a scoreline Kilcummin 1-2, Kenmare 1-1. This was a game of 2 halves. Kilcummin got all their scores in the first half as mid-fielder Darren Lehane scored 1 goal and 2 points. The team stuck to the gritty task of defending and held out against a strong wind and an excellent Kenmare side during the second half. With an early win under their belt, team management set about plotting a course for the rest of the day and what was to follow could only be dreamed of at this point.
Their second game was against Spa-Muckross, their sparring partners of the previous week, who were good enough to provide the opposition in two challenge games. This was another great game and at half time the score stood at Kilcummin 1-1, Spa-Muckross 0-1. Scorers for Kilcummin were Nathan McCarthy 1 goal and Cian Murphy 1 point. The second half was very competitive with each side scoring 1 point each, Patrick Daly was the scorer for Kilcummin. Our boys ran out the winners, Kilcummin 1-2, Spa-Muckross 0-2.
In the third game Castlegregory provided the opposition with a final score of Kilcummin 1-7, Castlegregory 0-0. Nathan McCarthy, Darren Lehane, Micheal Sweeney scored 1 point each in the first half and Nathan McCarthy scored 1 goal in the second half along with 2 points from Cian Foley and 1 point each from Patrick Daly and Cian Murphy.
Given the other results in the group and with these three wins under their belt, Kilcummin had qualified for the semi-finals. A final group game against Ballyheigue had to be played and team management took a decision to rest up key players. Ballyheigue won with a scoreline Kilcummin 0-0, Ballyheigue 0-1.
On to the semi-final which was drawn against a very strong Ballyduff side. Our boys, half of whom are under age again next year, were by now feeling tired. However, they summoned up all their reserves of energy and put on a great performance. At half time the scoreboard stood at Kilcummin 1-2, Ballyduff 2-4, Darren Lehane scored 1 goal and 1 point and Nathan McCarthy scored 1 point. They were still well in the game up to the last as Nathan McCarthy struck 3 points in the second half. However with another 2-2 from Ballyduff, Kilcummin now faced a playoff for the bronze medal. Final score Kilcummin 1-5, Ballyduff 4-6.
It was now down to the very last game. The boys were on their last legs. Their reserves of courage and stamina were called upon in this decider against Listowel. Nathan McCarthy struck in the first half with a goal and Patrick Daly tacked on 1 point. Half time score Kilcummin 1-1, Listowel 2-1. Disaster struck at the start of the second half when Listowel got in for another goal and Kilcummin were now 6 points down. However, the lads were not going to let go without a fight. Liam Fleming struck a great goal and brought us right back into the game. When Micheal Sweeney scored another goal and Darren Lehane followed with a point, the team began to believe that they could go all the way. Listowel countered with another fine point and the teams were all square on 3-2 each going into the final quarter of the game. The tension was palpable as both teams faced each other down. Liam Fleming broke the deadlock with another great goal and Michael Sweeney followed with a point. The crowd were ecstatic now. However a 4 point lead was not good enough for our boys who pressed home their advantage with another goal from Nathan McCarthy and final points each from Darren Lehane and Cian Murphy to seal the win. Final score was Kilcummin 5-5, Listowel 3-2.
This was a famous win for Kilcummin who celebrated in style as they gave team trainer James Foley a good dowsing from their water bottles after the game. The boys returned home, tired, a little sore, and more than a little sunburned, and one player was overheard saying “this was another perfect day”.
The team was;
Goal Keeper – Jack McClain, had a great day in goals making many great saves and big kick outs.
Backs – Dara O’Callaghan at centre-back and Liam Randles at full-back anchored the defence with Cathal Brosnan and Andrew Lowin tight in the corners and Turlough O’Connor and Mark O’Shea flying on the wings. Killian O’Brien made a big impression when introduced at full-back as did Daragh Brosnan in the corner. In truth, all the backs played well, they cleared their lines with well placed passes, and they chased down every ball and harried their opposition all day long.
Mid-Field – Team Captain Darren Lehane and Cian Murphy, both stood up and were counted in fierce tussles with tough opposition, creating and taking more that their share of scores in the process.
Forwards – Cian Foley worked tirelessly at centre-forward with Nathan McCarthy a fine target man at full-forward while Liam Fleming, Michael Sweeney and Patrick Daly all had their scoring boots on today, with great passing movements they took on strong defences all day long. Adam O’Connor and Adam O’Sullivan on the wings and Colm Kelliher and Kirill Healy later on in the corners all played their parts in a real team effort from start to finish.
Special thanks to James Foley and his team of mentors, Leo Randles, Tim O’Connor and Pat Roarty.
Congratulations to the players and their parents following a very successful day – Kilcummin Community Games Committee and Kilcummin GAA Club.
