Glory for Kilmacabea as they come from behind against Donoughmore to claim County JAFC title

Kilmacabea: 1-14 (1-3-8) 

Donoughmore: 1-7 (1-0-7) 

A historic day at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh as Kilmacabea came from behind to claim county glory on Sunday evening.

The Carbery team defeated Donoughmore in the McCarthy Insurance Group County JAFC final played in front of a large crowd as they win this particular championship for the first time in their history.

It wasn’t the best game of football this year albeit not helped by the persistent heavy rain throughout. For sheer endeavour and excitement, it didn’t disappoint.

A wonder Gavin O’Sullivan green flag was a crucial score in the first half as Donoughmore led by two points at the interval, but they only managed three points in the second 30 minutes.

The second half was dominated by the eventual winners with sub Ray Shanahan’s goal midway through that half giving them the platform to kick on.

They were fully deserving of their victory with heroes in every area of the pitch when the game was there to be won. The celebrations afterwards told the story.

Donoughmore were quick out of the blocks with a sweet point after two minutes, Scott Barrett with the outside of the boot as his effort from an acute angle sailed over the bar.

Kilmacabea, who lost at this stage in 2018, soon settled with a Daniel O’Donovan white flag and it was followed by a two-point free through goalkeeper Colin McCarthy.

The weather conditions deteriorated as the game progressed, reflecting in a low-scoring encounter with both defences also doing well.

After a lull in the scoring, a score worth the admission alone arrived after 18 minutes when Gavin O’Sullivan, after an incredible driving run, unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the Kilmacabea net, 1-1 to 0-3.

A pair of white flags from Gavin O’Sullivan, one which was a free and then a 45, gave Donoughmore a three-point buffer with eight minutes remaining in the first half.

They were winning the midfield battle at this juncture with Seán O’Hanlon excellent around the middle and Donnchadh Morrissey effective on the breaking ball.

Kilmacabea landed a timely score when Eamon Shanahan bisected the posts, their first score in 17 minutes, 1-3 to 0-4 after 24 minutes.

The sides traded points in the closing stages of the first half, David McDonnell pointed for Donoughmore while Damien Gore converted an easy free for his side after Donoughmore were penalised for not having three players in the forward line, 1-4 to 0-5 at half-time.

Kilmacabea were level just ten seconds into the new half when two-point marksman Ian Jennings kicked over a splendid two-pointer.

Donoughmore’s response was lively with Gavin O’Sullivan slotting over a pair of brilliant points, 1-6 to 0-7 after 35 minutes.

Kilmacabea were struggling to break down a teak-tough Donoughmore defence and their attempts for a couple of two-point efforts didn’t come to fruition even though O’Donovan’s effort nearly ended up in the back of the net.

White flags from Eamon Shanahan and Keith Whelton drew Kilmacabea level with 15 minutes to go.

They struck for a crucial score after 47 minutes when sub Ray Shanahan tapped the ball into the net after Liam McCarthy’s effort for a goal was saved by Donoughmore goalkeeper Kevin O’Riordan, but the ball fell nicely for the goal scorer, 1-9 to 1-6.

Gore extended his side’s advantage as the momentum was firmly with them. Martin Collins and Jennings were outstanding for their team in what was a collective team effort full of grit.

Kilmacabea had a four-point lead after 54 minutes, 1-10 to 1-6. A Donoughmore comeback didn’t look likely, instead, an Eamon Shanahan two-pointer was a huge score as his team pushed six points clear.

They kicked two of the last three points to claim the title by seven points.

Scorers for Kilmacabea: E Shanahan 0-5 (1 2pt), R Shanahan 1-0, C McCarthy (1 2pt f), I Jennings (1 2pt), D Gore (0-1 f) 0-2 each, K Whelton, L McCarthy, D O’Donovan 0-1 each.

Donoughmore: G O’Sullivan 1-4 (0-1 f, 0-1 45), D McDonnell 0-2, S Barrett 0-1.

KILMACABEA: C McCarthy; L Tobin, D Whooley, D Tobin; O Tobin, M Collins, D O’Callaghan; O Kerrisk, I Jennings (c); D McCarthy, D Gore, K Whelton; E Shanahan, D O’Donovan, J Collins.

Subs: L McCarthy for E Shanahan (3-6, temp), L McCarthy for O Kerrisk (h-t), R Shanahan for J Collins (40), C Whelton for K Whelton (63).

DONOUGHMORE: K O’Riordan; R Honohan, D Forde (c), S Broderick; D Morrissey, J Crowley, K O’Connell; S O’Hanlon, M Lucey; A Dinan, G O’Sullivan, D Holland; D Keating, D McDonnell, S Barrett.

Subs: L O’Sullivan for K O’Connell (47), T Murphy for A Dinan, J McCarthy for D Forde (both 49), J Murphy for D Keating (54), J Twomey for M Lucey (56).

Referee: Alan O’Connor (Ballygarvan).