Christmas draw
Our Christmas draw tickets are now in circulation for our 2022 draw. This draw represents our main fundraiser for the day-to-day running of the club and we are appreciative, as always, of the support of those that purchase tickets and our draw sponsors.
We believe that with 60 prizes, and with 40% of those being cash prizes of €50 or more, our draw represents exceptional value when compared to other draws of its kind. Club members currently have tickets. A book of 6 costs €10. There are 3 for €5 or 1 for €2.
The Christmas draw of 2020 did not take place until March of 2021 due to the restrictions around gatherings and movement at the time last year. At the time of writing, we are still uncertain about the venue for 2021 draw though we are intending to have it completed before Christmas this year. However, regular updates will be posted on our social media feeds. A list of winners will be posted on the club website once the draw is over. Best of luck to all entrants!
ST COLMCILLES U17/U18 SEASON REVIEW
This was an unusual year for all U18 teams across the county. In Cork since almost the start of formal Gaelic games competitions under the auspices of the GAA the U18 grade has been called the minor grade and for most of that time it was organised by the adult (as opposed to the old divisional Bord na nÓg) divisional boards around the county.
In the last decade, with the formation of Rebel Óg, the organising of minor competitions fell under its jurisdiction. Meanwhile outside the county, at a national level, GAA headquarters decided that minor competitions would move from U18 to U17. This was introduced in most counties in 2018.
In Cork, the board carried on with U18 as we had traditionally done. However, at the start of this year a directive was issued to the Cork officials that we were to introduce U17 competitions to get in line with other counties. Hence for the first time in 2021, formal U17 competitions commenced in the county. However, it was also decided that U18 competitions would run concurrently for one year. So as it was, we had two minor championships in the past year entering teams at U17 and U18.
With fewer games for those on the age of U18, the lads on that team moved up and played with our junior football team; and did so with great success. Stephen Whooley, Harry Coughlan, Rory Teehan, Daniel Kelleher, Sean Twomey, Senan Ryan and Fionnan Quinlan all trained and played regularly with the junior football team and contributed in a big way to the junior Bs winning their football league. We will review that victory in coming weeks.
Today, however, we are concerned with their exploits with the U18s. They began their season, like all teams, in the month of June. Their opening game was a Rebel Óg organised pre-season match against Killeagh Itas. This was a home tie and the side were well beaten on the evening; going under by 10 points.
They say you learn more in defeat and this must have been the case as the same two sides met a month later and this time a 10-point deficit was turned into an 11 point victory; a very impressive 21-point-turnaround. Midleton gave a walkover in the next scheduled match so they went into their final group game against Glenville with two victories. Their opponents also had won their two games so this match decided who would top the group.
St. Colmcilles went through unbeaten as they come out best on a scoreline of 2-16 to 1-14.
This set them up for a semi-final against St Vincents. This was a very one-sided encounter with the result never being in doubt. The final score was 5-21 to 0-05. Such a game is not ideal preparation for a rematch against a Glenville side that proved very tough to beat in the final group game. However, they took their devasting form from the semi-final victory over Vincents into that final.
The opening period saw Colmcilles blitz their opponents with three early scores – all goals – which saw them lead three goals to nil after only a few minutes. From there to end of the game, it was nip and tuck throughout. Indeed it was the Glenville side that actually got more scores. Those three early goals at the start were the difference in the end as Colmcilles won on a final score of 6-08 to 2-11.
This was a deserved victory and it was great to show that progress is being made by these young lads. In 2020, they won division 2 of the Rebel Óg East championship while this year they went onto win division 1 in Rebel Óg East.
Demonstrating it was no fluke and there was strength in depth in the squad, our U17 side also qualified for their championship final. Again Glenville were the opponents and this time they managed to exact revenge as they won by the narrowest of margins in a final played in Rathcormac. Though disappointing to lose naturally, the players can still be satisfied with their campaign overall; the highlight being a big victory over Glanmire in the semi-final.
The hurlers also played well at times throughout the year despite not winning any trophies. For White’s Cross/Carraig na bhFear to be playing against the likes of Fermoy, Castlelyons and Kilworth in the championship is very good experience given the grades that those clubs operate in at adult level. Therefore to come out on top of that group unbeaten in the championship is very impressive. In the semi-final they came up against a very strong Fr O’Neills. Though Colmcilles got more scores on the night, the lack of goals for the first time in the year was decisive as the Ladysbridge side won on a score of 2-16 to 0-19. Though defeat was their lot in their last game together as group, those under 18s have had a very successful two years together in the St. Colmcille’s jersey.
We have already seen the benefits accrue to White’s Cross adult club and we hope that more success will come from these groups of players in the next few years. Behind the players is a very dedicated coaching team that have puts lots of effort into the side over many years. Sean Coughlan, Finbarr Pyne, Liam Ryan, Martin Kelleher, Murt Kelleher deserve great credit for their work behind the scenes.