Spa hosted Kilcummin on Saturday evening in the penultimate round of the Co League, and victory on the night added two more valuable league points to put us a step closer to retaining Division 1 status for 2025.

Michael Foley and Cian Tobin (f) had two early scores on the board before Kilcummin struck for goal in the 5th minute, the ball worked in to full forward Kevin Gorman who tipped it over the keeper. Cian Tobin (2) and Michael Kearney edged Spa in front again and a point at the other end from Gary O’Leary made it 0-5 to 1-1 at the end of the first quarter.

Kevin Gorman converted a free for Kilcummin and Evan Cronin almost cancelled it out a minute later, his effort high and rebounding off the right post. However, Spa were quickly on the attack once more and corner-back Eoin Fitzgerald curled a lovely point between the posts. A brilliant long range score from Kilcummin’s Paudie Moynihan levelled the score and it was followed a minute later with another Kilcummin point from Mikey O’Shea. In reply, Evan Cronin hit a brilliant high ball that dropped just inside the post to level the game at 0-7 to 1-4.

David Spillane pointed shortly after and moments later was closing in on the goal line again but a 14-yard free was awarded and Cian Tobin converted. A similar effort moments later as Evan Cronin and Shane Cronin linked up on the attack with Spa again awarded a 14-yard free, Cian Tobin splitting the posts just before the break. At half time, Spa led by 0-10 to 1-4.

Spa had a strong start to the second half and quickly added another five points, Michael Kearney (2), Evan Cronin (2) and Shane Cronin all on target while Sean Doolan added one for the visitors. Kilcummin rallied and kicked three points in quick succession from Sean Doolan, Gary O’Leary and Mark O’Shea, and at the end of the third quarter Spa were leading 0-15 to 1-8. Spa controlled most of the final quarter and Michael Kearney, David Spillane and Cian Tobin extended the Spa advantage before Kevin Gorman kicked Kilcummin’s final point late in the game. Final scores from Cian Tobin (2) closed out the game on Spa 0-20 Kilcummin 1-9.

Well done to the team and management and the final round is against Dingle (away) on the weekend on June 22nd/23rd (fixture details TBC). Wishing all injured players a speedy recovery.

Spa: Shay O’Meara, Eric O’Donoghue, Brian Lynch, Eoin Fitzgerald, Conor Stack, Dan O’Donoghue, Michael Foley, Ciaran Spillane, Shane Cronin, Michael Kearney, Rian O Neill, Evan Cronin, David Spillane, Michael Horgan, Cian Tobin: Subs Luke O’Neill, Eoin O Riordan, Oran O’Neill

Kilcummin: Brendan Kealy, Damien O’Leary, Kevin McSweeney, Luke Daly, Chris O’Leary, Dan Moynihan, Donal Maher, Gary O’Leary, Sean O’Leary, Keelan O’Shea, Mikey O’Shea, Mark O’Shea, Paudie Moynihan, Kevin Gorman, Sean Doolan

Referee: Brendan Griffin