St Catherines GAA Notes.
- Aug 12,2023
Part two of split season swings into action
In many ways county convention draw on Sunday, December 11th signified the sowing of the seeds for the now split season. No time to delve into the past now. Time to look ahead. Out with the old, in with the new. For the record St Catherines are fourth seeds in group C of the county premier junior hurling championship. Down from Intermediate A Meelin are top seeds. Followed by Russell Rovers, then St Finbarrs 2 and so on. Consume the turkey then. Enjoy the festivities. Colm Molloy is busy promoting Last Man Standing. A few early training sessions and before you know it challenge games surface. Castlemartyr, Grenagh, Watergrasshill. Bang! One, two three! All by way of preparation for the division four county hurling league. Starting with a win over Kildorrery (0-19 to 1-11) in the first match in Ballynoe on the morning of Sunday, March 5th. In all eight points from a possible eighteen were collected. Thus preserving their status for next season. Ballinhassig won the section. Beating Valley Rovers in the decider. They now go up to division 3 with Bandon and Kilworth going the other way. At the bottom Aghabullogue and Cloyne drop to division 5 with Russell Rovers and Cloughduv now completing division 4 of the county hurling league for the 2024 season. Ten teams still in situ.
Roll the drums. Crash symbols! Part 2 of the split season commences. Football last week. This time around all five hurling grades swing into action. St Catherines play St Finbarrs at O’Connell Park, Cobh this coming bank holiday weekend, see fixtures, then it’s Meelin in Kildorrery the following weekend. Six days which could be season defining.
Now then let’s just broaden out the argument! Second and third choice junior hurling teams with fixtures coming from the divisional board will also sprint into action presently.
Castlemartyr provide first round opposition in group C of the East Cork Junior B HC. That’s down for next week in Dungourney. Other team in that section will be Sarsfields. While three teams will also make up group C of the divisional Junior C HC. Catherines face Killeagh at Ballynoe on the evening of Monday, August 14th. With the trip to Cobh down for early September.
While the big story to emerge in Rebel Cork GAA circles last week was the taking of live stream coverage of its county championship games inhouse with a charge of €10 to €15 per game. Bartlemy based production company TVM are recognised providers. First two matches including Blackrock and The Glen this coming weekend go out live and free of charge as an early gesture. Provided you have registered in advance. Sign up at rebelsonline.gaacork.ie.
Though subsequently subdividing into two sixteens it must be said starting out with your full quota of counties that the All-Ireland Senior football decider remains the greatest single annual occasion running through the veins of Irish sport. You must go back to 1892 for the first Dublin/Kerry final clash. In those days county champions picked the county teams and accommodating players from elsewhere. Young Irelands were too good for Laune Rangers. There were back-to-back clashes in the finals of 1923 and 24, with one win each recorded. Slowly the seed is being set. Kerry winning in 1955 raising the bar. Brought to a height in the seventies and eighties. Dwyer v Heffernan. There were some memorable semi-final tussles too. 1977 and only 12 months ago.
Now the balance of power drifts back to the capital. Only just. But that’ll do. No doubt bringing back some absent heroes from last time would play a significant role and you feel overall that the tally of 38/31 in the titles claimed could even be closer still. That said you feel now with Cluxton, Fitzsimons and McCarthy with that medal haul going up to nine that maybe it’s the end of the road for many of these household names. Possibly including Dessie Farrell, first cousin of Everton and Ireland fullback Seamus Colman in that.
League pairings and All-Stars will come. But for now the intercounty season must take a bow. Though keep an eye on the Ladies Football All-Ireland, Dublin and Kerry again. Is there any end to it?! Before that we have Cork and Waterford in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Final this coming weekend. Best of luck to Laura Hayes and the Rebel Red of Cork. Patrons please beware that the Catherines/Barrs clash in Cobh now has a 2pm throw in. Makes sense doesn’t it? A double there would go down nicely and set up the bank holiday weekend.
Action from the field of play
Round 2 Group A East Cork Junior C Football Championship
Aghada 4-15 St Catherines 0-06
After that well-earned eight point success over Glenville a much changed Saints’ outfit were outfought by a largely dominant Aghada force in this round 2 tie played at a sunny Rostellan on Monday evening, July 24th. Matthew O’Connor and in particular Neil Cunningham were in rampant scoring form to a one-sided championship encounter all but decided on the half whistle.
Credit the Saints for not lying down. Eoin Condon kicked over a few nice points. Substitute Brian Davis picked out Padraig O’Connor for the cheekiest finish over the hour. But that gap was always too wide.
Obviously hurling now takes precedence. Working off the master plan East Cork Junior B and C Football Championships are set to resume on week ending August 18th-20th. Opposition for the Saints are Carrig na bhFear in Junior C. Venue to be Rathcormac. While it’s Russell Rovers in the B grade. Castlemartyr is the appointed pitch.
Scorers: E Condon (0-02 frees) (0-03), P O’Connor, B Davis and A Carr (free) (0-01 each). Team: E Sheehan, D Wallace, James Casey, W O’Driscoll, R English, D Galvin, John Hurley (captain), A Carr, P O’Connor, E Condon, R Clancy, Johnny Hurley, A O’Mahony, R O’Connell, John Casey. Sub: B Davis for A O’Mahony (2nd half). Referee: Shane Hodgins (Erins Own).
Juvenile Section
We kick off this week with round 2 section 2 division 2 Rebel Óg East U17 Football Championship.
St Catherines 4-10 Cobh 2-10
Again not at all as convincing as the end scoreline might suggest as the Saints recorded a second successive victory from round 2 played at a largely overcast Ballynoe on Wednesday evening, July 26th. They did make a positive start. Two Ciaran Pietropaolo goals had them ahead by double scores at 2-04 to 1-02 on 16 minutes.
That said, Sean O’Keeffe was equally effective for the visitors. Forcing in his and the opposition’s second goal on the 20 minute mark. Allied to the point scoring of Steve Dennis and Evan Cummins. Parity was restored with Cobh forcing themselves ahead by the slimmest of margins on a half time scoreline of 2-07 to 2-06.
A rewarding third quarter followed. A brace of Scott Molloy points, frees from the hands, moved it on to 2-10 to 2-06. Now 10 minutes into the second half. When it all changed, changed utterly. In fairness a duo of Thomas Dee stops were playing their part when at the end of a sweeping five man move substitute Jake Bryan crashed in the Saints’ opening score of the turnover. Cian Dunning picked out Conor Hayes for the equaliser again shortly afterwards. Before another substitute Kyle O’Donoghue released Cian McCarthy who duly picked his spot for the fourth and match winning goal on 44 minutes. There would be no come back from that.
Scorers: C Pietropaolo (2-03), D O’Connell (0-02 frees) (0-04), J Bryan and C McCarthy (1-00 each) and C Hayes (0-03). Team: T Dee, G O’Callaghan McCarthy, D O’Donovan, A Bryan, T Barry, E O’Driscoll, C Hayes, C Dunning, C McCarthy, D Murphy, D O’Connell (team captain), C Leamy, J Hickey, C Pietropaolo, C Hickey. Subs: J Bryan and K O’Donoghue for A Bryan and J Hickey (both second half), S Aherne for D Murphy (56), J Pietropaolo for G O’Callaghan McCarthy (58). Referee: Pa Beausang (Midleton).
Round 2 division 2 Rebel Óg East U15 Football Championship - St Catherines w/o Cobh scr.
Round 2 division 1 Rebel Óg East U13 Football League
St Catherines 1-04 Carrigtwohill 3-07
Without a game in three weeks and it was two understrength teams taking to the Ballynoe pitch for this league tie played in showery, overcast conditions on Friday evening last. In fairness a Tadgh Walsh goal, allied to points finished off by Tomas Morrisson and Kenneth O’Connell helped diminish the impact of two Cian O’Connor goals three minutes apart to the end of the opening quarter. In so doing helping to ease the home-based team marginally ahead and into a lead on a half time scoreline standing at 1-04 to 2-00.
But Carrigtwohill were better on the turnover and scores from Roger O’Connor, Fionn Thornhill and Oisin McCarthy helped the team coached by ex-county senior manager Keith Ricken to a deserved win at the end. Also, it was great to see Paudi Kearney back officiating with us again after the near tragedy that befell the family pre-Christmas.
Scorers: T Walsh (0-01 free) (1-02), T Morrison and K O’Connell (0-01 each). Team: J Cunneen, C McCarthy, C Higgins, S Moore, Jack Mulkerrins, S Riordan, N Keane, T Walsh, K O’Connell, A Burke, E Dillon, D Temple, Jaimie Mulkerrins, T Morrison, C Fitzgerald. Referee: Paudi Kearney (Killeagh).
Round 1 phase 2 Rebel Óg East U12 Football League
St Catherines 4-08 Na Piarsaigh 2-10
Stashed away in Rostellan for that aforementioned junior C football match as the Saints who in fairness went through a difficult preparatory time in the formative stages of the competition had a massive victory in the first match of phase 2 of this league when played in Ballynoe also on Monday evening, July 24th. Well done to all those concerned with the football and hurling leagues now ongoing on Monday evenings except the bank holiday weekend.
Scorers: K O’Connell (2-02), D Temple (0-04), J Mulkerrins and N Keane (1-00 each), J Kearney and P O’Sullivan (0-01 each). Team: S Maguire, A Coakley, C Fitzgerald, T Shiels, G Leahy, S Moore (capt), A O’Gorman, K O’Connell, J Mulkerrins, N Keane, D Temple, J Kearney, J Bryan, P O’Sullivan, B Coakley. Also: O Sheehan, O Feeney and D Kenneally. Referee: David Hickey (Youghal).
Upcoming on your fixture list
Sunday, August 6th at O’Connell Park, Cobh, round 1 group c County Premier Junior Hurling Championship v Finbarrs 2 at 2pm. Monday, August 7th at Farranree, round 3 division 2 Rebel Óg East U15 Football Championship v St Vincents at 7pm. Tuesday, August 8th in Clubrooms, Ballynoe, lotto draw at 9.30pm. Wednesday, August 9th at Sallybrook, round 3 division 2 Rebel Óg East U17 (minor) Football Championship v Glanmire 2 at 7pm.
Condolences
Deepest sympathy to the Noonan family, Ballybride, Conna on the sad and all too soon passing of Imelda.
Congratulations
Cork played Galway in the All-Ireland U16 camogie final at 4.30pm in Nowlan Park on Saturday evening last. For the record victory for the Rebels (0-11 to 1-07) for a team featuring St Catherine’s player Ally Mulkerrins at full forward. Success too for neighbour Mary Aherne on collecting the lady captain’s prize at Lismore Golf Club.
Rebels’ Bounty
Major €20,000 prize went to Frank Bergin of Aghabullogue after the July Rebels’ Bounty Draw which saw Glengoura based Liam Burke claim a win of €250. Remember we’re only just over half way through the year and there’s more time on the horizon yet.
Latest lotto results
Draw held on Monday night, July 31st. Numbers drawn were 11, 21, 29 and 31. There was no winner. Consolation winners on the night were Ger Cashman, Bridepark, Conna, Thomas Murphy c/o PH Conna, Noreen Moroney, Conna, Mike and Jane c/o The Big Tree, Aghern and Betty Moloney, online. Next week’s draw for €16,000 jackpot is on Tuesday night, August 8th in the Clubrooms, Ballynoe at 9.30pm.
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.
Juvenile championship matches dominate this week
It was a week where juvenile business was taking precedence. A rare though not unusual occurrence. Mixed results ensued from the respective U15 and 17 (Minor) Championships. Premier Junior and Junior B hurling squads continue championship preparations. A few more challenge games played. We’ll have our All-Ireland hurling champions. Equivalent football heroes to be known in four days. Unless there is a draw. Replays permissible in finals. Weekly results come at the end. But reminding you now that the lotto draw is to be moved from bank holiday Mondays and go ahead the night after. First example of this to come up shortly. No weekly lotto draw on bank holiday Monday, August 7th. Going ahead instead on the Tuesday, August 8th in the clubrooms, Ballynoe. Happening again come the end of October. Christmas will see after itself. No great inconvenience caused. Read on.
What a weekend
Just before we indulge in the plaudits now surely going with the greatest hurling team to ever play the game, we commend Laura Hayes and the Cork team who now face Waterford in the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Final in just over a week’s time.
Now what can we say about John Kiely and the all-conquering Limerick band of hurlers? Since assuming the managership role in 2018, 13 finals, be they league, provincial or All-Ireland have been encountered in that condensed period of time. Thirteen must win battles, All won. Phenomenal.
They now join Cork and Kilkenny in claiming a four-in-a-row of Liam McCarthys. Kilkenny missed out right at the death in grasping for the five in 2010 which is where the Shannonsiders will now surely be placing their focus. All in good time.
They won last Sunday without three of their first choice defenders. Sean Finn, corner back for the ages, team captain Declan Hannon and Richie English. Still losses successfully absorbed, it defies logic. These words are being assembled within minutes of game’s end. That’s the time to do it. Spare a thought for Diarmuid Byrnes. Yellow carded in the opening exchanges and to see the performance put in thereafter. Surely up there for the man of the match accolade. So too would Kyle Hayes, Cian Lynch and Peter Casey. Still do you know what? They’re so good it could easily be heading elsewhere.
Just imagine this was the Cats fourth successive All-Ireland final defeat. We never thought such a sad statistic would accompany the game’s connoisseurs. A four-in-a-row to be dumped in the bin. Instantly forgotten about.
Also, what a game John Keenan had in what was a truly a memorable encounter. Over to Dublin and Kerry now to firmly put the lid on phase one of the split season.
Juvenile match reports start with round one section 2 division 2 Rebel Óg East U17 (Minor) Football Championship
Araglen/Kilworth Óg 0-13 St Catherines 5-11
Not as convincing as the scoreline would suggest as the Saints continued their league winning run with a mildly flattering success from this opening U17 tie when played in Kilworth on Wednesday evening, July 19th last.
Perhaps justice prevailed with two evenly matched teams together on a half time scoreline standing at 0-08 to 1-05. As the second half resumed with the creation of two clear cut goal chances with Ciaran Pietropaolo converting his and the Saints’ second before the ever-reliable Thomas Dee, never easily beaten, made the first of at least a few vital stops between the sticks. Such are the margins.
Aaron Browne, David Noonan and Liam Óg Hegarty kicked over some masterful points. But the Saints were now favoured by the conditions, and it was beginning to tell. Goals three minutes apart from team captain Diarmuid O’Connell and Conor Hayes in turn either side of the third quarter ending and a 4-08 to 0-11 scoreline suddenly looked daunting. Any lingering doubts dispelled with a fifth goal from substitute Callum O’Driscoll very near the finish. Coming up is the visit of Cobh. While the hurling is scheduled to commence against Bride Rovers in early August.
Scorers: C Pietropaolo (2-05), D O’Connell (0-02 frees) (1-04), C Hayes (1-02) and C O’Driscoll (1-00). Scorers Kilworth/Araglen Og: L Óg Hegarty (0-03 frees) (0-06), A Browne and D Noonan (0-03 each) and G Carey (0-01).
St Catherine’s team: T Dee, G O’Callaghan McCarthy, D O’Donovan, A Bryan, T Barry, E O’Driscoll, C Leamy, D Murphy, C Hayes, J Bryan, D O’Connell (team captain), G Sheehan, T Clancy, C Pietropaolo, K O’Donoghue. Subs: L Moore for J Bryan (49), C O’Driscoll for K O’Donoghue (57), S O’Donoghue for D Murphy (58). Also C Murray (inj). Referee: Peter Watson (Kildorrery).
Round 2 division 1 Rebel Óg East U15 Hurling Championship
Youghal 1-18 St Catherines 0-11
St Catherines started off well enough and were ahead at 0-06 to 0-02 to the end of the opening quarter and beyond of this tie. Billed for Magners Hill, relocated and played at Copper Alley grounds at 7pm on Monday evening, July 17th. Somewhat against the run of play and it was a Ciaran Hehir goal on 19 minutes initiated the turn around. Inflicting serious damage and with three further players on target it was the Seasiders ahead on a half time scoreline standing at 1-07 to 0-06.
Now favoured by the conditions and the home team were gradually able to build on that. In fairness, Shane O’Donoghue was defiant between the sticks. Outside of him, James Kenneally is getting stronger, more confident displaying glimpses of real class. Julian Pietropaolo always tries his heart out. Now doing well in the hurling and pony world. Loves sport. Further up and out the field points from Alan Cotter, Kyle O’Donoghue, Callum O’Driscoll and in particular Tristan Clancy meant it was still at 1-12 to 0-09 and 1-15 to 0-10 to 58 minutes. Finn Coleman and Keelan Ansboro were good too for Youghal and deserved their win. Imminent championship fixtures will be against Cobh in football and in hurling it’s Watergrasshill.
Scorers: T. Clancy (0-02 frees) (0-05), K O’Donoghue (0-03), A Cotter (0-02 and C O’Driscoll (0-01). Youghal scorers: F Coleman (0-08 frees) (0-09), K Ansboro (0-03), C Hehir (1-00), T O’Brien (0-02), J Brennan, B Griffin, D Coleman and C Galvin (0-01 each).
St Catherine’s team: S O’Donoghue, C Higgins, J Kenneally, B O’Connor, S Walsh, J Pietropaolo, C Barry, A Cotter, L Moore, B Aherne, T Clancy, T Walsh, J O’Connor, K O’Donoghue, C O’Driscoll. Subs: E Dillon for C Higgins (second half), L Kilmartin for J O’Connor (40). Referee: Arthur Murphy (Killeagh).
Next on your fixture list
Friday, July 28th at Ballynoe, round 2 Rebel Óg East U13 Football League v Carrigtwohill at 7pm. Monday, July 31st round 3 division 1 Rebel Óg East U15 Hurling Championship in Watergrasshill at 7pm. Also round 1 division 4 Rebel Óg East U12 Hurling League in Crosshaven at 7pm. Wednesday, August 2nd at Ballynoe round 1 division 1 Rebel Óg East U17 (Minor) Hurling Championship v Bride Rovers at 7pm.
Sympathy
Only two weeks on from Johnny’s passing and this week again we offer our condolences to Jerry Fitzgerald, Garrycaheragh, Ballynoe on the sad death of his brother-in-law Michael O’Reilly, Mitchelsfort, Watergrasshill, wife Noreen’s brother. Ar dheis Dé to raibh a anam dílis.
Latest lotto results
1, 5, 17 and 24 were the numbers drawn from last Monday night’s lotto. It was not won. €30 consolation winners were – Mary Delaney, Carrigmore, Conna, Eileen Kearney, c/o PH, John O’Mahony, Ballynoe, Nora and Lucy Ryan, phone number given, John G Barry, Kilcor, Castlelyons. Which means the next lotto draw on Monday night, July 31st at 9.30pm in the clubrooms, Ballynoe will have a jackpot of €15,800.
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.
