St Catherine's Notes (12th Apr)
- Apr 12,2024
Great night in Rochestown Park
For understandable reasons that bit later this year. Distractions might be too strong a word. But in the view of what we’re calling outside events, all beyond club control, one should feel chuffed at the attendance showing up for St Catherine’s Camogie, Ladies Football and Juvenile GAA Annual Social on Friday night last. In the main door, up a few flights to the Estuary Suite of the excellent Rochestown Park Hotel for events about to take place. Vocal contributions from John O’Mahony and Shane Fitzgerald and in turn the managers of successful juvenile teams. Most notable Martin O’Keeffe from the U12s along with U15 coach from last year Brian Davis and Brian Sheehan, U18 and 17 football and hurling manager. Chairman David O’Sullivan listed out highlights from the camogie year. Top of the tree surely U14 premier glory. Padraig O’Connor telling us about the U14 and 16 League and Championship double achieved by St Catherine’s newest club. Namely the ladies football. What potential they possess. Medal presenting guests being All-Ireland camogie winners Laura Hayes and Ally Mulkerrins. Along with Eoghan O’Riordan, joint campaign St Catherine’s Premier Junior hurling team. Two dinner vouchers for the host venue drawn on the admission tickets went to James Bryan and Paul Higgins. DJ Johnny D hitting the right notes. Send ‘em home sweating! Great night, always is.
Semi-final of County Scór na bPáistí
Much scrolling of phones striving on what was emerging from the Eire Óg pavilion. With only two taking part thus meaning automatic qualification for Stephanie Carr. Bidding to retain her sean nós dance title. Performing ‘Brave Ireland’ Caitlin Twomey didn’t advance in the solo singing section. But being part of a combination also involving Fira Lane, Isla Ryan, Milena Didek and Lara Byrne singing ‘Cé a chuirfidh tú liom’ and ‘Lovely Derry’ made it through in the ballad group category. Two out of three ‘aint bad! County Scór na bPáistí finals will be on in Ovens on the afternoon of Saturday, March 23rd.
Bartlemy Ballynoe Fermoy Community Employment Scheme
Now then, the above body have a vacancy for a grounds person in St Catherine’s GAA grounds, Ballynoe. Duties include grass cutting, strimming, lining of pitches, cleaning dressing rooms, meeting room, toilets etc, litter picking. 19.5 hours per week. Applicants must meet the Department of Social Protection Community Employment criteria. Eligibility to participate on CE is generally linked to those over 21 years or over and in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment for one year or over. For further information contact Assumpta on 086-3828722 or assumpta@bbfermoyce.ie.
This week’s match reports
Round 1 division 4 Red FM County Hurling League
Kildorrery 0-13 St Catherines 3-15
With a vital Aaron Neville touch it was Brian Mulcahy with the game’s and the visitors’ opening goal who had the Saints off to a positive start from the opening County Hurling League tie in overcast Kildorrery early on Sunday morning last. Though never subsequently headed but with strong play from David Hunter, Michael Walsh, Peter O’Brien and Sean Watson, parity was restored for the first and only time before a late free restored a slender advantage. Enjoying an interval lead on a half time scoreline standing at 1-07 to 0-08.
Quick to resort to the bench and one of the initial replacements Kevin Barry pointing straight away on introduction. Kyle Wallace making inroads saw his goal bound effort kept out by Ian Butler. Following up Sean O’Donoghue forced in the eventual breaking ball. Now 2-09 to 0-10 to 40 minutes. Daylight beginning to appear. O’Donoghue again added the third 8 minutes later. Leaving the Saints in a strong position from there to the finish. Next game and first at home on the itinerary is against Ballyhea the weekend after this.
Scorers: S O’Donoghue (0-02 frees) (2-03), B Mulcahy (1-02), K Wallace (0-030, R Galvin (0-02), K O’Donoghue, K Barry, N Sheehan, P Griffin and E Davis (free) (0-01 each). Kildorrery scorers: L Keating (0-04 frees) (0-07), P O’Brien (0-01 free) (0-04), and S Watson (0-02).
St Catherine’s team: E Davis, F O’Connell, E O’Riordan, P Keane, J Neville, O Fitzgerald, C Hegarty, K O’Donoghue, K Wallace, N Sheehan, R Galvin, G O’Brien, B Mulcahy, A Neville, S O’Donoghue. Subs: K Neville, J Hayes and K Barry for P Keane, K O’Donoghue and G O’Brien (all second half), W Leamy for N Sheehan (42), T O’Donnell for B Mulcahy (48), C McAuliffe for J Neville (56), P Griffin for A Neville (57). Referee: Colm Maher (Buttevant).
Round 1 division 2 East Cork Junior Hurling League
St Catherines 2-18 Watergrasshill 2-10
Harry Draper had the vital touch for the early first goal. Well-earned points from Evan O’Driscoll and Ciaran Pietropaolo, two of last year’s underage recruits, duly followed with the Saints off to a lively start when this divisional junior hurling league tie went ahead under the lights in bitterly cold conditions at Ballynoe on Thursday night last at 8pm. Ryan Loftus with the first of his two goals ensured an emphatic response when one of the defining moments materialised. A busy Gearoid O’Brien setting up a rampaging Kevin Barry to finish off the second goal for the home-based team. Before adding a point himself. Helping to establish a lead of double scores at 2-06 to 1-03 to 17 minutes with the Saints still ahead on an interval scoreline now standing at 2-11 to 2-06.
A brace of points from substitute Brian Davis, the second a score of exquisite beauty kept the status quo going against rallying opposition on a 2-12 to 2-09 scoreline to 40 minutes. James McCarthy and Ronan Clancy reliable from placed balls allowing the Saints use up a full quota of replacements in collecting the points on offer and winning a high scoring division two hurling league encounter on an end scoreline 2-18 to 2-10. After a two-and-a-half-year absence we welcome back Bride Rovers official Mark Murphy to the refereeing ranks after an injury. He tells us originally picked up in Ballynoe. Back to the scene of the crime!
Scorers: K Barry (1-04), R Clancy (0-06 frees) (0-07), H Draper (1-01), B Davis (0-02), E O’Driscoll, C Pietropaolo, G O’Brien and C Hayes (0-01) each.
St Catherine’s team: E Sheehan, C McCarthy, P Keane, D O’Donovan, A Neville, J Neville, D O’Connell, J Hayes, G O’Brien, C Pietropaolo, R Clancy, C Leamy, H Draper, E O’Driscoll, K Barry. Subs: C Hayes and B Davis for J Hayes and C Leamy (both second half), P Griffin for H Draper (37), D Murphy for C Pietropaolo (44), C O’Brien for C McCarthy (48), G O’Callaghan McCarthy for G O’Brien (56). Referee: Mark Murphy (Bride Rovers).
Action from the juvenile front
Round 1 division 2 Rebel Óg East Minor Football League
St Colmans 1-11 St Catherines 3-12
Although ahead by two points at 0-08 to 1-03 to the break, David Crotty the goalscorer with the home team securing the opening three scores inside the opening 11 minutes. It still wasn’t until the turnover that the Saints were able to display some dominance from the opening minor football league game of the season when played in Christy Ring Park, Cloyne, on Sunday afternoon last at 3pm. Diarmuid O’Connell, Conor Hayes and Ciaran Leamy among those scorers. Ciaran Pietropaolo worked his way through, picking his spot for the opening goal before substitute John Temple added a quickly taken point making it 1-11 to 1-04 on 42 minutes. Jack Hickey and Cian McCarthy were the other goalscorers and although the host team finished strongly by then the damage had been inflicted.
Scorers: C Pietropaolo (1-04), C McCarthy and J Hickey (1-01 each), D O’Connell and J Temple (0-02 each), C Hayes and C Leamy (0-01 each).
St Catherine’s team: T Dee, G O’Callaghan McCarthy, D O’Donovan, F McCready, T Barry, E O’Driscoll, C Leamy, C McCarthy, C Hayes, D Murphy, D O’Connell, S Aherne, C Hickey, C Pietropaolo, J Hickey. Subs: J Temple for S Aherne (second half), G Sheehan for C Hickey (36), J Bryan for D Murphy (42), K O’Donoghue for J Hickey (48). Referee: Jonathon O’Connell (Glenville).
Cork hurlers
Cork were much too strong for Offaly but look to be facing a much tougher trip heading to Chadwick Wexford Park in round 5 of the national hurling league this upcoming bank holiday weekend. Cork also away to the auld enemy – it’s Meath in the football league.
Racing success
It wouldn’t be quite what we’re watching this week. Then again ever wonder where those fabulous animals start out from? We congratulate Rathdrum, Ballynoe native Edward Hartnett, Eppie to his friends (I grew up always calling him Eppie!) on the success of Forest Rock at the recent Bandon point to point race meeting. It turned out to be quite a day for fellow parishioners. Winner ridden by Johnny Hurley, going on to record a double in what has been a memorable season thus far. Especially after being part of the successful Strictly combo at the Radisson Blu along with partner Sara Mai Clancy back in early January. Two wins on the day also for Johnny Barry and Jimmy Mangan. All four hurled with distinction for the Saints before broadening their horizons. Though we’ve a feeling Johnny Hurley could return when things quieten down.
Lotto results
8, 15, 26 and 27 were the numbers drawn but there was no winner in the weekly lotto draw on Monday, March 4th. Consolation winners on the night were Emer O’Connor, online, Aodhán and Sarah Burke, Ballynoe, Margaret O’Connell, Kilphilibeen, Ballynoe, Emer Doyle, Conna, online and Emma Hanrahan, Ballyhooly. Most recent draw now with an accumulated €4,000 jackpot scheduled for the clubrooms, Ballynoe on Monday night last, March 11th at 9pm. Results in good time.
Coming up next on your fixture list
Sunday, March 17th at Ballynoe, round 1 division 1 Rebel Óg East Minor Hurling League v Lisgoold at 11.30am. Monday, March 18th at Ballynoe, round 1 division 2 Rebel Óg North U14 Football League v Killavullen at 2pm. Monday, March 18th at Ballynoe, round 2 division 2 Rebel Óg North U16 Football League v St Dominics at 6pm. Wednesday, March 20th at Ballynoe, round 1 division 2 Rebel Óg East Minor Football League v Passage at 8pm.
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.
