KEVIN REPORTS: Austin Stacks 3-9 Kilcummin 2-17
A sun-drenched Connolly Park was the venue for the 5th round of the minor Co. League against last year’s Co Champions, Kilcummin, on Saturday 26th March. All supporters, both Kilcummin and Stacks, were treated to an outstanding and most entertaining football encounter from 2 very good, clean and sporting teams. The ball was thrown in at 5pm and, from the first whistle, it was an all action encounter. Early wides by both sides were followed in the 5th minute by an excellent move in which Dara O’Brien picked out Kyle Fitz with a beautiful 30 yard kick pass and Kyle laid it off to an oncoming Ciarán O’Connell who superbly finished low and hard to the corner of the net. Kilcummin responded quickly, with points in the 5th, 7th (free) and 10th minutes to leave it all square. The 11th minute saw Mike Godley make one of his noted storming runs from defence to put The Rock back in front with a fine point from play. The 13th minute saw our goalie, Shane Begley, produce the finest save of the year, stretching full length to keep the ball out of the net. Gordon Banks would have been proud of same. A point for Kilcummin in the 14th, followed by another in the 17th minute, saw Kilcummin in front for the 1st time in the game. Then, in a fine move by the super Rockies, in the 18th minute, Dara picked out Danny Carroll from distance, who played the ball to Kyle, who unselfishly gave to Greg Horan, who did what he does best…tucked it into the bottom corner of the net. Then, Danny Carroll was picked out by Alan Duggan in the 20th minute and kicked a fine point from 35 yards. In the 22nd minute Alan again picked up a breaking ball at midfield, fed Kyle who spotted Mike Godley coming forward and Mike took the point well. Another Kilcummin point was followed in the 25th minute by a pointed free by Dara for The Rock after Greg was fouled. Nóiméad ina dhiaidh sin, Danny passed to Dara for a fine point from play. In the 29th minute, Kilcummin pointed a free to leave the half-time score at 2-05 to 0-07 with Stacks 4 chúilín chun tosaigh…a good but dangerous lead!! The second half continued, as the first half ended, with end to end open football being played and with the réiteoir doing a fine job of letting play continue. Kilcummin were fast out of the blocks, tagging on points in the 31st, 32nd(free) and 33rd(45′) minutes. In the 34th Dara pointed from a free. A minute later, Alan Duggan picked of Kyle, who delightfully pointed from 40 yards. The 36th saw another Kilcummin point, followed a minute later by a great run from defence by Tommy Mc who played in David O’Sullivan who pointed superbly. The next 5 points came from Kilcummin, 38th, 42nd(free), 45th (free), 46th and 48th.The Rockies never-say-die attitude paid off when we were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute and the pigskin was calmly slotted to the net by Dara. The 52nd minute saw the Kilcummin goalkeeper sent to the line for a second bookable offence…nothing dirty. Dara pointed again from play in the 54th minute. The opposition pointed again in the 55th minute. With 5 minutes left the score stood at 3-09 for The Rock and 0-17 ag Cill Chuimín. Then a sucker punch…the biggest man on the field “rolled” into the square and was awarded a very fortunate penalty which the midfielder slotted home. From the resulting kick out, Kilcummin won possession and again finished the move to the net in the 58th minute. Apart from the final slip-up, our backs played magnificently throughout and skilfully repulsed many dangerous attacks. Final score: 2-17 in aghaidh 3-09. The Rock team can be very, very proud of their performance against the reigning County Champions, playing excellent football…bímis mórálach astu! Onwards and upwards for the Championship and Town League…and I’m confident that The Rock Minors of ’11 will bring silverware to the club before the year is out. Seanie and William keep up the fine work…tá spiorad maith san fhoireann óg seo! Team: S.Begley, P.Galvin, D.O’Sullivan (0-1), C.Jordan, T.McLoughlin, A.Crean, M.Godley (0-2), C.O’Connell (1-0), A.Duggan (45′; B.Caball), S.Crowley, D.Carroll (0-1), D.O’Brien (1-4), K.Fitzgibbon (0-1), S.Monaghan, G.Horan (1-0). Subs: P.Fitzgibbon, B.Ivanov, S.Walsh, E.McAllen, B.Walsh (injured). A big thank you to all, our supporters, and also to the senior players who were there to encourage our young brigade. Thanks.
Hurling & Football Club