Onwards and upwards for Killinkere
November 27, 2011When asked how he felt the club progressed the club's PRO Brian Cooney was fortright in assessments. "It's has been as tumultuous a year as ever for our senior team. Our league campaign had its fair share of ups and downs, whilst we avoided a relegation scare in the Intermediate Championship by beating Laragh United after a replay.
"I suppose we could count ourselves unlucky in the championship as we produced some great football."
In their opening encounter against Swanlinbar they dominated the first half and looked set for victory. However, Swanlinbar produced a blistering ten minute spell at the start of the second half which gave them a five point lead. Killinkere recovered their composure but despite the spirited comeback lost out in their opening game by the narrowest of margins. They could at least take some solace from the manner of the first half display and the spirited fightback.
The club had high hopes going into the second championship tie against Killeshandra but once again were on the wrong end of a narrow defeat.
Now the pressure was on to get a result in the final game against Butlersbridge. "We never really got ourselves into a position to win this game and found ourselves completing the group stages of the championship having lost all three ties," explained Brian. "This put us into the dreaded relegation play-offs where we faced senior league side, Drumlane."
In a spirited effort to hold onto totheir intermediate championship status Killinkere produced a sterling performance only to be once again pipped by the narrowest of margins, a single point.
Team manager Adrian O'Hanlon refocused his charges as the club now faced a 'do or die' situation taking on Laragh United in a sudden death relegation battle. Killinkere showed their true championship grit when their backs were firmly up against the wall in this vital Intermediate championship relegation play-off when trailing. A cooly struck free in the dying seconds from Emmet Fitzsimons levelled matters and forced the tie to a replay.
In the replay played in wintry conditions, Killinkere held the upperhand for the first half where they laid the foundations of their victory. Holding a 0-12 to 0-5 interval lead they produced a battling second-half performance against a rejuvenated Laragh side and deservedly held onto their intermediate championship status running out winners by 0-16 to 0-13.
"When you look at our form throughout the season you have to judge it on the fact that we suffered quite a few injuries throughout the year. We also lost two of our championship games by a single point, so lady luck was certainly not with us. The loss of the influential presence of team captain, Finbarr Smith for virtually the entire championship after breaking his arm in a league match was a major setback," said Brian.
This was not the only injury the club had as they lost Ollie Sharkey through injury at the warm-up before the championship clash against Swanlinbar. With Ollie not fit to start this left team manager, Adrian O'Hanlon now starting his championship campaign without four of his first choice defenders.
"While injuries severely curtailed the choice of experienced players, the club could draw solace in the talented bunch of young players who came through over the year. The team management put their faith in the young players who showed some great promise in the tense cauldron of championship football," said Brian.
"The opportunity was grabbed with both hands by the new generation and their manager is of the hope that Killinkere will have a number of players on the county under 21s next year.
"The manager was also full of praise for the panel and their commitment throughout the entire season. He was also impressed by the great work put in by his backroom team of James Mooney and Martin McGovern. This management team and the players gave their all and but for injuries and a bit of bad luck could have had quite a different season" said a proud club PRO.
Self belief is vitally important and Killinkere showed their true potential with a polished performance against Crosserlough, one of the stronger sides in the league.
While the first team failed to gain honours at senior level, there were promising signs as the second team had a good year and finished just outside the top four in the league. Whilst they were unfortunate in a narrow defeat to Bailieborough in the Championship, that squad can still look back over the year with a sense of satisfaction.
The second team is a great platform to blood young players who would go on to play vital roles in the senior team, and also a great way of bringing more senior players back from injury. Everyone involved was happy with the performances of many of the second team who showed great improvement over the year, and will no doubt be challenging for a place on the seniors next year.
"The atmosphere at the club this year was one of commitment and due to the large numbers attending training it was feasible to field a third team in the Junior C league," added Brian.
"Selector Brian Clarke could not have been happier with this side's progress as they produced some sterling league performances making it into the top four. Their good league form sustained them well throughout the championship culminating in a final where they took on a youthful Killeshandra side at Terry Coyle Park, Cavan."
Played in ideal conditions Killinere found themselves 'suckered punched' conceding a goal in the opening twenty seconds. This score was quickly followed by a point that left them trailing by 1-1 in the first two minutes. Credit to this side they never threw in the towel and made the winners fight all the way to the final whistle.
Killeshandra were more industrious and while they ran out winners by 2-14 to 3-7 they by no means had things all their own way. Team coach John Brady summed it up when he said: "The early scores proved to be vital on the day and left us always having to chase the game. You can only admire the tenacity of the team as they refused to lie down."
Erratic finishing proved to be costly on the night and had Killinkere taken their chances this game would have been in the balance right up to the final whistle. A superb performance from 'veteran' Brendan Stafford almost laid the foundation for victory but the winners youthfulness ensured that they ran out winners.
"Unlike previous years where the majority did not train, the team this year closed out games with greater fitness. A lot of minors coming through this year were blooded with the C's and many will feel these lads will progress into the senior team over the next few years," said the PRO.
Juvenile football
Killinkere place a great emphasis on their juvenile section and under the guidance of Martin McGovern this part of the club is showing promising signs for the future. Their minors were seeded in Division 3 of the league and while they had some great promising players, they did not have strength in numbers. With injuries and lack of numbers the club were forced to join with Ramor United for the Division 1 minor championship.
"Our older players on the panel got to compete at a much higher standard of football and most would agree that it was a great benefit to them. They demonstrated this as they won the Shield final and also travelled to Dunboyne where they won the Geraldine Kelly minor football tournament after lifting their games to defeat the likes of Ballymun Kickhams and Dunboyne. The players themselves felt that the tougher opposition made them raise their game and that they could mix it up with the best," added Brian.
The Under 16's had a similar experience this year, where they played in the Division 4 league. The performance of the U16 throughout the league culminated in a league final appearance.
The game played at P. J. Duke Park, Stradone was to prove to be a hurdle too far for this promising young side. Cootehill got off to the better start and ran out winners by 5-12 to 1-08. Having already beaten Cootehill in an earlier round of the league, the Celtics were in the mood for avenging that defeat.
It was not all one-way traffic and while the winners held the upperhand Killinkere did make a fight of this final. So much so that the Cootehill goalkeeper was awarded 'man-of-the-match'. Killian Smith gave his side some balance in this final with a superbly taken goal to reduce arrears to four points in the first quarter 1-5 to 1-1.
Minutes later he was denied a similar score . Daniel Doughty was also denied a goal opportunity by the in-form Cootehill keeper who tipped his shot over the bar. The winners held a 2-5 to 1-3 interval lead leaving Killinkere with it all to do in the second half.
Cootehill caught Killinkere with an opportunistic goal at the start of the second half. Killinkere to their credit did not lie down and made valiant efforts to restore parity. Once again some great goalkeeping by McCarney from Cootehill helped stem the tide. Trailing 3-7 to 1-7 entering the final quarter Killinkere tried to redress this scoreline leaving themselves open at the back.
They were to pay the price as Cootehill managed to tag on two further goals to seal this final victory.
Killinkere: Conor Sexton; Jack Faherty, Kevin Kavanagh; Jamie Smith, Killian Smith (1-0), Mark Farrelly; Jason McMahon (0-5, four frees), Louis Fay Cooper: Conor Clarke, Daniel Doughty (0-1), Gearoid Traynor; Darren Cooney (0-1), Sean Clarke. Subs: Dale Smith for S Clarke; Michael Faherty for D Smith (inj); Ciaran Cusack for G Traynor; Rory Clarke for C Clarke.
For the championship the decision to join with Cuchullains was again due to the lack of numbers of suitable age and strength. The amalgamation again benefited the U16 lads as the stronger opposition helped bring their game along.
"The underage management feel that perhaps this is what is needed going forward for the benefit of our senior teams to get the underage teams competing at higher grades of football. To compete in the leagues if possible on our own would give everyone football, and to amalgamate for championship would increase our competitiveness," explained Brian.
For Killinkere in both U14 league and championship it was a case of what might have been.
Performances were mixed and while on the good days the lads were a match for anyone, ultimately a lack of consistency cost them. In the league they came up against strong physical teams and found themselves on the wrong end of a few results, most by narrow margins. However they saved our best performance for the Shield final against neighbours Cuchulains.
In a thriller which could have gone either way Killinkere were edged out by a point but knew they were capable of competing with anyone. Hopes were high for the championship but in the first round a big half time lead was let slip against the Butlersbridge and they ended up losing by four points.
"These lads are improving all the time but need to keep working hard to achieve their potential," said the PRO.
"Our U13s started slowly in the league and while the campaign gained momentum we left ourselves too much to do and missed out on a semi-final place. Like our U-14s we saved the best till last with a stirring comeback to beat a strong Maghera side in the last league game but it was too little too late. Again there is plenty of ability in this group but need to keep working in the years ahead."
Ladies
The year started on a high note for the ladies with large numbers attending training. As the league approached the club was decimated through emigration, injuries and maternity leave.
This left the club struggling to field a team. The lack of numbers has now created the need to acquire new recruits and hopefully entice some of the older players out of retirement.
The underage girls are doing very well as they progress from year to year. The underage management are very happy with numbers and effort of their players and hope that many of them will progress into the junior team next year.
Great work is being put in by Lisa Smith and Fiona Lynch, who helped the girls reach minor semi-finals, U-13 final and great U-14 and U-16 campaigns.
Brian said that a great deal of praise should be attributed to the executive - Edward Flynn - Chairman, PJ Clarke - Secretary, Madge Cooney - Assistant Secretary, Rosaleen Doughty - Treasurer, Pat Clarke - Assistant Treasurer.
who have done an incredible amount of work done ensuring the smooth running of affairs at the club.
The PRO also said that like all clubs the smooth functioning of any club was also down to the huge amount of voluntary work carried out in order to keep the club ticking over and keeping improvements done.
"It is through voluntary work that we are able to run lotto, bingo, the Jamboree and the current fundraiser 'Take Me Out'," said a thankful club PRO.
Brian went on to point out that the club has continued on its development programme with a great deal of work being carried out this year. New dugouts were built and an electronic score board was erected with a view to officially open the club's new main pitch.
"We are also proud to have a fabulous residential facility in the club to compliment the club's already great grounds and fantastic facilities. The Rectory house has been used extensively over the year with summer camps, council initiatives, outside football clubs training weekends and as accommodation for club events throughout the year.
"Killinkere GFC prides itself on being a proactive force in the community in bringing the parish together. Its facilities hosts many non club related activities such as ICA, Bingo, Neighbourhood Watch, Ceili Dancing, Foroige, Indoor soccer, Basketball club, Summer camps etc.
"There are a lot of club members who do great work for the club that do not play football. Social events such as the Christmas Social night, Take Me Out, and the Jamboree bring people from all corners of the parish to help organise, work at, and enjoy," said Brian.
"In conclusion I would like on behalf of the club to extend sympathy to the family and friends of the late Aidan Cullen who died on 5th March 2011. With the passing of Aidan, Killinkere lost arguably its' greatest son ever. To put it simply, he was and still is the heart and soul of the club, through good times and bad.
"A man who took sole responsibility for Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and team manager during some of Killinkere's most difficult years and helped steer the club to the success it is today. An inspiration to all involved in the club. No words great enough can describe the man," said a proud club PRO. Tweet
