Rovers miss out
NORTH CORK FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 Abbey Rovers 2-05 Glanworth 1-10
Abbey Rovers played host to Glanworth in their latest football league fixture in Castletownroche on Tuesday evening last, April 19th. It was a typical April evening, with a mixture of sunshine and showers in chilly conditions. This was definitely one of the most unusual games we have witnessed in quite some time. Abbey Rovers were up against it, with a number of players absent through injury yet they showed great spirit throughout the game.
Glanworth started very strongly, with a number of players very prominent in the opening 30 minutes. They had the first two points, before they struck for a goal on 10 minutes. Abbey Rovers tried to settle in to a rhythm, but they were under the cosh and Glanworth turned the ball over any time they threatened the visitors’ goal. Glanworth continued to be economical in front of the posts, converting a further two points from frees.
Abbey Rovers finally got on the scoresheet when they won possession deep in the Glanworth half and after the ball made its way through to Patrick, he volleyed the ball home first time from the edge of the square to register a green flag. Glanworth responded with two more points before a point from Aiden on the stroke of halftime left the score Glanworth 1-06 Abbey Rovers 1-01.
Glanworth started the second half strongly and had registered four more points in succession by the three quarter mark to hold a seemingly unassailable lead. They made some changes at this time, and these seemed to unsettle the visitors, whilst spurring Abbey Rovers on to greater efforts. Aiden scored a second point of the evening before a goal from the same player, who was alert in intercepting a Glanworth kick-out, gave the team some hope. Muiris added a point from play before a pointed free from Shay left just a goal in it. There were bizarre scenes towards the end when with 5 minutes on the clock, the referee blew for full time. In fairness, he immediately spotted his error and called the two teams back to play out the final five minutes. Patrick had a goalbound effort brilliantly tipped over the bar to leave just two points in it. Abbey Rovers then had two shots for points drift wide and this time, when referee John O’Brien, who handled the game very well in general, blew the whistle, it signalled the end of the game.
Glanworth emerged deserving 1-10 to 2-05 winners, but nobody can question the heart demonstrated by our lads. A couple of players went off with injuries, we hope they are not too serious and they will be fit for our next game at the weekend.
Panel: J Batterberry, J Linehan, Sean Sugrue, Liam McGrath, Jack Relihan (James Ladd 48), Adrian O’Donovan, Leon Farrell, Patrick Sheehan (1-01), S Mullane (0-01), A O’Leary (1-02), Muiris Browne (0-01), Dane O’Neill, David Linehan, Mark O’Callaghan (Pat Madden 40), Thomas Barrett.
LEAGUE FIXTURES
We play Shanballymore in our next football league encounter on Sunday next, May 1st. Throw in is at 6.30 in Shanballymore. This will be our fifth league game in football and will be the final fixture before the first round of the Junior B County Championship in mid-May.
CLUB LOTTO
The latest lotto draw took place last Monday night week, April 25th in the Rockforest Bar. The numbers drawn were 1, 11, 29 and 31. There was no winner of the €4,000 jackpot and the five €20 ‘Lucky Dip’ winners were Stephanie Hartnett, Doireann Linehan, Brian Magner, Kate Hogan and Linda Barrett. Congratulations to all the prize winners.
The next club lotto draw takes place on Monday, May 9th, in the Castle Arms, with the jackpot now standing at €4,100. Tickets are available through local retail outlets in the village, from your usual sellers or through any club officer. The club would like to express our appreciation to everybody who continues to support our draw.
2019 LEAGUE WINNERS CAR DRAW
We had a fantastic response to the ticket sales to the rescheduled 2019 Car Draw, sponsored by Cavanagh’s of Fermoy. Our local village did not let us down in supporting the draw and we would also like to thank everybody from the surrounding areas who showed their support for the club in buying tickets. We are sure this support will be reciprocated when the wheel turns and our neighbouring clubs are out looking for support. In total, there were six clubs entered in the draw - Castletownroche, Fermoy, Grange, Liscarroll Churchtown Gaels, Kilshannig and Shanballymore. Three tickets were drawn out from each club, with these tickets entered in to a draw for eighteen prizes in total, with first prize being a Ford Fiesta, two prizes of €1,000 and all of the remaining fifteen tickets winning €250 each.
Congratulations to Rian O’Shea Houlihan from Glanworth, who won the first prize, with the winning ticket sold by Shanballymore. The first Castletownroche name to be pulled from the drum was Bridie O’Connell, who won €1,000. The other two Castletownroche entrants in the final drum, each winning €250, were Paddy Roche and Fergal Moloney. Congratulations to the three prize winners and thanks once more to everybody who supported the draw. A huge thanks also to the volunteers who sold tickets - it is not an easy job, but all funds raised will go towards the ongoing development of the GAA club facilities.
CLUB SOCIAL
The club social, postponed from March 2020, will take place on this coming Friday, April 29th in Springfort Hall Country House Hotel at 7pm. On the night, we will finally be presenting medals to the victorious 2019 Junior B County Hurling, North Cork Junior B and Division 3 North Cork Football League winners. We will also be honouring the 1998 Junior B County Hurling champions with a presentation on the night. This promises to be a great night, and for anyone still looking for a ticket, they cost €35 each and can be obtained from any club member or officer.
ADULT CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Adult club membership for 2022 remains at €50 per adult/€20 for students and OAPs. We would appreciate if all of those who have membership outstanding for 2022 can arrange payment to any club officer in the next two weeks.
JUVENILE ACTION
The next generation of players continue to develop their skills, under the expert eye of our coaches. The U7s had a great morning in Kilshannig at the Football Monster Blitz, with both teams showing great skill and determination. Meanwhile, also on Saturday morning, our U9s played a hurling blitz in Carrignavar and gave a great account of themselves. We will have an update on the U11s in the near future, they have been very busy also as the season gets in to gear.