St. Catherine's News
23 July, 2009
St Catherines lost out by a 4 point margin to Mallow when the Premier Intermediate hurling relegation play off was played at Rathcormac on Friday evening last. Little had been separating what appeared to be 2 evenly matched teams who were level on 4 occasions to 26 minutes. Mallow shaded it by 0-6 points to 0-4 by the half time break. Parity was restored mainly through the second half accuracy of substitute Michael Hegarty from placed balls. When the defining move of the contest unfolded, corner forward Cian O’Riordan at the end of a clever 3 man passing move to finish off the only goal of the game on 46 minutes. In such a low scoring contest it was a crucial score. So it proved. Mallow survive on an end scoreline of 1-10 to 0-9 condemning the Saints to the dreaded drop for the second successive year. They will now have their names in the hat when the draw for next year's Intermediate competition will be made at convention pre Christmas.
Unfortunately one always feared that it would be a difficult year with retirements, long term injuries and emigration taking their toll. Beidh la eile ar an bpaorach.
St. Catherine's secured a share of the spoils with Shandrum in a Minor Premier 2 hurling league tie in Ballynoe on Sunday. Throw in at 12 noon it was 0-04 to 0-03 for the home team by the break. But the opposition looked as if they were taking a grip on proceedings when corner forward Mark Linehan goaled just at the end of the third quarter. Pat Hassett and Stephen O’Toole added some points and the Saints looked in some difficulties. But responded to the challenge through well taken points from Patrick Roche and Brian Mulcahy. Actually foraging themselves into the lead when second half substitute Paul Tobin forced the sloitar over the line for a crucial Saints goal on 52 minutes. Ace free taker Jerry Lane tied it all up at 1-09 apiece just before the finish. Fair result. Just take note that the next scheduled fixture against Courcey Rovers has been switched from Ballinspittle on Saturday night to Ballynoe on Thursday night July 23rdat 8pm.
Heroes of the weekend came from the juvenile ranks. St Catherines were crowned County 13 aside U14 C hurling champions with a resounding win over game, gallant but very youthful Milford side when the final was played at the excellent Castletownroche venue on Thursday evening last. Afterwards Tony O’Mahony chairman of the County Juvenile Board presented the cup to the victorious captain and outstanding centre back Shane O’Brien. Mention too of Thomas O’Donnell of T&A Plant Hire of Ballynoe for his generous sponsorship of kit bags for a team who play Cloyne this week in the equivalent football championship.