East Cork GAA Notes.

  • Aug 15,2023

By Kieran McGann PRO East Cork GAA


East Cork GAA Notes Week ended 14.8.23.

 

East Cork Oil Junior A Hurling Championship.


The second round of the East Cork Oil Junior A Hurling Championship games took place on Sunday 13th.  In this round the three clubs with first teams in the competition St Ita’s. Carrignabhfear and Cobh were pitted against last week’s winners.

 

St Ita’s 0-17 Bride Rovers 0-13 


Bride Rovers fought hard all the way in this second round JAHC game in Cloyne on Sunday evening, but St Ita’s held out for a very important result.  Rovers had lost Ml Liddane and Ml Collins through injury from their first-round game plus Cian O’Connor and Louis Roche who were promoted to their senior team against Killeagh the night before.  Conditions were a bit wet, but the pitch was in great order, and it was Rovers who made the early running as they led 0-7 to 0-2 at one stage but St Ita’s pulled them back to 0-9 apiece by half time.


Jason Pratt did well on Cork star Shamie Harnedy and Conor Barry had a good game in the middle and on the frees for Rovers.  However, Ciarán O Brien, Bobby McCarthy, and Ml Lillis who was just back from his honeymoon held well at the back for St Ita’s while Harnedy kept the scoreboard lively with frees and Daniel Hickey scored 0-3 and Cathal Dean 0-1 to see out St Ita’s winners by four points. 



St Ita's Séamus Harnedy with sliotar in hand is tackled by Jason Pratt Bride Rovers in their JAHC game in Cloyne (Photo Denis O'Flynn)


Carrignabhfear 0-16 Carrigtwohill 1-11.


This second round East Cork JAHC between Carrigtwohill’s second team and Carrignabhfear first team and favourites for the Jamsie Kelleher this years was played in Watergrasshill on Sunday evening.  There were a lot of frees to either side in the first half and the going was tough.  Carrigtwohill led 0-7 to 0-6 on the run into half time but they were hauled back by a hardworking Carrigtwohill outfit to 0 -7 apiece at half time.

 

Carrignabhfear were slightly the better team in the second half as James Forde was in good form off the frees and land a total of 0-10, with John Forde 0-1, Sean O’Donoghue, and Jack Aherne landing 0-1 after a trip up from full back.  With their back especially Timmy Geaney and Jack Aherne they did well to hold off late pressure from Carrigtwohill.  However, Carrigtwohill had lost Seamus Roche through injury and Sean Brennan, promoted to senior rank, from the first game while David Rooney, David Joseph, and Luke Kelly O’Regan who managed 1-6 from frees done well but it was not enough on the day.


Cobh 0-22 Killeagh 1-16


Cobh who are very interested to get to the shake up in this year’s JAHC had three points to spare over Killeagh’s second outfit in Dungourney on Sunday evening.   Diarmuid Kearney did well for Cobh with o-19 and Eoin Cullimore scored 0-3.  Killeagh’s Daniel Walsh played ell especially on the frees and Matthew Murphy at centre forward was strong as he fetched and distributed a lot of ball.  Cork U20 star Timmy Wilkes operating at wing back had a great game especially when needed as Killeagh pressed very hard for an equaliser towards the end.


A return to Michael O’Connor Motor Factors East Cork Football Championships 

 

There is a spate of games down for decision in various grades of the football championship this coming weekend with a relegation final and two quarter finals down for decision in the Junior A grade. The fixtures are as follows.

Fixtures.

Wednesday 16th August.

  • JAFC:  Relegation Final:  Glenbower Rovers v Erin’s Own in Cloyne at 7pm.

Friday 18th August.

  • JAFC:  Qr Final:  Midleton v Lisgoold in Aghavine at 7pm
  • JBFC:  Erins Own v Cobh; Venue TBC at 6pm.
  • JCFC:  Glenville v Aghada in Castlemartyr at 7.15pm.
  • JCFC:  St Catherines v Carrignabhfear at Watergrasshill at 7.15pm.

Saturday 19th August.

  • JCFC:  Lisgoold v Bride Rovers in Watergrasshill at 3pm.
  • JCFC:  Midleton v Carrigtwohill in Dungourney at 7pm.
  • JCFC:  Fr O’Neills v Ballinacurra; Venue TBC at 7pm.

Sunday 20th August.

  • JAFC Qr Final:  Carrignabhfear v Bride Rovers in Glenville at 6pm.
  • JBFC:   St Catherines v Russell Rovers in Caherlag at 7pm.
  • JBFC:  Glanmire v Dungourney in Lisgoold at 7.30pm

Monday 21st August 

  • JCFC:  Glanmire v Glenbower Rovers Venue TBC at 7.15pm.


Co-Op Superstores Cork County Hurling Championships.

 

The county hurling championship really came to life last weekend as teams had to fight for survival and keep their season alive.  This led so great games across all grades.  The going is getting tough for a few clubs could who be out in two weeks unless they win a game however most East Cork Clubs are motoring well.

Premier SHC

Sarsfields 1-26 St Finbarrs 3-17.

Fr O Neills 0-16 Douglas 1-16.

Erins Own 0-17 Charleville 0-17.

Midleton 3-19 Glen Rovers 1-13.


Sarsfields are back in business with a great win over champions St Finbarrs. 1-11 from Ben Cunnigham for Barrs was matched with good shooting by Aaron Myers who put over 0-10 with 0-2 of them from play.  Sarsfield had Jack O’Connor and Daniel Kearney in great form too and now top their group. A great team display enabled Fr O’Neills to stay with Douglas right to the end but despite a massive effort they could not get that goal in the end to bring them level.  They still have a chance to qualify but must get past Erin’s Own in the next round.


Midleton down a point at half time and despite losing Conor Lehane really came good in the second half to defeat Glen Rovers by 0-12. Midleton had a mixture of youth and experience with Luke Farrell scoring 2-1 and are now game on against any opposition.

Erins Own had a fierce battle with Charleville who were minus Darragh Fitzgibbon. Eoghan Murphy landed a leveller from a free for East Cork deep into injury time.  They now play Fr O’Neills in an East Cork derby in the next round, and this should be a cracker.



Conor Lehane in Action for Midleton against Glen Rovers in the Premier Senior Hurling Championship at the week end (Picture Denis O'Flynn).

Senior A Hurling Championship.

Bride Rovers 1-17 Killeagh 1-15.

Carrigtwohill 1-19 Cloyne 1-11.


Bride Rovers defeated Killeagh by just 0-2 in Midleton on Saturday evening.  This was a game intensity as the exchanges were physical as the score was close all through. There was a right shootout between free takers Adam Walsh Rovers 0-10 (0-2 play) and Dylan McCarthy 0-10 Killeagh.  Rovers did look the better team and had a greater spread of scorers, but this Killeagh team are improving too.


The East Cork Derby of Carrigtwohill and Cloyne saw Carrig dominate for much of the game and lead by five points early the second half, but Cloyne showed great heart, converted a penalty and Brian Walsh added a point to leave just the minimum in it.  However, Carrig came back to dominate the run in and now top Group C.


Adam Walsh Bride Rovers in Action against Killeagh in the Senior A Hurling Championship at the week end (Picture Denis O'Flynn).

Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Castlelyons 1-17 Dungourney 0-7

Castlemartyr 3-16 Kilworth 1-15

Watergrasshill 0-18 Ballinhassig 0-18.


Castlelyons recorded a facile victory over a weak Dungourney side in Rathcormac on Sunday and had thirteen points to spare at the end.  Dungourney never rose to the flow of the game at all while Castlelyons were very sharp all through as Colm Spillane lorded it at centre back, well helped by Leon Doocey at wing back and star of the show Alan Fenton delivered 0-10 from frees and play in a team on top in all sectors.


Castlemartyr still without Ciarán Joyce were sharp from the start in their game with Kilworth and rattled up 2-3 before Kilworth managed to register a score.  Goals win games and Castlemartyr got three of them courtesy of Joe Stack, Conor White and Jack McGann and won by seven points in the end of a good game.  This was a big win for Castlemartyr and Kilworth are now left with a fight in their hands to preserve their status.


The men of the championship so far must be Watergrasshill.  Now with five draws and unbeaten in two years they are still not sure of going through this year.  This latest game was against a very fancied Ballinhassig side, but they hung on for a most commendable draw. This was a great team effort with Aiden Foley good in goal, Daire O’ Leary in the backs and Shane O’Regan with 0-7 from frees.


Anthony Spillane Castlelyons in action against Dungourney in the Premier Intermediate Hurling championship in Rathcormac.

Intermediate A Hurling Championship

Lisgoold 2-17 Aghada 0-22

Youghal 1-14 Aghabullogue 2-22

Midleton 0-15 Douglas 0-14.

Sarsfields 1-16 Blackrock 1-19


Lisgoold and Aghada played in Dungourney before a big crowd and both teams gave it their all.  Aghada had a player dismissed early in the game. Cork U20 star James Healy scored 2-2 and John Cashman with 0-8 were the Lisgoold stars in a good team display despite a great fight from Aghada as Will Leahy and Charlie scored 0-6 and that great warrior Pierse O’Neill scored 0-2.  Youghal were not good enough for Aghabullogue.  Bill Cooper had an early goal and is showing good form again for Youghal, but they now need a win in the next game to hold their status. Sarsfields second team played a same status Blackrock but lost out by three points while Midleton’s second team with Aaron Mulcahy scoring 0-8 moved to the knockout stage with a one-point win over Douglas.   

Premier Junior Hurling Championship.

Erins Own 2-12 Argideen Rovers 1-13.

Russell Rovers 3-17 St Finbarrs 0-11.

St Catherines 3-14 Meelin 1-20.


Erins Own are right in the mix in their group as they defeated Argideen Rangers by four points and their next game is against Tracton who have no win from two.  Russell Rovers had a big win over the Barrs with two goals from Mark Dwyer and one from Bud Hartnett.  St Catherines are making strong progress and remain unbeaten as they drew with Meelin in a great game in Kildorrery. Catherines next game will be against Russell Rovers in yet another East Cork derby and this is eagerly awaited.


Junior B Hurling Championship 

Watergrasshill 2-12 Castlelyons 0-15.


This game was played in Carrignabhfear last week and Watergrasshill got off to a great start with a quick goal.  They led 2-5 to 0-8 at half time and held it all through.  The game was keenly contested and not without incident.  There was some periods of great hurling for Junior B level and a little wayward shooting by Castlelyons.  Watergrasshill look very strong at this grade too and will take some beating.


 

The Watergrasshill Junior B Hurling team.



The Castlelyons Junior B Hurling team.


Ronan Fenton Castlelyons about to gain possession in the JBHC game versus Watergrasshill in Carrignabhfear.


Outstanding facilities for games in East Cork.


There are a huge number of games this time of year at Adult, Rebel Óg, Camogie and the LGFA.  Training alone places a serious demands on playing facilities. Attending the games at a spate of venues this year about East Cork from Youghal to Carrignabhfear one could not but notice good stewarding, traffic management, and quality pitches. There are huge attendances at so many games and many disappointed they cannot attend more games as they are played at the one time.  


Former East Cork, County Board Chairperson & Munster Council Rep, Ger Lane, was not afraid to roll up the sleeves and work while in charge for two huge gates recently in Rathcormac between Fr O’Neills v Charleville and Castlelyons v Dungourney and the whole set up was a credit to the Rovers Club.  Cork hurling legend John Fenton was on the gate in Midleton, and this great commitment is the scene with all our clubs.  Thanks to the clubs who make their pitches available for East Cork games and to the hardworking volunteers who manage and assist at the various venues. 

Ger Lane working at the Bride Rovers Grounds for the Castlelyons v Dungourney game on Sunday.

Special Appeal for Referees and a Training Course on September 14th and 21st

Folks we have seven clubs in East Cork with no referee.  We have several critics of referees in every club, and it would be so much better if all clubs had a few referees.  The clubs who have no referees should make a special effort to recruit at least one referee as it is vital for our games.  There is a Referee Training Course shortly and if you are interested, please give names timely to the secretary Patrick Mulcahy and register per the Cork GAA Website.   

The Referee Training Course will take place at two venues in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on September 14th and 21st.  The County Referees’ training team will be hosting the event and will equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge required to officiate matches at various levels. The program is designed to provide an immersive and dynamic learning experience, with seasoned referees and instructors on hand. More information about the course will be shared closer to the time for all who register their interests.


Referee Shane Hodgins with the Midleton and Carrigtwohill Captains before throw in of their recent JBHC game.


New Voluntary Cork GAA Stewards Training course.


Are you interested in voluntary stewarding at GAA Games and Concerts? A New Stewards Training Course will take place on Thursday 7th September at 7:00pm in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

To be part of the match day action, the following criteria is required: -

Aged 18 years or older.

Available midweek and/or weekends.

Active and enthusiastic.

Customer focused.

An interest in GAA.

For more information & to sign up – click here https://gaacork.ie/stewards/.



Thanks to our Sponsors: - DP Energy, East Cork Oil, Michael O’Connor Motor Factors and Mulcahy Steel.