It has been another busy week in Kilcoo with the senior team playing in the semi final of the Championship and the Camogs playing in the Ulster Championship. The seniors played a hungry Mayobridge team and right from the start the "Bridge" set out their stall with Adrian Barry finding the Kilcoo net after 17 seconds. On 4 minutes dead the "Bridge's" forwards broke through the Kilcoo defence a second time and this time Caolan Gallagher scored for the South Down men. Many another team would have dropped their heads but the defending champions proved they are made of sterner stuff. On 6 minutes Aaron Morgan gave the Magpies their first score from around 40 yards and this was a very important one as it settled the Kilcoo lads. Paul Devlin bagged another from free when Ryan Johnston was fouled close in on goal.

Jerome Johnston fired one over from 30 yards and on 14 minutes Laverty, using all his cunning while being held by both hands inside the Mayobridge square, dropped the ball and volleyed into the net. On 17 minutes Johnston scored his second point putting Kilcoo in front. Mayobridge however did not role over and die and young Gallagher equalised a few minutes later. Marty Devlin put Kilcoo in front and as the clock ran down on the half the South Down men equalised setting those present for an epic second half.

On the restart Kilcoo's Paul Devlin claimed first blood with a point from 20 yards. It was however not all one way traffic and the Kilcoo defence were working tirelessly as they were faced with wave after wave of attack from a very determined opposition. On 7 minutes Paul Devlin added another from close range and seconds later Donal Kane fired over the bar from 20 yards. On 9 minutes Laverty fired over from a ridiculous angle and Kilcoo were 4 points up and looking good for a place in the final. Well Mayobridge certainly hadn't read that script and a defence splitting run through the Kilcoo defence from Barry resulted in a point as the ball skimmed the top of the crossbar. Another raid resulting in a 45 metre kick for the "Bridge" and this was converted and then on 14 minutes a goal for the Mayobridge team put them in front. A point from O'Hanlon squared things and a fisted point from Paul Devlin put the Kilcoo lads back in front, but Mayobridge levelled again. Right on 30 minutes Paul Devlin scored from 35 metres and in the last minute of added time Donal Kane side stepped the defence and sealed Kilcoo's place in the final.

This was a tough game played at a frantic pace and both teams gave it their all. It was a great spectacle and the neutrals in attendance left discussing the positives from this game. Well done to both teams.

The boys u10 footballers finished up their season on saturday at the Tullylish tournament. The team won all their group games comfortably on saturday and qualified for the quarter finals of the cup. They team had to show some character to come from behind in the quarter final against Rostrevor to record a good win to reach semi final.  In the semi final they came up against a strong Burren team who eventually won the competition outright. The boys again never let themselves down in this match and kept playing good football to the end.  The team have performed well in all the tournaments they have entered this year and have steadily improved throughout the season. The boys have learned that when the work hard, encourage their team mates and play as a team they can be a match for most teams in Down.  The majority of these boys are now moving on to u12s next year and if they continue to progress as they have done they will be very competive next season in this age group. The boys that now move on from u10s are Adam Curran, Nathan Rodgers, Conor McEvoy,  Owen McEvoy, Tiernan McEvoy, Micheal Grant, Lorcan Hynds & Cathal Fettes. The boys available next year to u10s are Cormac O'Reilly, Odhran Hynes, Conall Gribben, Conall McDowell, Leo Mallon, Tiernan Rice. The u8 boys who helped u10s throughout the course of the year are Ruari Madine, Ruari McEvoy, Charlie Tumility, Ben Curran and Eoin Mussen. A big thanks to all the parents who helped with transport to all the tournaments entered throughout the year.
On Sunday the senior Camogs played a very strong Clontiret team in the Ulster Championship. Having improved steadily all year and playing a more attacking brand of camogie the girls found this step up to this level a bridge too far on this occasion but they can take a lot of positives from what has been a most successful season.
On Saturday 4th October the club are organising a fund raising day with a bric a brac sale and a carwash to help pay for our under 12 camogie teams trip to Croke Park were they shall get to play on the Halloed turf. Please come along and support them. There shall be a big breakfast ahead of the Senior Championship Final on Sunday 5th October.
The numbers for last week's tote draw were 16, 23, 26 and 27. There was no jackpot winner and next week's jackpot will be £2,400. £10 winners were Mark Fitzpatrick and Jackie McGreevy.
Date for the Dairy. Friday 28th November in the Canal Court; Kilcoo Does Strictly Come Dancing. Following on from last year's massive success this may sell out very quickly.
Mickey Devlin has decided to reschedule his sponsored walk from Sunday 5th October until Sunday 12th October due to it clashing with the Down Senior Championship Final. This walk is in aid of the Mac Dermott Cancer unit and anyone that would like to sponsor him or take part in the walk from the Trassey Car Park through Tollymore Forest to Newcastle should contact Mickey.
The club wishes to wish our senior management member Mark Copeland and all associated with the Down Senior Ladies team the very best of luck as they play in the All Ireland Final on Sunday. We would also like to wish offer our senior team manager Jim McCorry our congratulations upon his new appointment as Down senior manager. Whilst we shall be sad to see him go, he can be assured of our unwavering support in his new role. Off course we will be hoping that he is not completely free of club commitments for a number of games just yet. In the time Jim has been at the helm in Kilcoo, we have enjoyed unparalleled success as he moulded our players from pretenders into achievers.  He has done an excellent job in Kilcoo, building on a sound underage policy, and his professional manner and approach has not only brought results, in many ways he has helped change the mindset of our club and our supporters, and has played a pivotal role in transforming  Kilcoo GAC from a small club into one of the leading clubs in Down and Ulster. Thank you Jim.

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