04/03/2023: David Butler’s charges were full value today giving the debutante manager his first win in the O’Gorman Cup opener, beating Doonbeg by 6 points, Kildysart 1-12, Doonbeg 0-9. Both teams were shaking off the cobwebs of a long winter but were fairly evenly matched with the first 4 scores divided between the two teams, with Seamus Casey & Kieran O’Brien scoring for Kildysart. Doonbeg started to stretch the lead and were ahead by three when scores from Rory McMahon and another from Casey kept Kildysart in touch. Two Conor Hassett frees in the closing stages of the first half left just the minimum between the sides Kildysart 0-6, Doonbeg 0-7. Doonbeg lost their talisman David Tubridy at the half-time whistle to an ankle injury.
Doonbeg started the half brightly and were ahead by 3 points within the first five minutes, Kildysart 0-6, Doonbeg 0-9. However, the visiting Magpies would be held scoreless for the remainder of the match as Kildysart came into their stride. Oisin Coyle started off a run of 5 unanswered points but Rory McMahon dictated the proceedings and turned the match on its head, scoring the 9th & 10th points to drive Kildysart into the lead. Brian Eyres was busy in the backline preventing any long balls from finding their target. Another free from Hassett gave Kildysart a dangerous 2-point advantage and it was all still to play for with 8 minutes remaining, Kildysart 0-11, Doonbeg 0-9. The clock rolled on and with four minutes elapsing the score remained the same. It all changed in a blink of an eye when Casey capitalised on a poor Doonbeg kickout and chipped the ball into the net and raised the only green flag of the match. Kieran Leahy got the last score of the game as he raced forward, bounced off a wall of black and white and glided one through the uprights. Final score: Kildysart 1-12, Doonbeg 0-9. Referee: Barry Kelly. Best for Kildysart: Rory McMahon and Brian Eyres. Many thanks to Coolmeen for hosting the fixture.
Kildysart: Conor Cusack, Brian Eyres, Michael Eustace, Oisin Coyle (0-1), Mark Moloney, Kieran Leahy (0-1), Rory McMahon (0-4), Keith O’Connor-captain, Luke McGrath, Mikey Donnellan, Kieran O’Brien (0-1), Jack Cotter, Seamus Casey (1-2), Conor Hassett (0-3, 3f), Damian Hill. Unused subs: JJ McQuaid, Aidan O’Loughlin, Damian Murtagh, Cillian McQuaid, Colm Finucane.
Next up in the O’Gorman Cup is on 25th March when the 2021 & 2022 title-holders go head to head in Lissycasey, who will be hurting from their 3-11 to 0-9 loss today to Miltown in the opposite fixture.
Kildysart face St Breckan’s of Lisdoonvarna in their Cusack Cup opener over Paddy’s weekend. This is a home match for Kildysart.
