Good result on the day

DIVISION 2 FOOTBALL

Abbey Rovers took to the field on Saturday last, March 19th, when they played host to Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels in the latest Division 2 Football League encounter. The game was played in lovely bright and dry conditions, a welcome change from the conditions which forced the postponement of the previous weekend’s fixtures. A strong breeze, which blew straight down the pitch had a huge influence on proceedings over the hour.

The visitors had the aid of the breeze in the first half. They capitalised early on with a fortuitous goal which settled their nerves and over the course of the half they added three points. Abbey Rovers in fairness played well in to the breeze and had three points of their own through Jack, Shay and Dylan. As the half drew to a close the visitors struck for a second goal to leave the half time score: Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels 2-03 Abbey Rovers 0-03.

The second half saw Abbey Rovers turn with the wind at their backs and they got quickly in to their stride. They moved the ball well in the second half and had they brought the shooting boots with them, they could have pulled away. A feature of the half was the tight defending, which restricted the visitors to a solitary point for the half. To their credit, Abbey Rovers clawed their way back in to the game with some great teamwork and 6 points - four from Dylan, including two frees and a brace of fine points by Mark from play narrowed the deficit to a single point as the game drew towards a conclusion.

Legs were tiring as the game entered additional time, but that did not stop Abbey Rovers from trying to salvage something from the game and their efforts were rewarded when a fine move ended up with Patrick kicking the equalising score. Indeed, this proved to be the final action of the game and in the end, a draw was a fair result with a final score of Abbey Rovers 0-10 Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels 2-04.

The lads can be satisfied with this result as they looked dead and buried at half-time. It is to their credit they stuck to their task and on another day, with more accurate shooting, they could have eked out the victory. That said, any day when you equalise in the dying moments of a game is a good day and is a great sign of a team. The next football league encounter will take place in April.

Team: Johnny Batterberry, Pat Madden, Noah O’Brien, Liam McGrath, Will Madden, Adrian O’Donovan, Jack Relihan (0-01), Muiris Browne, Shay Mullane (0-01), Aiden O’Leary, Patrick Sheehan (0-01), Mark O’Callaghan (0-02), James Ladd, Leon Farrell, Dylan O’Connor (0-05). Subs: Thomas Barrett for James Ladd, James Linehan for Leon Farrell.

FIXTURES

Our next fixture is a hurling league encounter against Araglin in Castletownroche on Sunday next, March 27th, with a throw in time of 3. This is our first hurling league encounter of the season and the lads will be hoping to get off to the best possible start.

BALLYCASTLE GAELS UNDER 21S

The Under 21s played the final of the championship on St Patricks Day in Kildorrery against St Dominics. Playing with the wind in the first half, Ballycastle Gaels led 3-02 to 0-07 at half time, with a number of frees from St Dominic’s keeping them in touch. Two quick goals by St Dominic’s after the resumption were to prove the difference and despite a great effort, the lads ended up coming up just short on a scoreline of St Dominic’s 2-12 Ballycastle Gaels 3-05. Hard luck to our lads, who never gave in and could have prevailed on another day. Congratulations to St Dominic’s on a deserved victory.

CLUB LOTTO

The next draw takes place on Monday, March 28th in the Castle Arms, with the jackpot now standing at €3,700. Tickets available through local retail outlets, usual sellers or through any club officer.

2019 LEAGUE WINNERS CAR DRAW

The League Winners Car Draw for teams who won leagues in 2019 was postponed in March 2020, due to Covid restrictions. After a two year gap, we got notification recently that the draw will be held on April 19th in Cavanagh Motors in Fermoy. The top prize in the draw - which involves six clubs, being the respective winners of the 2019 leagues in football and hurling - is a Ford Fiesta, with two further prizes of €1,000 and 15 prizes of €250.

This is a great fundraising opportunity for the club and over the next three weeks, we will be making a concerted effort to sell tickets. Tickets cost €20 each, or €50 for a book of three tickets, and can be obtained from any club official or player. All funds raised will go towards the development of the facilities at the pitch. As always, the club are very appreciative to everybody who supports these draws.

ADULT CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Adult club membership for 2022 remains at €50 per adult/€20 for students and OAPs. We would appreciate if you could arrange to pay membership as soon as possible to any member of the club committee.