St. Catherine's News
28 April, 2010
Bank holiday weekend upcoming and St. Catherines will play Blackrock in the first round of the intermediate hurling championship at Rathcormac on this forthcoming Saturday evening. Throw in at 7pm. A youthful Saints outfit against an opposition interspersed with emerging and experienced players. It was a league campaign that started off with an impressive home win over an under strength Fr. O’Neills. Defeats followed in turn against Milford (away) and Carrigaline (home) before the points from the scheduled Newcestown game were awarded following the non showing of the opposition due to U21 football commitments. Best of luck to all concerned in what is sure to be a difficult assignment.
Thus far it has been a disappointing season for the Saints at championship level. Carrig na bhFear dished out a hammering in the U21 “B” football. While St. Catherines lost out (4-06 to 0-03) to Watergrasshill in the opening round of the Minor “A” hurling championship when played at Castlelyons on Thursday evening last. Youghal and Aghada along with the Saints will now have their names in the hat for the second round. In a separate draw two of those teams will be paired together with the winners meeting the team that receives a bye in round three. Whoever comes through those series of matches which will be played in July following the examinations, comes back into the championship proper at the semi-final stage.
Meanwhile the Saints, eleven points adrift just two minutes into the second half, recovered sufficiently to secure a share of the spoils in their opening Junior hurling league division 3 fixtures in Castlelyons on Wednesday evening April 21st last. Second half goals from Brian Twomey and substitute full forward Ian O’Connell forcing a draw on an end score line of 1-13 to 2-10.
Following an opening day win over Tomás Russells from Kilshannig by 2 points (3-06 to 2-07), St Catherines eventually lost out when the Feile na nGael second round tie was played in Cloyne on Saturday evening April 3rd last. Final score was 2-11 to 1-11 with the outstanding Shane O’Brien contributing all 11 points. A phenomenal achievement.
All underage leagues in both codes are progressing. With two wins from three outings the tally in the U16 “B” hurling league.
Intermediate championship aside it will be an intense week-end of sporting activity. Top billing reserved for the meeting of Cork and Galway in the National Hurling League Final in Thurles on Sunday evening next. Throw in time 7pm. Best of luck to Denis Walsh and his charges as the rebels try to complete a league double. First leg unearthed against Mayo in the football decider at Croke Park last Sunday and a feat last achieved by Cork in the spring of 1980. Sure don’t Cork and doubles go hand in hand !!
Preparations for Lá na gClub on Sunday May 9th are ongoing. While the club Lotto jackpot currently stands at €4,200.
John O’ Mahony, PRO, St. Caths GAA.