U16 FOOTBALL DIVISION 2 SHIELD FINAL
KILLULTA GAELS 1-08 SOUTH LIBERTIES 1-07.

Killulta Gaels under 16 footballers created history on Sunday morning with the first ever county juvenile title for the club, with a one point win over South Liberties inthe Division 2 Shield final. Killulta were on top throughout the first half but some wayward shooting meant they retired at the interval just 4 points to the good. Barry O'Connell opened the scoring after 9 minutes of play and further points were added by Paudie Walsh, Niall Maher and Barry (from a free) in the 21st, 32nd and 35th minutes in an entertaining and sometimes fiery first half. Great defending by our half back line and a highwork rate from our midfielders and half forwards stopped Liberties from getting into the game or creating any scoring chances in this half.

Liberties with the advantage of the wind in the second half had halved our lead by the 9th minute but a goal in the 11th minute by Niall Maher after good work by Martin Nunan and Paudie Walsh gave us a 5 point lead. Two pointed frees for Liberties in the 12 and 13th minutes gave them hope but an excellent 6 minute spell between the 16th and 22nd minutes in which Killulta scored 4 points without reply looked to have us home and dry.But Liberties did not give up and after sustained pressure eventually scored a goal in the 26th minute and added a string of points to whittle our lead to just a single point. However it was just not enough and Killulta held on for a deserved victory.Captain Colin Nash surrounded by delighted players, mentors and supporters was presented with the shield by County Board Na NÓg secretary Mike Rea. With 10 of the starting 15 under age again next year hopes are high for continued success.

Team: Colin Nash, Ciaran O'Brien, Micheal Keating, Felim O'Leary, Darragh Walsh, Barry O'Connell (0:4, 3f), John Sheahan, Tony McCarty, Paudie Walsh (0:1), Martin Nunan (0:1), Rory O'Donnell, Eoin Cuddihy, David Kelly (0:1), Kealan Fitzgerald, Niall Maher (1:1).
Subs: Johnny Nash for Ciaran O'Brien (inj), Tommy Kennedy for Kealan Fitzgerald, Cathal McCarthy for Felim O'Leary, Kevin O'Connell, Connor Holland, Dean Corrigan and Colm O'Neill. Unavailable: Jonathan McHale, Niall O'Brien and Niall Madden.
Mentors: Noel McCarthy, Tom 'Connell, Jim Maher, Sean Cuddihy.
First Aid: Alan Fitzgerald.

COUNTY U16 FOOTBALL DIVISION 2 SHIELD 1/2 FINAL
KILLULTA GAELS 1-07 ST SENANS 1-05.

Killulta Gaels under 16 footballers well and truly put their disappointing league campaign behind them by qualifying for the county shield final with a hard fought and deserved 2 point win over St. Senans on Sunday morning. St Senans opened the scoring in the first minute of the gane when Francis O'Riordan pointed a free. Former Pallaskenry player Peter Fitzgerald added another point 10 minutes later which turned out to be their only other score of the first half. Killulta got their first point in the 16th minute through David Kelly and this was followed by a point from Barry O'Connell 2 minutes later. Barry went on to score 2 more points before half time one from a free and one from a 45 to leave the half time score 0:4 to 0:2 in favour of Killulta.

It was the 15th minute before there was a score in the 2nd half with Francis O'Riordan again converting a free for St. Senans. Martin Nunan followed a minute later with a point for Killulta to maintain our 2 point lead. In the 19th minute a great run from Darragh Walsh was well finished to the net by Tony McCarthy. Two more points followed from David Kelly and Barry O' Connell to give Killulta a 7 point lead with just 5 minutes left to play. St Senans however did not give up and fought right to the end and managed to score 1:2 without reply but Killulta bravely held on.

This was an excellent team performance with all players giving 100% and playing some excellent football at times. Colin Nash made some excellent saves and the full back line gave nothing away. The half back line also defended well and carried the ball forward at every opportunity. The hard working midfield dealt well with the strong St Senans partnership of Francis O'Riordan and Evan Fitzgerald while up front all 6 forwards battled courageously throughout.
Killulta now play South Liberties in the final next weekend.

Team: Colin Nash, Ciaran O'Brien, Micheal Keating, Felim O'Leary, Darragh Walsh, Barry O'Connell(0:4, 3f), Niall Maher, Tony McCarthy(1:0), Jonathan McHale, Martin Nunan(0:1), Rory O'Donnell, Eoin Cuddihy, David Kelly(0:2), Kealan Fitzgerald, Johnny Nash. Subs: Cathal McCarthy, Kevin O'Connell, Gerard McKeogh.

St Senans: Richard Hayes, James Bridgeman, Tadhg Dalton, Mark Hayes, Tommy Adams, Michael O'Riordan, Florien Byrnes, Francis O'Riordan, Evan Fitzgerald, James Naughton, Kevin Doody, David Clifford,Seamus McSweeney, Peter Fitzgerald, Dale fitzgerald.


U16 FOOTBALL C'SHIP SHIELD 1/4 FINAL
KILLULTA GAELS 4-14 DROM/BROADFORD 5-07.

Killulta Gaels under 16 footballers qualified for the division 2 shield semi final with a 4 point win over Drom/Broadford in Pallaskenry on Monday evening. Drom/Broadford led by 4 points at half time on the scoreline 2:7 to 1:6 but Killulta dominated most of the second half scoring 3:8 while their opponents scored 3:0. Early gaps in our defence which resulted in Drom/Broadford leading 2:4 to 2 points after 15 minutes were rectified with the introduction of Micheal Keating and Barry O'Connell.

Our improved second half play saw us take the lead by the 6th minute. However we conceded 2 goals in the space of 4 minutesto go 3 points behind again, but fought back bravely playing some excellent football to finish ahead by 4 points. In defence Colin Nash, John Sheehan and Barry O'Connell played well with Tony McCarthy and Jonathan McHale mostly on top in midfield. In theforwards Martin Nunan, Paudie Walsh and Eoin Cuddihy performed well.

Team: Tommy Kennedy, Felim O'Leary, Colin Nash, Cathal McCarthy, Ciaran O'Brien, John Sheehan, Niall Madden, Tony McCarthy (1:2, 2f), Jonathan McHale, Eoin Cuddihy (0:2), Darragh Walsh (0:1), Paudie Walsh (1:2), Martin Nunan (1:3), Rory O'Donnell (0:1), Johnny Nash. Subs: Barry O'Connell (1:3, 2f), Micheal Keating, Kealan Fitzgerald, Niall Maher, Kevin O'Connell, Connor Holland, Jack O'Keeffe.
Referee: Joe Kearney (Mungret).


U16 Football Div 2 Championship Play-off
Naomh Brid 3-13 Killulta 1-5

The under 16 footballers took to the field on Sunday morning last in very warm conditions. This was a play-off for the quarter finals and we were eager to put in a good performance despite the absence through injury of many of our regular players. It was a home match for our opposition and the Ballybricken pitch was in immaculate condition. Killulta started very brightly and had the home side in all sorts of difficulty for the first 10 minutes but were not capitalising on our dominance with scores. The score at that point was 1-3 to 3 points after an excellent point from David Kelly and free from Tony McCarthy that managed to find its way into the top corner of the net. Naomh Brid them began to dominate in most parts of the pitch and added 5 points to Killultas 1 from Martin Nunan. The score at half-time was 1-2 to 8 points.

Naomh Brid turned the tables in the second half and scored a goal and 3 points in the first 10 minutes before a hardworking Darragh Walsh worked the ball up the pitch and finished with a well taken point. Killulta now had a good spell of play again but were just not able to work the ball into scoring positions. Meanwhile Naomh Brid were making the most of theirposession and after adding a goal and a few more points the game was over as a competition with 5 minutes to go. Points were added for Killulta by Paudie Walsh and Martin Nunan. Best on the day for Killulta were Martin Nunan for his hard work and probingruns and Darragh Walsh and Tony McCarthy who kept working to the very end. Tommy Kennedy had a very good game in goals and put in some very importand saves.

Team and Scorers: Tommy Kennedy, Connor Holland, John Sheahan, Colin Nash, Ciaran OBrien, Darragh Walsh, Jonathan McHale, Tony McCarthy, Martin Nunan, Johnny Nash, Paudie Walsh, Niall Maher, Colm ONeill, Rory ODonnell, David Kelly, Eoin Cuddihy, Félim OLeary, Cathal McCarthy, Niall Madden.

County U16 Football C'Ship Round
Killulta 3-13 Drom/Broadford 0-6

Its safe to say that the Killulta U16 footballers have been underachieving so far this season and had no points under their belt prior to making the long journey to Dromcollogher. To add to the challenge was the fact that seven of the regular squad members were missing due to injury and holidays. Stung by recent poor results, it became very apparent from the start that this team was here to prove a point and from the throw in Killulta played with an intensity that we had not witnessed this year. One goal and three points in the first 6 minutes before Drom/Broadford opened their account with 2 quick points in succession. A point apiece then followed for both sides before Killulta upped a gear and bagged a further goal and four points before half-time to lead 2-8 to 0-3.

The second half continued at the same intensity but the scoring rate couldnt be maintained. Killutla added 1-5 to Drom/Broadfords 0-3. No player could or should be singled out in this excellent display of teamwork, high work-rate and clinical finishing. Every player gave everything that they had in this skillful and sporting encounter. Its a game to be remembered and particularly so for the players - defence tight and disciplined, midfield and forwards working tirelessly and linking so effectively - all Killultas scores came from play.

Team and Scorers: Tommy Kennedy, Cathal McCarthy, John Sheahan, Colin Nash, Ciarán OBrien, Darragh Walsh, Niall Madden, Tony McCarthy (1-6), Jonathan McHale, Eoin Cuddihy (0-1), Niall OBrien (0-2), Johnny Nash (1-3), David Kelly, Rory ODonnell (1-1),Connor Holland, Dean Corrigan, Kevin OConnell, Paul Kennedy

U16 Football C'Ship Div 2 Round 4
Killulta Gaels 0-02 Adare 6-10

A totally inept display cost us dearly against a strong and committed Adare side on Monday evening in round 5 of this years competition Playing against a strong wind in the first half we were 1:8 to 0:1 behind at the interval. A couple of early second half Adare goals ended the game as a contest and they ran out easy winners on a 6:10 to 0:2 scoreline. This was our most disappointing display of the year and a lot of hard work and commitment is needed if we are to salvage anything for the remainder of the season.

Team: Colin Nash, Cathal McCarthy, Ciaran O'Brien, Micheal Keating, Darragh Walsh, John Sheahan, Niall Madden, Niall O'Brien, Jonathan McHale, Paudie Walsh, Rory O'Donnell, Niall Maher, Tommy Kennedy, Kealan Fitzgerald, Johnny Nash. Subs used: Kevin O'Connell, Felim O'Leary, Dean Corrigan, Conor Holland and Colm O'Neill.

County U16 Football C'Ship

Killulta Gaels 1:6 Glin 1:7

Killulta Gaels had a disappointing one point loss away to Glin on Monday evening last. The heavy underfoot conditions coupled with a swirling wind and at times driving rain suited a physically stronger Glin team. Glin opened brightly and were 1:3 to 0:1 in front after 12 minutes. Killulta dominated the rest of the first half but were guilty of a number of wides.

At half time the score stood at 1:4 each. The second half was close throughout with Glin outscoring us by 3 points to 2.

Best on the night for Killulta were John Sheehan, Niall O'Brien, Darragh Walsh, Tony McCarthy, Martin Nunan and Paudie Walsh.

Team: Colin Nash, Felim O'Leary, John Sheehan, Ciaran O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Darragh Walsh, Micheal Keating, Tony McCarthy (0:2), Martin Nunan (0:1), Eoin Cuddihy, Paudie Walsh (0:3, 2f), Niall Maher, David Kelly, Rory O'Donnell, Johnny Nash (1:1).
Subs used : Kealan Fitzgerald, Dean Corrigan