Local Sport Round up

Compiled by JJ Hurley

Belgooly AC

A busy few weeks with Belgooly on the home and international scene as the club continues to grow. Along with success at the Munster indoor championship, a number of its athletes competed on the international stage. The Bateman sisters, Nelly and Freya, claimed first place in their respective 800m at the Scottish Championships. Hannah Falvey took a bronze in the 200 m and Tiffany Nwaedozie also turned in a great performance, finishing in 4 th  place behind Hannah. There was also success for Hannah at home as she claimed an impressive 2 nd  place in the national 200m junior race.

Riverstick Kinsale AC athletes perform fantastically at the Irish Under 23 championships

As Irish eyes were smiling in Apeldoorn on the final day of European Indoor Athletics championships on Sunday 9th of March, there were many smiling eyes in Athlone where 3 athletes Max O’ Reilly, Sam Kiely, Praise Wenegieme representing Riverstick Kinsale AC produced phenomenal performances at the Irish under 23 Indoor Athletic Championships. Max O Reilly claimed gold in the 60m sprint. He ran the fastest race of his life. His time of 6.66 seconds puts him as the 4th fastest man in all time of Irish history over the 60m distance. This outstanding achievement comes just 2 weeks after Max won silver at the national senior championship

where he defeated Israel Olatunde previous European finalist Sam Kiely and Praise Wengieme negotiated the 400m rounds excellently to both take much coveted places in the 400m U23 men’s finals in the Irish Championship. Both Sam and Praise ran superbly in the final. Sam Kiely ran a personal best time over the distance to take the bronze in a superb time of 49.38 seconds. Praise ran a very competitive race to take fourth position.

Kinsale Minors good win

Kinsale’s minor footballers had a decent win over Eire Og at the weekend. Travelling to the Muskerry venue claiming a 1-14 to 2-7 victory against their hosts.

Pictured is Ballinhassig AFC midfielder Finn O'Brien at a recent league fixture, in Hassig's away strip of pink and black 

Weekend GAA

Unfortunately, Friday night’s rain resulted in the long-awaited meeting between Carrigaline and Belgooly’ s junior A hurlers following their heated meeting in last year’s championship being postponed. Kinsale suffered a loss to Sarsfields in their meeting in the Red Fm Sponsored Hurling game. Ballymartle travelled to the northside, where they defeated Piarsaigh 3-20 to 0-18, thanks to goals from Cillian Lordan (2) and John McCarthy.

Unfortunately, Ballygarvan, Valley Rovers and Tracton all lost out in their respective Red FM Hurling leagues games as Ballinhassig fell to Courcey Rovers in the local derby clash. Local SE Junior A Hurling League results were as follows:

Shamrocks 1-08     Ballygarvan 1-06

Ballymartle 1-17     Ballinhassig 1-07.

Back to football next week. Locally its Courcey Rovers home to Shamrocks on Sunday at 3pm. There are two games down for decision Monday night, Ballygarvan V Ballinhassig and Ballymartle V

Valley Rovers both have an 8pm throw in. County competition Ballygarvan are home to Argideen Rangers on Sunday at 11.30am, Carrigaline are away to Cill na Martra, Kinsale travel

to Glenville and both throw in at 11.30am

Kinsale Just Lose out

Gabriel Rangers landed a free deep into injury time against Kinsale in the O’Leary Insurance Division 5 league game at Dunderrow on Sunday to claim the win with Brian Coughlan sending over a two pointer to tie up the sides on 59 minutes this game looked destined for a draw but Sean Kelleher sent over the winner with the last action of the game.

 In truth, points shared would have been a fair result as both sides used the wind to their advantage in either half.

 Kinsale may well rue a penalty opportunity that was driven wide on 49 minutes, after Michael Murphy was upended.

 It was the home side that went ahead after a minute, with a Michael Murphy goal.

The Ranger’s response was a pair of two pointers from Kelleher and Mark Cronin the home side had their keeper, Thomas Douglas to thank, tipping a goal bound shot over the bar from a

Dillon Green effort the sides were level on 13 minutes at 1-2 to 0-5 thanks to Murphy taking a delightful score.

Kinsale lost their way for the next fifteen minutes as the visitors hit a total of five unanswered scores.

One of those chances could have easily gone under the bar as over, after the wizardry of Paddy O’Driscoll had set up Shane O’Mahony.

Regaining their composure, Kinsale hit three points in a row as the break came into view, with James Murphy claiming two of the all-important points, leaving the half- time score at 0-12 to 1-5.

Two early second half points from Murphy and Coughlan gave the Kinsale side an early foothold, but a free to the visitors had them keeping their noses in front.

Coughlan was back again with another score, but the West Cork men then hit three on the bounce, from Kelleher, Cronin and Lorcan O’Brien, as they led 0-16 to 1-8 on 46 minutes.

As Niall McCarthy steadied the Kinsale ship, a brace of points from James Murphy and the hard-working John O’Brien had four points between the sides.

 A free from Kelleher seemed to stir Kinsale into action, as subs Harry Sheehan and James Rooney added points, and Coughlan tied up proceedings on 59 minutes, but parity didn’t last as Rangers secured the late winner.  

Scorers for Gabriel Rangers: S Kelleher (3f, 1 2pt), M Cronin   (2f, 1 2pt), K Roycroft  (1f, 2 2pt) 0-5 each, Shane O’Mahony, D Green L O’Brien 0-1 each.

Kinsale: B Coughlan 0-6 (2f, 1 2pt), M Murphy 1-2, J Murphy 0-3, J O' Brien, J Rooney, C Sheehan 0-1 each.

Gabriel Rangers: L Hegarty; D Roycroft, L Hodnett, O Barrett; R Hurley, K Roycroft, T Ryan Purcell; D Green, S Kelleher; L O’ Brien, P O’Driscoll, G O’Callaghan; M Cronin, S O’Mahony, E O’Brien.  Sub C McCarthy for Shane O’Mahony (HT).

Kinsale: T Douglas; D O’Leary, C O’Callaghan, K O’Callaghan; C McCarthy, N McCarthy; J Byrne; D

Coughlan, Brian Coughlan; S O’Callaghan, J O’Brien, J Murphy; M McCarthy, M Murphy, B Gray.

 Subs: David Looney and Cathal O’Leary for M Murphy and Barry Gray (HT),  J Rooney for David Coughlan (39), C Sheehan for S O’Callaghan (49).

Referee Cathal Dineen, Douglas  

Fiona takes top prize

A huge well done to Fiona O’Connell on winning Kinsale AFC’s Chase This fundraiser is a vital part of the club’s efforts to develop a much-needed Astro facility at Madden Park, helping to improve facilities for players of all ages in the community.