Monday 14th April
U12 Boys Div 2
Askeaton/Kilcornan 1-5 Rathkeale
Harry Biggane
The u12A boys had a disappointing end to the league season on Monday evening, going down 5-1 at home to Rathkeale. Couldn’t fault the team for effort, they gave it everything, but as has happened a few times this season, a couple of quick goals conceded hurt us and the heads understandably dropped a little. We’ve still got an important game in the quarter-final of the cup to look forward to this Saturday though, so still plenty to play for.
U12 Boys Div 5
Kilcolman Rvs v Askeaton/Kilcornan B (off)
Tuesday 15th April
U12 Girls Div 1
Broadford Utd A 2-3 Askeaton/Kilcornan
Big win on Tuesday night for our U12 girls, we had 12 girls make the trip to Broadford and everyone played their part in a tense and exciting battle. The game finished 3-2 with goals coming from Mia, Amy and Laura.
U13 Boys Div 2
St Itas 1-4 Askeaton/Kilcornan
A very hard 3 points earned away to St Itas on Tuesday night in the league with a flattering 4-1 victory, it wasn’t until we were 1 nil down that we snapped into action, scoring just before the break with a penalty from Danny Anglim. All the lads did well and we had 8 subs who all put in a shift too, we head up the table now and hopefully a shield position is within our reach.
Wednesday 16th April
U14 Boys Div 2
Askeaton/Kilcornan 1-6 Athea Utd
Kieran Hanley
The scoreline didn’t do justice to our performance, especially in the second half where we showed real fight and dominated large spells of possession. Despite going behind early we rallied and created several chances after the break. Athea were clinical in front of goal and their early lead proved too much, but the character and effort shown by all the boys was a real positive to take from the game.
Thursday 17th April
U16 Boys Cup Quarter Final
Kilcolman Rvs 0-2 Askeaton/Kilcornan
Gavin Rushe (2)
Two goals by Gavin Rushe, both coming from corners delivered by Darragh O’Shaughnessy, were enough to secure the win for us.
Friday 18th April
Youths Division One Title Semi Final
Broadford Utd 1-2 Askeaton/Kilcornan AFC
Zach Birdthistle 2’ 54’ (Assists Sambulo Ngubane, Christopher Sheehy)
Our lads are through to the 1st Division Final again after beating a superb Broadford side.
We raced into a lead when Sambulo played a perfect through ball for Zach Birdthistle who rounded the keeper and gave us a super start in the 1st minute. In a tight game we kept the oppositions chances to shooting from distance but Cathal Guerin was equal to their best efforts. Just before half time Broadford breeched our rearguard but Guerin raced off his line with a brilliant stop to hold our lead to the short whistle.
The second half brought further pressure from the home side but our midfield were dominant. A Christopher Sheehy speculative shot was parried by the keeper but Zach was lurking and buried the rebound. Broadford got back into it with a penalty after the hour mark but we held our nerve with our centre half pairing of Conor McNamara and Conor Conway in fine form throughout the match.
We now look forward to a rematch with Ballingarry in the final
Team: Cathal Guerin, Jamie Sheehan, Ben O’Brien, Conor McNamara, Conor Conway, Finn O’Gorman, Gavin Rushe, Zach Birdthistle, Sambulo Ngubane, Dessie Downes, Christopher Sheehy, Ben Fitzgerald, Eoin McNamara.
Weekly Observer Division Three
Askeaton/Kilcornan B 1-0 Glantine/Mountcollins B
Patrick Ivess 80’
In a game dominated by us, a late goal from Patrick Ivess secured a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Glantine Mountcollins. Despite creating numerous chances throughout the match, it took until the 80th minute to finally break the deadlock.
The first half saw us control possession and push forward consistently, but a combination of missed opportunities and solid defending from Glantine Mountcollins kept the scoreline 0-0 at the break
Jamie O’Sullivan came on for Conor Pledge at halftime, adding fresh energy. The pressure continued in the second half with us pushing for a breakthrough. Calum Pledge was introduced around the 75th minute for Davie Dolan as we searched for a goal.
The breakthrough finally came in the 80th minute when Patrick found the back of the net. Glantine Mountcollins nearly equalized in the dying minutes, but we held strong to secure all three points.
Team: Jamie Dolan, Davie Dolan, Niall Barry, James O’Shaughnessy, Arron McCarthy, Conor Pledge, Anthony Cregan, Paudie Ivess, Stephen Maune, Pete Harty, Patrick Ivess, Jamie O’Sullivan, Calum Pledge.
Saturday 19th April
U8 Boys Blitz
The U8 Boys finished up their season on Saturday with a blitz. The rain didn’t bother the lads and there was great soccer played.
U12 Girls Div 1
Askeaton/Kilcornan 1-0 NCW Town A
Cailín Purtill
What a game, last day of the season with a top of the table clash with Newcastle west to decide the winners of the U12 Division 1 league. We started slowly with NCW dominating the early exchanges but with Gemma in goals we knew we were in safe hands. Ten minutes in and our girls shook off the nervousness that caused our slow start, and this led to us starting to take control of the game. Mia up front was always a threat and never gave their defenders a minutes peace and went close on a few occasions with strikes from outside the box but the NCW keeper was in fine form. It was relentless work in midfield from Laura, Kate and Amy which kept us in control to see out the first half which we came in disappointed at being level but credit also has to go to our opposition for keeping us out. It was an excellent game for everyone watching from the sidelines as it had everything in that first half. Quick chat at half time and the girls decided there and then that this was to be our day. Cailín started the second half with real purpose and set up numerous attacks in the early stages but we still could not get on the score sheet. NCW were always dangerous on the break and it took some brilliant defending to keep them out. Zoe, Orla and Allie were rock solid today but it was to be expected as it had been like this since the start of the season. It was a break from midfield from the smallest player on the pitch leaving 3 players in a spin which opened up NCW, Kate broke with the ball and passed midfielders and defenders to leave her through one on one with the keeper until the last defender fouled Kate in the penalty area. Up stepped Cailín and stuck it in the bottom corner to give us a lead heading into the last 15 minutes. Aaliyah and Amy came on in midfield to give us fresh legs which made a difference to our energy on the pitch. It was a nervous end to the game for us and in the dying minutes our backs were beaten, up stepped Gemma once again to save the day with a great save. Aoibhinn and Sophie made the most noise on seeing the save and with the ball cleared we knew there couldn’t be long left. That did not stop NCW though forcing a corner with time up. Once again defenders stepped up and made sure it was remaining 1-0. Final whistle and wild celebrations from players who were joined by parents and supporters after a pitch invasion. Our girls have gone unbeaten all year in the league only drawing 1 game on our 1st day out against today’s opposition. Massive credit to this invincible bunch. We were missing Gráinne, Ellie, Amelia and Eliza today through injury and holidays but a big thanks must go to these girls also who been there all year. Thanks to the massive support that showed up today also. Enjoy the celebrations ladies.
Team on the day: Gemma Fitzell, Zoe Ivess, Orla Murphy, Allie Fitzsimons, Aimee Quirke, Kate O’Driscoll, Laura O’Driscoll, Mia O’Shaughnessy, Cailín Purtill, Sophie Ivess, Amy Kenrick, Aoibhinn Ryan, Aaliyah Kirby.
U12 Boys Cup Quarter Finals
Ballingarry 2-0 Askeaton/Kilcornan
Hard luck to our 12A boys away to Ballingarry in the cup on Saturday. We were the better team in the first half and unlucky to find ourselves 1-0 down at half-time. We pushed for a winner in the second half, with Harry Bigane forcing a great save from the Ballingarry keeper from long range, but unfortunately conceded a second with the final kick of the match to lose 2-0.
And just like that, our final training sessions for the U7 & U8 boys and U8 & U10 girls are wrapped up!
Thank you to the parents for your support, the coaches for their time and dedication, and most importantly, to all the amazing boys and girls, you showed up, worked hard, and had fun.
We’re proud of the progress everyone made and we can’t wait to see you all again next season.
Photo: Jennifer Millar being presented with last weeks Split the Pot winnings from Ed Kelly.
ASKEATON KILCORNAN AFC 50/50 SPLIT THE POT!!
Our Split the Pot draw was held on Tuesday 15th April in Askeaton clubhouse. The winner of €125 was Christina Braddish.
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, Brian Collins Bookmakers, 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 44
Draw 1 winner: Keel Moloney
Draw 2 winner: Sean Rushe
Congratulations to you both.
CLUB SHOP
Our Club gear is available to purchase through the link https://www.bmcsports.ie/club-shops-c252/askeaton-kilcornan-afc-c1367
