As the banner headline aptly puts it, ladies football, camogie and St Catherine’s juvenile GAA club’s annual social takes place this weekend. Little later than usual for obvious reasons. Venue again is the Rochestown Park Hotel on this coming Friday night, March 8^th. Doors 7.15pm. Look, it’s a bit tight. Maybe we’re a tad late. Just check with Niamh Pyne, Margaret Fitzgerald and Lisa Moore re ticket availability. Adults €35 and juveniles priced at €25.

What’s on this weekend

Friday, March 8^th at Eire Óg GAA Pavilion, Ovens, semi-final County Scór na bPáistí at 7.30pm. Friday, March 8^th at Rochestown Park Hotel, camogie, ladies football and juvenile GAA clubs annual social at 7.15pm. Saturday, March 9^th at Lisgoold Community Hall, East Cork Scór Sinnsir Finals at 7.30pm. Sunday, March 10^th round 1 County Hurling League division 4 in Kildorrery at 11.30am. Sunday, March 10^th at Cloyne, round 1 division 2 Rebel Óg East Minor football league v St Colmans at 3pm. Wednesday, March 13^th round 1 division 2 U16 football league in Castlelyons at 7pm. Fixture re-arranged.

Deepest sympathy

It was a busy evening setting out to Midleton on the evening of Wednesday, February 28^th. First to Hyde’s Funeral Parlour offering our condolences to Munster Scór secretary Margaret Whelan and family on the death of her mother-in-law Mary in Leamlara. So sad with brother-in-law John Joe passing away only not long before Christmas. Cross town to Wallis’ Funeral Home as we said our goodbyes to Edmond Ahern, Dungourney, brother of ex-TD Michael and Donal, Maurice and David, all well known in East Cork GAA circles. All at Ahernes were avid deep rooted loyal Dungourney followers. Late sister Alice married in Ballynoe. Sons Paddy, Bill, Cal and Edmond all played for the Saints. Can’t’ beat that bit of rivalry. Ar dheis Dé to raibh a nanamacha dílse.

Cork v Kildare

In what largely has been a struggle Cork have now recorded back-to-back victories. Second coming against the Lily Whites at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon last at 3.30pm. Next game in division 2 of the National Football League will be away to Meath in the middle of the month. Cork are away to Offaly this coming weekend in round 4 of the National Hurling League.

East Cork Scór na bPáistí Finals

Look this is the way we’re doing it from day one on Saturday afternoon last. Stephanie Carr collecting the sean nós dance title. St Catherine’s were runners up in set dancing. But that wouldn’t be enough. No joy for any of the other participants. Double achieved from the second semi-final on Sunday also at 2pm. Caitlin Twomey performing ‘Brave Ireland’ achieving success also for St Catherine’s Hurling Club in the solo singing section. Then teaming up with Lara Byrne, Fira Lane, Isla Ryan and Milena Didek performing ‘Cé at chuirfidh tú liom’ and ‘Lovely Derry’ claiming the ballad group category. Thus forwarding a trio of qualifiers into the county semi-finals at the Éire Óg GAA pavilion in Ovens on Friday night coming, March 8^thwith the Buckley/Casey Cup on tow as strongest Imokilly Club following the East Cork Finals last weekend. Going back to Lisgoold Community Hall for the East Cork Scór Sinnsir Finals on Saturday night coming, March 9^th.

Action from the field of play

Round 1 division 2 East Cork Junior Football League

Midleton 0-06 St Catherines 0-12

Midleton through Aaron Mulcahy had the opening score on 5 minutes. Evan McGrath added a second late in the half. Allan Carr was assured between the posts. Allied to the pace of James Neville and Fionn O’Connell and in between the Saints exercised a grip not for easing. Oisín Fitzgerald and Sean O’Donoghue among the scorers with the visitors now to the good on a half time scoreline standing at 0-06 to 0-02 in the opening division 2 junior football league tie of the season at Clonmult park on Sunday evening last. Further points from Eoin Davis, Kyle Wallace and Evan O’Driscoll helping to maintain the status quo with the Saints running out deserving six point winners at the finish. Good start. Next up will be Cloyne under the lights at Ballynoe on Friday night, March 29^th at 8pm.

Scorers: E Davis (0-02 frees) (0-05), O Fitzgerald, S O’Donoghue and K Wallace (0-02 each) and E O’Driscoll (0-01). Midleton scorers: J Comer (0-01 ’45) (0-02), A Mulcahy, E McGrath, D Cagney and C Daly (free) (0-01 each).

St Catherine’s team: A Carr, F O’Connell, E O’Riordan, J Neville, K Neville, L O’Connor, E O’Driscoll, R Galvin, O Fitzgerald, K Wallace, E Wallace, J Hayes, D O’Connell, E Davis, S O’Donoghue. Subs: E Condon and C Pietropaolo for D O’Connell and J Hayes (40), K O’Donoghue for E Wallace (46), C McCarthy for K Neville (56). Referee: David Butler (Carrigtwohill).

Start of juvenile season

Round 1 division 1 Rebel Óg East U16 Hurling League

St Catherines 2-10 St Finbarrs 0-15

St Catherines survived a formidable St Finbarr’s recovery before procuring success by the slimmest of margins when opening the juvenile competitive season following this U16 hurling league tie in sunny, springlike conditions at Ballynoe on Sunday afternoon last. It was close enough through the early exchanges with the teams together twice on a 0-03 scoreline through 10 minutes. But with Julian Pietropaolo, Callum O’Driscoll and Cathal Higgins on target the home team were in the ascendancy following an Alan Cotter 29^th minute goal and into a lead on a half time scoreline now standing at 1-09 to 0-05.

Ronan Hickey adding a priceless second goal within two minutes of the change of ends as the Barrs, driven in the main by the accurate CJ Barrett, initiated an ominous recovery. Only just coming unstuck.

Scorers: A Cotter (0-03 frees) (1-05), R Hickey (1-00), C Higgins (0-02), J Pietropaolo, C O’Driscoll and T Clancy (0-01 each). St Finbarr’s scorers: CJ Barrett (0-05 frees) (0-01 ’65) (0-12), S Milward, C Murphy and A O’Herlihy (0-01 each).

St Catherine’s team: S O’Donoghue, S McCarthy, E O’Mahony, C Barry, J Kenneally, T Clancy, S Walsh, L Moore, B Aherne, C O’Driscoll, K O’Donoghue, J Pietropaolo, A Cotter, R Hickey, C Higgins. Subs: T Walsh for C Higgins (36), B O’Connor for C Barry (39) L Kilmartin for S Walsh (60). Referee: Michael Carey (Bride Rovers).

Executive meeting

There will be a meeting of the club executive (tonight) Thursday, March 7^th at 9pm.

Big racing festival

Here we are just five days from the greatest horse racing festival. Now that the immediate threat of Covid has moved to the background thousands will descend on the Cotswolds for what is frequently termed the Olympics of horse racing. Many from the immediate area including our own parish. If you’re not going pubs open early, organise in-house leagues (busters). It’s an event that crosses the sporting divide. For the first time in history there are more entries from this country than their UK counterparts for both Cheltenham and the subsequent Aintree National. That almost defies description. High hopes for Barry Connell, Martin Brassil, Henry de Bromhead, Gordon Elliot. But none will travel with more confidence than the Master of Closutton Willie Mullins trying to defend two of the four champion races. He has realistic hopes in the others. Though now El Fabiolo has replaced Energumene for the Queen Mother Chase.

Gallopin Des Champs might well start odd on in the Gold Cup. He possesses an awesome entourage particularly in the novice hurdles. Some of which could start with as many as three or four from the Mullins stable at the head of the betting. So what does one do? A good guide is wait and see which one top yard jockey Paul Townend opts for. Even that won’t always work. Paul Townend picking the wrong one in the first three races from the recent Dublin Festival. Willie still won though. See how powerful he is. If he has a weakness it might surface in the handicaps. But it’s the championship races really count. Sit back. Relax. Turn off the phone. Look forward and enjoy the most enduring four days from the sporting year thus far.

Rebels’ Bounty

Now then why not give it some serious thought. As a club St Catherines have enjoyed some success in it over the years. Include in that a €20,000 jackpot winner. Now we have the return of Rebels’ Bounty. First draw taking place on Thursday, March 28^th with January, February and March draws all taking place on that night. That’s full payment or €10 per month for 10 months direct debit. Giving you two months free. All support is greatly appreciated and of course new members are always welcome.

Lotto draw results

Draw held on Monday night, February 26^th, no winner. Numbers drawn were 1, 19, 20 and 21. Consolation winners were Pat Rumley, c/o PH Conna, Helen O’Connor, Kilclare, Conna, B Kelleher, c/o PH Conna, Eamonn Buggy, Conna, online and Helen Paul, Conna. Most recent draw scheduled for the clubrooms, Ballynoe on Monday night last, March 4^th had an accumulated jackpot of 3,800. Remember Rebels’ Bounty and the weekly lotto draw are the club’s two biggest ongoing fundraisers. Thanking you for your support.

St Catherine’s GAA Club sponsors

T&A Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Ballynoe are sponsors of St Catherine’s GAA Club. Mulcahy Steel sponsor St Catherine’s Juvenile GAA Club.