East Cork GAA

24 June, 2009

St Catherines News

After much speculation, this weekend sees St Catherines fulfil their second round fixture in the Evening Echo sponsored County Premier Intermediate Hurling championship. It’s all of eight weeks since that first round defeat to Carrigaline who themselves have subsequently made their exit following a third round defeat to Tracton. Opposition Ballincollig tasted defeat at the hands of neighbours Inniscarra after a competitive hours hurling in Cloughduv and are sure to provide formidable championship opposition. League form hasn’t been inspiring with back to back defeats to both Inniscarra and Ballymartle in the most recent outing at Belgooly on Friday evening last. Injuries, retirements and emigration are all playing their part and this is a much changed line out from previous years. We wish them the best of luck. Briefly looking ahead and if the Saints get over this particular obstacle they play fellow East Cork outfit Fr. O’Neills in the third round. On the reverse side of the coin if we lose we have a relegation semi-final against Aghabollogue. But first things first and that’s St. Catherines and Ballincollig in the second round of the Premier Intermediate Hurling championship at Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday night coming, June 27^th, with a 7:30 throw in. Up the Saints!

Then on Thursday night of next week St. Catherines meet Dungourney in the Junior B hurling championship, fixed for Castlelyons with an 8pm start.

Meanwhile the Minor Premier grade 2 hurling league resumes after the traditional pre exam break up. Entertaining Shandrum at Ballynoe on Wednesday night next, July 1^st with a 7:45pm throw in. At underage level St. Catherines are back on the county trail. Some spectacular Cathal Leahy goalkeeping, allied to a six point contribution from influential centre back Shane O’Brien and a timely flick from second half substitute Rory Galvin for the games only goal were all vital ingredients in a 1-09 to 0-7 win over Bride Rovers when the divisional U14C hurling championship final was played in Rathcormac on Friday evening last. They will now be Imokillys representatives away to Carbery champions Bantry on Saturday July 4^thnext.

Juvenile club vice chairman Aidan Barry tells us that bookings for the annual VHI Cul Camp are going strongly with numbers in the low to mid seventies for this years week long camp which will take place in the pitch in Ballynoe from Monday July 6^thto Friday July 10^thinclusive.

With so many important matches coming up why not display a splash of colour and car flags can be had from juvenile club treasurer Eleanor Galvin.

Theweekly club lotto now has a record breaking jackpot of €7,400. Next weeks draw will be at The Big Tree bar, Aghern on Monday night June 29^th. Tickets costing just €2 are available locally.