St Catherines GAA Notes.
- Dec 01,2023
Saints into provincial Junior Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Two second half goals were hugely influential in helping the Saints secure a well-earned eight point victory over Waterford champions Ardmore in the AIB Munster Junior Hurling quarter-final when played in Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Saturday afternoon last.
Elsewhere a week of mixed emotions on the juvenile pitches. Winning their division 4 U12 hurling league final after incurring a heavy loss to Bantry Blues in their division 2 U15 football championship semi-final on bank holiday Monday, October 30th. Read on.
Quarter-final AIB sponsored Munster Junior Hurling Championship
Ardmore 1-11 St Catherines 2-16
In what can only be described as a teak tough challenge it was the Saints who deservedly emerged victorious from this provincial junior hurling championship quarter final played on tacky underfoot conditions at Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Saturday afternoon last. Clare based referee Joe Mullins throwing in the sliotar right on the scheduled 1.30pm starting time. With Kenny Murphy shooting Ardmore ahead with their only first half score from open play inside 30 seconds. Thereafter an opening quarter dominated by the free taking skills of Sean O’Donoghue and Seamus Keating with two well matched teams together on 5 occasions including 0-05 each to 20 minutes and again 0-06 all to 26 when the Saints began to compile some semblance of control and authority. Four unanswered points in a five minute spell setting up a lead on a half time scoreline standing at 0-10 to 0-06.
A lead halved through the opening passages of play on the turnover when following imposing Eoin Condon approach play, ideally placed Matthew Mulcahy picked his spot. Finishing off the game’s and the Saints’ opening goal. Eoin Davis would quickly add his third pointed free. Thus making it 1-11 to 0-08 to 36 minutes.
Keating still reliable from placed balls before corner forward James Flavin evaded his marker. Finishing off the opposition goal. Trimming the deficit to a 3 point margin being 1-12 to 1-09 to 42 minutes.
Catherines making sensible use of the bench. Nathan Sheehan pointing a beauty before playing a part in Brian Mulcahy’s and Catherine’s match-winning second goal on 59 minutes. Next up are Tipperary representatives Ballinahinch in the penultimate round at a Cork venue on week ending November 18th/19th.
Scorers: S O’Donoghue (0-07 frees), B Mulcahy (1-02), M Mulcahy (1-01), E Davis (0-04 frees), R Galvin and N Sheehan (0-01 each). Ardmore scorers: S Keating (0-09 frees), J Flavin (1-00), K Murphy and C Keating (0-01 each0.
St Catherine’s team: E Davis, F O’Connell, E O’Riordan (joint captain), L O’Connor, K O’Donoghue, O Fitzgerald, C Hegarty (joint captain), K Wallace, S Cotter, W Leamy, R Galvin, S O’Donoghue, B Mulcahy, E Condon, M Mulcahy. Subs: K Neville for F O’Connell (41), N Sheehan for W Leamy (46), K Barry for M Mulcahy (54), J Neville for K O’Donoghue (61). Referee: Joe Mullins (Clare).
Juvenile report
Semi-final Coiste na nÓg U15 Football Championship Division 2
Bantry Blues 6-15 St Catherines 3-03
Initial disappointment at defeat would be understandable. But realistically the Saints can’t bear any grudges. Well beaten by a pacy, slick moving Bantry Blues fifteen in this Coiste na nÓg semi-final played on the 4G pitch at back of south stand in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on bank holiday Monday, October 30th at 3.30pm. Thankfully horrendous rainfall had given way, and it was a contest played in distinct autumn sunshine. Not a breeze relevant.
Oisín Murphy giving the opposition the lead. Pointing the game’s opening score on 30 seconds. Eoghan O’Mahony with a timely equaliser shortly afterwards. Thereafter a contest dominated virtually ran by the aforementioned Murphy. A hattrick of goals done and dusted by 8 minutes, adding a fourth 3 minutes later. In all he registered a tally of 4-06. Two points from placed balls. 4-05 coming in a devastating first half display of finishing.
In what seemed a score coming against the run of play, Jaydn O’Connor, all on his own, finished off the opening Saints’ goal just at the end of the quarter hour mark. Showing there was still life in the Saints, taking an Alan Cotter pass and Tristan Clancy billowed the roof of the opposition goal for one of the scores of the day just before the break. Bantry Blues ahead on a half time scoreline standing at 4-09 to 2-01.
Dan Joe O’Neill and Colin McCarthy finished off any lingering hopes of survival. Goaling twice in the opening 3 minutes of the turnover. Liam Moore kicked a smashing point. A championship tie finishing off with a well taken Ronan Hickey goal from a thundering strike right at the death. Result long decided though. County Final should be on next weekend.
Scorers: J O’Connor (0-01 free) (1-01), T Clancy and R Hickey (1-00 each), E O’Mahony and L Moore (0-01 each). Bantry Blues scorers: O Murphy (0-02 frees) (4-06), DJ O’Neill (1-02), C McCarthy (1-01), R O’Boy and R Kennan (0-01 free each) (0-02 each), D Dullea and J Sheehan (0-01 each).
St Catherine’s team: Shane O’Donoghue (capt), Shay McCarthy, James Kenneally, Cathal Barry, Sean Walsh, Kyle O’Donoghue, Ronan Hickey, Liam Moore, Tristan Clancy, Billy Aherne, Julian Pietropaolo, Alan Cotter, Callum O’Driscoll, Jaydn O’Connor, Eoghan O’Mahony. Subs: Tadhg Walsh for James Kenneally (32), Liam Kilmartin for Callum O’Driscoll (36), Tomás Morrison for Cathal Barry (40), Eoin Dillon for Eoghan O’Mahony (45), Cathal Higgins for Billy Aherne (48). Referee: Brian Barrett (Douglas).
Final Division 4 Rebel Óg East U12 Hurling League
St Catherines 1-08 St Colmcilles 1-06
An age group closing out their season following a hard-earned success from this evenly contested U12 hurling league final when played under the lights at Ballynoe on Wednesday evening, November 1st. Mist and light rainfall prevailing. Though thankfully no sign of the much-publicised storm Ciaran. Both teams taking a while to settle in. Carthach Kelleher intensifying the atmosphere. Pouncing for the lead goal on 5 minutes. In response the home-based team coming much more into it. A few points, both frees and general play forthcoming. Noah Keane among the scorers. Then, bang, the key moment.
There can be no doubt there was only one thing on David Temple’s mind. Collecting the sliotar before crashing it to the roof of the net with aplomb on 22 minutes. To all forwards that’s what you’re supposed to do isn’t it?!
Catherines ahead on an interval scoreline of 1-05 to 1-02. Remember U12 leagues are 25 minutes a-side. A lead quickly extended by the always influential Kenneth O’Connell three minutes into the change of ends. With St Colmcilles, a combination of Carrig na bhFear and Whites Cross closing in, he was on target again from a placed ball having it at 1-07 to 1-05 now 13 minutes into the second half. With the opposition laying siege to the Saints’ goal in those hectic, demanding closing minutes. Replacement Olan Sheehan hurled some nice ball. As did Darragh Kenneally. Between the posts Padraig O’Sullivan was on top of his game. Making many crucial, timely match-winning stops. Allied to the staunch, inspiring defending of Sean O’Keeffe and in particular Sean Moore at fullback. Make sure this wasn’t easy. Everything had to be earned. As it should be. A deserving title. Something not looking likely say six months ago. Plaudits too to mentors Ed Aherne, Shane O’Brien, Pat O’Sullivan, Tim O’Connor and manager Martin O’Keeffe. They were always nice to the players encouraging them all the way. What a moment as Martin Leahy, Rebel Óg made the post-match presentation. Captain Gary Leahy the recipient. Carrying out his post-match duties with honour and respect. Enjoy the rest of the year lads. Hope the man with the red suit and white beard comes down that chimney.
Scorers: D Temple (1-03), K O’Connell (0-02 frees) (0-04) and N Keane (0-01). St Catherine’s team: Padraig O’Sullivan, Gary Leahy (captain), Sean Moore, Tadhg Shiels. Jack Mulkerrins, Sean O’Keeffe, Zach Pyne, Kenneth O’Connell, Aaron O’Gorman, Sean Maguire, Noah Keane, Brian Coakley, Cian Fitzgerald, David Temple, James Bryan. Also: Adam O’Connor, Jack Kearney, Olan Sheehan, Oisín Feeney, Darragh Kenneally and Adam Coakley. Referee: Mike Carey (Bride Rovers).
What’s coming up?
No definite fixtures. But outstanding are a division one U15 hurling Plate Final v Colmans and a division 1 U16 hurling league Final v Bride Rovers. There is still a division 1 U17 hurling league final with St Colmans to be played and an U17 division 2 football Plate Final against Mayfield. Expect a resumption in the group stages of the divisional U21 championship.
Big honour
Well done to Bride Rovers chairman Pa O’Driscoll who refereed the recent Castlehaven/Nemo Rangers Bon Secours County Senior Football Championship Final.
Imokilly Safe Club Awards
Croke Park health and safety team undertook a pilot Safe Club Awards Scheme in East Cork in 2023 to raise awareness of safety, reducing risks and ultimately making GAA grounds safer for everyone. This initiative involved clubs performing safety audits of their grounds and being audited by an external auditor. A function was held in Midleton Park Hotel for all clubs, where prizes were given out by Shay Bannon, Chair of Health and Safety and Patrick O’Brien, Croke Park. St Catherines performed well and came in joint third place amongst all clubs in the division.
St Catherine’s committee undertook several safety walks during the year which helped identify and correct items in the grounds that could become safety hazards. One of the most visible changes is the new electronic scoreboard which no longer requires the use of a ladder. Initiatives like Safe Club help ensure that the grounds remain a very safe place for members, visitors and the wider Parish community. Congratulations and well done to the club safety committee lead by Safe Club officer, Ed Galvin.
Lotto
Being a bank holiday last week’s lotto draw was held in the clubrooms, Ballynoe on Tuesday night, October 31st. Numbers drawn were 5, 16, 17 and 23 and the jackpot wasn’t won. Consolation winners on the night were Noelle Egan, Conna, Caroline Jones, TVM Bartlemy, Una Sheehan, Glentrasna, Ballynoe, Michael Kenneally, Shean, Ballyduff and Helen Arnold, online. Most recent draw with a jackpot standing at €18,600 was held in the clubrooms, Ballynoe on Monday night last, November 6th at 9pm. Results on the way.
St Catherine’s GAA Club Sponsors
T&A Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Ballynoe are sponsors of St Catherine’s GAA Club. Mulcahy Steel are sponsors of St Catherine’s Juvenile GAA Club.
