Leinster Club JFC v Lisdowney

It was a case of third time lucky at a very pleasant Home Instead Lakepoint Park, Mullingar last Saturday when we recorded our first-ever win in Leinster.

After narrowly falling at the first hurdle against St Fintan’s (Wexford) and Dundalk Young Irelanders (Louth) on our only previous forays into the province in 2012 and ’18 respectively, we made the breakthrough with a hard-earned 1-15 to 2-7 AIB Leinster Club JFC victory over Lisdowney, who were only crowned Kilkenny intermediate champions three days earlier. After a week of heavy rain which necessitated the game being moved from The Downs, the sun made a welcome appearance as we once again gave our supporters plenty of anxious moments before coming good in the end. Having won the Westmeath JFC title on the back of a series of narrow victories – they beat St Loman’s in the final with a last-gasp deflected goal and are unbeaten in nine games – this Kilbeggan team’s character is without question and they showed it again by staging another late comeback after trailing by a point with seven minutes of normal time remaining. A Conor Delaney free had brought us level before David Fennell’s 54th minute goal proved the game-changer. We never looked back after that as late points from Delaney, Fennell (mark) and Nigel Scally sealed an historic win and a quarter-final meeting with Longford champions Ballymore on Saturday week at a Westmeath venue.

The scoreline was slightly harsh on a big and strong Lisdowney team who caused us lots of problems, especially in the middle third. The signs looked ominous for them when they trailed by 0-3 to 0-7 at half-time after playing with the breeze but, to their credit, they turned the game on its head with an unanswered 2-1 at the start of the second half which rocked us back on our heels. The game was level three times after that before we found an extra gear in the closing stages, but Niall O’Brien and his men will know it could have been different had our opponents been more clinical. Lisdowney hit eight wides compared to just three from us, two of which were from guilt-edge goalscoring opportunities. They also passed up on two other goal chances in the second half after cutting us open at the back. Ultimately, our trademark never-say-die attitude, coupled with the scoring prowess of David Fennell, Conor Delaney and Nigel Scally, got us over the line. After Lisdowney had turned a four-point deficit into a three-point lead just after half-time, Delaney steadied us with a free and Scally left the minimum in it after collecting a pin-point Brendan McMahon kick-pass before the ever-dependable Shaun Pidgeon restored parity in the 43rd minute. It was tit for tat after that before an excellent move involving Delaney, Aidan Stone – who like Paul Fennell was unable to start due to injury – and Pidgeon culminated in David Fennell firing to the net and giving us a 1-12 to 2-6 lead. Delaney followed up with a point, but we continued to live dangerously at the back as Aaron Fogarty hit the umpire’s flag with a daisy-cutter before substitute Killian Dunne brought it back to a one-score game with his first touch in the 59th minute. However, as Lisdowney visibly tired after their second game in quick succession, we were able to see it out with late points from Fennell (mark) and Scally, and keep what’s turning into a memorable season going for another fortnight at least.

Team: Joey O’Neill; Sean Hanlon, James Fox, Martin Ward; Conor Carroll, Colin Draper (0-1), Mark Wrafter; Niall Carey, Brendan McMahon; Danny Scully, Shaun Pidgeon (0-1), Micheál Coffey; David Fennell (1-4, 1m), Conor Delaney (0-5, 3fs), Nigel Scally (0-4). Subs: Darragh Coffey for M Coffey (half-time), James Finnegan for Scully (42 min), Alan Fennell for Ward (48 min), Aidan Stone for Draper (53 min), Dean Fitzgerald for Pidgeon (60+3 min).

No joy for Novelty Act in Leinster final

It wasn’t to be for our Novelty Act in last Sunday’s Leinster Scór Sinsir final in Carnew, Co. Wicklow. Despite acquitting themselves brilliantly once again, the group comprising Bernice Kelly, Brenda O’Connor, Martin Dowdall, Pat Lynagh, Geraldine Fennell and stand-in Fiona Kiernan fell short in their quest to complete a county and provincial double.

U19FC semi-final v Inny Shamrocks

Our U19s face Inny Shamrocks for a place in the Division 3 Championship final at MJS Builds St James’ Park at 2pm this Saturday, October 28. All support for Mattie McCormack’s young charges would be greatly appreciated.

Halloween Fancy Dress Party

The countdown is on to our Halloween Fancy Dress Party which takes place in McNamara’s Bar this Saturday, October 28 at 9pm. Music will be provided by Mike Sheerin, while there will be prizes for the Best Dressed Male, Female and Group. All proceeds will be donated to the Kirby family, Castletown-Geoghegan following the tragic death of Pauric in a recent work accident. We are honoured to be able to do something small for Pauric's family during this very tough time. All team members of the club have sponsorship cards with each line costing €5 which enters you into our raffle on the night. Prizes include hotel breaks, one-for-all vouchers, fuel vouchers and much more. You can also purchase these on our new ClubZap App.

https://clubzap.com/public/products/14883/purchases/new

Kids Halloween Disco

Kilbeggan Shamrocks, in conjunction with Brosna Residents’ Group, are holding a Kids Halloween Disco in St James’ Hall on Bank Holiday Monday, October 30 from 5 to 8pm. Entry is €2 for a child and €6 for a family.

Quid Game

Brendan Nannery is representing us in the Westmeath GAA Quid Game fundraiser which takes place in the Mullingar Park Hotel next Sunday, October 29. All support would be greatly appreciated. We have a goal of €3,000 to raise for this event. To donate, click on

https://www.clubspotevents.com/team-1/brendan-nannery

Kilbeggan man Mick Stones is also flying home from New York to take part in the event which is being hosted by comedian Conor Moore.

Lotto

Last week’s lucky numbers were 14, 15, 18 and 20. The Match 3 winners were Rosemary Scally and Carmel Buggy.

Thanks to everyone for their support. The jackpot is capped at €15,000. You can purchase your tickets in local shops or online.