Match Reports 

ROCA Sports Junior Football

Castlemartyr took the honours and secured a first win of their top flight league campaign when defeating Fr O'Neills by 2-9 to 0-9 in Sunday's JFL1 tie at windy Aghavine.

With the aid of that wind in the first half it was imperative that the reds opened up a decent interval advantage - as it turned out they held a lead of 2-8 to 0-2, which looked reasonably secure.

The post match stats showed that we managed just one point thereafter - a close range Joe Stack free, but the performance level and work rate were good enough to deny Fr O'Neills getting any real momentum in their efforts to turn around that 12 points deficit.

The big scores in the game both came in a ninety second spell soon after the quarter hour. Quick thinking and quick hands were vital as a number of players were involved to create the opportunities for both Jack McGann and Charlie O'Neill to find the net from close range. These scores added to an impressive purple patch which saw the reds lead 0-7 to 0-1 following Jack McGann's booming two pointer in the 16th minute. Whilst the scoring rate dried up towards the end of the half, at the other end Fr O'Neill's were restricted to just another close range free.

Such was the impact of the wind that the trend of the match was sure to change at some stage after the resumption. Having lost the impressive James Lawton through injury at half time, Castlemartyr sent Daire Coughlan back to defensive duties. Overall, the hosts were kept at bay and never seriously threatened to break a solid defensive unit who ensured Conor Whyte had a quiet day between the posts. Castlemartyr did attempt to work the ball through the lines and set up scoring opportunities and enjoyed some good period of possession as they protected their advantage,

 Both sides were under strength and both will know there is scope for improvement, but the win against a side who won both their previous games, will certainly boost Castlemartyr as they look forward to successive home matches against Carraig na bhFear on Thursday week April 9th and then three days later against Carrigtwohill.

Carraig nabhFear have won both their games so far, whilst Carrigtwohill have also impressed with 6 points gathered from 4 matches.

Team - Conor Whyte, Declan Kelly, Cathal Martin, Cian Murphy, Richard Burke, James Lawton, Liam Martin, Darragh Joyce, Charlie O'Neill, Eoghan Martin, Daire Coughlan, Billy McGann, Jack McGann, Darragh Cashman Conor Ronayne.

Subs - Niall O'Donovan for James Lawton (ht) Joe Stack and Odhran Cantwel for Jack McGann and Conor Ronayne (both 50 Mins)

Scorers - Jack McGann 1-4 (0-3 frees), Charlie O'Neill 1-0, Billy McGann 0-2, Daire Coughlan, Conor Ronayne and Joe Stack (feee) 0-1 each.

Junior Hurling

A strong second half performance saw our junior hurlers get off to a winning start in their ROCA Sports East Cork JHL2 campaign away to Killeagh last week. 

The 3-18 to 2-13 win provided plenty of positives as the team face into a busy week of action - with games to Midleton at Park South this week and then away to Watergrasshill at 5pm on Easter Saturday.

Turning to play with the aid of the breeze for the second half Castlemartyr were 1-7 to 0-8 in arrears , despite having made a really bright start which saw Cian Murphy, Liam Martin, Darragh Cashman (who was a regular puck out target) and Conor Ronayne all fire over impressive early scores which resulted in a five point lead. 

 However, Kiilleagh had advantage eclipsed by the 20th minute and Castlemartyr were thus glad of steadying scores from Conán Finnegan, Peter Fleming and Cian Murphy.  

An early second half goal by Darragh Cashman, after good team play followed by a point from Darragh and a 40th minute goal by the busy Oran Murphy from an acute angle came either side of Killeagh's second goal in what was an eventful period after the resumption. All totted up it left the scoreboard reading 2-10 to 2-8 in favour of the reds by the 40th minute.  

After a lull in scoring, sub Eoghan Martin had Castlemartyr still 2 ahead entering the final quarter as he registered one of his 4 second half white flags. Castlemartyr then slowly began to exert further authority on the scoreboard. Driven on by sub Daire Coughlan and with the high workarte of Liam Martin continuing at midfield, scores began to arrive The hard running Conor Ronayne pushed the winners 2-14 to 2-10 ahead before a great bit of last gasp defending from Declan Kelly thwarted Killeagh's best efforts of a comeback inside the last five minutes. 

 Oran Murphy, Daire Coughlan and Eoghan Martin all added points, whilst Niall O'Donovan goaled from close range to copper fasten the league points late on.

Team

James O'Donovan, Oisin Cantwell, Odhrann Cantwell, Declan Kelly, Tom Fleming, Richard Burke, Zak McAuliffe, Liam Martin, Peter Fleming, Cian Murphy, Conán Finnegan, Darragh Cashman, Oran Murphy, Niall O'Donovan and Conor Ronayne.

Subs - Eoghan Martin for C Murphy, Ciarán Sice for P Fleming (both haf time) Dave Lawton for O Cantwell, Sean Morgan for C Finnegan and Daire Coughlan for R Burke.

Scorers - Darragh Cashman 1-2, Eoghan Martin 0-4 (incl 0-2 frees) , Cian Murphy 0-3, Oran Murphy and Niall O'Donovan 1-0 each, Conor Ronayne, Liam Martin, Conán Finnegan 0-2 (incl 0-1 free) and Daire Coughlan 0-2 (frees) each, Peter Fleming 0-1 .

League Final

Our best wishes are sent to Ciarán and the Cork team in Sunday's eagerly awaited showdown against Limerick in the Allianz League Final. It's the first meeting of the neighbours in the League Final since 1980 and as expected, the match has again created huge interest.

Thanks To All

A big word of thanks to all our members, friends and supporters who supported either the Membership Bundles or Rebel Bounty Draw. The first three draws take place this week - we wish all the best to everyone - here's hoping some of the prizes come in our direction.

As you can see our developpement plans continue and work is now nearing completion on our new club meeting room/function room area. Without your support - this would not be possible.