Kilbrittain 3-09 Courcey Rovers 3-06
Minor Football Championship Wednesday July 29th
Kilbrittain's Minor Football Championship Team vs. Courcey Rovers 2026. Back Row L-R: Oisín O'Regan, Manus Coughlan, Tom Hogan, Cillian Cronin, Shaye Ustianowski, Odhrán Madden, Adam Desmond, Daithí O'Donovan, Darragh Crowley, Jack O'Neill and Niall Egan. Front Row L-R: Brian Kelleher, Ronan Sheehy, James O'Mahony, Cathal O'Callaghan, Cillian Madden, Loughlin O'Donnell, Daniel Cronin and Gearoíd Long.
Kilbrittain hosted Courcey Rovers on Wednesday night for their second match in the Minor Football Championship following their defeat to Canovee two weeks ago. Despite the opening loss in the Championship, they did well against their near neighbours Courcey's to secure the win.
Crouching Tiger: Ronan Sheehy evades two Courcey's men in the first half.
Cillian Madden was first to point over for Kilbrittain in the opening minute and when Darragh Crowley brought the ball to Ronan Sheehy shortly after that, he made no mistake and blasted the ball into the back of the net. Some early Courcey runs saw them gain traction through Kilbrittain's defence and a few frees came their way but to little avail. As they entered the second quarter they did better to control possession securing three points on the trot, bringing them within a point of Kilbrittain who, thanks to the goal, held the lead 1-01 to 0-03.
Loughlin O'Donnell wins possession for Kilbrittain.
Kilbrittain refocused and the pairing of Crowley and Sheehy were at it again moments later, the latter pointing between the posts to stretch the lead. Then sharp Loughlin O'Donnell made a good run down the left and picked out Sheehy who made a big punt through the uprights to secure Kilbrittain's third point of the day.
Steady hands: Wingforward Daithí O'Donovan
Daithí O'Donovan at wing forward was doing well, along with teammate Shaye Ustianowski in midfield, as the game progressed, while Brian Kelleher and James O'Mahony were doing well around the half forward line making good use of space weaving through red and white jerseys. Despite Kilbrittain's possession Courceys were next to score with a decent point from Joe Barrett. As the halftime whistle blew it was Kilbrittain ahead 1-03 to 0-04 points.
James O'Mahony eyes up his next pass. HALFTIME Kilbrittain 1-03 Courcey Rovers 0-04
When Odhrán Madden was fouled within the opening minutes of the second half, brave Crowley took to the penalty spot. All eyes on him, he bore the pressure and reliably blasted the ball into the back of the net. Kilbrittain now with an early 2-03 to 0-04 lead, didn't let up. Around the pitch the lads hunkered down, battling for possession, an excellent example of which was corner back, Cillian Cronin, who put in a notable body-block to disrupt a Courcey advance minutes later.
Wingmen: Shaye Ustianowski offloads to Darragh Crowley who drives forward ball in hand.
When Crowley was fouled down the other end and Kilbrittain won the next free, strong Niall Egan pointed over. Courceys managed a reply down the other but it mattered little as Kilbrittain hit a purple patch. Kelleher was doing well in the half forward line and after Sheehy brought the ball to him, with a fine kick from along the sideline, he found Odhráns outstretched hand who brought the ball to Crowley who was fouled. The same villageman took the free and sent it over the crossbar. In the minutes that followed, Sheehy set up Crowley for Kilbrittain's next point to drive them further into the lead 2-06 to 0-05.
Tom Hogan solos up the wing. Tom Hogan, both Maddens, O'Donovan, Sheehy and Kelleher found themselves happily in possession as the half drew on and when the next ball broke to Sheehy he raced it through to Cillian Madden who raised the white flag for the black and amber 2-07 to 0-05. Then the quietly confident Kelleher drove the lads further on with a well taken point. Courcey's however made the most of their next opportunity in front of goal and raised their first green flag. The scoreline now reading 2-08 to 1-05.
Cool, calm and collected, Odhrán Madden was excellent in the forward line.
Not to be outdone however, Kilbrittain retaliated quickly in kind. Cronin's next block relieved his mark of the ball, he sent the free ball to Crowley who passed it on to Odhrán Madden. Brazen in front of goal he excellently finished by rattling the net 3-08 to 1-05. A minute later and O'Donnell sent the ball into the reliable hands of Madden again who hand-punched the ball over the bar for Kilbrittain's ninth point. Kilbrittain were now ahead 3-09 to 1-05 with ten odd minutes to go.
Niall Egan races through the center in the second half.
To Courcey's credit they made one final push and a good push at that. First securing their second goal of the evening before adding a point for good measure and finally with minutes to go a third goal to put them within three points of the home side. However, time wasn't on their side and Kilbrittain's larger point lead served to save them on the day, beating their near neighbours 3-09 to 3-06.
Kilbrittain will play Kilmurry next, on Wednesday August 12th in Kilmurry, that match set to take place at 7pm. Meanwhile Courcey's face Canovee, same day, same time in Ballinspittle.
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