Stay involved and inter-county will dominate
Inevitably there will be the usual spate of league matches, hurling and football, both adult and juvenile. That’s a given. Probable late spring headline will be the opening sequence of matches in the all county junior B football championship.
Where is this heading? Well, we’re going into the glamourous part of the season and for the next three or four months of so, depending on how long you stay involved, intercounty dominates. Right now intercounty rules, ok? It’s the turn of the jersey clad flag waving, though frequently misinformed supporter to shine! Roll the drums, simultaneous release of footpedal and crash symbol .. and they’re off!
But like those old record charts we all craved for during the ‘ 70s and ‘ 80s had been a breaker, but now Oisin Fitzgerald zooms in at number 19. Up from 24 to 15 is goal scoring corner forward Sean O’Donoghue. Cork continue their solid start in the provincial minor (U17) hurling championship with a comprehensive dismantling of Limerick in a round two clash at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Tuesday evening, April 12th.
24 hours later and the Rebels only barely see off an unlucky Clare challenge in the Munster U20 hurling championship second round meeting at O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge on Wednesday evening, April 13th. Off the track we learn of the momentary Keith Ricken departure from the Cork senior football setup. John Cleary replaces, you never know do you?
Hauling in a 9 point deficit makes the Wexford draw with Galway almost feel like a victory. It’s points in the bag from Dublin and Kilkenny as a seemingly subdued Leinster senior hurling championship commenced with Sky coverage on Saturday evening.
Alan Cotter of Barrafohona, Ballynoe National School and St Catherines GAA Club played in the Primary Go Game. Neighbour Finola Neville captaining the Rebelettes in their defeat of the Kingdom in the Munster intermediate camogie final, all playing their part over a weekend when the respective All-Ireland champions from both codes were tasting early championship action. Tyrone doing enough in seeing off Fermanagh in a preliminary round up North, now playing Derry on May 1st.
Limerick again confirming their clear cut superiority over a static looking Rebels outfit also at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in round one of the round robin provincial senior hurling championship.
With no guarantee the Kerry game will even take place, Rebel supporters are now in dire need of inspiration from somewhere. Over to you Ed Sheeran!
Now as early as round two we have the meeting of the champions, All-Ireland and league this time around. No real pressure on either team, both playing with the fullness of confidence brought by first day wins. All will be revealed at 7pm on this forthcoming Saturday at TUS Gaelic Grounds on the Ennis Road. Oh yes and Sky!
It seems farcical to reach such a conclusion on a game of hurling but we’re opting for this one to be a draw. With a game under their belt, Tipperary should be back in the mix after Sunday. Quest for third place now on in earnest!
CLUB ACTION ON THE FIELD OF PLAY - ROUND 4 DIVISION 2 EAST CORK JUNIOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE Glanmire 1-5 St Catherines 0-6
At one stage outstanding Shane Fitzgerald, goalkeeper, allied to the scoring ability of Padraig O’Connor, James Hayes, Rory Galvin and in particular Kyle Wallace had the visitors five points to the good but were hauled in by a late sucker punch. TJ Dennehy setting up Sam Caulfield for the games only and match winning goal on 56 minutes in this round 4 division 2 East Cork junior football league tie when played in dull and overcast conditions under the lights at Sallybrook on Thursday night last.
Scorers: K Wallace (0-3, 0-1 free), P O’Connor (0-1), J Hayes (0-1), R Galvin (0-1 free).
St Catherines team: S Fitzgerald, P Keane, S O’Brien, K Neville, E Wallace, E O’Riordan, F O’Connell, R Galvin, A Neville, J Hayes, K Wallace, E Kenneally, P O’Connor, L O’Connor, R O’Connell. Subs: C Kearney for F O’Connell (second half), B Davis for J Hayes (38’), D Galvin for A Neville (48’). Also E Sheehan.
Referee: Bryan Sweeney (Erins Own).
ROUND 2 GROUP 1 EAST ONE COUNTY U19 FOOTBALL LEAGUE St Catherines 0-8 St Colmcilles 4-19
There was a man of the match performance from Eddie Coughlan and strong support play from Aaron Ryan and Harry Coughlan. That said Conor England, Eoghan O’Riordan and Kyle Wallace worked ferociously hard for the home based team. But overall the power, accuracy combination and pace of St Colmcilles was too much and were deserving winners of this round two east one U19 football league tie played in sunny Ballynoe on Wednesday evening, 13th April last. No complaints.
Scorers: K Wallace (0-6, 0-3 frees), W Leamy (0-1), E O’Riordan (0-1 45’).
St Catherines team: E Philpott, B O’Connor, M Geary, C McAuliffe, D Morrison, F O’Connell, D Galvin, E O’Riordan, C England, N Sheehan, K Wallace, C Dinneen, T Hartnett, W Leamy.
Referee: Eoin Coleman (Youghal).
JUVENILE
This week’s juvenile column starts with rescheduled division one Rebel Og East U17 football league
St Catherines 2-9 Carrigtwohill 2-5
St Catherines made a good start, conceding a softish goal inside two minutes when this round two division one U17 football league tie, originally postponed from the end of February was rescheduled and played in dull and dampish conditions at Ballynoe on Monday evening, April 11th. A full length sprawling Jake Bryan penalty save on 13 invaluable to home teams cause, now behind on a half-time score of 1-2 to 0-4.
Now playing with the wind at their backs on a horrible night for football and exquisitely taken Kieran Kelleher finishing a goal on 32 minutes and point not that long afterwards, scores of rare beauty and grandeur. It was a privilege to witness them. Overall this saw parity restored at 1-6 to 2-3 on 40 minutes. When Diarmuid O’Connell and Ciaran Pietropaolo, two players figuring on the scoring charts, combined to release pacy substitute Shane Cotter to finish off the second and match winning goal on 54 minutes.
Scorers: K Kelleher (1-1), C Pietropaolo (0-4), S Cotter (1-0), D O’Connell (0-2, 0-1 free), C Leamy and C Hayes (0-1 each).
St Catherines team: J Bryan, C McCarthy, C McAuliffe, G O’Callaghan McCarthy, C Hayes, D Morrison, C Dunning, N Sheehan, K O’Donoghue, C Sheehan, D Murphy, D O’Connell, C Leamy, C Pietropaolo, K Kelleher. Subs: S Cotter for K Kelleher (40’), J Hickey for C Sheehan (49’). Also A Bryan and T Barry.
Referee: Arthur Murphy (Killeagh).
ROUND 3 PREMIER 2 U15 HURLING LEAGUE Grenagh 3-8 St Catherines 4-17
St Catherines were quick out of the traps in this round 3 premier 2 U15 hurling league tie, overlapping with the U19 football league tie in Ballynoe, when also played in Grenagh on Wednesday evening, April 13th last. Building up a lead with a half-time score standing at 3-9 to 0-6, thus claiming their first points of the league campaign.
Scorers: J Temple (1-8, 0-2 frees), K O’Donoghue (2-2), G Sheehan (0-6, 0-4 frees), C Hickey (1-1).
St Catherines team: A Cotter, S O’Donoghue, F McCready, B McKee, J Pratt, J Pietropaolo, L Moore, J Temple, T Clancy, S Wallace, G Sheehan, C Hickey, J O’Connor, K O’Donoghue, T Dee. Subs: C O’Driscoll, C Barry and S Walsh for S O’Donoghue, J O’Connor and T Dee (all second half).
Referee: Davy Copps (Ballyea).
JOHN WEST FEILE NA NGAEL QUALIFIERS
There is something strangely attractive about underage blitzes with a few clubs involved. Just something more than your average two team one off tournament final. It must be the level of expectancy going with it.
Early on Saturday morning last players and officials from Fermoy, Killeagh and Bride Rovers along with the host venue gathered at a well organised Pairc Naomh Caitriona, Baile Nua for the group A sequence of games in the John West sponsored Feile na nGael qualifiers. Data for the morning printed on doors, flags flying, car parking well organised, officials in yellow bibs. Yes there must be something going on. Probably leaving someone out here now but thanks to Susan Sheehan, Marie O’Donoghue, Una Barry and Mairead Kenneally for the welcome teas and coffees in between games. Fiona Sheehan brought lovely scones!
Midleton officials John Kirby and Niall O’Neill were the referees with each group game over twelve minutes a half. Never gets a mention but David Temple is always available for duty. The umpire strikes back.
A late John Temple penalty goal saw the Saints squeeze out an unlucky Fermoy outfit (3-1 to 1-6) in the first match on court. An early Kyle O’Donoghue strike wasn’t enough to rescue the Saints against Killeagh (0-8 to 1-2) in match two, while the goalkeeping prowess of Shay O’Dowd and scoring ability of Conor O’Riordan laid the foundation for Bride Rovers success in the third game at 12.30. It finished on a score of Bride Rovers 3-8 St Catherines 1-5.
Conor Murray was now off the Saints panel, injured as the morning moved on. That didn’t help. He was a loss. Bit of a delay then before group B winners Youghal arrived to play neighbours Killeagh in the final. Youghal were victors and they as overall group winners were heading to Carrigtwohill for a county Feile semi-final on bank holiday Easter Monday last.
It was a wonderful atmospheric occasion and thankfully the weather behaved itself. Chairman Brian Sheehan and Lisa Moore, juvenile secretary, take a bow. Just take note that the Feile na Peil qualifiers will be on weekend of April 30th/May 1st.
St Catherines mentors: Brian Sheehan (manager), Ed Kenneally (coach), Dino Pietropaolo, Joe Pratt.
MATCH STATS
Scorers v Fermoy: K O’Donoghue (2-0), J Temple (1-0 penalty), G Sheehan (0-1 free).
Scorers v Killeagh: K O’Donoghue (1-0), J Temple (0-1), G Sheehan (0-1 free).
Scorers v Bride Rovers: C O’Driscoll (1-0), J Temple (0-2, 0-1 free), G Sheehan (0-2 frees), C Hickey (0-1).
St Catherines panel of players: Alan Cotter, James Kenneally, Conor Murray, Liam Moore, Jake Pratt, Julian Pietrolpaolo, Fionn McCready, Tristan Clancy, John Temple, Cillian Hickey, Gearoid Sheehan, Shay Wallace, Billy McKee, Kyle O’Donoghue, Callum O’Driscoll, Shane O’Donoghue, Jaydn O’Connor, Liam Kilmartin, Cathal Barry, Thomas Dee, Billy Aherne.
Running simultaneously was the girls Feile in Newtownshandrum. Most vivid parting memory departing Ballynoe around lunchtime on Saturday were the glowing praiseworthy comments from our visitors.
FULL UPCOMING FIXTURE LIST
Tonight Thursday, April 21st, round three division two Rebel Og East U15 football league in Killavullen, 6.45pm.
Friday, April 22nd, round five division one Rebel Og East U17 football league in Killeagh at 7pm.
Friday, April 22nd, round four division two East Cork junior hurling league in Killagh at 8pm.
Saturday, April 23rd, round three division two U13 hurling league v Aghada at Rostellan at 1pm.
Sunday, April 24th, at Ballynoe, round three division three group A county premier junior hurling league v Barryroe at 12 noon.
Monday, April 25th at Ballynoe round six division four East Cork junior hurling league v Midleton at 8pm.
Wednesday, April 27th at Ballynoe, round four premier two U15 hurling league v Donoughmore at 7pm. Wednesday, April 27th at Dungourney round three East One County U19 football league v Kiltha Og at 7pm.
PERSONAL GRIPE
How often do we get photographs of helmeted intercounty players on our national media? Okay when they line up jersey fronts are now numbered. But there’s no longevity in that. Surely it wouldn’t take that long to unfasten and pop back on. U13s can do it.
SAD DEATH
There was the recent sad death of Brendan Mooney. Though perhaps better known in athletics and boxing, the now late Brendan was also adept with GAA matches, both at county and club level and I remember him covering games in Ballynoe for The Irish Examiner. He was a very nice man.
Belated commiserations to Watergrasshill/Glenville clubs on the recent passing of Pat McHugh. Also sympathy to the O’Callaghan and Murphy families on the death of Mon O’Callaghan (Leahy), Newtown, Ballynoe.
LATEST LOTTO DETAILS
Congratulations to first team player and underage mentor, trainer and coach, Rory Galvin on his half share success in a recent Ballysaggart GAA Club weekly lotto draw.
Results of the most recent club weekly lotto draw from bank holiday Monday night, April 18th: numbers drawn 8, 9, 14 and 21 and the €20,000 jackpot wasn’t won. Consolation prize winners being David Hegarty, Rathdrum, Ballynoe; Kal Moroney, Conna; Kevin Galvin, Tacken; Eric Flynn, Cullinagh, Ballynoe and Liz O’Dowd, c/o online.
There will be a draw on Monday night, April 25th in the clubrooms, Ballynoe at 9.30pm after the division four hurling league match below in the pitch. Jackpot: €20,000.
ST CATHERINES GAA CLUB SPONSORS
T&A Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Ballynoe are sponsors of St Catherines GAA Club. Mulcahy Steel are sponsors of St Catherines Juvenile GAA Club.