Tuesday 12th May
U13 Boys Div 2
Rathkeale 1-1 Askeaton/Kilcornan
The U13 Boys team played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw away to Rathkeale on Tuesday evening. After winning a home fixture 3-2 against the same opposition just last month we expected a tough return game, and that is exactly what we got.
In a bright opening 10 minutes we had the better of the play and were unlucky not to take the lead when Eoghan Kelly had an effort well saved by the Rathkeale keeper. Defences were on top at both ends for the rest of the half, with both teams having a few half chances but not really threatening the goal.
Rathkeale had the better of the play in the second half, and deservedly took the lead with 10 minutes to play. Credit to our team though who kept battling despite the setback. With only a few minutes left to play Eoghan Kelly was fouled on the edge of the box, and the freekick taken by Harry Biggane was then handled by a player in the Rathkeale wall to give us a penalty. It was Harry again who stepped up to calmly slot it home to bring us level and earn us a point.
And a valuable point it turned out to be, as other results in the division this evening mean that we will finish at least third in the table, and so have secured a shield spot.
Matchday squad:
Oisín O’Connor, Gavin Anglim, Conor Sheahan, Paddy Nealon, Sean Anglim, Mike Mulvihill, Harry Biggane (1), Luke Mungovan, Kayden Delahunty, Josh O’Donoghue, Eoghan Kelly, Laura O’Driscoll, Tommy Hennessy, Reon George, Ruairi Flanagan.
Thursday 14th May
U16 Boys Div 2
Askeaton/Kilcornan v Breska Rovers
The U16s put in a strong performance on Thursday evening against Breska. We started well with early goals from Mark McDonagh and Adam O’Driscoll to take control of the game. Breska responded with a goal of their own, but Darragh O’Shaughnessy restored our advantage with a brilliant solo effort. Rory Moran then added another with a composed finish before half time.
Kieran Hanley and Tom Harty were introduced at the break and both made a positive impact, with Tom getting on the scoresheet. Tomás Moane and Dion Harty were also introduced shortly after, with Tomás delivering an excellent corner that was headed home by Darragh O’Shaughnessy. Dion Harty rounded off the scoring with a superb strike into the bottom corner.
A very good team performance from the entire squad.
Panel
Luca Zoncada, Donncha O’Gorman, Mark O’Driscoll, Dylan Sheehan, Cathal Daly, Mark Mc Donagh, Darragh O’Shaughnessy, Billy Rimmer, Adam O’Driscoll, Rory Moran, Paudie Ryan, Tomás Moane, Tom Harty, Kieran Hanley, Dion Harty
Friday 15th May
U13 GIRLS CUP FINAL
NCW Town 2-1 Askeaton/Kilcornan
Despite a gallant performance from our U13 girls against a very strong Newcastle West side in the Cup Final, the result unfortunately didn’t go our way. It was a superb contest that truly turned into a game of two halves, with our girls showing incredible determination and character throughout.
Newcastle West started strongly and enjoyed most of the possession and chances during the opening half. They broke the deadlock in the 7th minute, putting early pressure on our side. Despite Newcastle’s dominance, our girls showed flashes of quality, none more so than when Cailín Purtill produced a brilliant run through four defenders, only to be denied by an outstanding save from the Newcastle goalkeeper.
As half-time approached, Newcastle West doubled their advantage on the 30th minute, leaving our girls with a mountain to climb heading into the break.
Whatever was said at half-time certainly sparked a response. The second half belonged to our girls, who came out with energy, belief and determination. They pushed Newcastle back from the restart and began to take control of the game.
Their pressure paid off just five minutes into the second half when Kate O’Driscoll found the net to pull a goal back and ignite hopes of a comeback. From there, the girls piled the pressure onto the Newcastle defence, battling for every ball and creating chances, but the equaliser just wouldn’t come.
As the final whistle approached, it simply wasn’t to be for this outstanding group of girls, whose unbeaten run this season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion. However, every player can hold their head high after a tremendous effort and performance on the big occasion.
Now the focus turns quickly to Monday evening and a league playoff, where this talented group will have the perfect opportunity to bounce back.
Girls, as coaches we are incredibly proud of every single one of ye, and ye should be hugely proud of yourselves too.
Saturday 16th May
U12 Boys Div 2
Granagh Utd A v Askeaton/Kilcornan (off, walkover to Granagh Utd)
U14 Boys Div 2
Askeaton/Kilcornan 0-5 Carrig Cel
U16 Boys Div 2
Dromore Utd 2-0 Askeaton/Kilcornan
Our U16s were away to Dromore in Kildimo on Saturday. We needed to win our last three games to win the League. We started off well and had a lot of possession but we didn’t create any real chances. Dromore began to get back into the game and looked more threatening in the latter period of the first half, however, some good defending and good goal keeping by Luca left the half time score 0-0. The second half was fairly even but midway through the half Dromore took the lead when a dangerous ball across the box hit one of our defenders and went into our net to give Dromore a 1-0 lead. Dromore scored a second a few minutes later to make it 2-0. Our boys never gave up and created a few half chances but Dromore were deserved winners in the end and as a result claimed the League title. We have two games left to play but are guaranteed a Shield Final against Creeves.
Our squad on the day was Luca Zoncada, Donncha O’Gorman, Kieran Hanley, Dylan Sheehan, Cathal Daly, Mark O’Driscoll, Eoin McNamara, Darragh O’Shaughnessy, Mark McDonagh, Rory Moran, Tom Harty, Dion Harty, Paudie Ryan, Tomas Moane
Sunday 17th May
Cois Sionna Desmond Credit Union Premier Division
Ballingarry AFC 5-3 Askeaton/Kilcornan AFC
(HT 3-1)
27’ Conor McNamara (assist Ken O’Donoghue)
48’ Sam Duggan (assist Finn O’Gorman)
87’ Paul O’Shaughnessy (assist Tomas Sheahan)
We travelled to league leaders Ballingarry AFC this morning for the second last round of fixtures in the Premier Division, knowing it would be a huge challenge against a side chasing the league title.
Ballingarry started strongly and took the lead on 16 minutes before adding a second just four minutes later. Credit to our lads, they responded well and continued to battle their way back into the game. On 27 minutes, Conor McNamara finished well after good play from Ken O’Donoghue to make it 2-1.
The game remained competitive throughout the opening half, but Ballingarry managed to grab a third goal on 41 minutes to leave it 3-1 at the break.
We came out with real determination in the second half and were rewarded almost immediately when Sam Duggan found the net on 48 minutes following an assist from Finn O’Gorman. At 3-2, we were right back in the contest and matched the league leaders for long periods with a tremendous work rate and fighting spirit all over the pitch. We had a huge chance to level the match when Paul O’Shaughnessy was tripped inside the box but credit to the home keeper, he pulled off a super save to preserve their slender lead.
Ballingarry eventually added further goals on 67 and 75 minutes, but once again we refused to give up. Paul O’Shaughnessy pulled another goal back late on in the 87th minute after good work from Tomas Sheahan to round off the scoring at 5-3.
While the result didn’t go our way, every player gave everything against top-quality opposition and the game was far more evenly contested than the scoreline may suggest. With us fighting relegation and Ballingarry pushing to win the league, it was always going to be a difficult fixture.
Importantly, other results around the division went in our favour, meaning next Fridays clash against Newcastlewest now becomes a massive game in our fight to stay in the Premier Division.
Photo: Jimmy O’Donoghue being presented with last weeks Split the Pot winnings from Norman Birdthistle. A huge thank you to Jimmy, who very generously donated his winnings back to the club’s fundraising committee.
ASKEATON KILCORNAN AFC 50/50 SPLIT THE POT!!
Our Split the Pot draw was held on Tuesday 12th May in Askeaton clubhouse. The winner of €100 was Pat O’Connell.
Split the Pot is our weekly fundraiser for Askeaton Kilcornan AFC. You can enter by writing your name and contact number on the envelope and place your €2 into the envelope. The envelope should be placed into one of the buckets located in SuperValu, Centra, Top of the Town Bar, Cagney’s Bar, Shanahan’s Shop, Boss Barbers, Moran’s Hardware, Askeaton Soccer Pitch and Kilcornan Community Hall. You can also enter online at www.askeatonkilcornanafc.ie The draw is held every Tuesday evening. Half of the money entered into the draw is given in prize money and the other half goes towards funding activities for our club. We thank you all for your continued support of this fundraising initiative, it is very much appreciated.
BONUS BALL
This weeks Bonus Ball winning number is 7
Draw 1 winner: Steff O’Mullane
Draw 2 winner: Stacia Murphy
Draw 3 winner: Sarah Ivess
Congratulations to you all
CLUB SHOP
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