NEW West Cork LGFA club Kilmacabea are adjusting to life in the county’s adult league ranks and aiming to build on a positive start.

Kilmacabea made history by claiming a 6-11 to 3-12 win in their first-ever Division 8 Group 1 county league fixture at home to Ballygarvan. Kellyann French (2-5), Lauren O’Donovan (2-2) and Nell Kinsella (1-3) led the scoring, with Mary O’Donovan, Mags O’Neill and Mary Rose Shanahan also on target in that opening-day success.

The newcomers were denied the chance to add to that win following the postponement of their recent clash with St Nick’s. Undeterred, manager John O’Donovan and his backroom team arranged a challenge match against Naomh Fionnbarra.

Keeping an enthusiastic panel on their toes will be key as Kilmacabea face tougher challenges in the months ahead.

‘It is great to finally have a platform in place to cater for all the girls who want to play football in our locality,’ O’Donovan told The Southern Star.

‘They can wear their club jersey and be part of Kilmacabea GAA. The club is flying it at the moment.’

O’Donovan’s reference to Kilmacabea’s ‘One Club’ approach is significant. The large number of players willing to get behind the club’s first adult ladies team is proof of that, and getting off to a winning start against Ballygarvan was a welcome boost.

‘We always knew there was interest in forming a junior ladies team,’ he said.

‘A list was put together, phone calls were made, and the club held an information night – there was a huge turnout. I’d say we now have close to 40 players registered on the panel.

‘That first game against Ballygarvan was a huge occasion for the players. Their parents and grandparents were thrilled to see those girls representing the club and parish.

‘There were nerves at the start, but things settled down. We got a few scores near the end that made the scoreboard look a bit better. There were only two points in it with ten minutes to go before we pulled away.’

In terms of short-term goals, Kilmacabea are focused on establishing themselves in their first year at county league level.

‘It is all about getting as many games as possible under our belts this year,’ O’Donovan explained.

‘Challenge games, league games – it doesn’t matter. We want to give everyone equal game time and see where we are at. Our goal, in simple terms, is to take it game by game.’

Encouragingly, the local community has rallied around the club’s adult ladies football set-up. Jersey sponsorship, along with strong local support, gives Kilmacabea every chance of sustaining their fledgling venture.

‘The whole thing is very positive and there’s a great vibe around the club at the moment,’ O’Donovan said.

‘We decided to put this junior team together as the final piece in the jigsaw – to have a platform for every girl in the parish to play football from underage through to adult.

‘A group of us met one night and my phone rang the following morning with Diarmuid French of Diarmuid French Motors saying he and his wife Denise wanted to get behind the team. Whatever we needed, they were 100 per cent behind us.

‘Diarmuid and Denise kindly sponsored a new set of jerseys for the girls. That’s why it’s great to have people like that in your parish.

‘Hopefully, we can drive things on, keep the girls playing football and ensure they continue to enjoy it.’