Imokilly Notes
- Oct 12,2022
By Kieran McGann, PRO, East Cork Board.
Father O’Neill’s top of the class in Senior A and go Premier with a historic win.
Fr O’Neills 0-20 Courcey Rovers 2-12.
Fr O’Neills are well used to knocking on the door as they once contested 13 East Cork Junior Finals before finally defeating Castlelyons in 1996. They had contested the last two Senior A Finals coming into yesterday’s game but had to battle all the way for a two-point victory over a dogged Courceys Rovers side. Courceys drove into them in the first half with some power hurling to lead 1-11 to 0-9. However, O’Neills reorganised at half time and there were stars mushrooming all over the field. Sean Twomey of Courceys who banged in four goals against Fermoy in the quarter final was marked close by Ger Mellerick in the first half and then an astute switch saw Sean O Connor move in on the young Cork stalwart in the second half. Fr O’Neills really benefited from this Ger Mellerick had a big impact on the game outfield in the second half and O’Connor kept Twomey quiet.
Over the course of the game Declan Dalton put 0-7(0-5 frees) on the scoreboard, Billy Dunne 0-4 from play and three of the five Mellerick brothers put 0-8 on the board between them as the remaining 0-1 came from Kevin O’Sullivan. I do remember seven Fennelly brothers wining a few All-Ireland Club titles with Ballyhale Shamrocks and six Burke brothers from St Thomas Galway taking a Club title in 2013. It’s not every day you see five brothers on a Cork team so what achievement for the Mellerick brothers. Heartiest congratulations to the team and management. Fr O’Neills are doing very well at underage level and have just developed a new pitch. They are well prepared for premier status in senior Cork Hurling, and we wish them the best.
 Co-Op Superstores presents the Man of the Match award to Billy Dunne, Fr O'Neills. |  The Fr O'Neills Captain raises the Cup after a memorable victory. |
The Dungourney story gets better.
1-16 to 0-13
Dungourney are one of the oldest clubs in Cork. Jamesy Kelleher and his team were one of the top teams in the early years of the last century when as they won three Cork County Senior Hurling Championships in 1902, 1907 and 1909, and the club represented Cork in the All-Ireland. Dungourney hit the headlines again in 2015 winning the East Cork junior hurling title the county title and Munster title.
Hitting out for Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday was daunting in a way as many of the young players had not played there and their opposition was Cloughduv an experienced team with the favourites tag. Dungourney had a savage young team with about eight of them under twenty-one and many more in their early twenties. However, they hurdled well all through the game as their goalie Paul Flynn saved them early on with mighty shot stopping and they grew in stature as the game went on.
Twenty-eight-year-old Shane Hegarty was their man of the match with four points and Jack Leahy, ten years younger, done mighty too landing 0-6 from frees and 0-2 from play while Ryan Denny planted a penalty and added 0-2 from play. Generally, they had heroes all over the field from the goalie out with the backs and midfield were tight on their opponents. Congratulations to Dungourney team and management. They have recently carried out new works to their grounds and with a good supply of young hurlers further success is nigh.
 Dermot Foley Co -Op Superstores, presenting the Man of the Match to Shane Hegarty, Dungourney. |  Cathaoirleach Mark Sheehan Cork County Board presenting the cup to Dylan Healy, Dungourney. |
Erins Own take the Jamesy Kelleher Cup for 2022.
Erin’s Own 4-12 Cobh 2-9.
Erins Own might be about 65 years a younger club than Dungourney. They have a lot of teams and players these days as they draw from both sides of the N25. Home to a lot of great Cork players like Brian Corcoran in the not too distant past and they have a few more on the rise. Their second team was highly competitive on Saturday and proved too much for a game Cobh outfit as they had nine points to spare at the end of this yeast East Cork Junior Hurling final. The standard of hurling was good particularly in the first half as Cobh took the game to Erins Own and put over some good points as Adam McCarthy banged in a goal on the rebound to put them 1-6 to 0-3 ahead. However almost on the half time whistle Erins Own received a mighty boost as a long free into the Cobh goal area was finished to the net by Clareman James McMahon. They went in only 0-3 down at half time despite struggling at times.
Cobh started well in the second half with a good Cian Spriggs goal to put 0-6 between the sides. Gradually Erins Own came back into the game with Shane Murphy and Shane Broderick hurling mighty at the back as Jack Sheehan, Cian O Callaghan and Mark Collins done very well in the forward line. Their goalie Tom Dillon banged in a penalty and man of the match Collins and a good goal from play. To leave them strong winners in the end and they will have a strong say as they take on Nemo Rangers in the first round. They have 39 players on their panel for the and their Junior B side were beaten by Killeagh 0-11 0-10 on Sunday. They are playing in the Junior C Championship also and their juveniles are going very well.
Cobh have some consolation as they were going for the double. They had already defeated Castlemartyr in the football final and play Cullen in the county championship next Sunday, so we wish them the best of luck. In the last few years Cobh have put in a mighty effort at juvenile level and are beginning to reap the rewards too.
 Con Ryan East Cork Oil presents the Man of the Match award to Mark Collins Erin's Own |  Cathaoirleach Donal O Keeffe presents the Jamesy Kelleher Cup to the Erin's Own Captain James McMahon. |
Respect for Referees.
I had a pleasant chat with John Motherway of the Aghada club recently who was a referee for 30 years. He refereed East Cork finals, county finals in every grade, Munster minor, U21 and National League games and done it through three generations of father, son, and grandson. While he remembers a few harsh words coming his way at times he was never assaulted. He never had any grudges as he left it on the pitch and often met up fellows who told him he had sent them off. John says he loved every minute of refereeing. When he retired, he took up work as a national tutor for referee afterwards and gave courses with his good friend Pat Moore, Waterford, throughout Cork, Munster, other counties plus Boston and Chicago.
I did ask John about the present state of refereeing. He spoke about culture and habit and keeping traditional values. He felt that playing the game in good spirit is lacking at times as tolerance of even a slight mistake by a referee has potential for undue abuse. He remembered refereeing a cracking county intermediate hurling final between Castlelyons and Killeagh in 1998. The players gave it everything as they hurdled in a tough but in a fair spirit as Castlelyons won eventually 2-12 to 2-9. John just blew for six frees in the first half and ten in the second half of that game. He doubted if this would happen these days. We spoke about some serious incidences of disrespect and violence towards referees highlighted recently. John felt strongly that players and spectators who commit offences of assault and serious abuse of referees should be dealt with in a serious manner and, of course, if players are sent off sanctions should not be rescinded easily. However, he is still very confident about the future of refereeing.
Talking with Niall Barrett the County Referees Administrator he also mentions change of culture and need for respect for referees. Niall enjoyed refereeing for many years and says it is the next best thing to playing the game. He views the winter months as an ideal opportunity to encourage clubs on the role and supply of referees and developing a greater understanding of the Rules among club officials. There are many boys and girls who may like refereeing and he advises them to take it up. He would like to see at least one referee in every club. The referee usually has a team of four umpires, and this has the potential to create a culture of respect for the rules of the game and raise the profile of refereeing around the club.
We need a greater understanding of social media as it can easily stoke a storm that can affect an individual and it is rarely moderated. We as adults and club members can lead the way ourselves by the discouragement of harsh and demeaning terms of abusive language to referees on the field. Niall believes the standard of refereeing within the East Cork Division and throughout the county is very good. He would appreciate if all clubs would encourage suitable able members, boys and girls, to apply and do a referee course. There is information available on the Cork GAA website https://gaacork.ie/referees/ .
Refereeing is a special calling, maybe not for everyone but a role that is very rewarding for those who answer a call. The real spirit of the game is its own referee. We must ensure promote spirit in our games and respect for the referee as games cannot function without their control. Thanks to John and Niall for a chat as no doubt they got huge enjoyment out of being the man in the middle.
Imokilly – 1997 and 1998 County Champions – celebrate Jubilee.
The Imokilly hurlers recorded historic back-to-back senior hurling titles in 1997 and 1998 defeating Sarsfields and Blackrock. Last Friday both panels gathered for a good night in Youghal GAA Club for a celebratory night and enjoyed by all. Thanks to our treasurer Oliver O’Loughlin, vice chairperson Avril Geary and CCC member Patrick K Mulcahy for organising the event. Next Sunday both panels will be honoured as the jubilee team in Páirc Uí Chaoimh during half time of the county final between Blackrock and St Finbarrs.
The victorious Imokilly Teams of 1997 and 1998 in Youghal on Friday night last.
Teacht le Chéile na gCarad - Friends’ Get Together
Bord Oirthir Chorcaí invites all clubs in the Division to a Teacht le Chéile/Get Together at Club Áras CLG, Eochaill on Friday 11th November 2022 ag a 7.30 pm.
The brainchild of the late Nollaig Ó hÓgáin, Eochaill, it is especially for the senior members of our clubs (former players, officials, administrators), who may enjoy meeting, talking, and reminiscing about games and events of yesteryear. Please confirm attendance with Liam Ó Laochdha 086-3258271 olaochdha.l@gmail.com before Wednesday 9th November. GRMA
Best wishes to Castlemartyr on Sunday.
Castlemartyr play Inniscarra in the Páirc on Sunday in the premier intermediate hurling final. These are great times for the club as they are hitting for their third title in three years taking the LIHC and IHC in the last two years and were just pipped in this years East Cork JAFC. They are hurling with style and will take confidence from their win over Castlelyons. We wish them the best in what could be a third county hurling title for the Barony in two weeks.
Condolences to the community of Creeslough, Co. Donegal.
On behalf of all in CLG Roinn Oirthear Chorcaí we wish to extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all the families and the community in Creeslough. The shock of this tragedy has touched us all and we share in the sorrow of everyone involved.
Ba mhaith linn ár mbeannachtaí a sheoladh chuig gach duine atá buailte mar gheall ar an tragóid seo ar an Chraoslach. Suaimhneas síoraí daofa uilig.
Thanks to our Sponsors.
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Thanks to Denis O'Flynn and John Cashman for photographs.
