'Sweet when you hear that for the first time' – Ian Jennings relieved as Kilmacabea reach Premier Junior

It’s been a long time coming for Kilmacabea. Since reaching the Junior A Football Championship decider in 2018, where they lost out by a point to Dromtarriffe, they’ve been back knocking at the door often enough to wear the paint thin, semi-final exits in both 2020 and again earlier this year, each time to the eventual champions.

On Sunday, at last, the door swung open. A blistering second half turned the tide against Donoughmore, and as captain Ian Jennings said after the game, it was relief.

“It’s pure relief more than anything,” Jennings said. “We’ve been knocking on the door now for so many years, we fell short so many times, it’s just pure relief to get over the line. I think we kind of deserved it there in the second half alright.

They dominated the second half, fresh legs and sharp minds making the difference as Ray Shanahan found the back of the net after 47 minutes.

“Ray Shanahan and Liam McCarthy both came on and they were both involved in the goal, and they brought serious pace off the bench there,” he said. “Eamon Shanahan there, what did he kick? Seven or eight points? He was awesome.

He’s never kicked five or six points in a game, but he was class today, so proud of him. 

He was close in his estimate – Shananhan kicked five including a crucial two pointer, helping to send them up to Premier Junior for 2026.

“Sweet when you hear that for the first time!” he laughed. “But it will be an exciting challenge next year. Just for it to all come together today, is so sweet.” 

And for Kilmacabea, it wasn’t just about ending the wait, but about where they ended it. Páirc Uí Chaoimh isn’t the typical stage for a Junior A final, and that added a layer of magic that won’t be forgotten easily in Leap.

“Especially like, the Junior A final is usually in Páirc Uí Rinn, but for it to be in Páirc Uí Chaoimh today is extremely special for our club.

“For youngsters coming up getting to watch us up there in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, is something they can strive for and hopefully, it won’t be the last time for the next for years.” 

Next year will bring a new chapter in the Premier Junior ranks, a smaller pond, perhaps, but with bigger fish to catch.

“Donie said to us there, 70-something teams in Junior A, you’re only 12 next year now so!

“Obviously it’s a lot easier to get knocked back a peg as well – the volume of teams isn’t there – but it will be nice to challenge ourselves at a higher level and get playing different teams as well, which is good.” For now though, they’ll savour it.

“Definitely, we won’t think about that tonight,” Jennings smiled.