A major milestone in the history of our Club was celebrated last Saturday afternoon when our recently constructed spectator stand was officially opened. After the Ecumenical blessing of the Stand by Very Rev. Fr Eamonn Kelleher P.P. and Rev. Canon Tom Sherlock, Church of Ireland, the official opening was carried out by Uachtaran Cumann Luithcleas Gael, Aogan O Fearghail, who in his address praised the Club for their initiative and thanked them for their invitation and welcome he had received. Cathaoirleach Choiste Chontae Chorcai, Ger lane also spoke and said he was honoured to have been invited to this very special event in the history of the Kildorrery Club and thanked the Club for their invitation. Also among the huge attendance were Cathaoirleach Choiste Chorcai Thuaidh, Barry Aherne. Junior Minister, Sean Sherlock T.D., Garry Cotter. B.E. and Liam Kelly, Quantity Surveyor.
Club Cathaoirleach, Dave Roche, in his address extended a cead mile failte to the attendance and on behalf of the Club, thanked Fr. Kelleher and Canon Sherlock for conducting the Blessing ceremony. He expressed his appreciation of an t-Uachtaran’s acceptance of the invitation and that of the other G.A.A. officials and Minister Sherlock.
In the course of his address, he outlined the history of the construction of the stand which began in 2012 with the building of the back wall which is also used as a hurling wall. Several attempts had been made to continue with the work but it was only early this year it became possible to get things under way again. This happened mainly because of the persuasive powers of Club stalwart, Ned Dwane, who acted as Project Manager from start to finish and to whom a huge debt of gratitude is due. Plans were prepared by Garry Cotter B.E. and a Bill of Quantities prepared by local Quantity Surveyor, Liam Kelly . There was a good response to invitations for tenders and eventually the Contract was awarded to local Contractor Liam Young Construction. Work got under way in March and the job was completed some six weeks ago. He paid tribute to all who support the Club in whatever way morally or financially and said it was very much appreciated. Club Runai, Joe Sherlock acted as a very efficient M.C. for the occasion.
The Club is most appreciative of the work done by the very willing and capable group of ladies who catered for all with tea/coffee and light refreshments in the Club Hall.
The evening concluded with a hurling and football blitz on the main pitch for Under 6’s, 8’s, 10’s & 12’s organised by the Juvenile Club under their Cathaoirleach Bernard Cronin and Runai, Shane O’Grady. Teams from Glanworth, Doneraile, Kilavullen, Ballyhooly Ballylanders and Kildorrery took part.
KILDORRERY 1-9 DONERAILE 2-3
On Thursday evening last week, our Under 16B2 footballers, with home advantage, scored a deserved three point victory over Doneraile on the above score, in the Rebel Og North Cork Championship final. A strong wind which blew diagonally across the pitch made conditions difficult. Kildorrery played into this wind in the opening half and ironically, played their better football in this half.
From the throw-in, Sean Cunningham had the ball over the bar within thirty seconds but they had to wait for thirteen minutes for their next score, a point by Sean Watson, by which time Doneraile had their first point on the board. Three minutes later, the visitors got through for their first goal after the wind caught Darren Caplice’s kick-out, directing into the hands of an unmarked forward. Now they were 1-1 to 0-2 ahead, but this proved to be their last score of the half. Kildorrery’s defence and mid-field pair ensured that their forwards had a decent supply of the ball. Three more points, two from Sean Cunningham frees and one from play by Sean Watson saw Kildorrery 0-5 to 1-1 ahead at the break.
However, within two minutes of the turnover, Doneraile had levelled. Richie Hurley and Timmy O’Sullivan replied immediately with points and had Kildorrery two points ahead again, after just five minutes of this second half. Early in this third quarter, Kildorrery goalie, Darren Caplice brought off a great save from point blank range. Once again, Doneraile regained their advantage when they had their second goal from a penalty in the fortieth minute. It was now 2-2 to 0-7 and they had made it 2-3 to 0-7 before substitute Padraig O’Flynn got through for Kildorrery’s goal in fifty-third minute and the lead which they were not to relinquish. Points from Sean Cunningham and Timmy O’Sullivan completed the scoring and so Kildorrery were crowned champions.
Team and sorers: Darren Caplice, Declan Mullins, Conor Noonan, Richie Hurley 0-1, Mattie Walsh O’Grady, David Hunter, Timmy O’Sullivan 0-2, Kieran Hurley, Sean Watson 0-2, Sean Cunningham 0-4 (0-2fs), Pierc Pigott, Fionnan Walsh –O’Grady, Daniel O’Flynn. Subs. Conor Kent for F.Walsh-O’Grady inj. Padraig O’Flynn for D.O’Flynn.
LOTTO
The new jackpot of €1,000 was not won when the fortnightly Club lotto draw took place at Sheahan’s Hilltop Lounge, last Saturday night. The numbers drawn were: 3,9,13 & 17.
Three lucky dip winners of €50 each were:
1. Pat Fitzgerald, Farahy
2. Pat Roche, Limerick Road
3 Tom Jackson, Quitrent
The next draw will be held at Ollie’s Bar, on Saturday October 28th when the jackpot will be €1,200.
The Avondhu, 19th October 2017