Rugby coach O’Neill works wonders for Kilworth

TAKING ON rugby coach Barry O’Neill as physical trainer has worked the oracle for Kilworth, according to club chairman Mick Twomey.

Tonight under lights at Pairc Uí Rinn, Kilworth contest the final of the Cork JAHC final against Fr O’Neill’s, and the trainer’s part has been “immense,” said Twomey.”

“We brought Barry, who won a county senior medal with Erins Own in 1992, on board this year and he has proved an inspired choice. No alone is he a great motivator but has had a tremendous influence on the players and has instilled a great spirit in them.

“The most graphic illustration, I suppose, was in our first quarter-final meeting with Grenagh when we came back from the dead to draw the game with just 13 players. That was a phenomenal feat and was all due to the never-say-die attitude instilled in the players by Barry,” said the Kilworth chairman.

This will be Kilworth’s fifth final appearance. They lost to Cloyne in 1961, defeated Cloughduv in 1967 and lost the finals of 1980 and 1993 to Newcestown and Blarney respectively.

“These last two defeats were particularly galling because we appeared to have both finals, particularly the one against Newcestown, wrapped up. But it is great to be back again and it will really be a fantastic occasion for us,” said Twomey.

He revealed that he is “not surprised” that his club have qualified for the final even though he admits that there were “a major disappointment” in last season’s North Cork decider when they crashed to Ballygiblin. “We did not play at all that day, one of the reason’s being that we were also involved in the divisional football championship and fell between two stools, something like what happened to Grenagh this year.

“But because of the great success we have enjoyed at minor level over the past number of years I was confident that we would bounce back.

“We did have a sticky time of it against Doneraile in the first round but won our subsequent games in Avondhu against Ballyclough and Clyda Rovers quite comfortably. Now after three exceptionally tough games in the county against Grenagh and Mayfield we are just an hour away from winning the title and we just can’t wait to get to Pairc Ui Rinn.”

According to the chairman the club lost some of its support base because of the disappointing manner in which they lost to Ballygiblin 12 months ago but now, following the heroics of recent times, the support base has been fully restored and a huge north Cork contingent is expected to roar on their representatives.

Twomey concluded: “East Cork clubs have enjoyed great success in this competition over the years and Fr. O’Neill’s, who have never won this championship, will be desperately keen to follow in the footsteps of the other Imokilly teams. We will respect Fr O’Neill’s but we will not fear them,” he said.