Over €10,000 donated to charity through Quid Games fundraiser

 St Catherine’s GAA fundraiser held on Friday night, January 2^nd last in the Clayton Silversprings Hotel was a fantastic success with thousands of euros being raised for the development of the third pitch. Then on Friday night, January 30^th last the Quid Games winners and all the participants’ charity groups were presented with their prize money. Joint winners being Ronan Clancy, Conna National School and Richard Barry, who represented Conna Community Council. GAA Club Chairman Ed Galvin thanked all the participants, main sponsor New Ireland Assurance, all sponsors and supporters who helped make the night such a success, pointing out that with 10% of all monies raised by those taking part  donated back to their charities, in total over €10,000 was donated to fantastic groups and charities through the fundraiser.

In addition to the main prizewinners, other groups to receive donations through the participants included Focus Ireland, Simon Community, Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, Butterflies Pre-School, St Oliver’s GAA, Ardmore GAA, Marymount Hospice, Irish Cancer Society, Cáirde and Lighthouse Charity. St Catherine’s LGFA, Camogie and Juvenile GAA Clubs also benefitted from the 10% donations received by participants representing those clubs.

St Catherines expect to shortly receive planning permission for the development of the third pitch with enabling works planned to start during 2026.

Last weekend’s games

First of all domestically and for the third weekend in a row when no game could be played in the East Cork Development U21 B Football League. Poor weather again playing its part. Can’t say what’s happening from here on out.

Major talking point after last Saturday evening’s round 3 division 1 National Hurling League tie at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh in front of 30,910 spectators was the melee which manifested itself just before the break. Four cards shown, two yellow and two red in turn shared equally between two very well matched teams. Cork ahead by four (0-16 to 0-12) and probably wasted a brace of goalscoring opportunities in the process. Like last week in Salthill the opposition again hauled the deficit into manageable proportions. But the Rebels rallied, fired over four unanswered points towards the finish and were able to see out the contest. So now it’s three from three and six points accumulated. Cork don’t play a round 4 fixture and next game will be on the road against Kilkenny at Nowlan Park on the afternoon of Sunday, March 1^st. So far, so good.

No football last weekend. Now it’s up to Tullamore on this coming Sunday to play Offaly in round 3 division 2 of the national league. Followed by the old nemesis with Meath coming to town the week after.

Weekly lotto results

Once again we congratulate Michelle Buckner, Glentane, Ballynoe on being the sole winner of the €10,600 jackpot when the weekly lotto draw went ahead on Monday night, January 26^th. Brilliant and well done. Being a bank holiday, last week’s draw was held over until Tuesday night, February 3^rd. Reverting to a now basic €2,000 jackpot and there was no winner. €30 consolation winners on the night were – Cotter children, Ballynoe; Vince and Michelle, Conna; Nora Lucy and Billy Ryan, phone number supplied; Regina Hartigan, online and Catherine Clancy, Conna. Now with a jackpot of €2,200 most recent draw was scheduled for the clubrooms, Ballynoe on Monday night last, February 9^th. Results next week.

Dublin Racing Festival

There was a shaky start. Prevailing weather conditions meant the Sunday was staying as planned. Saturday card relocating to the Monday. Most importantly of all though the Dublin Horse Racing Festival was still going ahead over the bank holiday weekend. Though maybe not in the order planned. It was really special. Eight group ones all divided between three of the five most powerful trainers in the country. Gordon Elliot’s yard maintaining the consistency shown over the Christmas period and beyond. Brighter days ahead, Romeo Coolio, Wodhoh and Teahupoo will all probably end up favourites for the Cheltenham card coming up in March. Indeed taking into account what time is left must now have a better chance than ever of lifting the Irish trainers’ title.

Fit-Up Theatre Festival

Tonight, Thursday, February 12^th Ballynoe community hall will play host to their third and final act in the current run of the Blood in the Alley theatre company Fit-Up Festival. This week it’s Aindrias de Staic and A Little de Staic of Stories. This comes after two great and successful appearances from Seamus O’Rourke and The Hubcap Theatre Group. Both going down well. This should prove equally as popular. Entry fee is €18. Doors opening at 7.30pm for a performance scheduled to start around 8pm. Many thanks to Geoff Gould and Co for gracing our shores with such rare talent.

Scór Sinnsir

East Cork finals of Scór Sinnsir proceed on Sunday, February 15^th in Lisgoold community hall at 3.30pm.

 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.