For the third year in-a-row, Kinvara face Craughwell in the County Cup. The Craughwell side have been showing well in recent years, with a quarter-final appearance in 2010, followed up wth a semi-final appearance last year in 2011. There is no doubt they will be hunting for the big prize this year, especially as the championship seems more wide open and balanced.
So.......... How many times have we played at senior championship and name the years.?
Trivia 1) Score stands Craughwell 3, Kinvara 1. 2) In the past 10 season, we have met 4 times. This now will be 5th in 11 seasons. Probably one of our best rivals in recent years, alongside Clarinbridge and Castlegar. 3) Any time we've beaten Craughwell in championship hurling, we have gone on to reach the county final. Fact!!!!!!! 4) We have also played them in a relegation battle match in 1986.
The Kinvara Team v Craughwell in 2002: Colm Callanan, Ian Bermingham, Peter Huban, Jonathon Kavanagh, Shane Kavanagh, Gerry Mac, Colm Burke, Christy Helebert, Kieran Burke, Cathal Connolly, David Huban, Damien Huban, Gerry Huban, Anthony Byrne, Dara Smith. Subs: Stevie Moylan for S. Kavanagh (injured) and Cathal Curtin for I. Bermingham.
Thats means 11 seasons later, 7 of the team that started in 2002 were in the starting fifteen in this years match v Ardrahan, plus Cathal Curtin came on. Nothing wrong with longevity in Kinvara!
After last months Round 1 victory over Ardrahan, Kinara senior hurlers now enter the championship group stages and play their opening group match this weekend. Kenny Park, Athenry is the venue, Saturday 26th is the day, 5:00pm is the time, and Craughwell provide the opposition.
Manager Ollie Bergin has several key players on the treatment table, with probable fears that some may not be fit to start. He also has to figure without the injured Peter Mahon and Ian Bermingham.
Both sides will be targeting this fixture as a must win which should lead to a farly lively contest!
We encourage you all to come along, bring the kids, bring the parents, bring a elderly neighbour. Basically, lets get on out there and support the boys in purple and gold!
League table for Salthill Hotel Senior Group B
Team
Played
Won
Lost
Drawn
Points For
Points Against
Points Diff
Points
Portumna
1
1
0
0
19
14
5
2
Kinvara
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Craughwell
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Castlegar
1
0
1
0
14
19
-5
0
Group Results: 18/05/12 Portumna 0-19, Castlegar 0-15 26/05/12 Kinvara v Craughwell, in Kenny Park 5pm TBC Craughwell v Portumna TBC Kinvara v Castlegar TBC Craughwell v Castlegar TBC Kinvara v Porumna
This year Kinvara has entered two teams in the Galway Community Games, wth a team each in the hurling and the football.
Our U9's footballers, under manager Mike Heavey, are one of 10 sides entered. Their provisional date for action is Saturday 16th June, when all clubs come together to play off on the one day.
Our U10's hurlers, under manager Barry O'Driscoll, have a date with Athenry in their first match. As there are only 8 teams entered, this tie has a quarter-final status. This match has yet to be fixed but could be taking place next week. Kinvara have home advantage in this tie so we will be expecting a good turnout!
We'll keep ye posted on how both teams are getting on.
John Linnane's Junior B hurlers are going well in their group in the Junior League with three wins out of three. After earlier wins over Beagh and Craughwell, the lads followed up with another well fought win over Kilnadeema-Leitrim last weekend. Next up this Friday is a trip to St. Thomas' where a win would put us in a strong position to get a top two group finish, and a place in the league quarter-finals. However this trip to Castledaly is always tricky with the home side also in good form, as they too have secured three wins out of three matches.
Note: in the junior league, Kinvara's Group D cross-play wth teams in Group A. Our remaining matches are against An Spideal and Abbeyknockmoy.
Congrats to all who contributed to the successful Table Quiz run in aid of the Juvenile GAA club last Friday 18th in Connollys. The complete pub was taken over with contestants competing from barstools whereever they could be found. Some of the highlights of the night was the constant heckling of the quizmaster Dominic (Table 8..ye know who ye are ) who took it in his stride and proved that old memories die hard with Kerry people when I comes to lost All Irelands (1998 Semifinal loss to Kildare still causes angst).
The quiz concluded with one of the tightest margins ever seen at a quiz. In fact there was no margin! The top three teams all finished on 90, while next to them was on 89. There was also a 87, 86 and a 84.
The night was overseen by members of the football coaching squad who did an impressive job collating the results in record time. A total of over €950 was raised on the night. Thanks to all who participated.
One of Kinvara's most dedicated group of young hurlers - our under 8's - had a great mornings hurling last Saturday in Castledaly as they travelled over to play St. Thomas's in the first round of the Coiste Iomona na nOgs go-games season.
Manager David Huban had 9 enthusiastic young lads all eager to display their skills and that they did once the ball was thrown-in. They played two matches and came out on top in both of them. What was most impressive was their good attitude and discipline, and they showed all the skills that coaches David and John Victory have been working on in the past few months.
Liam Martyn showed some lovely striking of the ball and got stuck in everywhere. Joshua O'Connor also displayed very good stickwork and got in some good tackles. Adam Huban was another who did well and struck as much ball as anyone. Ethan Sexton was also lively and hit plenty of ball, while also showing high in the tackle count. Oisin Cahill was another who got well on the ball, and showed plenty of good touches. Cathal Mongon continues his good form shown at training and had plenty of good hits of the sliotar. Michael Vick was another who got stuck in form the start and had good striking and blocking. Oisin Hill played very well also, be it when in defence or in the forwards. He played some good passes and had good tackles. Oisin Fahy too did very well. He has a lovely strike of the ball and played his part in this fine performance.
Training takes place again tomorrow at 6pm, but the lads are reminded that they should be practising every evening also, as that makes the difference when it comes to matches.
Following on from our very successful blitz against Monaleen from Limerick, the week before, this Saturday saw the Galway Under 10 Go Games Season kick off. Our first encounter was an away fixture against St Thomas’s and this was a very keenly fought contest with some great hurling skills on display from both sides. All players got right into the thick of things from the off. Harry Mulleady provided the foundation from goals on which a great first half performance was based. His full back line provided great defence with Darragh Mongan proving that ‘thou shall not pass’ was his motto throughout the first half. Rossa Barry was everywhere in defence with great reading of the ball from full back at all times and Max Bonsvicini-Bennet protected the left flank very solidly indeed.
In the half back line Aodhan O’Hanrahan played a great game and even threatened to give a Michael ‘Babs’ Keating impersonation before the game started, but once shod played very well. At centre-back Conor Kilkelly fought bravely for every ball that came down his channel and shook off the knocks to keep on battling while on the flank Oisin Ivers provided great service and delivery of quick ball to the inside forwards.
As we were two short Cian Pyne patrolled centre field on his own and hurled a massive amount of ball particularly in the second half when flicking the ball into space gave the chance to get ball into the hand or let fly on the ground and scoring some nice points. Eoin O’Connor gave a towering performance at centre forward and Rory Connor never stopped running and doubled on some great balls on the ground to keep play moving. On the other side Cillian O’Driscoll competed strongly for every ball that came down his wing, winning some great ball for the inside forward line, where the deadly duo of Conor O’Dwyer and Daniel Malone led an attack that found the net 4 times during game with Conor demonstrating that you never give up when blocking down a ball from the St Thomas’s keeper in the first half yielded a goal.
A special mention to Conor Burke who is out injured at present but had come along to support his team and indeed it was a job convincing him that he needs to give his injury a little more time to heal. We will see him back in the purple and gold of Kinvara very soon in the coming weeks and we wish him all the best in his recovery.
A very enjoyable outing was had by all and a big ‘Thanks’ to Alan Linnane and his team in St Thomas’s for organising the games.
Training is on again on Tuesday and remember to get out there practicing at home. Hurling is all about ‘the next ball…….’
Hurling Go - Games commenced May 19th at St Thomas's. Kinvara had two teams competing in u10 and also u8.in their first outing this year. Work done in community centre and astro pitch earlier was evident. Both teams played two games against excellent local opposition. Photos of the event are now posted on our club photos page.2012
Photos now available online for last weekends U10/U12 hurling challenges against Monaleen from Limerick. The conditions werent ideal due to the strong breeze however there were two U10 and two U12 Games played. It was encouraging to see the number of supporters who turned out for the games given the conditions. A great day was had by all and the lads from limerick were very appreciative of the hot drinks and copious quantitys of food provided. This was the return leg as Kinvara had visited Monaleen last year. Special praise for the team Managers for the organisation of the event and a special thanks to all that ralleyed to the call for providing food for the event. Great day and will be remembered.
posted 10 May 2012 10:11 by pro kinvara
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updated 10 May 2012 15:09
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This is nothing to do with our adult hurlers, but rather yesterday evening a group of 30 junior and senior infants travelled over to Ballindereen and played some lovely hurling!
The evening wasnt the greatest, with a slight drizzle and wind factor, but that did not deter this bunch of hardy bucks who braved the elememts to play a series of go-games with our neighbours. Credit to the young hurlers from both clubs who gave a great display and entertained their parents and other family members.
Thanks to Pat Conole for organizing with Mark Ganly from Ballindereen. And thanks to all the parents for bringing out the kids on an evening it may have been easier to stay by the fire!
