Our promised look back at East Cork Junior B Championships draws
We told you last week of a closer look at the round robin East Cork junior B hurling and football structure. Draws for which were made at divisional headquarters on Wednesday night, March 2nd. St Catherines are based in group 3 of the hurling championship. A group also involving Erins Own, Castlemartyr and Castlelyons. Making up group one are Aghada, Lisgoold, Youghal and Killeagh. Teams in group 2 are Bride Rovers, Cloyne, Sarsfields and Midleton. Beaten semi-finalists and finalists from last year are the three seeded teams.
Presenting you with an overall synopsis of what the league programme will look like in last week’s notes, beginning their division 2 junior hurling league campaign under the lights at Ballynoe on Tuesday night next, March 15. See fixtures. Two top teams advance to semi-finals of the championship. Winner of remaining third group allied to the three runners-up make up the quarter final draw.
St Catherines and Glenville, finalists from the 2021 competition, are the two top seeds in the eightteam junior B football championship. Group one made up of Glenville, Glanmire, Castlelyons and Ballinacurra. While St Catherines, Russel Rovers, Dungourney and Fr O’Neills front up the second group. From there on in the way it works is that the winner of group one plays the runner up from group two and likewise group two winners will be again second place finishers from group one in the other semi-final. Division two league campaign up and running. Junior C championship draws will follow.
As you probably know by now St Catherines are based in group A of the newly titled Red FM Sponsored County Premier Junior Hurling League. Starting off their campaign in Ballynoe v St Finbarrs early on the morning of Sunday, March 27.
ACTION RETURNS TO THE PLAYING FIELDS OF EAST CORK
Round 1 division 2 Junior Football League
St Catherines 2-11 Dungourney 0-03
First the good news. It was dry. Downside was the cold. It was bitter, bitter cold for this tie when played under the lights at a frost ravaged Ballynoe on Friday night last.
Three Rory Galvin points, two from placed balls, Kyle Wallace and Aaron Neville also on the mark as the home-based team found themselves ahead at five points without reply to the sound of the half time whistle.
Two players not long sampling the action, introduced off the bench early on the change of ends, produced the all-important match winning scores. Goals ninety seconds apart, finished off by substitutes Ben O’Connor and Padraig O’Connor extending the margin to 2-06 to 0-01 on 43 minutes. There would be no let up. Eoin Condon, Thomas O’Donnell and another sub (you can use nine) Richie O’Connell finding the range late on in, procuring a well-earned victory scoreline of 2-11 to 0-03.
It always provides a timely psychological boost to win that first match. This team will be out again in about eleven days’ time. Hopefully it won’t be as cold in Rostellan.
Scorers were R Galvin (0-04f) (0-01 ’45) (0-06), B O’Connor and P O’Connor (1-00) each, A Neville, E Condon, T O’Donnell, R O’Connell and K Wallace (free) (0-01) each.
St Catherine’s team: S Fitzgerald, J Neville, S O’Brien, K Neville, E Wallace, E O’Riordan, F O’Connell, R Galvin, T O’Connell, A Neville, E Kenneally, J Hayes, E Condon, L O’Connor, K Wallace. Subs: R O’Connell, P O’Connor and B O’Connor for A Neville, J Hayes and F O’Connell (all on 36’), P Keane for E Kenneally (43’), E Sheehan for S Fitzgerald (49’), S McCarthy, H draper and S Cotter (B’Fohona) for K Wallace, K Neville and E Condon (all 52’). Also on panel – I Ohrim and S Cogan. Referee E Colman (Youghal).
Juvenile season continues with round 1 section 1 Rebel Óg East div
2 U15 football league St Catherines 7-04 Lisgoold 4-05
St Catherines had to work ferociously hard in resisting a tenacious Lisgoold challenge when this tie, transferred from the opponent’s venue, was played in a dry, cold, sunny Ballynoe on Sunday morning last.
Kyle O’Donoghue with a first half hattrick of goals to which Billy Aherne cheekily added a delightful fourth had the now home-based team leading by double scores and ahead with the half-time scoreline standing at 4-04 to 2-02. Second half goals from Tristan Clancy and Callum O’Driscoll confirmed the victory scoreline on a slightly flattering eight-point margin.
Scorers were K O’Donoghue (3-01), T Clancy (2-00), B Aherne and C O’Driscoll (1-00 each), J Temple, J Pietropaolo and G Sheehan (free) (0-01 each).
St Catherine’s team: J O’Connor, J Pratt, C Murray, L Moore, J Kenneally, F McCready, S Aherne, J Temple, J Pietropaolo, T Clancy, G Sheehan, C Hickey, B McKee, K O’Donoghue, B Aherne. Subs were T Dee for J Temple (second half), C O’Driscoll for B McKee (42’), C Barry for B Aherne (56’), L Kilmartin for C Hickey (58’). Referee was Peter O’Donovan (Carraig na bhFear).
MEDAL PRESENTATION
In a sense it was like reverting to basics, back to the village hall, as successful juvenile teams from a year now over and whose campaigns were highlighted on these pages post-Christmas, were honoured in a medal presentation ceremony at Ballynoe Community Centre early on Sunday afternoon last. Juvenile chairman Brian Sheehan in opening proceedings of roughly seventy-five minutes duration welcomed all players, parents and mentors to the venue. Tom Morrison, parent club chairman, in a brief address to a sizeable and endearing gathering would be hopeful that the young players will now provide a timely boost to adult teams.
Successful managers Gary Hartnett, Brian Sheehan and Dino Pietropaolo spoke eloquently on the make-up and achievements of their respective panels. Managers and selectors were also singled out for recognition. As was ex-treasurer of the juvenile club Fiona Sheehan, who stood down at the AGM pre-Christmas. Having given many years of loyal and dedicated service. Not a woman to shirk work, Fiona invariably helped out with the teas, coffees and sambos along with Lisa O’Mahony, Susan Sheehan and Lisa Moore, secretary St Catherines Juvenile GAA Club.
All medals on the day presented by intercounty star Niall O’Leary and All-Ireland U20 hero from 2020 Eoin Davis, guests for the day. As a number of last’s years successful minor team made their exit from the hall to a challenge match in the local pitch, makes you aware how quickly these players grow up They come as juveniles. That evening suddenly, it’s a man’s game. Enjoy it while you can.
CONDOLENCES
It was on Sunday morning last, hanging around a dressing room door as players and mentors were gathering for the U15 football league match v Lisgoold, when we became aware of the sad passing of Mick O’Donovan, Kilcor, Castlelyons. Father of Cathy Cotter, membership officer St Catherine’s Juvenile GAA Club and Margaret Fitzgerald, Camogie Club. Deepest sympathy to all families at a sad and poignant time. Ar dheis Dé to raibh a anam dílis.
WHAT’S ON YOUR UPCOMING FIXTURE LIST
Saturday, March 12 at Ballynoe, round 1 division 2 Rebel Óg East U13 Football League v Killeagh at 2.30pm. Sunday March 13 at Ballynoe round 2 division 1 Rebel Óg East U17 Football League v Carrigtwohill at 11am. Tuesday, March 15 at Ballynoe round 1 division 2 East Cork Junior Hurling League v Bride Rovers at 8pm.
CAMOGIE CLUB QUIZ
It could be down to a lack of confidence. Certainly nothing against the host venue or the organisers. Either way, I was unable to attend the Camogie Club’s annual fundraising table quiz last weekend. Still, the show goes on and hopefully it was the success it deserved to be.
SCÓR NA NÓG
There were no entries from the St Catherines Club for the East Cork Scór na nÓg finals scheduled for Lisgoold Community Hall at 6.30om on Sunday evening, March 6. All Imokilly qualifiers now go forward to the county final, down for Saturday evening coming, March 12.
REBELS’ BOUNTY
Such was the interest in an enthusiasm for the reintroduction of Rebels’ Bounty that the originally proposed dates of February 24, 25th had to be deferred. With the January and February draws eventually going ahead on Tuesday night March 1. No joy for the St Catherines Club this time around. Major prizes of €20,000 were won by Lynn O’Sullivan of Kanturk for January and Paul O’Halloran of Cobh in the February draw. It’s better luck next time. Rebels’ Bounty draw due again towards the end of March, we live in hope!
LATEST LOTTO RESULTS
All the details of the latest weekly lotto draw from Monday night, March 7. Numbers drawn were 2, 22 and 24 and the €19,600 jackpot wasn’t won. Consolation winners on the night being F Kenneally c/o PH Conna, Philip Twomey c/o M Lane Shanakill, Curraglass, Chris Hurley online, Pat Hartigan Conna and Irene Flynn online.
We’re back on Monday night, March 14 when the jackpot will be @19,800. All lotto draws are on in the clubrooms, Balllynoe on Monday nights at 9.30pm.
CORK TEAMS IN NATIONAL LEAGUES
They would have both beaten the same teams. So now the Rebels must travel to Chadwick Park on Sunday, March 20 deciding should Cork or Wexford top group A before both advance to the National Hurling League semi-finals which are scheduled for the week after. No such luxuries for Keith Ricken and co. They are desperate for points and they go to Navan on Sunday, March 13 in what is a round 5 fixture in division 2 of the National Football League. Time is running out.
Sympathy has to be expressed to the newly appointed Galway hurling manager on the sad death of his brother Paul Shefflin, in Kilkenny last weekend.
CHELTENHAM RACING FESTIVAL
Well, here we are on the cusp of one of the great occasions on these shores. One able to cross the sporting divide. Yes, it’s the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival, frequently labelled the Olympics of horse racing. It frequently cajoles a look from even those with minimal equine interest. It’s with us from Tuesday afternoon to Friday evening next. If you’re not going to the Cotswolds, catch up on TV all week. There will be the best the UK can offer against a seemingly rampant Irish raiding party. Just look at the first race, the Champion Novice Hurdle. John Bon, Constitution Hill v Dysart Dynamo, Kilcruit and Sir Gerhard. Nicky v Willie. Wow. This could set the tone for the ensuing four days. Can anyone see it going to five? Watch out for a potential flying machine, Facile Vega in the Bumper. Probably the last race on the Wednesday. While Allaho should get Irish voices roaring on our national feast day. Can’t wait. It will be special.
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.