03/03/2024: Kildysart once again made a bright start to their O’Gorman Cup opener beating Naomh Eoin 2-9 to 0-7 in front of a large crowd on a sunny but cold afternoon in Kildysart. The match was switched to Kildysart after Kilrush Community Field was deemed unplayable and Kildysart's pitch was very much up to the task.

Despite it being early March, David Butler’s charges looked the fitter of the two sides and mostly controlled the flow and pace of the match. Kildysart got the opening three scores with Rory McMahon slotting over from a distance in the 2nd minute. Mikey Donnellan was on target from a mark and Luke McGrath converted a free after a pacy run up the wing by Jack Cotter who was eventually fouled. Naomh Eoin opened their account in the 12th minute from a placed ball but another from the wing-back McMahon kept the margin at 3 points turning into the second quarter. Two in quick succession from Naomh Eoin saw the men from the peninsula get to just one point behind with 20 minutes of the clock, Kildysart 0-4, Naomh Eoin 0-3. That was the closest they would get as Kildysart finished out the half with points from Cotter and the captain Keith O’Connor giving the home side a double-scores lead at the break, Kildysart 0-6, Naomh Eoin 0-3.

Kildysart started strong in the second half and amassed a further 2-2 within the first 5 minutes of the restart. It started with a point on the board before the first minute elapsed when Cotter’s goal attempt was recycled and popped the ball over the bar by McGrath. Oisin Coyle slotted over the next score after a good link-up play with Donnellan. Ryan Casey, who was on the end of a long pass into the square, palmed it into the on-running McGrath who shot it soccer-style to the back of the net. Before the green flag was even put back into its resting position Seamus Casey fired another to the net to give Kildysart a 2-8 to 0-3 lead with 35 minutes on the clock. Coyle slotted one over in the 40th minute and that would be the last score of the match for Kildysart while Naomh Eoin entered their purple patch. Naomh Eoin went on the attack and scored 2 points and were looking for more. An excellent point-blank save by goalie Kieran Eyre in the 46th minute allowed Kildysart to maintain their dominance but Naomh Eoin kept coming for more. Two more unanswered points and another much-needed goal save by Eyres saw out Kildysart as comfortable winners, Kildysart 2-9, Noamh Eoin 0-7. Referee: Barry Kelly.

Next up for Kildysart is away to Miltown on Friday 15th March for the Cusack Cup opener. Easter Sunday in Ballynacally (31st March) is the venue for Cusack Cup round 2 and then Kildysart host Doonbeg on 6th April for round 2 of the O’Gorman Cup.

Kildysart: Kieran Eyres, Michael Eustace, Kieran Leahy, Stevie Sheehan, Rory McMahon (0-2), Conor Moloney, Oisin Coyle (0-2), Keith O’Connor-captain (0-1), Kieran O’Brien, Seamus Casey (1-0,), Luke McGrath (1-2, 1f), Mark Moloney, Ryan Casey, Mikey Donnellan (0-1, 1 mark), Jack Cotter (0-1). Subs: Colm Finucane for Donnellan (41 min), Damien Hill for R. Casey (47 min), Conall Casey for S. Casey (50 min), JJ McQuaid for Cotter (56 min), Cillian McQuaid for Coyle (56 min).