KILLOWEN A.F.C.

Saturday 14^th November 2009.

Castle Celtic 2 Killowen 2.

One of the Saturday fixtures to survive the weather took place at Castletownroche as local side Castle Celtic entertained visitors Killowen in A.U.L. 2A. The home side must be commended on their facilities and in particular the immaculate playing surface. In hindsight Celtic may have wished the game was postponed as they twice went ahead and then saw victory snatched from their grasp by Declan O’ Brien’s last minute equalising goal for Killowen.

Mid-Cork based side, Killowen, are enjoying mixed fortunes in A.U.L. 2A and their line up featured new signing, Mark Cremin, who started up front alongside team captain O’ Brien. However, it was the North Cork side who started brightly and duly took the lead after 4 minutes, the ball was worked out to the right wing and a deep cross into the area landed into the path of an inrushing Celtic player who fired the ball to the back of the net. In what was an eventful opening half, Killowen had genuine claims for a penalty in the 10^th minute as Cremin was upended inside the area but the referee ignored the pleas. Cremin was involved again in the 12^th minute but he couldn’t keep his shot down after Patrick Bermingham’s corner broke to him on the edge of the area. Killowen’s perseverance paid off with an equalising goal in the 21^st minute. Left back Kevin Collins instigated the move, he exchanged passes with Bermingham before cutting the ball back from the end line to Owen Braun, who scored with a well placed shot from inside the area. Celtic were back on the attack minutes later but failed to take advantage of a slip in the Killowen defence by shooting wide from a very favourable position. However a further error saw Celtic regain the lead in the 26^th minute. Killowen needlessly lost possession in midfield allowing the home side to advance up the right wing and a well delivered cross was volleyed past Billy Sheehan in the Killowen goal. But Celtic suffered a setback in the 28^th minute as they were reduced to 10 men following a mistimed tackle in midfield. Despite enjoying a numerical advantage Killowen struggled to make inroads although Cremin’s quick turn and shot forced a smart save from the home ‘keeper just before the interval.

The second half saw a change in formation by Killowen but it failed to undo the home side and it was the 10 men who dominated proceedings in the opening minutes. Killowen custodian Sheehan had to be alert in the 58^th minute as he smothered a low delivery into the area with a number of Celtic players poised to score. Killowen weathered the storm and went close to grabbing an equaliser in the 68^th minute, Greg Constant’s free kick into the area broke kindly for Dave Lynch, but his shot was tipped over at the expense of a corner. Declan O’ Brien was next to try his luck but his powerful free kick was deflected over the bar and from the resulting corner, fellow striker Cremin shot narrowly wide. Killowen continued to push forward in search of an equaliser but a lack of cover at the back almost cost them dearly in the 84^th minute. After a Killowen attack was foiled, Celtic broke quickly from halfway and with only Sheehan to beat the home sides striker dragged his shot wide. It proved to be a costly miss as Killowen levelled matters in the last minute. Goalkeeper Sheehan’s quick throw found Dave Lynch in midfield and his pass released O’ Brien who rounded his marker before calmly slotting the ball past the advancing ‘keeper for his eight goal of the season.

Killowen.

Billy Sheehan; Eoin Scannell, John Mc Donnell, Dave Lynch, Kevin Collins; Michael Moore, Greg Constant, Owen Braun, Patrick Bermingham; Mark Cremin, Declan O’ Brien.

Substitutes.

Paul Lynch for Collins.

Kieran Casey for Scannell.

Stephen Daly for Braun.

Shane O’ Leary - not used.

Saturday 31st October.

A.O.H.  Cup  1st Round.

Killowen  0

Rathcoole Rovers (A)  2

Sunday 4th October 2009.

A.U.L. 2A - Result.

Millstreet Celtic 7   Killowen 0.

A.U.L. 2A

Saturday 26^th September 2009.

Killowen 2 Springfield (A) 4

Plenty goals at Killowen on Saturday afternoon but the home side were on the wrong end of a 4-2 scoreline to visitors Springfield. The Cobh based side scored twice in each half to condemn Killowen to their second home defeat of the season. However, it was Killowen who started brightly with midfielder William Fouhy creating early openings for Declan O’ Brien and Owen Braun but neither player tested the ‘keeper. The home side then survived an early scare after 14 minutes as Brian Kane and John Mc Donnell combined to deny Springfield a certain goal. The opening goal of the afternoon arrived after 20 minutes, Kane played a short goal kick to Michael Moore whose pass put team captain Declan O’ Brien in the clear to score with a well placed shot. Despite being in arrears, Springfield were playing well as their movement and passing ability had Killowen in all sorts of bother. The inevitable equaliser arrived on the half hour mark, a loose ball in midfield was collected by the visitors left back, he advanced unopposed before unleashing a powerful strike from 25 yards that flew past home ‘keeper Kane. Spring field then struck for the lead goal 2 minutes later, a neat build up created an opening inside the area that was clinically despatched past the exposed Kane. The width of a post denied Dave Lynch an equaliser after 42 minutes, his enterprising run along the end line ended with him shooting against the upright from a narrow angle. In the dying moments of the half Springfield were also denied by the woodwork as a long range effort struck the crossbar and rebounded to safety.

Parity was restored 13 minutes into the second half, Springfield failed to clear their lines from a set piece and Owen Braun was on hand to stab the ball home from close range. It gave Killowen renewed hope but Springfield kept probing and should have scored from a favourable position after 62 minutes. Brian O’ Sullivan entered the action for Killowen and almost made an instant impression, his clever turn inside the area created a shooting opportunity but his effort went narrowly over. That was Killowen’s final opportunity of the contest as Springfield regained the lead after 75 minutes. Killowen will be regretting on how a seemingly harmless cross from the left wing somehow ended up in the net. It was game over in the 82nd minute as Killowen needlessly lost possession in defence allowing the opposing striker to stride forward before finishing with ease past the despairing dive of Kane.

Killowen.

Brian Kane; Michael Moore, Eoin O’ Sullivan, John Mc Donnell, Kevin Collins; William Fouhy, Dave Lynch, Stephen Daly, Patrick Bermingham; Declan O’ Brien, Owen Braun.

Substitutes.

Brian O’ Sullivan for Daly.

Eoin Scannell for Collins.

David Mc Carthy for Fouhy.

Paul Lynch.

Kieran Casey.

A.U.L. 2A

Saturday 12th September 2009.

Killowen 1 Inter City Celtic 2

Killowen’s first home game of the new campaign resulted in defeat as visitors Inter City Celtic claimed the three points with a 2-1 victory. Manager Owen Braun was forced to make one alteration to the line up from last weeks victory at Hillington, Brian Kane replacing the unavailable Billy Sheehan in goal.Killowen started brightly and an exchange of passes involving Declan O’ Brien, Dave Lynch and Patrick Bermingham created an opening for Brian O’ Sullivan in the 7th minute but his header was comfortably saved. Inter City looked dangerous on the break and were denied a clear cut opportunity by Eoin O’ Sullivan’s well timed tackle in the 10th minute. Brian Kane then showed good reactions to save a close range effort before Killowen struck for the opening goal after 12 minutes. The referee showed no hesitation in awarding the penalty as Dave Lynch’s surging run into the box was halted by a badly timed challenge. Declan O’ Brien assumed responsibility and made no mistake with a well placed shot. However the lead only lasted eight minutes as an error in the Killowen defence gifted Inter City an equaliser. The impressive Lynch was prominent for Killowen all afternoon, he was denied by the opposing keeper in the 25th minute after another powerful run from midfield. A minute later Declan O’ Brien tried his luck from distance but his effort didn’t trouble the ‘keeper. Inter City went ahead after 31 minutes, there was a suspicion of offside as their striker collected a pass from midfield before striding forward to place the ball past the exposed Kane. It could have been worse for Killowen in the 40th minute as Inter City opened up the home defence but John Mc Donnell was well positioned to make a timely clearance.

The goals dried up in the second half as both sides cancelled each other out. Killowen substitute, William Fouhy, had an early opportunity in the 50th minute but his well struck shot from distance was gathered by the Inter City custodian. A more favourable chance presented itself in the 53rd minute as Patrick Bermingham found himself with time and space in the area but he rushed his shot. Inter City also wasted a glorious chance midway through the half but it mattered little as the home side failed to create any meaningful chances during the closing stages of the game.

Killowen.

Brian Kane; William Twomey, Eoin O’ Sullivan, John Mc Donnell, Kevin Collins; Paul Lynch, Michael Moore, Dave Lynch, Patrick Bermingham; Declan O’ Brien, Brian O’ Sullivan.

Substitutes.

Eoin Scannell for William Twomey.

William Fouhy for Paul Lynch.

Kieran Casey for Brian O’ Sullivan.

David Mc Carthy.

Greg Creedon.

A.U.L. 2A

Saturday 5^th September 2009.

Hillington 1 Killowen 4.

It was a winning start to the season for Killowen following Saturdays 4 -1 victory away to Hillington. A performance that pleased new Killowen manager Owen Braun, who has taken over managerial duties with assistance from Declan Cassidy and Stephen Daly. The starting line up also contained a number of new signings with ‘keeper Billy Sheehan, defenders William Twomey and John Mc Donnell making their competitive debuts. But it was long serving Dave Lynch who was influential for Killowen in the opening stages, his excellent delivery from the left wing caused an anxious moment for the home side after 15 minutes. Lynch’s defensive qualities were evident minutes later as his timely block from a Hillington free kick prevented a certain goal. Killowen’s first corner of the afternoon resulted in the opening goal in the 20th minute, Patrick Bermingham’s delivery was met by Lynch whose downward header deceived the home ‘keeper. Killowen were now in the ascendancy as Bermingham raced clear from half way only to see his shot blocked by a retreating defender. Paul Lynch and Declan O’ Brien then combined to create a chance for Bermingham after 27 minutes but he shot wide from a favourable position. Hillington weathered the storm and should have scored on the half hour mark as the home striker was clear through on goal but failed to trouble ‘keeper Sheehan. Killowen looked solid at the back and a timely interception by John Mc Donnell ended another Hillington attack after 36 minutes. Bermingham’s expertise from the dead ball was evident again in the 40th minute, his corner was headed against the post by Paul Lynch with the rebound going harmlessly over the bar. However the second goal duly arrived two minutes later, Sheehan’s long punt deceived the opposing defence allowing Declan O’ Brien to race clear and score with a powerful drive from inside the area. Fellow striker, Brian O’ Sullivan, was clean through on goal just before the break but was foiled by the advancing keeper.

Hillington were three goals in arrears a minute after the restart. An exchange of passes between Michael Moore, O’ Brien and O’ Sullivan set up Bermingham whose powerful volley from inside the box gave the ‘keeper no chance. Killowen should have made it 4-0 after an hour but O’ Brien failed to get a proper connection to O’ Sullivan’s inviting cross. The city based team then enjoyed their best spell of the game but their period of superiority failed to yield a goal as Killowen stood firm at the back. Any notions of a Hillington comeback were quashed with a fourth Killowen goal in the 76th minute. Goalkeeper Sheehan’s long clearance found Owen Braun whose deft touch released the hardworking O’ Sullivan who made no mistake from inside the box. However, Killowen were denied a clean sheet as Hillington managed a consolation goal from the penalty spot after 85 minutes following an infringement in the area.

Killowen.

Billy Sheehan; William Twomey, John Mc Donnell, Eoin O’ Sullivan, Kevin Collins; Paul Lynch, Michael Moore, Dave Lynch, Patrick Bermingham; Declan O’ Brien, Brian O’ Sullivan.

Substitutes;

David Mc Carthy for Twomey.

Owen Braun for Bermingham.

William Fuohy for Brian O’ Sullivan.

Kieran Casey.

David Holmes.