04/12/2021: Kildysart claimed the O’Gorman Cup today with the early goal from Man of the Match, Fergal Ginnane being the ultimate difference, Kildysart 1-7, St. Breckan’s 0-7. The competition, inaugurated in 2006, is run in memory of Doonbeg man John O’Gorman and is usually played over the winter months without county players. In the semi-final Kildysart knocked out Lissycasey , who were going for their potential three in a row, to earn their spot in the final. Today’s match was played in difficult conditions which made it all the more sweet for the Kildysart lads to be the first intermediate team to claim the honours.

Breckan’s won the toss and elected to play with the strong breeze. Robert Eyres was called upon in the opening minutes but his fingertip save pushed the ball up off the upright before it was cleared up the field. Seamus Casey then opened the Blues account in the fourth minute and Breckan’s were under pressure when Conor Hassett’s shot from out the field was dangerously mopped up by the Lisdoon goalie. Kildysart kept applying the pressure, setting up Fergal Ginnane, who snaked through the defense and slotted one to the net. Kildysart 1-1, Breckan’s 0-1, with 7 minutes gone. Breckan’s got the next two scores and Kildysart led by one at the first water break, Kildysart 1-1, Breckan’s 0-3. Shortly after the resumption, Breckan’s were reduced to 14 men when their full back was sinbinned for pulling Seamus Casey to the ground. Over the course of the remaining minutes, Breckan’s added 2 scores but Kildysart added a beauty when the leaping Kieran O’Brien caught the ball in the middle of traffic and offloaded to Diarmuid O’Donnell who floated the ball between the posts. At the short whistle, the sides were level, Kildysart 1-2, Breckans 0-5.

With the breeze at their backs, Kildysart tacked on the first three points of the second half with the quick reaction from Luke McGrath punishing a bad Breckan’s kickout. The sides swapped points but Kildysart were ahead by a goal at the second water break, Kildysart 1-6, Breckans 0-6. The Kildysart backs were impenetrable, frustrating the Breckan’s attack. The sides swapped scores once more – with the last score of the game being a fitting point from the young Fergal Ginnane, well deserved of his Man of the Match trophy. Final score: Kildysart 1-7, St. Breckan’s 0-7.

Kildysart: Robert Eyres, Brian Eyres, Shane McNelis, Stevie Sheehan, Rory McMahon, Kieran Leahy, Mikey Donnellan, Keith O’Conor-captain, Fergal Ginnane (1-1), Seamus Casey (0-1), Kieran O’Brien, Luke McGrath (0-1), Diarmuid O’Donnell (0-4, 2f), Conor Hassett, Michael “Taz” Eustace. Subs: Ian Flanagan for Donnellan (54 min), Ryan Casey for Eustace (59 min), John Ginnane for O’Brien (64 min).

Management: Noel O’Grady, John O’Sullivan-coach, Jacko Cleary, Terry Murphy, John Murtagh, Kieran Doohan, Stats: David Butler, Darragh Butler, Physio: Kieran Connelly

The U21's on the team have a semi-final next Saturday when Cill Cuil Gaels take on Ennistymon away in the U21A Championship.

Hon the Blues !!