A week of regular league activity
ROUND 2 RED FM COUNTY HURLING LEAGUE DIVISION 4 St Catherines 0-17 Ballyhea 1-18
Though starting well enough to lead 0-04 to 0-01 to 10 minutes and again at 0-08 to 0-04 well into the second quarter, the Saints’ positive start was eventually eroded by a gallant Ballyhea challenge when this round 2 tie went ahead in damp, overcast conditions at Ballynoe on Sunday morning last. Throw-in at 11.30am.
It was 0-08 each at the interval and although a Rory Galvin point on 39 minutes restored the home team’s advantage at 0-11 to 0-10, it was the final time the Saints led this hurling league tie. Ballyhea registered the next 5 scores with wing forward John Morrissey a constant threat when Eugene O’Leary pounced for the crucial goal, a game defining score and a lead of 1-15 to 0-12 to 51 minutes. Still the home team battled away and with Eoin Davis, Kevin Barry and Sean O’Donoghue among the scorers who strove manfully to retrieve the situation. A late Joseph Hickey point sealed the issue. Next game will be in Kilworth on Saturday, April 6th.
Scorers: R Galvin (0-01 free) and S O’Donoghue (0-04 frees) (0-05 each), B Mulcahy (0-02), O Fitzgerald, N Sheehan, K Wallace, K Barry and E Davis (free) (0-01 each). St Catherines team: E Davis, J Neville, E O’Riordan, K Neville, G O’Brien, O Fitzgerald, E Condon, K Wallace, K O’Donoghue, K Barry, R Galvin, M Mulcahy, B Mulcahy, A Neville, S O’Donoghue. Subs: N Sheehan for K O’Donoghue (17), P Keane for E Condon (40), W Leamy for G O’Brien (42), T O’Donnell for A Neville (45), H Draper for K Barry (57).
Referee: James Bermingham (Bride Rovers).
JUVENILE CLUB
Another week of juvenile activity starts with round 2 division 2 Rebel Óg East Minor Football League.
St Catherines 2-11 Passage 1-11
Make no mistake about it, a timely Thomas Dee stop had a major say in the destination of the points on offer from this minor football league tie. No rain or wind evident, only real cold, when played under the lights at Ballynoe on Wednesday night, March 20th. Blinding, stunning, call it what you will, it reinvigorated the home team’s challenge which had waned. Behind 0-04 to 0-02 and again 0-05 to 0-03 when Josh Barry converted a ’ 45 on 17 minutes. Jack Hickey and Gearoid Sheehan points among others followed on. Two points adrift at various stages the home team now found themselves four points to the good. Ahead on a half-time scoreline standing at 0-09 to 0-05.
It's ironic the two penalty kicks subsequently awarded revolved around the work rate of Ciaran Pietropaolo. Both converted by the ever-accurate Diarmuid O’Connell. The ‘ Doc’ finishing the game’s top scorer with a return of 2-07. Sandwiched in between Passage had their goal. Finished off by Jack Barry who threatened all game. Ensuring a competitive league tie right to the finish. Hurling in either White’s Cross or Carraig na bhFear on April 3rd. Next football league match will be in Caherlag on Wednesday evening, April 10th. This team are playing well. Keep it going!
Scorers: D O’Connell (2-00 penalties) (0-03 frees) (2-07), J Hickey (0-02), G Sheehan and J Temple (0-01 each). Team: T Dee, G O’Callaghan McCarthy, C Leamy, F McCready, C Hickey, D O’Donovan, C McCarthy, C Hayes, E O’Driscoll, D ‘Chips’ Murphy, D O’Connell, J Temple, J Hickey, C Pietropaolo, G Sheehan. Subs: T Clancy for G O’Callaghan McCarthy (48), K O’Donoghue and S Aherne for J Hickey and G Sheehan (both 53), J Pietropaolo for C Hickey (56).
Referee: Anthony O’Regan (Youghal).
ROUND 1 DIVISION 2 REBEL ÓG EAST U14 HURLING LEAGUE Whitechurch 1-09 St Catherines 1-06
A commendable second half recovery only just came unstuck when this U15 tie went ahead at occasionally showery, frequently windy, wide open Whitechurch just after 2pm on Saturday afternoon last.
Favoured by the strong wind there was a serious chance the home-based team would overrun the visitors’ challenge such was the difficulty in even getting the sliotar beyond the middle of the pitch. Naoise Daly, Adam Lawlor and Conor Gleeson all on top in their various roles. In a breakaway attack a Cathal Higgins point would prove a beneficial score. Helping the Saints to settle, give them confidence with the boost of the strong wind at their backs for the resumption of the second half to come, albeit trailing on a 1-07 to 0-01 interval scoreline.
Sean O’Keeffe, Tom Morrison, Shane Riordan, Billy O’Connor, Kenneth O’Connell and Cathal Higgins trying their hearts out. Only a smart Dara O’Sullivan stop very near the finish denying the Saints the complete recovery. No doubt losing hurts. Getting a performance always eases the pain.
It’s football against Buttevant at Ballynoe this upcoming weekend.
Scorers: B O’Connor (0-01 free) (1-02), C Higgins and K O’Connell (0-02 each). Team: S O’Keeffe, C McCarthy, T Morrison, Z Pyne, S Moore, S Riordan, N Keane, B O’Connor, K O’Connell, E Dillon, C Higgins, T Walsh, R O’Donoghue, J Cunneen, J Coughlan. Subs: A Burke for T Walsh (second half), C Fitzgerald and D Temple for Z Pyne and J Coughlan (both 42), A O’Gorman for R O’Donoghue (54).
Referee: Peter O’Donovan (Carrig na bhFear).
CORK COUNTY SCÓR NA BPÁISTÍ FINALS
Well it didn’t happen for either of St Catherines entries. No joy for the Saints from the County Scór na bPáistí finals when held at the Eire Óg GAA Pavilion in Ovens on Saturday afternoon last. Disappointment for Stephanie Carr in sean nós dance and the ballad group made up of Mileda Didek Lara Byrne, Isla Ryan, Fira Lane and Caitlin Twomey. That’s how it goes. There will be another day.
CORK FOOTBALLERS
Most of the attention centred on the National Hurling League semi-final where Kilkenny dethroned reigning holders Limerick. Followed at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday evening last by a share of the points (2-16 each) when Cork played already qualified Armagh in round 7 division 2 of the National Football League. We won’t hear an awful lot now about either Rebel team for a few weeks/ Then bang! You’re into championship. For the record it’s Donegal and Armagh in the division 2 National Football League Final.
SYMPATHY
A first team ever to record a unique or historic achievement enter the annals of club history. Invariably they will linger somewhere in the memory for evermore. After backto-back defeats (1955 and ’56) St Catherines recorded their big breakthrough when defeating Killeagh (3-10 to 2-07) in the East Cork Junior A Hurling Final. Decider played at Midleton on Sunday, September 8th 1957. Left halfback on that team was Paddy Murphy. Now into his nineties the genial, much loved and respected Paddy sadly passed to his eternal reward last week. We reckon only two of that historic panel are still with us. Paddy’s nephews, most notably Richard, Dessie and Martin O’Keeffe, also the O’Briens Ciaran and Gearóid played with their beloved St Catherines. Grandnephew John O’Keeffe lined out at corner back with Limerick in last year’s Munster Minor Hurling Championship, You can’t beat tradition. Ar dheis Dé to raibh a anam dílis.
BARTLEMY BALLYNOE FERMOY COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SCHEME
Now then, the above body have a vacancy for a groundsperson in St Catherine’s GAA Club, Ballynoe. Duties include grass cutting, strimming, lining of pitches, cleaning dressing rooms, meeting room, toilets etc, litter picking. 19.5 hours per week. Applicants must meet the Department of Social Protection community employment criteria. Eligibility to participate on CE is generally linked to those over 21 years of age and in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for at least one year. For further information contact Assumpta on 086-3828722 or assumpta@bbfermoyce.ie.
LOTTO
Draw held on bank holiday weekend, Tuesday March 19th. Numbers drawn were 8, 15, 16 and 19 and there was no winner of the jackpot. Consolation winners were Mary O’Brien, Rathdrum, Ballynoe, Jenny Quirke, Conna, online, Sean Cronin, c/o Fisherman’s Rest, Conna, Richard Higgins, Kilcronat, Ballynoe and Emer Doyle, Conna, online. Most recent draw with €4,400 jackpot scheduled for clubrooms, Ballynoe on Monday night last, March 25th. Results coming.
WHAT COMES UP THIS WEEKEND
Friday, March 29th at Ballynoe, round 2 division 2 East Cork Junior Football League v Cloyne at 8pm. Saturday, March 30th at Ballynoe, round 2 division 2 Rebel Óg North U14 Football League v Buttevant at 2pm. Sunday, March 31st at Magniers hill, round 2 division 2 East Cork Junior Hurling League v Youghal at 2pm. Monday, April 1st at Magniers Hill, round 2, division 1 Rebel Óg East U16 Hurling League v Youghal at 2.30pm. Wednesday, April 3rd at Carrig na bhFear or White’s Cross round 2 division 1 Rebel Óg East Minor Hurling League v St Colmcilles at 7pm.
EASTER GREETINGS
It’s a Happy Easter to St Catherine’s players, mentors and supporters, to GAA people everywhere. In so doing can we also remind you it’s a weekend seeing the introduction of summer time. So clocks go forward one hour this coming Saturday night/Sunday morning.
ST CATHERINE’S 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.