Competitive championship final
UNDER 21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Under 21C North Cork Football Championship final between Ballycastle Gaels and St Dominic’s took place on St Patrick’s Day in Kildorrery and was a very entertaining encounter. Both teams had impressive semi-final wins and it was evident from the outset this was going to be competitive to the final whistle. A large crowd attended on the day and conditions were good, with the Kildorrery pitch in excellent condition and the weather also played ball, with a strongish breeze, which favoured Ballycastle Gaels in the first half, a decisive feature.
Ballycastle Gaels were dealt a double blow before throw in with Eoin Twomey and Fionn Hess both failing fitness tests. The game started with St Dominic’s on the attack and they had an early free to take the lead. This was quickly followed by a second point from play by their centre forward, Darragh O’Brien who was influential over the hour. Ballycastle settled to their task and had the first score of the game - a goal - when Patrick fielded a kick out from the opposition goalie, he quickly fed the ball to Dan Roche, who then picked out Dylan Collins and his fine finish saw us take the lead on 5 minutes. St Dominic’s equalised through a pointed free.
We attacked again and a foul on Gearoid gave us a free. The same player took a quick free in to Dylan in the square and he unselfishly laid the ball off for Tommy to goal. We had a couple of wides in this period but the forwards were all playing well, each of them showing for the ball and creating opportunities. St Dominic’s had four of the next five points to draw level by the 20th minute, mostly from frees.
We could feel a little hard done by during this period, as some of the frees were marginal calls but it cuts both ways I suppose, as Dan had our solitary point during this period of play from a placed ball. The last two scores of the half came from Ballycastle with a lovely point from Gearoid and then in injury time, an opportunist strike from Brian who spotted the goalie off his line and finished to the top corner from distance for the goal of the day. At half-time, Ballycastle Gaels led 3-02 to 0-07.
One wondered if a four point lead would be enough and our worst fears came to pass when within the first three minutes of the second half, St Dominic’s had two rapid fire goals to take the lead. A lot of teams would capitulate from here, but huge credit to our lads, who facing in to the breeze, regrouped and Patrick settled the nerves with a fine point from play. Both Aiden and Patrick at midfield had a fine battle with their opponents, never giving an inch.
The forwards now had to carry the ball more into the wind and drop deeper to win possession. At the defensive end, our lads stood up to the pressure and no fault could be attributed to any of them or indeed Ronan in the goals, as they all contributed 100% over the hour.
Over the course of the second half St Dominic’s scored 5 further points. We registered 2 further points in the half, from Patrick and Brian. As the clock ticked down and with 4 points between the teams, Ballycastle laid siege on the St Dominic’s goal and were desperately unlucky not to get a goal - first a brilliant move ending with Dylan skimming the post from a tight angle and a fisted effort from Patrick going agonisingly wide. The lads showed huge character but in the end, despite a fully committed performance, they lost out 2-12 to 3-05.
Congratulations to St Dominic’s who just about deserved the victory over the hour in what was a sporting and competitive encounter. Thanks to John O’Brien and his team of officials for handling the game sensibly over the hour.
While there was no doubt this was a disappointing conclusion for the lads, they can be content in the fact they gave it everything and were always in the game. They will regret not adding a few more scores in the first half with the wind, although to be fair, as was proved by St Dominic’s, the wind made things tricky for both teams to score. The two goals straight after half-time were ultimately the difference but this happens in games. Their attitude was spot on and their never say die attitude was very pleasing to see.
Their next action will see them in U21 Hurling Championship action in the summer and with the same positive attitude and approach, they can look forward to it and know they have an opportunity to atone for this loss.
Panel: Ronan Woods, Jeff Gowen, Colm Crowley, John Roche, Sean Sugrue, Jack Relihan, Mark Burdett, Patrick Sheehan (0-02), Aiden O’Leary, Brian Lombard (1-01), Dan Roche (0-01), Gearoid Roche (0-01), Tommy Barrett (1-00), Dylan Collins (1-00), Dan Cooney. Subs: Eoin Sykes for Sean Sugrue, Ben McCarthy for Tommy Barrett.
UNDER 13S
Our Under 13s had two challenge matches in preparation for the new season, taking on Fermoy in hurling and football. They got some valuable game time in both games and enjoyed two narrow wins.
Their first hurling league encounter against Kilworth-Araglen Og did not go as well, with the visitors emerging convincing winners last Saturday in Ballyhooly. No doubt the lads will benefit from the experience and with a full schedule of matches to come over the season, they can look forward to better days.
UNDER 15S
The Under 15s have had one match in the football league, where they travelled to Dripsey on March 6th to take on Lee Gaels. It proved a fruitful journey, as they won their opening encounter 4-09 to 3-02.
UNDER 17S
The Under 17s have had a busy start to the season. They are playing Division 3 in both football and hurling in the North region. They were due to play St. Kevins in the first hurling match on February 27th, but received a walkover.
They then took to the field in Kildorrery on March 10th to play the local side in the first game of the football league. In an entertaining encounter, where there was never much between the teams, they ended up losing out 3-05 to 1-07.
They played their latest game on Saturday last, March 19th, in Kildorrery, with Kildorrery again providing the opposition, this time in the hurling league. Once again, this was a tight affair, and on this occasion, our lads held on for a morale boosting 1-11 to 2-07 victory.
LGFA
The girls are all back training, with big numbers turning out every night. This is all in preparation for matches, which begin in early April for the Under 12s and 14s, and later in the month for Under 16s. The competition structure for Under 6s, 8s and 10s will be finalised in the next couple of weeks and it is expected they will see action during April as well.
FIXTURES
Saturday, March 26th U13 Football League v Kildorrery in Kildorrery at 1.00. Sunday, March 27th U17 Football League v St Kevins in Milford at 11.00.
Wednesday, March 30th U15 Hurling League v Whitechurch in Ballyhooly/Castletownroche at 6.30.
Thursday, March 31st U13 Hurling League v Kildorrery in Kildorrery at 6.30. Friday, April 1st U17 Hurling League v St Dominics in Ballyhooly at 6.30.
CLUB SPONSOR Kenmona Ltd.