Kilbrittain's new soccer club enters West Cork League

KILBRITTAIN Rovers FC is a new West Cork League club hoping to establish itself in its debut season. 

Seeing a new club, any new club, join the West Cork League represents a welcome boost to the region’s football set-up. Kilbrittain Rovers FC enter their first ever campaign buoyed by plenty of local support and player-manager Jerry Coughlan’s wealth of experience. 

‘Last new year’s eve, there was a few of us sitting below in a pub and talking about the different West Cork League clubs we were all playing for,’ Coughlan commented.

‘I was playing for Clonakilty Town; a few lads were with Castlelack while a few more were going to Innishvilla. So, I decided there and then that I’d try and sort our own team for the following year and it started from there. Week after week, I kept getting asked by the lads what was happening and when could we get the club going?

‘A lot of people came on board to help get Kilbrittain off the ground, especially with sourcing a pitch. We will play our home games for our first season in Kilbrittain’s Community field. 

‘When we approached them, the only concern was how the pitch would hold up during the winter months, but we are going to look after it as best we can. Like any pitch, it will all depend upon the weather during winter really.’

Securing a home ground represented only the first step in making Kilbrittain Rovers a reality. Located within a hurling stronghold, signing a sufficient number of players would be equally important to the new football club’s survival and something Jerry Coughlan was acutely aware of.

‘I knew we would need around 50 players if playing for Clonakilty Town and manager John “Mousey” Leahy over the last number of years was anything to go by!’ Coughlan noted.

‘We have brought fellas in from all over the place and a good few are to come back once they are finished with the GAA for the year, so we will be okay for numbers. 

‘I am also involved with Kilbrittain GAA Club as a selector with the junior Bs. Obviously, they want to mind their players and I have no problem with that whatsoever. When the lads come back from their hurling commitments and play with us, we will get on fine and keep the lines of communication open between the two clubs. It is a small parish and everyone knows what’s going on anyway.’

All signs are positive thus far with Kilbrittain Rovers having managed to secure a new pitch, adequate playing numbers and, most importantly of all, a sponsor.

‘It is very important to keep people interested in playing as much as possible,’ the Kilbrittain Rovers player-manager stated.

‘If we can get a few wins, then people will be talking about us in a positive way. That would keep the younger fellas interested too so it is important we get up and running and just do the best we can. 

‘I approached the Kilbrittain Inn back in February about possibly sponsoring a new kit. They said no problem and came on board straight away. They were told they could have any colour they wanted as long as it was red and black!

‘We have been handed a tough start in the league away to Castletown Celtic and Bantry Bay Rovers. They are two experienced teams, but we have to start somewhere. Drinagh Rangers taught us a lesson in the Parkway Hotel-Maybury Coaches Cup a couple of weeks ago but we just had to bounce back and keep going as best we can.’