Spa began their Co League campaign with the short journey to Kilcummin on Sunday afternoon. An exciting first half had the sides level at the break, but a strong second half performance from Kilcummin, hitting an unanswered 1-5, left the result in no doubt.

A pointed free from Noel Duggan opened the scoring, but Spa were quickly on the attack, a Mike Foley goal shot just inches wide before points from Mike Stam O’Donoghue, Dan O’Donoghue and Mike Foley edged them into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead early on. Kieran Murphy kicked over Kilcummin’s second point but again Spa replied well, two points from Mike Stam O’Donoghue and a point from Niall McCarthy. A second point from Kilcummin midfielder Kieran Murphy made it 0-6 to 0-3 at the water break.

Mike Stam kicked his fourth of the day before Kilcummin raced towards goal at the other end, Gary O’Leary working the ball across the goalmouth for John McCarthy to finish to the back of the net. Shortly after, injury ruled Mike O’Donoghue out of the game, and as play resumed Kilcummin were again quickly heading for the Spa goal, James Devane with a great save on Kevin McCarthy’s goal shot and Kieran Murphy converting the resulting ‘45. Philip O’Leary pointed for Kilcummin before Cian Murphy worked a great ball in for Spa and David Spillane buried it in the back of the net to level the game. Kieran Murphy and Evan Cronin swapped scores, and at half time there was nothing between the sides at 1-8 apiece.

Evan Cronin pointed at the start of the second half to edge Spa in front, but Kilcummin hit a purple patch and kicked an unanswered 1-5, the goal from Noel Duggan and points from Kevin McCarthy, Kieran Murphy (2), Noel Duggan and Mikey O’Shea. A late Evan Cronin point was quickly cancelled out at the other end by Ritchie O’Connor, final score Spa 1-10 Kilcummin 2-14.

Wishing a speedy recovery to Mike Stam O’Donoghue.

Our senior team will be home to Austin Stacks next Saturday evening June 19th at 7.30pm.

Spa: James Devane, Eric O’Donoghue, Eoin Fitzgerald, Eoin Cronin, Ryan O’Carroll, Dan O’Donoghue, Niall O’Mahony, Shane Cronin, Ciaran Spillane, Cian Murphy, Michael O’Donoghue, Niall McCarthy, Michael Foley, Evan Cronin, David Spillane. Subs: Mikey Moynihan, Shane Lynch

Kilcummin: Brendan Kealy, Oscar O’Connor, Kevin McSweeney, Donal Maher, James Nagle, Padraig Nagle, Eoghan O’Donovan, Kieran Murphy, Colm Kelleher, Philip O’Leary, Gary O’Leary, Mikey O’Shea, Noel Duggan, Kevin McCarthy, John McCarthy. Subs: Andy Lowin, Danny Cronin, Ritchie O’Connor

Referee: Paul Hayes (Kerins O’Rahillys)

Photos: Anne Holland