IFC v Tubberclair

In what was billed as a relegation battle, we produced a wonderfully gutsy performance to beat Tubberclair by 1-10 to 0-10 in Milltown last Sunday afternoon and take a giant step towards retaining our intermediate status.

Buoyed by our unexpected draw with Multyfarnham seven days earlier, we fought like tigers for every ball and were duly rewarded with our first win of the campaign to move on to three points and leapfrog Tubberclair and St Malachy’s, who are both on two points, in Group 2 with one round remaining. The only way we can be relegated at this stage is if Tubberclair and St Malachy’s drew next Saturday, and we lost to Bunbrosna, which would result in a three-way playoff.

Tubberclair opened the scoring, but it was the only time they led as we hit back with points from Dean Fitzgerald and Nigel Scally before a Robbie Curley ’45 tied up the scoring for a second time. Fitzgerald restored our lead before the game’s decisive score came in the 17th minute when the Tubberclair ‘keeper failed to hold on to Fitzgerald’s undercooked ’45, and Scally reacted quickest to crash home the only goal via the underside of the crossbar.

Scally added a point to make it 1-4 to 0-2 before Fred Kelleher replied from a dubious free for the green and golds. Scally then missed an easy free before making amends from a much more difficult placed ball to send us into the break with a 1-5 to 0-3 lead.

Tubberclair resumed with three unanswered points to reduce the deficit to two before Thomas Barrett pulled off a marvellous save in the 40th minute to preserve our lead. We wrestled back with two more Fitzgerald points, the second of which came from a free after James Hanlon had been fouled after bursting forward from corner back.

Tubberclair weren’t giving up, though, and kicked three more points without reply to leave the minimum in it, 0-9 to 1-7, with time running out. Amid unbearable tension, we responded with a free from Scally after David Fennell was fouled before Fennell became our first starting forward to score in two games after an inspirational surge forward by Shaun Pidgeon.

Five minutes of injury-time were signalled and Curley’s second ’45 made it a two-point game once more before Scally curled over a brilliant free and then made a superb catch at the other end to finally end Tubberclair’s hopes.

While Scally was the standout performer on view and James Hanlon, Niall Carey, Conor Delaney and Dean Fitzgerald were also excellent, it was a wonderful collective effort by every player in a maroon and white jersey who rose to the challenge magnificently. Having initially struggled to find our feet at this level, we are getting better with every game and will be striving to finish the campaign with a flourish against high-flying Bunbrosna in Ballynacargy next Saturday evening.

Team: Thomas Barrett; James Hanlon, James Fox, Aidan Stone; Niall Carey, Shaun Pidgeon, Colin Draper; Dean Fitzgerald, Nigel Scally; Brendan McMahon, Conor Delaney, Mel Kiernan; David Fennell, Jamie Stone, Alan Fennell. Subs used: James Finnegan, Brendan Nannery and Darragh Coffey.

Summer Camp

There are still places available for our annual Summer Camp which takes place next Friday and Saturday, August 16 and 17 from 10am to 2pm. It will be followed by a family fun day and BBQ on Saturday from 2.15pm to 4.30pm. Cost per child (aged between four and 13) is €20 and completed forms will still be accepted at underage training this Thursday evening.

Activities take place outdoors and children should dress accordingly. They are also asked to bring a packed lunch and drinks.

Ladies football

Our ladies footballers are due to play Clann Gaels in the next round of the intermediate championship this Thursday evening, August 15. Time and venue weren’t to hand at time of writing.

New running group

Fit Factory Kilbeggan and international cross-country runner Linda Conroy would like to invite you all to join us in Kilbeggan’s newest running group every Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm at Fit Factory, Relic Road.

The group caters for all levels of fitness from beginners to advanced runners. Contact Linda on 083 8728551 or Brendan on 0851016357 for more details.

Lotto

Last week's lucky numbers were 2, 3, 21 and 25. The two Match 3 winners were Kathleen Kelly and Ger Glennon. This week's draw takes place in The Saddler’s Inn with the jackpot standing at €15,000. Tickets, costing €2, can be purchased locally. Thank you for your continued support.

Mizen 2 Malin Cycle

Two of our players, Colin Draper and Ayesha Roche, are part of a group that is undertaking the 700km cycle from Mizen Head to Malin Head in aid of Offaly Hospice. A GoFundMe page has been set up and all donations would be gratefully accepted.

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