Kilnadeema/Leitrim

Last Updated
16/06/2011

Hurling Club

Cumanan Luthchleas Gael Cill na Dioma - Liathdroim

Kilnadeema/Leitrim Under 16 team 2007

The Kilnadeema/Leitrim Under 16 team which lined out against Bearna Na Forbacha in the open round of the championship Back Row: Martin Costello, Damien Donoghue, Michael Donoghue, Cathal King, Gary Cunningham, Padraig Stapleton, Paul Howard, Gary Curley, Daithi Donoghue, Niall Haverty, Alvin Mitchell, John Callagy. Front Row: Padraig Forde, James Conway, Conal Whelan, Nathan Moran, Finian O'Toole, Colin Moran, Mark Kelly, Conor Fahy, Ross Dowling, Dara Herlihy.

Under 16 hurling championship round one played in Craughwell on Monday July 2nd
Kilnadeema/Leitrim 4.09   Bearna Na Forbacha  0.00
The final team in the club to enter championship action in 2007 were the Under 16 team  and their day out finally arrived on Monday July 2nd in Craughwell when they took on Bearna Na Forbacha in the opening round of the championship. This game was a repeat of the Under 14 final of two years previous when Bearna Na Forbacha ended the dreams of this team by three points. This time Bearna Na Forbacha had to line with  a much weaker team due to Football commitments. While Kilnadeema/Leitrim went about their job of winning this tie ruthlessly they certainly did not bring all their shooting skills with them this time as they shot a lot lot of bad wides during the game while also getting some wonderful scores, but this kind of performance would not be good enough in almost any other game. Michael Donoghue, who had a good game all through shot the opening point after one minute from play before Dara Herlihy added a second 2 minutes later. Goals were always a big possibility in this game and Finian O'Toole got in on the act very early when he shot home on 4 mins. Paul Howard who had very little to do all day was called upon to make a great save early on before Finian O'Toole pointed again on 9 mins after taking a ball from Padraig Stapleton who had made  a great run up the field. Full Forward Gary Curley then added his first score a minute later to leave the score at 1.04 to no score at this time. We then saw the bad shooting side of this team as they went 11 mins without scoring as they shot wide after wide. Dara Herlihy finally scored a free on 21 minutes to restore normality. Then after another long gap we had the second goal of the game when Gary Curley scored after been set up by Alvin Mitchell. This left the interval score at 2.05 to no score. The Bearna Na Forbacha goalie was called upon to make a great save immediately after the restart from a shot by Finian O'Toole. Alvin Mitchell then scored a lovely point a minute  later. Ten minutes then pasted by before Finian O'Toole scored another point from play. A Minute a long ball from Dara Herlihy was got near goal by Gary Curley who duely dispatched it to the net to put his side ahead 3.07 to no score. Dara Herlihy then added his third point on 16 mins. Finian O'Toole added another on 25 mins before we had the final score of the game and what a score it was as Midfielder Mark Kelly burst forward to score a wonderful goal from 30 yards out to leave the final score reading 4.09 to no score. One had to feel sorry for Bearna Na Forbacha as they certainly did not deserve to leave Craughwell without a score. For Kilnadeema/Leitrim the first hurl is complete but much stiffer tests lie ahead.

Scorers: Gary Curley 2.01, Finian O'Toole 1.03, Mark Kelly 1.00, Dara Herlihy 0.03, Alvin Mitchell 0./01, Michael Donoghue 0.01.
Team Lineout: Paul Howard, James Conway, Martin Costello, Gary Cunningham, Damien Donoghue, Padraig Stapleton, Padraig Forde, Mark Kelly, Michael Donoghue, Dara Herlihy, Cathal King, Alvin Mitchell, Finian O'Toole, Gary Curley, Nathan Moran.

Nathan Moran and Dara Herlihy dispute this loose ball

Cathal King pus in a vital block as the centre back ties to clear

Michael Donoghue follows the flight of the ball from this lineball

Mark Kelly gains possession at Midfield supported by Cathal King

Finian O'Toole gains possession and heads for goal

Gary Curley shoots a wonderful point

The  Donoghue's in charge ... Michael prepares to pick this ball as Damien looks on

Gary Cunningham watches the play from Corner back

Padraig Stapleton prepares to sent in another long range free

Spot the ball ... Michael Donoghue seems to wonder where it is?

Michael Donoghue drives another long ball into the forwards

Padraig Stapleton follows the flight of this ball out of defence

Dara Herlihy shoots another trademark Dara point

Damien Donoghue keeps a close eye on his opponent

Under 16 hurling championship played in Leitrim on Monday July 9th
Kilnadeema/Leitrim  0.13   Cappatagle  0.10

On an evening more likely to be found in February or March with wind and rain in stead of July sunshine Kilnadeema/Leitrim played their second game in the Under 16 championship against pointless Cappatagle in Leitrim on Monday July 9th. Cappatagle who had the strong wind advantage in first half were very determined to bring the game to Kilnadeema/Leitrim and they opened the scoring on 2 minutes with  a point from play scored by Ronan Garvey. Finian O'Toole soon replayed with an equaliser also from play before Dara Herlihy gave Kilnadeema/Leitrim the lead for the first time on 6 minutes with a pointed free. Cappatagle had many fine players on their team but in centre half back David Kelly they had  a player of real County class and he played a significant part in the first half scoring many fine points mostly from frees which were all long distance and he started the scoring run on 8 mins. with a point from play after martin Costello had stopped a certain goal chance. David Kelly scored again a minute later this time from a free from over 100 yards out to leave the score line reading 0.06 to 0.03 in Cappatagle's favour. David scored the point of the game on 10 minutes when he scored a wonderful point off his Hurley without catching it and he added another on 16 mins also from a free before Dara Herlihy pointed a free for Kilnadeema/Leitrim to keep them touch. Corner Forward Larry Dolan then pointed from play for Cappatagle and David Kelly added another point on 25 minutes again from  a free. The final score of the first half was also a free from the star Cappatagle centre back to leave the score board reading 0.08 to 0.03 . We wondered would a five point lead be enough for a confident Cappatagle team. It David Kelly was the star of the first half then Gary Curley certainly stole the show in the second half with some wonderful point taking and he got into the act straight away with a point after one minute. Dara Herlihy added another pointed free a minute later before Gary Curley scored his second point from play on 3 mins. after taking a great pass from Finian O'Toole to reduce the lead to only two. He was at it again a minute later with another wonderful point as Cappatagle full back was turned inside out. Alvin Mitchell stopped the Curley show momentarily when he got a lovely point also from play to level up the game at 0.08 each. David Kelly had Cappatagle back in front again on 6 minutes with a pointed free before that man Gary Curley was pointing again on 7 minutes before David Kelly scored again with another free on 9 minutes to put his determined side one ahead again. Gary Curley, who else equalise again on 22 minutes as the game flowed up and down the field. Kilnadeema/Leitrim then had a goal disallowed for a questionable square ball, Kilnadeema/Leitrim were not to be stopped at this stage though as Midfielder mark Kelly scored a wonderful point to give his side the lead for the first time in 18 minutes 0.11 to 0.10. Dara Herlihy then got his first point from play to put two between the sides. Fittingly it was Gary Curley who finished the scoring on 28 minutes with another point from play, his sixth point of the half , a truly brilliant performance.

Scorers: Gary Curley 0.06, Dara Herlihy 0.04, Alvin Mitchell 0.01, Finian O'Toole 0.01, Mark Kelly 0.01.

Team Lineout: Paul Howard, James Conway, Martin Costello, Conor Moran, Damien Donoghue, Padraig Stapleton, Padraig Forde, Mark Kelly, Michael Donoghue, Dara Herlihy, Cathal King, Alvin Mitchell, Finian O'Toole, Gary Curley, John Callagy.
Subs used: Nathan Moran, Ross Dowling

Dara Herlihy watches the flight of the ball he has just delivered

The race is on ... Alvin Mitchell and Cathal King give chase

Padraig Stapleton shows the perfect way to take a free

Padraig Forde clears out of defence under pressure from four Cappatagle players

Under 16 hurling championship Round three  in Ballymacward on Monday July 16th
Kilnadeema/Leitrim 1.13   Padraig Pearses  0.08

Two of the strongest sides in this years Under 16 championship Kilnadeema/Leitrim and Padraig Pearses clashed in a vital group game in Ballymacward on Monday July 16th. In what had a very poor summer weather wise, it was inevitable that it would be raining for the game and raining it certainly was with Thunder and Lightening to add to the occasion. Both of these team had some very close matches at Under 14 level two years ago with Kilnadeema/Leitrim coming out on top, but only just. Padraig Pearses opened the scoring with a point from Colm O'Grady from play after 2 minutes, They doubled their lead a minute later with a Colm Rafferty free and it got even better three minutes later when Andrew bellow scored from a lineball to put the home team three points clear. They were dominating all over the field in the early stages before Kilnadeema/Leitrim soon settled down and Michael Donoghue who was playing at Corner Forward for the first time shot over their opening point after 6 mins. Michael was involved again a minute later when after making a great run through the defence he was fouled and Dara Herlihy duely dispatched the Sliotar over the bar. The sides were level a minute later when Full Forward Gary Curley scored a point after Corner Forward Nathan Moran won a great ball in near the goals and passed to Gary to score. At this stage the rain was coming down in Buckets and lasted the rest of the half. Niall Gilson put the home side ahead again with a point from play on 9 mins. Kilnadeema/Leitrim were then awarded a Penalty which Dara Herlihy put over for a point and repeated it again two minutes later with another free to put his side in front for the first time 0.05 to 0.04. Colm Rafferty started to drag Padraig Pearses back into the game leading the way from Centre Forward. He equalised with a free on 15 mins before he scored again this time from play 2 mins later. Conor O'Grady then scored a wonderful point from near the side line Rafferty put over another free on 30 minutes to give the home team a three point lead at the break 0.08 to 0.05. It is hard to believe that Padraig Pearses did not score again for the rest of the game. Michael Donoghue like he had done at the start of the first half opened the scoring in the second half with a point from play to reduce down the lead. We had to wait until 10 minutes for the next score when Gary Curley scored a brilliant point from play. Dara Herlihy had the game all tied up soon after with his first point from play. Six minutes later Dara finally put Kilnadeema/Leitrim ahead again with a 35 yard free. Paul Howard had a lucky escape in goals a minutes later when a misjudged a dropping ball and it nearly was a goal chance for Padraig Pearses. A Goal did come though soon after but not for the home team as Corner Forward Nathan Moran reacted first to a breaking ball to score a goal after Gary Curley's shot was blocked to put Kilnadeema/Leitrim ahead 1.09 to 0.08. Gary Curley who was now playing almost as well as the previous week scored again on 23 mins. when Cathal King did all the hard work to set him up. Michael Donoghue who also had a brilliant game soon added his third point from play. We then had a controversial point when Gary Curley was credited with the scour even though it was clearly wide before Michael Donoghue rounded off a great personal performance with another point which was to to be the final score to leave the scoreboard reading 1.13 to 0.08 at the finish. his was a very good display from Kilnadeema/Leitrim especially in the second half and put down a marker for the rest of the championship.

Scorers: Dara Herlihy 0.05, Gary Curley 0.04, Michael Donoghue 0.04, Nathan Moran 1.00.

Team Lineout: Paul Howard, James Conway, Martin Costello, Gary Cunningham, , Damien Donoghue, Padraig Stapleton, Padraig Forde, Mark Kelly, Alvin Mitchell, Cathal King, Dara herlihy, Daithi Donoghue Michael Donoghue, Gary Curley, Nathan Moran.
Subs used: Conor Moran.

Under 16 hurling championship played in Kilbeacanty on Wednesday July 25th
Kilnadeema/Leitrim 0.11  Ardrahan 1.12

The final game in the group for the Under 16 team took place against table toppers Ardrahan in Kilbeacanty on Wednesday July 25th with first position in the group up for grabs for the winners. Both teams had already beaten group favourites Padraig Pearses in earlier rounds. Kilnadeema/Leitrim were forced to line out without star forward Dara Herlihy, who was on holidays and also saw corner forward Finian O'Toole employed at corner back in this game. Kilnadeema/Leitrim started with a strong breeze to their backs and were soon ahead when Gary Curley who took over the free taking duties from Dara opened his account with a pointed free in the first minute. Three minutes later wing forward Cathal King added a second point, this time from play. John Holland who was also to play a big part in the game for Ardrahan soon had the blues off the mark with a point from a free. Gary Curley soon replayed with a pointed free of his own. We then had a long gap before Alvin Mitchell added the next point from play for Kilnadeema/Leitrim on 15 mins. Gary Curley then added two more points one from play and the other a free to put his side 0.06 to 0.01 ahead. John Holland then added another point from a free for Ardrahan before disaster struck for Kilnadeema/Leitrim when they conceded a poor goal after a scramble in the square involving Conor Moran and Eanna Gardiner with the Ardrahan man forcing the ball over the line to close the gap to one point as half time approached. The half time score read  0.06 to 1.02.  Ardrahan with the strong breeze for the second half were now favourites to win but Gary Curley had other idea's as he pointed a free after one minute of the half. Ardrahan then took over and scored four points in a row with John Holland knocking over two free's sandwiched in between two points from Padraig Diviney and Eanna Gardiner to put the south Galway side two up 1.06 to 0.07. The game continued to flow up and down the field. On ten minutes Gary Curley closed the gap with another free with John Holland soon replaying two mins later. Kilnadeema/Leitrim were hopeful of victory and that was typified by two splendid points from play on 13 and 15 minutes from Gary Curley and Mark Kelly to level up the game 0.10 to 1.07. John Holland put Ardrahan back in front soon after with another free before who else but Gary Curley equalised again with a brilliant point from play. From here to the finish Ardrahan took over and ran out easy winners in the end with Eanna Gardiner first pointing them back in front before John Holland added two more free's The final score of the game fell to Padraig Diviney to leave the final score line reading 1.12 to 0.11. This was an entertaining game between two good sides and both of which will go along way yet in this championship.

Scorers: Gary Curley 0.08, Mark Kelly 0.01, Alvin Mitchell 0.01, Cathal King 0.01.
Team Lineout: Paul Howard, Finian O'Toole, Martin Costello, Conor Moran, Damien Donoghue, Padraig Stapleton, Padraig Forde, Mark Kelly, Alvin Mitchell,  Cathal King, Daithi Donoghue, Nathan Moran, Ross Dowling, Gary Curley, Michael Donoghue.
Subs used: Cathal Fahy, Stephen Bruton..
 

Under 16 hurling championship quarter final played in Oranmore on Thursday August 30th
Kilnadeema/Leitrim 1.13  Carnmore 3.15

Having both qualified successfully from their groups the under 16 hurlers of Kilnadeema/Leitrim and Carnmore meet in a quarter final that neither club really wanted at this stage as both would have been regarded as having a good chance of winning the overall competition. The game was played on a lovely Autumn evening in Oranmore on Thursday August 30th. Even though the venue was in good condition, it was regarded as been very unfair to bring Kilnadeema/Leitrim to a venue so close to the opposition. Carnmore who are very highly regarded having reached the semi final of Feile na nGeal two years ago with this team and are probably playing a grade below where they really should be in this competition made  a very strong start to the game when Aaron Fox pointed from play in the first minute. Padraig Stapleton and Cathal King then shot early wides for Kilnadeema/Leitrim before Daniel Fox extended Carnmore's lead on 5 minutes with another point. Carnmore's county under 16 star Donal Fox, who had a wonderful game all through pointed a long range free on 12 mins before Dara Herlihy opened Kilnadeema/Leitrim's account with  a point from play a minute later. Kilnadeema/Leitrim were now settled down and they closed the gap to one point on 15 minutes when Full Forward Gary Curley pointed from play. Aaron Fox with another point for Carnmore made it 0.02 to 0.04 soon after before Matthew Moran and Daniel Fox extended their lead to four by 18 minutes with two more points from play. It looked very bad for Kilnadeema/Leitrim immediately after when Matthew Moran crashed home a goal for Carnmore to open up a seven point lead which was a major gap at this early stage in the contest. Kilnadeema/Leitrim really showed why they are been regarded so highly in the next eight minutes as they scored 1.02 without replay. First Cathal King and Midfielder Michael Donoghue had points from play before Nathan Moran missed a goal chance to close the gap. He made up for this miss soon afterwards though when he scored a goal on 28 minutes to move his side to within two of the reds. Aaron Fox with his third point and Gary Curley then swopted points from play before Donal Fox closed the scoring in the first half with a long range point from play to leave the score reading 1.05 to 1.08 at the break. Kilnadeema/Leitrim would have the advantage of the breeze in the second half and were still in with a very good chance of taking a big scalp in the competition at this stage. They started the second half very much on top in many area's of the field and with Dara Herlihy and Cathal King in great scoring form they had Carnmore a very worried team. Dara drove them on with three points in the first 5 minutes, two from 65's and a point from play with Matthew Moran shooting Carnmore's first score of the half in between to leave just a point between the team. Then on seven minutes we had a brilliant save from Kilnadeema/Leitrim and Galway county goalie Paul Howard who dived full stretch to push away a certain goal. Then for the next few minutes we were entertained with the Cathal King show who played probably the best ever game for the club and ended the day with four points from play and many other chances that went narrowly wide. Between the 12 and 14th minute Cathal shot three points from play to put Kilnadeema/Leitrim two points up and looking very good. Carnmore sensed they were in trouble and soon were level with points from Donal and Aaron Fox to leave the score line reading 1.11 each. Daithi Donoghue who had just been moved to Centre Half Forward then scored a lovely point on 18 minutes before Daniel Fox levelled it up again 2 minutes later. Glen McArdle and Gary Curley then exchanged points to leave it still level with seven minutes to play. Daniel Fox put Carnmore back in front two minutes later as the game moved from end to end. The big breakthrough in the game came soon after when Aaron Fox struck for a vital goal after a defensive mistake to put four points between the sides. Kilnadeema/Leitrim tried so hard to get back into the game and had a few great chances to get a goal back especially a great shot from Mark Kelly which was brilliantly saved. Donal Fox with another long range free put five between the sides before substitute Paul Fox shot another goal in injury time to finally put an end to a great game as Carnmore progressed to the semi final on a final score line of 3.15 to 1.13. This was a very unfair score board for Kilnadeema/Leitrim to look at as they gave as good as they got for long periods and had had every chance with seven minutes to play. This was a good campaign for this team which could have ended even better with a bit of luck. For most of these lads now their attention will turn to the Minor quarter final with Kiltormer. They might have something to celebrate yet.

Scorers: Dara Herlihy 0.04, Cathal King 0.04, Gary Curley 0.03, Nathan Moran 1.00, Michael Donoghue 0.01, Daithi Donoghue 0.01.

Team Lineout: Paul Howard, James Conway, Martin Costello, Conor Fahy, Damien Donoghue, Padraig Stapleton, Padraig Forde, Mark Kelly, Alvin Mitchell, Daithi Donoghue, Dara Herlihy, Cathal King, Michael Donoghue,Gary Curley, Nathan Moran.
 

Daithi Donoghue gets in a block as Gary Curley offers some assistance again Carnmore in the quarter final.

Carnmore's centre half back solo's away with the ball as Gary Curley, Cathal King and Daithi Donoghue give chase

Dara Herlihy shows nice skill as he tries to set up another scoring chance for his team in the quarter final against Carnmore

Cathal King ready to add to his four points as he looks to get this ball under control