Huge weekend for Kilcullen GAA
Next weekend is a very important one for Kilcullen GAA club, with the club involved in county finals with both our Men's and Ladies' teams. I would like to urge everyone in the parish to get to either or both of the games to get behind the teams, who have put in huge effort over the year to get to their respective finals. There is a buzz around the area, and the club officials have put black and white bunting and flags in place around the town. While also many people have bought the car flags which are on sale in Centra.
First up on Saturday, is the Men's Intermediate Final. The Rags have done brilliantly to put a poor league, and an opening game championship defeat, behind them, to go on a winning run to qualify for Saturday's final. Kilcullen lost their opening game against Castledermot in the group stages, before beating both Kill and Milltown to qualify for the Quarter-Finals. There they beat Castledermot, gaining revenge for their opening round defeat, before having a fine semi-final win over a fancied Raheens side in the Semi-Final.
Karl O'Dwyer has instilled a strong team spirit in the Rags this year, with all the panel playing their part over the season. Kilcullen will be slight underdogs against Maynooth, but fancy their chances of causing an upset and bringing the Intermediate trophy home. Both sides are familiar with each other having played out a draw in a tempestious affair in the league. Maynooth will be lead by Kildare player Karl Ennis and his brother Pierre who have both been in scoring form throughout the championship.
Intermediate Championship Final - Kilcullen v Maynooth - St.Conleth's Park in Newbridge on Saturday at 4pm.
Kilcullen Manager: Karl O'Dwyer.
Selectors: Mick Spencer, Niall Timmons.
Captain: Ronan Aspell.
Squad: Paddy Maher, Ian Barker, Jimmy Burke, Ronan Aspell, Kevin O'Brien, Fergus Aspell, Brian Fox, Thomas Davis, Warren Kinsella, Colm Fox, Brian Bell, Jamie Lambe, Paul Jones, Shane Lambe, Cormac Aspell, Darragh McMahon, John Whyte, Johnny Browne, Brian McMahon, Ciarán McMahon, Paul Bell, Alan Clarke, Darren Barker, Kevin Fox.
Kilcullen Ladies have won all their games this season to qualify for the Junior Championship Final. They have racked up some big score-lines along the way, as they have played with great skill and attacking flair. Carbury had been Kilcullen's bogey team over recent seasons, but the Ragettes finally gained revenge by beating them in the early stages of the championship in a hard fought win. However, it's no surprise to anyone who was at that game, that the two sides would go on to meet each other again in the final. A lot of hard work has been put into the Ladies section of the club in recent years, and a win on Sunday would be a deserved reward for their efforts.
Ladies Junior Championship Final - Kilcullen v Carbury - Allenwood on Sunday at 4pm
Kilcullen Manager: Warren Kelly.
Selector: Dan Bell.
Captain: Amy Moran.
Squad: Claire McDonnell, Amy Moran, Karen Bell, Zainab Afolabi, Emily Vaughan, Kayleigh Cogan, Amanda Boland, Jayne Peacocke, Laura Comerford, Aoibheann Smith, Clare Kelly, Sinead Maher, Clare Mulrennan, Nicole Murphy, Katie O'Brien, Emma Doyle, Rebecca Sheehan, Niamh Hayes, Laura Pearson, Louise Quinn, Jenny Murphy, Orla Domican, Colleen Talt.
