The Parish of Killoe is celebrating as All-Ireland Champions this week. Our Under 14 team captured the Feile All-Ireland title when winning a hard fought final against Netwown Blues (Louth) on Sunday last in Portlaoise. The team put in some brilliant performances in the early rounds of the competition and were up against it in the final. However their skill, strength and resolve carried them through to a historic win.
The Feile competition was based in The Heath Club outside Portlaoise, they defeated their hosts comfortably on Friday. First match on Sat, they defeated Kildare’s Castledermot 5-06 to one point. The group decider was against Waterford champions Dungarvan with Killoe winning 3-05 to 0.02. Excitement was building as semi final was in Portarlington that evening against Tullamore from Offaly and in a great performance they won 3-07 to 0.00
With the final on the Sunday a large contingent travelled to Portlaoise GAA grounds to support the lads against Louth champions Newtown Blues. Captain Oisin Bennett opened the scoring with a great point before a direct pass to full forward Shane Thompson was sent to the net in style. Newtown Blues scored 3 points to leave Killoe ahead by one at half time. Killoes defence battled hard with Brian Harte and Phillip Kiernan outstanding. A great run by Oisin Bennett was rewarded with a penalty when he was upended in the square. Davis McCarthy dispatched it in style and further points from Oisin and David left Killoe in control to finish winners.
This is a special group of players and great credit is due to mentors Kevin Prunty, Damien Bennett, Colm Hughes, Paul McCarthy and Damien Bratten. The Panel is Oisin Bennett, David McCarthy, Gavin Hughes, Ciaran Brady, Shane McManus, Eamon Keogh, Niall Finneran, Niall Farrelly, Liam Harte, Ronan Moffett, Patrick Collum, Padraig Walsh, Shane Morrissey, Calvin Duke, James Bracken, Ronan Hughes, Shane Thompson, Daniel Craig, Darragh Mulligan, Brian Carr, Philip Kiernan, Jack Sorohan, Conor Moran, Brian Harte.
A large crowd welcomed a tired but proud panel in Emmet Park in Clonee that evening where the celebrations continued. Well done, All Ireland Champions.
Note: The Panel will be presented to the crowd at half time in Longford/Derry match on Sat next in Pearse Park.
