Fifth grade retained with Lower Intermediate giving way to Premier Junior
Well now we know and following the vote, club revelations were there for all to see. Opting for proposal B of holding onto five grades with the lower intermediate, which was to be disbanded, replaced by a new twelve team county premier junior hurling championship. Option A was for reverting to a four grade championship. It unfolded as 120 votes to 99. A third - option C, of maintaining the status quo, picked up a mere 14 votes. Major implication to emerge from this decision is that the winners of the newly introduced premier junior will now represent Cork in the Munster junior hurling championship. Decision publicised at the county board meeting of Tuesday night, February 1 last. Championship draws can now follow on the presently.
A significant amount of tweeking went on regarding fixtures at Munster council level last week. Round 4 will now be played before round 3 in the round robin series of matches pertaining to the Munster senior hurling championship with Páirc Uí Chaoimh unavailable (Ed Sheeran) the Cork/Clare match on May 1st will now be on in Thurles or at least the new swankily titled FBS semple stadium. With the round 3 fixtures moving back a week in the reshuffle. Waterford v Cork game in Walsh Park now being played on Sunday, May 15. Patrons just take note that the Cork-Kerry football match will now be in Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday, May 7, wouldn’t want you going to the wrong venue now! It will have to be The Venue or The Leaping Salmon now. No Tatler Jack or Laurels this time around. Could be a draw of course! Deep down what are you thinking?!
LAST WEEKEND’S ACTION ON THE FIELD OF PLAY
It was competitive enough through the opening exchanges. Taking the lead for the first time after a Tim O’Mahony goal on 26 minutes. Adding nine points without reply in the time left with Shane Kingston, Mark Coleman and Darragh Fitzgibbon among the scorers. All contributing to a 1-19 to 1-09 interval advantage. Though against the elements for the change of ends, points seemed secure for the Rebels following a fourth quarter Luke Meade goal against a Banner outfit refusing to throw in the towel. A winning start then for Cork in division 1 aroup A of the National Hurling League. Score at the finish being Cork 2-30 Clare 2-21.
What Keith Ricken would give for credentials like that. Already under pressure following an unwelcome setback in the Hyde the previous Sunday afternoon and Cork are now in an extremely precarious position when sharing the spoils after the second encounter in a double header at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday evening last. Final score in what was a round 2 encounter in division 2 of the National Football League was Cork 1-13 Clare 1-13. Now the permutations are raw and there for all to see. Failure to progress from division 2 allied to not beating Kerry in the Munster Championship means the Rebels enter the fray for the Tailteann Cup. We are where we are.
Losers themselves by a similar margin to Mayfield in the 2017 decider yet Mooncoin came out on the right side of a 0-22 to 1-18 victory scoreline this time around when defeating Ballygiblin, Cork’s last remaining representatives in the All-Ireland Club Junior Hurling final at 3pm on Saturday afternoon last. A boost for the game in Kildare with Naas edging out Kilmoyley in the Intermediate final that followed in what was a Croke Park double bill.
Now then what have the next sequence of league matches thrown up? Well, both matches will be away with the hurlers in Tullamore for 2pm on Sunday, February 13. Exactly one week later on Sunday, February 20 the footballers will be in Owenbeg to play Derry.
It was an absolute whirlwind weekend of all sports, irrespective of where you get it from. It must say a lot when after building up a 29 point without reply lead the pundits would be of the opinion that 40 points plus would be closer to the mark. Coming as it did after the death of Tom Kiernan, one of the great Irish rugby players of at least two generations. May be stretching it a bit but hasn’t that big test in Paris on Saturday evening coming at 4.45pm the feel of a decider? While champions weekend at Leopardstown nearly surpassed wildest expectations. Pity about the clash though. So, for next year what about moving the two day racing festival from Saturday and Sunday to Sunday and the newly installed Bank Holiday Monday? Looks like a win-win solution, there are thousands out there with dual interests and involvement. This could well be the answer. Leona Maguire, Seamus Power, Winter Olympics. It just goes on and on.
DICK MORRISON RIP
Needless to say the people were out in force for the removal of Dick Morrison from church to his ultimate destination. It was always going to be like this. It wouldn’t be any other way. Flying the club flags by private houses and from places of business one found appropriate, timely and touching. We knew why they were there. As we rounded the corner up by the welfare home with the graveyard straight across the road, the placing of a flying flag there in club colours was especially poignant. You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. With the accompanying guard of honour on tow we had reached our place of refuge.
A Conna man true and true, Dick Morrison dedicated his whole life to the promotion of Gaelic Games especially hurling. Dick wasn’t blind to the appeals of other sports. Nobody would be blocked out. Dick was a sportsman. His name will be intrinsically linked and forever associated with his beloved St Catherine’s Club. Nothing else mattered.
He played for the club in 1951. First success coming when winning the divisional junior B hurling championship. Beating Ballymacoda in the final. Third title in seven years. That was 1954. Disappointment followed. There were back-to-back losses to Castlelyons and Carrigtwohill in the East Cork junior A hurling finals of 1955 and 1956. Castlelyons cornerback Martin Flynn later married Dick’s sister Pat. In the mid 50s Dick worked up in the midlands and in Connaught. Based in Laois and Roscommon. Assuredly, the gospel was spread. Subsequently entrenched in Cork city working for CIE.
History made when winning the title for the first time, beating Killeagh 3-10 to 2-07 in the East Cork junior A hurling final of 1957. Captain was Jack Hogan, scorer of all three goals. Match played in Midleton on Sunday, September 8. Dick lined out in the middle of the field partnered by father Philip O’Keefe. Also in that line out was Dick’s late brother Toss. St Catherines were beaten by Cloyne in the 1960 final.
By now Dick channeled his resources into the underage section of the club. He attended meetings and in the late ‘60s was on the GPC of the East Cork Juvenile Board and was a selector on various Imokilly Dick Barry Shield hurling teams. Closer to home Dick took on the treasurer’s role of the parent club in 1969. Not putting his name forward for reelection at the AGM of 2615.
He assumed the title of President for Life at the AGM of 1993. Previous occupant John Casey passed away in September of that year. Along with Dave Hoare the support they helped build up for the weekly lotto draw introduced into the club in late March 1995 was astronomical. Only in later years was it being felt when sales understandably tapered off.
It was known Dick wasn’t well but he continued to go to the matches. He was in Mitchelstown back on September 12th for the lower intermediate hurling championship tie with Milford. Later the same evening he was in Youghal for the junior B game against Dungourney. Attending his last St Catherine’s match which was the East Cork junior B hurling championship semi-final v Carrigtwohill. That was played in Copper Alley on Sunday, October 24. Fittingly, final time to see Dick at a club organised event was the weekly lotto draw of Monday, November 22.
Subsequently spending some valuable time in St Carthages in Lismore and the Bon Secours. Dick passed away in Marymount on Saturday evening, January 29 after an illness bravely borne.
Thought of Jim Roche last Tuesday. Jim, Dick, Pat and Dolores Hartigan usually travelled to matches together. Jim would sometimes drive. Mostly it would be Pat. With Dick a front seat passenger. Dolores slouched in the back. They were a subcommittee. A team within a team. Pat and Dolores were very good to Dick who wouldn’t want for anything when they were around. They always looked out for him. Be it to the shops or to town or the odd job around the house like cutting the grass.
At this point in time, we sympathise with Dick’s sister the aforementioned Pat (Flynn), Coole, Fermoy. Sons Paul and Kieran. Paul is a doctor based in Dingle. Kieran is with EMC in Ovens and lives in Douglas. Playing his juvenile and adult hurling and football with St Catherines. He was on both county winning intermediate hurling teams - 1994 and 2004 which was the year of the introduction of the Premier Intermediate grade. Club duties aside, Kieran starred with St Colman’s and UCC through his second and third level days. Surely a classic and must be mentioned would be the Harty Cup final of 1992 against St Flannans, played in Kilmallock. There was Fitzgibbon cup success with UCC.
Kieran played in all grades of hurling with Cork. Was on the team beaten by Tipperary in the Munster minor final of ‘93 played in Limerick. Better luck 12 months later. Kieran was on the Cork team that defeated Kilkenny in the All-Ireland intermediate hurling championship decider. That match was played in Dungarvan. Making his senior championship debut versus Clare in Limerick in 1995. He was a member of the last Cork team to attain national hurling league success. Beating Waterford in the final of 1998 in Thurles. He also played championship hurling that year and was a panellist in the All-Ireland winning year of 1999.
Tom, Ger and Pat Morrison, nephews of Dick, have all served their club well over the years. Tom has been chairman while Ger served a term as secretary. Pat played back in the ‘90s and now lives in the Clonmel area. Grandnephew Oisín is a grand player. Sure to figure with the club minors this year
Dick Morrison’s remains were escorted from St Catherine’s Church, Conna by James Ronayne Undertakers following 12 noon Mass on Tuesday, February 1st, to the local cemetery. Celebrant was Fr Billy O’Donovan PP. Club PRO John O’Mahony presented a short tribute to Dick at the graveside. Friend and neighbour John ‘Mo’ O’Connor (local musician) gave us De Banks. So Dick, you’re at your destination. You’ve reached the end of the road, the match is over. Assuredly you will never be forgotten. Such was the impression you made.
In conclusion we will make two points. We won’t see his like again - and without fear of contradiction, this truly is the end of an era. Risteárd O Muirisean (19332022), Uachtarán Cumann Naomh Caitríonaigh. Ar dheis Dé to raibh a anam dílis.
After which on Thursday morning last came the news of the sad death of Mick Barry of Rathcormac. Deepest sympathy to Margaret, Liam, Pat, Nicola and Michelle at this very sad time. Great Bride Rovers people all and Liam would of course be especially well known for his Fermoy Print business.
RETIREMENT
We will put this pure and simple. One of the finest exponents of the game of hurling from the last decade, Tipperary’s Padraic Maher, has vacated the stage. What a player! That Tipp defence for a while anyway will now resemble Hamlet with the Prince.
CORK INTERMEDIATE CAMOGIE CAPTAIN
She previously had a brief sojourn in the junior role and we congratulate our neighbour the popular and extremely likeable Finola Neville on being awarded the Cork Intermediate captaincy. With Laura Hayes and Aoife Hurley members of the first team’s plans Cork Camogie is in good hands.
LOTTO RESULTS
As a mark of respect to the late Dick Morrison, last week’s lotto draw was held over from its traditional Monday night slot, relocated and rescheduled for Wednesday night, February 2. Numbers drawn were 9, 27, 29 and 30 and there was no winner of the €18,600 jackpot. Consolation winners on the night were Dermot O’Leary Conna, PJ Egan c/o PH Conna, Patrick O’Neill Ballynoe, Jack Mulkerrins Shanakill Curraglass and Mary Murphy online. We will try to get back up to speed with results as soon as possible. Weekly lotto draws are continuing at 9pm for the moment anyway.
NEXT WEEK
This time around we were to have had a look back at last season’s U18 campaign for you. Due to pressure of space it will now appear next week.
FIT UP THEATRE FESTIVAL
Well it’s closing in, get ready for the return of the Fit Up Theatre Festival. Coming to Ballynoe this forthcoming weekend is the hugely talented Seamus O’Rourke in the eagerly awaited ‘Victor’s Dung’. A mad galloping tale of a cantankerous Cavan farmer called Victor Maguire and the ghosts of his past, present and possible future. Smeared in sadness with lots of accidental joy. O’Rourke and that strong, alluring rural Leitrim/Cavan accent just draws you to the stage with his hugely significant presence. It’s on Saturday night, February 12. Curtains up at 8.30pm. Then on Saturday night, February 19 we have Irene Kelleher in Wake. In fairness each of these productions carries and age suitability. Tickets at the door are priced at €15.
ST CATHERINE’S GAA CLUB SPONSORS
T&A Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Ballynoe are sponsors of St Catherine’s GAA Club. Mulcahy Steel are sponsors of St Catherine’s Juvenile GAA Club.