With a few challenge games onto a season set to start in earnest over the next two weekends. First out of the traps and Kilworth Araglen Óg are visitors to Páirc Naomh Caitríonaigh as the newly introduced division two Rebel Óg East U18 Football League kicks off this weekend. As does division two of the East Cork Junior Football League. St Catherines play Erins Own at Ballynoe on the Sunday morning. As of now all three days and nights of the weekend after that are booked. St Catherines will be at home to Watergrasshill in division two of the divisional junior hurling league under the lights at Ballynoe on Friday night, March 3^rd. Followed a day later by the first of two impending trips to Youghal, it’s U18 hurling league on the Saturday, Catherines also have a visit to the coastal town when the first choice hurling team call in on them in the middle of next month. But before that open their division four Red FM County Senior Hurling League campaign. Meeting Kildorrery at home early on the morning of Sunday, March 5^th. Just might take a short look back on a few tussles with the Avondhu based opposition when back with you again next week. Deo volente!

U16 and U14 leagues are imminent. We park that there now. Don’t want to muddle you up this early.

So here they are, opening fixtures of the new season – Friday, February 24^th at Ballynoe, round 1 division 2 Rebel Óg East U18 Football League v Kilworth Araglen Óg at 8pm. Sunday, February 26^th at Ballynoe, round 1 division 2 East Cork Junior Football League v Erins Own at 12 noon.

Sympathy

Recently passing away was Fr Eddie Griffin, a direct descendent of the Ballynoe family and who we remember saying Masses in the local church. Especially through the seventies and eighties. He was buried recently in Bray. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

National Football League

Another intense few days of intercounty GAA activity. Mayo edging out Kerry in Castlebar on the Saturday night. Roscommon, Galway and even lowly Sligo continued a good and enjoyable period for the Western province 24 hours later as the National Football League gathers further momentum. Most of the papers on the Saturday had interesting features on the Cork/Dublin All-Ireland semi-final replay from 1983. Presumably by way of preview to the league match between the same two counties the next day. Although all of 40 years ago now it remains the most atmospheric and greatest Gaelic games spectacle to adorn the southern capital. Maybe due to the progress of time but had overlooked the fact that the masterful Tom Creedon passed away that night after an unfortunate accident. It being August 28^th 1983. Same night as Catherines had defeated Midleton in the East Cork Junior A hurling below in Copperalley in Youghal. Indeed, the Saints had first two goals bagged with punters still coming through the gates. Such was the build-up of traffic getting out of the Rebel city. No motorway or bypass in those far off times.

Eoghan McSweeney and Mattie Taylor polished off the Cork goals last Sunday. Another was disallowed. Presumably there was a square infringement. A few other chances weren’t availed of. Some embarrassingly so. Very much a work in progress. There really isn’t much room for error from now on. Starting this weekend with a double header. First up the round 3 hurling encounter v Westmeath at 1.45pm, then the footballers face Limerick, throw in will be 3.45pm. Both matches in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

What must be obvious to all and sundry are the huge crowds attending the programme of league matches. Boosted by excellent weather conditions. Not a cancellation in sight thus far. Long may it continue. Touch wood.

Off the field of action and Jarlath Burns is President Elect of the Association. Uneven age groups hold up at underage level and the Kingdom could be heading for the Munster Hurling Championship. Main points of interest emerging from the Annual Congress in Croke Park. Also the week that saw the retirement of another Tipperary stalwart. Yes, John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer calls it a day from intercounty action. A joy to behold and a delightful player to watch. He wouldn’t be long punishing you. Ireland head for Rome in the Six Nations and then we will be into another attractive weekend. Hang in there!

Latest lotto results

Draw held on Monday night, February 20^th. Numbers drawn were 13, 17, 19 and 23. There was no jackpot winner. The consolation winners on the night were – Roy Hartigan c/o PH Conna, Marie Mellerick Conna, Caroline Jones c/o TVM Bartlemy, Michael Lane Shanakill Curraglass and Mary Ronayne c/o TVM Bartlemy. A draw for a jackpot now standing at €11,400 will take place in the clubrooms, Ballynoe on Monday night, February 27^th at 9pm. Everyone welcome.

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.