Muskerry Sports Star award for October Pa Kelly
December 01, 2014
Auld Triangle and Muskerry Sports Star Ward for October
Patrick Kelly, Ballincollig and Cork star
By Kevin Murphy
The Auld Triangle and Muskerry Sports Star Award winner for the month of October was Patrick Kelly. The Ballincollig attacker was in breathtaking form throughout the championship and inspired his club to a first Senior Football County Title. Patrick was joined by his family at the presentation, happy to discuss, a hectic few weeks with the club as well as a frustrating year for Cork football.
The scenes at the final whistle of this year’s County Football Final were truely remarkable for Ballincollig supporters. A dramatic victory over Carbery Rangers ended many years of frustration and heartache. It was also a dream come true for the players according to Patrick Kelly.
“This time last year morale in the club was pretty low. To be fair the players knuckled down from early November and a new management team came in. Everything just clicked and there was no one talking about County Titles at the start of the year. When we got to August everything was still very low key because of our very poor record in previous seasons. Thankfully, we performed on the big days and it was very special to win this medal with the club. Personally, it was very satisfying to deliver for Ballincollig in the big games of such a monumental season. “
Unfortunately, Ballincollig were defeated by Austin Stacks in the Munster Club Championship following extra-time in Tralee last Sunday. The Kerry Champions pulled away in overtime and probably deserved their victory acknowledged Kelly. “We just failed to reach the same level last weekend and that was disappointing. We certainly have regrets about our performance but they were the better team on the day. The loss of Ciarán O’Sullivan at midfield was a huge blow and we struggled to compete before halftime. Their defensive system probably caught us by surprise but we just underperformed. It’s as simple as that. “
Patrick Kelly was easily the best centre forward in the club championship and is looking forward to getting back to the top with Cork next year. Kelly said: “Coming back from a second hip operation I was unsure whether my days with Cork were over. Making it back for the league was great and playing a few games at centre-back was different. Our league final defeat to Dublin was very disappointing while the Tipperary game was also poor. I was delighted to be played in the forward line for the Kerry game but unfortunately that was the worst day in my football career. The defeat to Kerry was just a humiliating day for everyone involved. Changes had to be made after that game and I was one of them. I came on as a substitute against Mayo but we failed to reel them in after a spirited comeback. It is a huge year ahead for Cork football as we have slipped down the pecking order since 2010. Hopefully, we can get back up the ladder again. “
Patrick Kelly, Ballincollig and Cork star
By Kevin Murphy
The Auld Triangle and Muskerry Sports Star Award winner for the month of October was Patrick Kelly. The Ballincollig attacker was in breathtaking form throughout the championship and inspired his club to a first Senior Football County Title. Patrick was joined by his family at the presentation, happy to discuss, a hectic few weeks with the club as well as a frustrating year for Cork football.
The scenes at the final whistle of this year’s County Football Final were truely remarkable for Ballincollig supporters. A dramatic victory over Carbery Rangers ended many years of frustration and heartache. It was also a dream come true for the players according to Patrick Kelly.
“This time last year morale in the club was pretty low. To be fair the players knuckled down from early November and a new management team came in. Everything just clicked and there was no one talking about County Titles at the start of the year. When we got to August everything was still very low key because of our very poor record in previous seasons. Thankfully, we performed on the big days and it was very special to win this medal with the club. Personally, it was very satisfying to deliver for Ballincollig in the big games of such a monumental season. “
Unfortunately, Ballincollig were defeated by Austin Stacks in the Munster Club Championship following extra-time in Tralee last Sunday. The Kerry Champions pulled away in overtime and probably deserved their victory acknowledged Kelly. “We just failed to reach the same level last weekend and that was disappointing. We certainly have regrets about our performance but they were the better team on the day. The loss of Ciarán O’Sullivan at midfield was a huge blow and we struggled to compete before halftime. Their defensive system probably caught us by surprise but we just underperformed. It’s as simple as that. “
Patrick Kelly was easily the best centre forward in the club championship and is looking forward to getting back to the top with Cork next year. Kelly said: “Coming back from a second hip operation I was unsure whether my days with Cork were over. Making it back for the league was great and playing a few games at centre-back was different. Our league final defeat to Dublin was very disappointing while the Tipperary game was also poor. I was delighted to be played in the forward line for the Kerry game but unfortunately that was the worst day in my football career. The defeat to Kerry was just a humiliating day for everyone involved. Changes had to be made after that game and I was one of them. I came on as a substitute against Mayo but we failed to reel them in after a spirited comeback. It is a huge year ahead for Cork football as we have slipped down the pecking order since 2010. Hopefully, we can get back up the ladder again. “