Kilmeena U16 Boys commenced training on the last day of February to set out their stall for the 2017 season. We were pitched in Division 3 of the league (a 9 team group), Aughamore, Hollymount/ Carramore, Swinford, Ardnaree, Burrishoole, Naomh Padraig, Parke and Balla. With the age profile of our squad and the calibre of teams in the group a top four (semi final) spot looked beyond us on paper. However, a convincing home round 1 win against Hollymount/Carramore followed by away wins over Burrishoole and Parke meant the season was off to a great start. Now a top four finish was a realist target, the team improved with each game and carried on the great form to finish the group in top spot and secure a home semi final. Round 9 a home game against Ardnaree (a top of the table clash) was the stand out game of the group which was won by 3 - 12 to 3 - 08. Hollymount/Carramore were defeated in a home semi final to set up a much anticipated final against Ardnaree who had disposed of Naomh Padraig in the other semi. On a sunny evening at the end of May Kilmeena took to the field in Parke for the final but it was all a bit of an anti-climax when Ardnaree failed to show up. We were presented with the cup but as we had finished top of the table we felt it was well justified. As a result of winning the league we were drawn in the B section of the Summer Championship against Ballina, Ballaghaderreen and Ballintubber. We were well beaten away to Ballaghaderreen, a home win against Ballintubber, an away defeat to Ballina but an impressive performance. Aside from the away defeat to Ballaghaderreen we competed very well at this level and were generally happy with where we were at. The West Mayo B Championship was the final competition for this group. Our first game was a home semi-final against Breaffy who had operated above us in the league. We knew it would take a massive performance to win this one and a hugely impressive display was delivered to secure a final position by the minimum of margins. Ballintubber were our opposition in the final and on a fine August evening in Islandeady probably our most impressive display of the season was delivered to secure the West crown on a score line of 3 -11 to 1-06. The league and championship double was won and great credit must go to this talented group of young men, who were captained by the excellent Jack Carney (who also represented Mayo at U16 level this year.)
U15 Boys
We were drawn in division 2 of the under 15 league, 5 straight wins over Crossmolina, Ardnaree, Burrishoole, Achill and Naomh Padraig secured a home semi final against a well drilled physical Ballinrobe side. The “cliché” the game of two halves was very apt for this one as we were 15 points down at half time but went on to win the game by a point with one of the great come backs. We faced a highly fancied Mayo Gaels side in the final and came up short losing 5 - 12 to 3 - 10 in the end. A great year all round for the U15 and U16 lads.
Panel: Cathal Cawley, Brian Mortimer, Chris McGlynn, Tom Smyth, Simon Duffy, Jack Carney, Niall Mullin, Ronan O’Donnell (Fahy), Mikey Hastings, Iain Murphy, Jason McGlynn, Mark Hastings, Chris McNally, Kian Moore, Ronan O’Donnell (Kilmeena), Robbie Staunton, Sean Costello, Adam Sheridan, Conor Kerins, Nathan Heanue, Luke Garavan, Gerard Gibbons, Cillian O’Grady, Sean Prenty, Oisìn Grimley, Ben Lennon, Daniel O’Malley, Jamie Staunton, Rory Nolan, Jack Walsh, Tighe Costello.
Management: Padraic Moore, Neil O’Donnell and Declan Ryan.
Back row L-R: Padraic Moore (Manager), Conor Kerins, Iain Murphy, Niall Mullin, Simon Duffy, Brian Mortimer, Ronan O’Donnell (Fahy), Chris McGlynn, Adam Sheridan, Kian Moore, Robbie Staunton, Luke Garavan, Ronan O’Donnell (Kilmeena), Nathan Heanue, Neil O’Donnell (Manager).
Front Row L-R: Declan Ryan (Manager), Sean Prenty, Ben Lennon, Cillian O’Grady, Cathal Cawley, Chris McNally, Jason McGlynn, Jack Carney (capt), Sean Costello, Mikey Hastings, Tom Smythe, Oisin Grimley, Mark Hastings.