We lined out as selected in our final group game vs Kilcummin with the home side drafting in former Kerry minor Keelan O’Shea and James Nagle to their defence.

We had the strong wind at our backs in the opening half and despite conceding the first score of the game to a Paul O’Shea free we reeled off the next four points, all from play via David Moran, BJ Keane, Shane McElligott and the inform Tomás Kennedy. 

We were slightly wayward in our attack thereafter with 3  wides from favourable positions before Kilcummin,  with a pointed effort from a free from Paul O’Shea and a point from play from Gary O’Leary reduced the deficit to the minimum, 0-04 to 0-03 just as the clock ticked into the 20th minute.

Donagh Buckley had picked up an innocuous yellow card earlier but when Ryan Carroll retaliated after being fouled the referee brandished a red card and we now had a huge battle on our hands. 

Despite being a man down, we upped the ante significantly and notched 7 points from here to the short whistle whilst restricting Kilcummin to just two points.

Much of this good play stemmed from the middle where David was to exert a huge influence plus increased pressure on Brendan Kealy’s kick outs.

We had scores from Gearóid Savage, 2, a pointed free and from play, Tomás Kennedy, Barry John whose attempt to lob the keeper just sailed over and two points from frees from sub Jack Savage - Jack was to go on to have a huge impact on the game and kicked another vital two points in the 2nd half. 

The half time score of 0-11 to 0-05 was reflective of our play but the prospects of facing the strong breeze and a man down were daunting to say the least.

The 2nd half began with Kilcummin in command and they had reduced the halftime deficit to minimum by the 10th minute following 5 unanswered points with Paul O’Shea in particular to the fore.

Jack stemmed the tide in the 14th minute with a pointed free to leave the score line @ 0-12 to 0-10 and the intensity was now significantly ratcheted up.

We next lost Tommy to injury with Gearóid Dillane entering the fray but Paul O’Shea again was the focus as he added a point before making a fine catch on our 21 yard line and finding the net with a rising drive past a helpless Rob O’Connor; trailing 1-11 to 0-12 our goose looked cooked.

However, a mix of unity, passion, and a never say die spirit saw us take command around the middle, David and Tom shining out, Ross raiding from deep and Cormac, Ben and Darragh McElligott unyielding in defence. We now had the momentum, every man hungry for every ball and in Jack we had a matchwinner as he converted two vital frees, one from 45 metres into the wind with Ben Hanafin and Gearóid Dillane both popping over vital scores. 

Kilcummin for their part were not done and in the final dying moments they reduced the deficit to one point but as the clock ticked into the red, it was us who were in possession and attacking as the referee brought proceedings to a halt and signalled our advance to the quarter finals. 

Ben Hanafin was the Clubber TV Man of the Match for the 2nd week in a row - his all action display deserved nothing less!! Well done Ben. 

This was a serious gut check and the triumph was not all about skill - it was about heart, grit and unwavering belief in our own ability.

Final score: 

KO’R : 0-16

Kilcummin 1-12

The quarter final draw will see Fossa visit Strand Road on Sat evening next, 17th August where throw-in is slated for 6 pm - it promises to be another great occasion!!

Team: Rob O’Connor, Darragh McEllligott, Ross O’Callaghan, Donagh Buckley, Ben Hanafin ( 0-01), Jake Foley, Ryan Carroll, David Moran ( 0-01), Tom Hoare, Barry J Keane ( 0-02), Shane McElligott ( 0-01), Padraig Griffin, Gearóíd Savage ( 0-02), Tommy Walsh, Tomás Kennedy ( 0-04).

Subs: Jack Savage ( 0-04), Cormac Coffey, Gearóid Dillane, ( 0-01), Con Barrett.