Maybe action on the way
Following on from the Government announcement on March 30th with regards to the lifting of restrictions the GAA sent an update to all counties and clubs. The following is an edited version of the details.
The main changes were that non-contact underage training in pods of 15 will be permitted from April 26th and that full contact inter-county training at adult level can re-commence from April 19th. These are hugely welcome developments and they put the GAA in a position to finally begin planning on-field activity for the remainder of 2021. This is all of course dependent on what happens in the overall Covid-19 picture in the coming weeks. For that reason the GAA are re-iterating that no collective training sessions are held between now and the Government indicated return dates. Breaches will not only be dealt with within the GAA rules but put the broader plan in serious jeopardy. As everyone appreciates, further clarity is required on what was announced before the plans are finalised for return to training and games. Competition structures and dates for the upcoming inter-county season need to be finalised as well as ensuring advice is provided for all clubs like ourselves in relation to how we can all safely recommence underage activity.
As of now, the GAA can confirm that senior inter-county training both North and South are likely to be permitted to return to collective training from Monday, April 19. It is hoped that this will be sorted by end of this week. The GAA asks everyone for patience while they complete the necessary work needed and as soon as all details are put in place it will be announced to everyone. Maybe… just maybe we will see action very soon.
PLAYER PROFILES
We continue our past and current player profiles this week with present player David Buckley and three past players Phillip Lonergan, his father Patsy Lonergan and the evergreen Pat O’Brien.
PRESENT PLAYER PROFILE - DAVID BUCKLEY
Age: 26. Occupation: Sales Administrator. Position: corner forward. Career Highlight: Winning the North Cork Football U21 in 2015 when we were extremely unfancied to win it. For me personally winning the Junior C North Cork Hurling in 2018 was very rewarding as I just got back after spending over a year out with an injury.
Favourite film: Blades of Glory. Favourite food: chicken curry with rice. When and where did you first start playing? In the back garden at home aged 6 and at U8s training in Colman’s pitch and pavilion. Favourite Venue: Castletownroche and Páirc Uí Rinn. Favourite GAA player: Donncha O’Connor.
Sportsperson you would most like to meet: Ian Wright. What is the hardest part of your sporting life? Definitely the hardest part is losing. I also find hard Sunday mornings, hard ground and training in the winter challenging. Toughest player to mark in training? Martin Brennan. He has zero fears and never stops moving.
Laziest player you’ve played with: A lot of us not at the top of the queue in the running department played a football league game together last year. It must have been some sight. Joker on the panel: Seanie Shanahan, he’s rarely quiet. Greatest influence growing up: My parents. Would you change anything about either game? Football: Not to have so many new rules at the start of every season. Hurling: I think two points for sidelines could work well. Especially if we could get a few Tony Harnett style linesmen for championship games like we already have for league games we would be flying it.
Most important skill in hurling and football: Being able to kick or strike of both sides and also having composure when in possession of the ball. One thing you may not know about me: When I was younger, I was forcefully given a Kerry jersey belonging to Pat Spillane that he wore growing up. It hasn’t seen daylight since. Advice for young players starting off: The basic simple skills you learn starting off is where most players make mistakes as adults, so always do the simple things well. Also enjoy training and playing for as long as you can.
Lastly, pick your own 6 aside inter county team: hurling/football. Goalkeeper: Enda Rowland (Laois) Rory Beggan (Monaghan). Fullback: Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny) Sean Powter (Cork). Halfback: Mark Coleman (Cork) Karl O’Connell (Monaghan). Midfielder: T.J. Reid (Kilkenny) Damien Comer (Galway). Half forward: Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick) Shane Walsh (Galway). Full forward: Joe Canning (Galway) Conor McManus (Monaghan).
PAST PLAYER PROFILE - PHILIP LONERGAN
Age: 44. Occupation: Bookie. Position you played: forward. Highlight of your career: winning 2 junior A and U21 North Cork titles. Being a selector on 3 North Cork winning teams. Also seeing Fermoy senior at both codes and being senior football selector at moment.
Favourite venue: Castletownroche/ Mitchelstown. Biggest influence growing up: Hurling: Con Cooney, Arthur Coughlan. Football: Jerry McCarthy, Brian Shinnick, Jim Doyle, Mikesey Dolan and of course my parents. Favourite food: Roast chicken. Favourite film: Forest Gump. Toughest opponent you played against: Aidan McNamara (Mitchelstown) and Johnny Dorgan (Glenville)
Best GAA player you played with: 2 lads for me Nigel Lardner and Shane Killeen. Would you change anything about either game? Hurling - 2 points for a sideline, football get rid of the mark, it is ruining the game. Favourite GAA player: Colm Cooper. Most important skill in hurling and football: for both codes ability to use sides both left and right and keeping calm under pressure. Advice for young players starting off: Enjoy it, listen to your mentors. Don’t take a bad match or training session home, leave it on the pitch and start fresh again. One thing you may not know about me: I captained Fermoy to a North Cork hurling title.
Lastly, pick your own 6 aside inter county team: hurling/football. Goalkeeper: Stephen Cluxton, Eoin Murphy. Fullback: Johnny Cooper, Diarmuid O’Sullivan. Halfback: Tomás Ó Sé, Tommy Walsh. Midfielder: Brian Fenton, Cian Lynch. Half forward: Larry Tompkins, Joe Canning. Full forward: Colm Cooper, Ben O’Connor
PAST PLAYER PROFILE - PATSY LONERGAN
Age: 69. Occupation: Retired logistics manager C&C group. Position you played: forward. Highlight of your career: winning Munster and All-Ireland medal with Cork minors in 1969, beating Derry in final which included ex-Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill. Also winning 1974 county title with Fermoy. Regrets - losing intermediate county final in 1986 when manager and county senior semi-final with Avondhu against St Finbarrs. Favourite venue: Castletownroche / Old Athletic grounds, now the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Biggest influence growing up: Billy Barry (Clondulane), Steve Dennehy (senior) and Owenie McAuliffe. Favourite food: Bacon and cabbage. Favourite film: The Godfather series. Toughest opponent you played against: Locally Danno Maloney and opponent Bosco O’Neill. Best GAA player you played with: 2 lads for me Miah Dennehy and Davy Magnier.
Would you change anything about either game? Limit the amount of hand passes in both codes and referees to use common sense. Favourite GAA player: Jimmy Barry Murphy. Most important skill in hurling and football: To keep calm when in possession of the ball as opponents will foul to get ball back. Advice for young players starting off: Learn basic skills first. Listen to your coaches and enjoy. One thing you may not know about me: Played in goal in North Cork junior B hurling North Cork winning team.
Lastly, pick your own 6 aside inter county team: hurling/football. Goalkeeper: Billy Morgan, Ger Cunningham. Fullback: Tom Prendergast, Martin Doherty. Halfback: John Coleman, Ken McGrath. Midfield: Mick O’Connell, .Richie Power (senior). Half forward: Mickey Sheedy, Joe Canning. Full forward: Jimmy Keaveney, Jimmy Barry Murphy.
PAST PLAYER PROFILE - PAT O’BRIEN
Age: 79. Occupation: Retired firefighter and hotel manager. Position you played: corner back. Highlight of your career: Winning East Cork with Castlelyons. Favourite venue: Páirc Uí Rinn. Biggest influence growing up: my parents. Favourite food: Steak and chips. Would you change anything about the game? Yes, football to pick the ball from the ground. One thing you may not know about me: Played the drums with Castlelyons Pipe Band. Favourite GAA player: Pat Horgan.
Lastly, pick you own 6 s side inter county hurling team: Goalkeeper: Anthony Nash. Fullback: Diarmuid O’Sullivan. Halfback: Tom Cashman. Midfielder: Gerard McCarthy. Half forward: Patrick Horgan. Full forward: Joe Deane.
SHOP LOCAL
Fermoy GAA Club is asking everyone to support the businesses in town and please shop locally. Stay safe! Stay healthy!
CLUB MAIN SPONSOR
Laya Healthcare.