Good times in Kinsale

Timmy was telling me that when Cork played Sligo in the All Ireland Junior Football semi in Croke Park a couple of weeks ago, it was the first time a Kilmacabea man appeared in HQ in the club’s history. His name was Daniel O’Donovan.

It wasn’t a first for Kinsale but with Richard O’Sullivan lining out at centre back and Brian Coughlan taking station at wing forward, we were will represented. The lads helped Cork to last weekend’s final and through extra-time to claim a third All-Ireland in three years at this grade. Richard also played in the last triumph.

It was another success in an eventful year for Brian who claimed a Sigerson medal with UCC as well as a Munster U-21 football medal with Cork. He started the U-21 semi-final against Galway but unfortunately the team failed to live up to the high expectations.

I also noticed an O Finn coming on for the Cork Ladies in their All-Ireland quarter final against reigning champions Dublin. I’m pretty sure it was Orla Finn from Kinsale. Her point contributed to a magnificent comeback to shock the champions and book a semi final place against Laois.

A little further afield, Cian Quigley is captaining the Irish Aussie Rules team down in Oz. They’ve qualified for the final of the World Cup.

Whilst people may think Kinsale is a big town, it doesn’t translate into big numbers in the club. With rugby, sailing, soccer and a host of other sports (not to mention a lively nightlife) to compete with, the G.A.A. has struggled to hold its own.

In recent years , a lot of the lads have worn a County jersey; Niall Mac, Gearoid O’Leary, Alan Gould and Derry O’Callaghan are some of the young players driving the Intermediates run to the quarter final of the championship which takes place this Sunday night in Pairc Ui Rinn. With a semi-final in the South-East hurling also pending, the year is beginning to take shape.

Hopefully the lads’ success will rub off on the rest and a good year for a few individuals can translate into some badly needed collective success!