Killeagh Notes (6th Sep)
- Sep 06,2026
Killeagh GAA Club Notes September 6th 2026
CLCG Cilliath, Nuacht an Chlub, Meán Fómhair, 2026
MÍLE BUÍOCHAS
We begin this week by saying Míle Buíochas to all our volunteers who assisted on Thursday evening last in terrible weather conditions when we hosted St. Ita’s and Midelton in Junior A Hurling Championship, and again to those at the coalface on Sunday afternoon. This time our volunteers were looking after the slua mór who came to see our neighbours Castlemartyr and Dungourney do battle in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship to claim parish bragging rights. For the record, the northerners won by 4-16 to 2-17! We really appreciate the trojan work done by our facilities team (James, Liam and Eddie) and all others involved in preparing for every match in Páirc Uí Chinnéide, ensuring everything is in top shape for teams, mentors, match officials and supporters. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir!
“SEASONS OF MIST AND MELLOW FRUITFULNESS?”
Well now, Mr. Keats, we have the seasons of mist upon us for sure, but the mellow fruitfulness of a potential Senior A hurling bounty won’t be harvested in 2026. Maybe the second field, aka the Junior A hurlers, could yet yield a successful bounty, while the oft-forgotten footballers and our young crop of juveniles also have the potential to reap rewards and dividends across both codes. Seo iad na scéalta!
EAST CORK OIL EAST CORK JUNIOR A HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Friday September 6th in Castlelyons Killeagh 1-22, Carraig na bhFear 0-15
Our Junior A hurlers got the weekend off to a positive start with a convincing win over perennial Jamesy Kelleher contenders from the opposite end of the barony. Two of our senior players who had missed the opening two Senior A games due to injury – Keane Budds and Gary Leahy – were ready and able to take the field for their opening championship games of 2026, while Mikey Fitzgerald also made his seasonal championship debut, drafted in as a late replacement for Matthew Murphy. With Cian O’Riordan promoted to the Senior A team, Keane and Gary formed a formidable right flank of defence. Our half-forward line began in flying form, with Cormac Deane, Sean Walsh (2) and Richie Long all pointing in the opening ten minutes, while Ben Geary opened his account with a free on the quarter hour and Philip Yank struck a monster free on 20 minutes, by which stage we led by six – 0-09 to 0-03 – and were motoring well. By half time we had extended our lead to eight – 0-14 to 0-06 – with further points from Sean, Richie, Ben and Cormac. Our scoring efficiency was excellent throughout this half, with just four wides, compared to seven for Carraig, while we only conceded two frees and won eight. Our opponents came out with intent sa dara leath, and secured the opening two points, before Seán Meade raised our only green flag on 33 minutes. This took the wind out of Carraig’s sails temporarily, although they did manage to reduce the margin to seven – 1-17 to 0-13 – by the 49th minute. We finished strongly, finding a tailwind of our own to set sail for victory, with Sean Walsh and Ben Geary particularly impressive in the second half. This victory sees us progress directly to the East Cork semi-final where our opponents will likely be one from Bride Rovers, Carrigtwohill and Fr. O’Neills. First teams Carraig na bhFear and holders Cobh will still be among the favourites for Jamesy, but we have a strong panel that may yet be in the shake-up for a possible reprise of 2024. Putting you on notice Fitzy that we might need another la la la la ballad! Or how about you Yank for one of your own – could you bring the pen and paper into the goals with you for those quiet moments of in-game inspiration?
Team: Philip O’Neill, Keane Budds, Mikey Fitzgerald, Robbie Treacy, Gary Leahy, Jack Coleman, Andrew Brenner, Ciaran Leahy, John Ogbebor, Sean Walsh, Cormac Deane, Richie Long, Sean Meade, Colm Leahy, Ben Geary, Dara Motherway, Paudie Mackey.
CO-OP SUPERSTORES SENIOR A HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday September 5th in Midleton Na Piarsaigh 1-27, Killeagh 1-17
There’s a real sense of “deja-vu all over again” about our Senior A campaign, as, once again, we failed to win more than one game and, unlike 2024, other results did not fall our way to facilitate progression to the knockout stages. So another campaign ends in an exit at the group stage, although the victory over Fermoy did guarantee us third place and an avoidance of the dreaded “Slán Leat”, as the late, great Paudie Palmer christened it! (On mention of the great man from Valley Rovers via Kenmare, well done to Cork County Board for collaborating with Paudie’s family to commission the Paudie Palmer Memorial Trophy, presented to Carrigaline in June as winners of the Division 2 Red FM Football League. That other great Ciarraíoch, Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, was the king of the one-liners, but Paudie wasn’t far behind! If you doubt me, Paudie’s 16,539 posts are still available and worth a trawl on, in his own words, “the Twitter machine”.) Anyway, back to the cluiche mór in Clonmult Park which was a de-facto knockout game for us, although Na Piarsaigh had the slight luxury, which we had, and used against them, in 2023, of knowing that a draw would ensure their progress to a quarter-final. Injuries ruled out Round 2 starters Shane Smiddy and George Walsh, so Pa O’Brien started his second match, Fionn Brennan started after coming on in the previous two matches, and young Cian O’Riordan was promoted from the Junior A team for his senior championship debut. We started reasonably well, with Evan Lane and Ryan McCarthy very prominent early on, and Barry Walsh showing excellent skill to fire over a couple of beauties, leaving the sides level at 0-06 each just past the quarter-hour mark. However, from here to the hydration break, Na Piarsaigh took control gradually, leading by 0-11 to 0-08 on 25 minutes and by 0-15 to 0-10 at half time. A bit of a hill to climb, then, sa dara leath, with the wind and mist in our faces. Dinny Walsh fired over an excellent point on the resumption to give some hope, but we never henceforth managed to reduce the margin to less than four, with Na Piarsaigh firing over some fine points from all angles to lead by 0-20 to 0-13 on 40 minutes. Then the ‘coup-de-grace’ arrived with impressive Greg Healy bursting through the Killeagh defence and goaling, to move the margin into double figures. With no two-pointers yet available san iomáint (what are your thoughts on two for a ground-struck free outside the football arc, Donal Óg??) and not much sign of goals up to this point, the hill had just become a mountain! A late goal from a twice-taken Barry Walsh penalty (he scored both, by the way!) put some respectability on our score, but it was a long way behind our early August 2025 scoreline of 2-26 over the same course and distance! And so, we bid adieu to Senior A championship for another year. We have preserved our status, but will be once again in the bottom half pot of the seeding when the 2027 draws are held ag deireadh na bliana. Hard luck to the players and management who endured a challenging year.
Team: Fionn Murphy, Cathal Fitzgibbon, Jamie Fogarty, Sean Long, Cian O’Riordan, Ben Walsh, Andy Walsh, Rob Sinclair, Evan Lane, Fionn Brennan, Barry Walsh, Dinny Walsh, Eoghan Keniry, Pa O’Brien, Ryan McCarthy, Dave Buckley, Brendan Delaney.
EAST CORK OIL EAST CORK JUNIOR B HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday September 6th in Dungourney Bride Rovers 1-16, Killeagh 2-12
The previous Junior B championship match against Youghal was held in BC (Before Concert) time, while this one took place in the AD (After Defeat) era, with Colm Crowley again rallying his troops for one more effort. Having lost Jack Coleman, Dara Motherway and Paudie Mackey to the Junior A team since the Youghal loss, and others also unavailable, almost half (7) of the starting team changed in total. Brian Murphy, Conor Burns, Aidan Morrison and Eoin Brenner returned after starting against Aghada in Round 1, while Michael O’Donovan and Luke Fogarty had their first starts. Dan Landers made his championship debut, returning from injury, making him the fourth first-time player across all grades in Round 3, and the 84th player to play for Killeagh in adult hurling championship in 2026. Not too many hurling clubs in Cork or beyond can match that figure, and we still have eight other eligible minors who could potentially add to that tally yet. This was a match, and indeed a championship group, that just slipped through our fingers, as we had, just as against Youghal, opportunities to win or at the very least to draw, which would have given us a quarter-final place. Dan Walsh was once again very prominent before he had to retire injured, and he was ably assisted by the Dans eile (Landers and Smiddy), along with the usual veteran warriors Kieran Lane, Brian Collins and Davy Kelleher. Bride Rovers rattled the net in the opening minute, but we responded well with two goals of our own in the opening quarter – from Luke on 10 minutes and a penalty from Dan Landers just two minutes later – giving us a lead of 2-03 to 1-05. Dan Walsh and a Kieran Lane double, one from a sideline, sent us in one up at half time – 2-06 to 1-08. Luke had two quick points after half time to extend our lead to three. Dan Smiddy had a brace in quick succession, as he did against Youghal, to leave us ahead by 2-10 to 1-11 heading into the final quarter, but unfortunately our scores dried up subsequently, with just two late scores from Dan Landers against five points from Bride Rovers, despite the best efforts of our back seven. So, we exit with just two points from three games when our efforts deserved more, and with the rub of the green, we could even have topped this group. Good luck to Youghal and Bride Rovers who advance to the knockout stages. As previously mentioned in these notes, Youghal are looking good for a possible double in adult football, and now possibly also in adult hurling. It’s up to our Junior C team now to fly the flag along with our Junior A boys. We play Erins Own on Monday 7th at home at 2000 hrs where a draw will ensure our passage to the quarter final. Go n-éirí libh!
Team: Brian Murphy, Aidan Morrison, Conor Meade, Tadhg Considine, Conor Burns, Jack O’Rourke, Michael O’Donovan, Dan Smiddy, Brian Collins, Dan Walsh, Kieran Lane, Davy Kelleher, Luke Fogarty, Dan Landers, Eoin Brenner, Dylan Coleman, Eoin Roche.
Report below on the minor football play-off from bainisteoir and reporter Ger – enlightening as always. But nothing beats being there, so come along and support on the next 2 Wednesdays!
REBEL ÓG PREMIER 2 MINOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF
Wednesday August 26th in Ballincollig Killeagh 3-13, St. Colum’s 1-13
Killeagh travelled to Ballincollig for a playoff in the P2 minor football championship. The prize on offer was a place in the semifinals. Colum's settled quicker and raced into a 4 points to 1 lead, our point coming from Andrew’s free. Two good scores from play from Ben and Andrew were followed by an excellent goal by Ben when he struck the top corner with a left foot shot. Colum’s replied with 3 on the trot before Cathal kicked a good point. The lads drove on from here with Cormac Delaney getting on the end of a great team move to score a goal. Andrew kicked a lovely point from play, and we got another boost when Cormac Delaney was fouled for a penalty which Andrew cooly slotted low to the keeper's right. Colum’s kicked a point to leave the half time score 3-5 to 0-8. We were slow out of the traps in the second half. An early black card saw us a man down for 10 minutes. Colum’s got on top around the middle and kicked 1-5 without reply to see us trail by 2 with 15 minutes left on the clock. The lads rallied and reeled off 8 points in a row from Ben 4, Andrew 3 and Cormac Deane. We won by 6. This was a great display against a strong Colum’s side. Seanan, Kerry, Rian, Ryan and Patrick were solid in defence. Andrew was superb at midfield, kicking some great scores. Alex, Jack and Cathal worked incredibly hard and used the ball well. Cormac gave Colum’s huge problems with his movement and vision. Cormac Delaney was a constant threat. Ben continued his scoring form and led the line expertly. This result means we have now qualified for both the P2 Minor hurling and football semifinals. We will play Diarmuid O’Murchu’s in the football on Wednesday Septermber 9th at 1830 hrs in Sallybrook (Glanmire), and Kiltha Óg in the hurling on September 16th at 1900 hrs, venue TBC.
Team: Seanan McDonnell, Kerry Asibor, Rian O’Connor, Alex Howey, John Farquhar, Patrick Dineen, Ryan Murphy, Alex Fogarty, Andrew Brenner (1-6, 1-0pen, 0-2f), Jack Farquhar, Cormac Deane (0-1), Cathal Brennan (0-1), Ruben O’Riordan, Ben Geary (1-5), Cormac Delaney (1-0) Subs: Charlie Lawton, Sean O’Leary, Billy Guerin, Adam Barry, Oscar Power.
Our Under 14 boys have had two great wins in the past two weeks. Seo iad na scéalta ón bainisteoir.
U14 DIVISION 1 FOOTBALL LEAGUE FINAL
Sunday August 30th in Mayfield Killeagh 4:12, Douglas 0:04
An excellent team performance from the Killeagh boys on the day secured this league title. Through some great forward play and movement, Killeagh built a healthy half time advantage. While the scores were harder to come by in the second half, the lads ran out comfortable winners on the day. Next up in football, we play Glenville in the Division 1 East Cork Football Final on Saturday 12th September.
Team: James McGuckian, Mike Curran, Conor McCarthy, Harry Fogarty, Sean Curran, Colm O’Regan, Kevin Kearney, Ciaran McGrath, James Kelleher, Lee Barry, Charlie O’Mahony, Padraig Murphy, Finn Murphy, Alex Kirby, Liam Og Ahern, Matthew Clifford, Ryan Kelly, Eoin Barry, Joey O’Connor Twomey
U14 PREMIER 2 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE CUP SEMI-FINAL
Sunday 6th September in Castlemartyr Killeagh 2:15, Kiltha Og 2:12
Killeagh got off to a good start, scoring two goals in the opening 10 minutes. It was tough championship fare throughout with both sides battling hard and trading some great scores. Killeagh led by 2:06 to 1:06 at half time. The second half was very close and very competitive. With the final play of the game, Kiltha Og had a 20 metre free which was saved on the line and deflected away. The referee blew the final whistle to joyous scenes from the Killeagh contingent. We now play Mallow in the P2 Challenge Cup final in two weeks time. Bígí ann!
Team: Padraig Murphy, Mike Curran, Conor McCarthy, Matthew Clifford, Sean Curran, Charlie O’Mahony, Kevin Kearney, Ciaran McGrath, James Kelleher, Lee Barry, Colm O’Regan, Ryan Kelly, Finn Murphy, Alex Kirby, Liam Og Ahern, Harry Fogarty, Dean Foley.
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