St Catherine's Notes (Jan 12th)

• Jan 12,2024

Now preparation starts in earnest as Saints reach All-Ireland Final

 

Semi-final AIB sponsored All-Ireland County Junior Hurling Championship

St Catherines 0-12 Easkey (Sligo) 0-11

It didn’t do us any harm this year. Now as top seeds the Saints are again positioned in group C of the Premier Junior Hurling Championship for 2024. Draws for all grades and both codes made last Thursday night. Just shift to the back burner for now. As focus moves from the Barrs, Glen and Argideen Rangers to Easkey of Sligo.

So who are Easkey? It’s derived from the Irish Iascaigh meaning ‘abounding in fish’. Well known for water sports, especially surfing. Being located on the Wild Atlantic Way. Formed in 1888 and incorporating the rural hinterlands of Rathlee, Killeenduff and Owenbeg and Easkey are one of the oldest GAA clubs in Sligo. Known locally as the Sea Blues, info stashed somewhere in the brain leaving Ballynoe. Just over 3 hours later pull into Duggan Park, on Harris Road, Ballinasloe to face the Western representatives in the All-Ireland Junior Hurling Championship semi-final on Saturday afternoon last at 1.30pm. Commencing exactly on time. Both teams taking a while to settle before Matthew Mulcahy, working hard, fired the Saints ahead with the lead point from a difficult angle on 3 minutes. Yet within 90 seconds the talented and skilful Andrew Kilcullen pointed the equaliser from an exquisitely struck sideline ball straight across from the covered stand which was the way the stiffish breeze appeared to be blowing. Though slightly favouring the team playing towards the scoreboard side. Initiating an intense period where two evenly and well-matched teams took it in turns in gaining ascendancy. Biggest margin between them was 0-06 to 0-05 at the end of a low scoring opening half hour.

Now it was the Saints’ turn in gaining the upper hand. Points from Brian Mulcahy and Sean O’Donoghue had it at 0-08 to 0-06 to 38 minutes. Just to show you how tight it was the response was three unanswered points, including a third from Finnian Cawley and the lead point once more from the influential Rory McHugh. Standing now at 0-09 to 0-08 just to the end of the third quarter. Clearly anyone’s game. As the hardworking Shane Cotter was able to find Kyle Wallace and the Saints and Easkey were upsides each other for the sixth and last time. It being 0-09 all to 47 minutes. A few changes forthcoming before Eoin Davis points a placed ball from distance and it looked as if the newly crowned Munster Champions would drive on. Eoin Condon with his second score stretched it out and score stood at 0-12 to 0-09. Twenty-six minutes gone in the second half. But Easkey and in particular forward Kilcullen were a threat right to the end.

Sweetest sound of the day? Surely that of Peter Owens’ full time whistle. Sending Saints’ players, mentors and supporters alike into raptures. Final place secured. Scheduled for early January. Just a week after Strictly! Wow!

Scorers: K Wallace and S O’Donoghue (0-02 frees) (0-03 each), M Mulcahy and E Condon (0-02 each), B Mulcahy and E Davis (free) (0-01 each). Easkey scorers: A Kilcullen (0-03 frees) (0-01 sideline cut) (0-06), F Cawley (0-03), M Gordon and R McHugh (0-01 each).

St Catherine’s team: E Davis, F O’Connell, E O’Riordan (joint captain), L O’Connor, K O’Donoghue, O Fitzgerald, K Neville, K Wallace, S Cotter, W Leamy, R Galvin, S O’Donoghue, B Mulcahy, E Condon, M Mulcahy. Subs: K Barry for M Mulcahy 943), G O’Brien for W Leamy 951), C Hegarty (joint captain) for K O’Donoghue (52), E Wallace for L O’Connor (57). Referee: Peter Owens (Down).

Final Division 1 Rebel Óg East U17 Hurling League

St Catherines 3-13 St Colmans 2-11

A first significant win for the Saints since the emergence of these two teams. There were a pair of back-to-back gut-wrenching defeats before a draw below in Cloyne on the last Sunday of September secured the Saints a divisional championship final place. A commendable first half performance laying the foundation for a well-earned five point success from this hurling league final when played under the lights with occasional light rainfall prevailing at Ballynoe on Wednesday evening, December 13^th.

Three first half goals inflicting such damage on a visibly improving opposition that they just couldn’t recover from. Two finished off by the ever threatening John Temple. Team captain Ciaran Pietropaolo picking out the strategically well-located Gearoid Sheehan for another. Enough to establish a 13 point advantage on a half time scoreline standing at 3-07 to 0-03.

A Charlie O’Dwyer goal hinting at a possible recovery 8 minutes into the second half. Goaling direct from a placed ball and the skilful, stylish James O’Brien had it at 3-10 to 2-07 right at the end of the third quarter. But with Cian McCarthy and Evan O’Driscoll defending stoutly and substitute Kyle O’Donoghue and the hardworking ‘Chips’ Murphy adding to the tally the title was going to the home based team. Martin Leahy, Officer Rebel Óg East making the post match presentation.

Scorers: J Temple (2-04), D O’Connell (0-03 frees) (0-04), G Sheehan (1-00), C Hayes, C Leamy, K O’Donoghue, C Pietropaolo and D Murphy (0-01 each). St Colman’s scorers: J O’Brien (1-06 frees) (1-08), C O’Dwyer (1-00), S Murtagh, Y Hallahan and L Fitzgerald (0-01 each).

St Catherine’s team: Jake Bryan, Gearoid O’Callaghan McCarthy, Cian McCarthy, Timmy Barry, Diarmuid O’Donovan, Tristan Clancy, Diarmuid O’Connell, Conor Hayes, Diarmuid Chips Murphy, Ciaran Pietropaolo (team captain), Ciaran Leamy, Cillian Hickey, John Temple, Gearoid Sheehan. Subs: Kyle O’Donoghue for Cillian Hickey (37), Julian Pietropaolo for Gearoid O’Callaghan McCarthy (40). Also: Liam Moore, Conor Murray, Jacky Hickey and Thomas Dee. Referee: Michael Carey (Bride Rovers).

Annual General Meeting Report

Billed as the most important off-field activity of the year and the AGM of our club was held in Lacken Hall up there in Glengoura on Saturday night, December 9^th. Outgoing chairman Tom Morrison in addressing a sizeable gathering declaring that maybe everything wouldn’t be rosy in the garden. Despite recent first team championship success before people not seen at matches for years that they will revert to Premier Junior again next year. It’s the county rather than the All-Ireland Final that decide all. Twelve months on from his initial appointment and it was obvious Denis Walsh would leave ‘no stone unturned’ in ensuring the team reaches its full potential. Early indications were good. Winning four of the nine games on offer in division 4 of the Red Fm County Hurling League. But as we all know championship is what counts.

It was tough going in the Junior B Hurling Championship. But achieved a great result in maintaining their status when overcoming Lisgoold in a relegation play-off. While the Saints were unlucky when losing out to eventual victors Dungourney in extra time of the East Cork Junior B Football Championship semi-final. Though encountering difficult and demanding conditions starting out and again at the end of the season, field chairman Billy Neville was thanked for his work in the facilities. That goes too for loyal servant Pat Hartigan. While Tom Waxer Murphy always has the pitches well cut and trimmed in the course of the playing season. Well done to the club committee under the chairmanship of Ed Galvin in finishing third in the Imokilly Safe Club awards. T&A and Mulcahy Steel were thanked for their sponsorship of the respective clubs, be it parent or juvenile as were the general public for participation in Rebels’ Bounty and the club’s weekly lotto draw. Major upcoming fundraiser Strictly St Catherines is sponsored by New Ireland Assurance.

Not seeking re-election the outgoing chairman was grateful for the contribution from all players, officers and committee members. Included in that would be child protection officer, Ber Feeney, physio John O’Meara and Irish/Cultural officer Marie Clancy in a year when St Catherines enjoyed success in Scór Sinnsir and particularly at Scór na bPáistí. Cathal Leahy and Ronan Clancy were or are involved with the players’ injury fund. Speaking apologetically if anyone was omitted from the last two years of tenure.

Briefly and on request club president Billy O’Connell singled out the achievements of the club’s first choice hurling team. Glowing tributes were paid to treasurer Richard Hegarty’s financial report, read and adopted.

In an always efficient and well-prepared report secretary Eleanor Galvin from U21 up went through performances and results in both league and championship games. Although the juvenile AGM had been held, mention must still be reserved for the success of Curraglass School in the girls’ Sciath na Scol football decider. As with the Ballynoe boys winning their first ever football decider. Mention too of Ally Mulkerrins winning an All-Ireland U16 camogie medal. Laura Hayes a member of the county senior team too strong for Waterford in the senior final about a week later. In an emotional conclusion, wishing the new occupant all the best.

Denis Walsh and Liam O’Connor were returned as first team hurling and football managers. Following the equivalent juvenile meeting, chairman Shane Fitzgerald, Lisa Moore as secretary and treasurer Eric Flynn were ratified in their appointments by the parent club.

Breakdown on membership being adults and third level students using the gym €200. Non-playing adult members using gym €200. Adult players not using gym €100. Non-playing adult €60. Second level student players O18 €60. 10-18 age group €50. From age 9 down €30.

Just a little resume on overall event. It being the third time the AGM was held at the venue. Others being the end of November in both 2015 and 2019. Newly elected chairman Ed Galvin previously served twice as secretary. Taking in November 2002 to November 2008 and again November 2010 to November 2011. Eleanor Galvin served as secretary of the underage section for a 9-year term previously. She is now assistant secretary. Brian Davis is new secretary of St Catherine’s GAA Club.

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.