Kilbrittain 4-11 Courcey Rovers 0-05

Monday April 6th in Kilbrittain Rebel Óg West Minor Div 2 Football League For all images from the match see Match Photos here >

Kilbrittain's minors played Courcey Rovers this past Monday in Kilbrittain, in the Rebel Óg West Minor Div 2 Football League. It was Courcey's fourth day out this Spring and Kilbrittain's third, Kilbrittain coming off the back of two strong wins against Ahan Gaels and Owen Gaels while Courcey's on the hunt for their first this season.

Cathal O'Callaghan reaches high for an inbound ball.

Kilbrittain's Darragh Crowley was the first to point over for the homeside who did well to keep possession for most of the half. Within minutes Kilbrittain could've been four points ahead, but for a brace of wides from Ronan Sheehy, Crowley and Niall Egan. This was not a problem though, more a testament to the eagerness the team had to score from the outset and bravery to take the chances that befell them. They were rewarded just under the tenth minute when Egan struck for a point and hit the posts but randomly bounced back over the bar. Then Shaye Ustianowski made a break from the halfback line finding Brian Kelleher in midfield who, with a keen eye, spotted Tom 'Togie' Hogan free of his mark. Togie offloaded to James O'Mahony, who completed the final link in the chain when he got the ball to the feet of Crowley. The village lad struck straight and true and put Kilbrittain up 3 points to nothing as they rounded out the first quarter.

James O'Mahony races down the wing.

An excellent goal chance was created by Odhrán Madden who ran to the corner from centerfield and offloaded to the Baltanakín native Togie who drew an crucial save from Courcey's goalkeeper on the line. Another goal opportunity followed, although it would've been a lucky one if it had gone in, when Crowley launched a dropping ball on the square which was just about secured in the hands of the goalkeeper. Another wide followed from Sheehy and so we all knew what was coming, as he was about out of those and would soon be adding numbers to the scoreboard.

Ronan Sheehy protects the ball. The following ten minute period of play was firmly cemented in Courcey's half, with Kilbrittain pressing at the Rovers defence. Kelleher was doing well to orchestrate play from midfield, guiding the ball to various players, scoping out weaknesses in the neighbours armour. Play varied from stretching wide to jabs of runs straight through the center, keeping Courcey's in suspence. Indeed this felt like a match of great teamwork, which included each member doing his part.

Brian Kelleher solos down the wing. Madden made the most of a kick out to send the ball back down over the Courcey crossbar and secure Kilbrittain's fourth point from play. Unwilling to wait for Courceys to run into Kilbrittain territory before dispossessing them, Sheehy was biting at every ball. As any red and white jersey won a ball in his vicinity Sheehy drove into them, to take possession from them and move forward with the ball.

When a space opened for Egan with five minutes to go to halftime, he launched a big ball through the uprights and sent it flying somewhere into Kilbrittain village, but that wasn't the only big score ahead of the break. Young Ustianowski or Shusti as they call him took strides toward goal, drawing the defence away from the Sheehy. With Sheehy free inside Shusti knocked the ball into him for a clinical finish and Kilbrittain's first goal of the evening. 1-05 to nil.

Ronan Sheehy lets fly into the back of the net.

Daithí O'Donovan and Kelleher were doing well around midfield to turnover possession and find free black and amber jerseys, while Madden was important in defence. One stray Courcey player did manage to break through the defensive wall of Kilbrittain players but under pressure in front of goal he handpassed over the bar to safety. Then when Courcey's gave away a free two minutes before the whistle, Crowley converted before Sheehy added another point from play, even while slipping back as he kicked the ball. After that Sheehy and Togie converged to pressure the Courcey goal line and were unlucky not to the rattle the net as the teams retired for halftime. We had a scoreline at this point of Kilbrittain led 1-07 to 0-01, but the referee had 1-08 and we'll take it. HALFTIME Kilbrttain 1-08 Courcey Rovers 0-01

Kilbrittain didn't rest on their laurels and took to the second half all guns blazing and rightly so. Madden, Crowley, Kelleher, O'Donovan and O'Mahony turned about some good ball and showed great teamwork, constantly looking for each other around the pitch. However, to Courcey's credit they'd made two early pushes by the 36th minute mark which resulted in a point after an advantage played. Madden won the kick out and brought the ball to Crowley who found Sheehy who directed the ball through the posts.

Daithí O'Donovan races after a loose ball. Courcey's were coming into the game more to be fair to them and had an outstanding long range point moments later to bring their tally up to three points from play. Meanwhile Kilbrittain were throwing their shoulders behind the wheel and getting stuck in, Sheehy, Madden and O'Donovan throwing themselves into blocks. Courceys chanced a point from play next which they converted before strong Loughlin O'Donnell, fresh on the field, got on the ball and made a great break up the wing. He showed tenacity when dispossessed, chasing down the mark who'd taken the ball. Aided by Cillian Cronin, not before long, the ball was back in O'Donnell's hands.

Tom Hogan turns direction on a dime to avoid on oncoming Courcey challenge.

Courcey's managed to attack again moments later securing another point from play, before Madden, who was becoming instrumental in dispossessing his near neighbours, brought the ball to O'Mahony who passed onto Sheehy for another point. Rowan Piper followed with another opportunity, this one narrowly missing the uprights. Then Crowley played assist to the Sheehy machine as Kilbrittain secured it's second goal of the night from a hand tap into goal. Kilbrittain now led 2-10 to 0-03. Enough done for the day, Sheehy was taken off with ten minutes to go and so it was Crowleys turn to face down the goalmouth after O'Donovan and Ustianowski brought the ball to his feet. He slotted it home at his ease.

Darragh Crowley slots his goal home in the second half. It might be worth mentioning here that theres a bit of style about this minor team. Aside from the excellent teamwork and breadth of play, their rushing in packs of All Black-esque onslaughts or their slow builds then jabs of piercing attack, they've a knack for rolling away from their opposition. Madden and O'Donnell did well to turn the shoulder and slickly escape their marks grip more times than once. Unfortunately no roll could save O'Donnell however when he was sidelined before the end with a broken nose from an accidental run in with his opposition's knee. Having said that, it made for a great photo. The second bloodied one in recent weeks, mimicking senior Aaron Holland's slit eyebrow.

Loughlin O'Donnell takes home a bloodied jersey and and a story to tell.

The match was far from over, even with the clock in injury time. Ustianowski drop-kicked from a distance and the ball fell behind the goalkeeper to raise the green flag. Then Crowley sent one last ball flying over the bar to grant Kilbrittain a win over near neighbours and old rivals Courcey Rovers 4-11 to 0-05. What was indeed even nicer than the win was seeing that the lads, throughout the match, didn't find a need to rub it in the oppositions faces or roar at them after each score. They kept their heads down and quietly drove on. With three solid wins under their belts now, if they can stay humble it will stand to them.

Odhran Madden in control for Kilbrittain.

Kilbrittain have some big footballing teams to face yet in Urhan/Adrigole and Carbery Rangers as well as a final match against Ballinhassig, and their task may appear large to many, but they lead the table with 6 points to Ahan Gaels 3 and by the cut of this rig out, they could surprise everyone yet. Focused teamwork, the unpredictability in their stylish play and an ever attacking mentality will stand to them, but not having had their backs against the wall yet, when the time comes, will they show they have the coolness of head and resilience to come back from deficits if needed? we'll have to wait and see. We can say this though, if they stay together and work hard, the future of Kilbrittain adult football is looking headlight bright. Sights on senior, why not? you read it here first. Scorers: R.Sheehy (2-03) D.Crowley (1-04)(0-01F), N.Egan (0-02), O.Madden (0-01), S.Ustianowski (1-0). Team: Oisín O'Regan, Manus Coughlan, Adam Desmond, Jerry O'Donovan, Cathal O'Callaghan, James O'Mahony, Cillian Cronin, Brian Kelleher, Niall Egan, Tom Hogan, Shaye Ustianowski, Odhran Madden, Daithí O'Donovan, Ronan Sheehy, Darragh Crowley. Subs: Loughlin O'Donnell, Jack O'Neill, Rowan Piper and Paul Kingston