Intermediate Football in Carrigaline

After winning the South East Junior Football Championship for the third year in a row in 1992 the club made a decision to go up Intermediate for the first time in our history. Our first year at Intermediate (1993) saw us defeat Newcestown after a replay but we went out to St. Vincents in Passage in the second round.

1994 and 1995 were lean years at Intermediate level but the minor team won the County Premier section defeating Ballincollig in Pairc Ui Rinn before being defeated by Na Piarsaigh in the County Final.

1996 was a great year for the club reaching the minor final again and also the Intermediate final for the first time. The Intermediates started their campaign with a victory over Douglas in Shanbally in the first round followed by a three point victory over Urhan (who had defeated us in the County Junior semi-final in 1992) in Ballingeary.

The semi-final against St Finbarrs in Passage was probably the best display given by a Carrigaline team at this level. After a titanic struggle the Barrs ability to get goals had them four points ahead with ten minutes to go and aided by the wind. Carrig dug deep and a great last ten minutes cumulating with Mark Doody pointing the winning free with the last kick of the game.

The county final against Clyda Rovers was a great occasion for the club with a big crowd at Pairc Ui Chaoimh to support the team. However fielding a team which included five minors we went down to a superior Clyda team who have subsequently proved themselves in the Senior grade. Unfortunately we also lost the minor county final to St. Finbarrs in a close game in Ballincollig.

Todays Game

At the outset of the year few could have foreseen that Carrigaline would be in the final. Our first round fixture was with St. Vincents a team that we had not defeated before in the championship. After a dour struggle we came away with a two point victory in a very low scoring match (0-8 to 0-6) with Tom Burke and Ollie Conlon our main performers on the night.

The third round draw saw us getting a bye to the quarter finals where we were drawn against South East rivals Valley Rovers. This was another tough draw as we had not beaten Valleys in championship for a long number of years. On the night in Riverstick, the team really rose to the occasion and came away with a four point victory, 12 points to 8. Geoff Dillon was the outstanding performer on the night ably assisted by corner backs Killian Forbes and Kieran Blake while up front Eoin O’Sullivan put in a top class performance.

The semi-final against Newmarket was played on a miserable wet night in Killavullen. This was a game that we dominated in particular in the second half, but were very fortunate to come away with a one point (9 points to victory courtesy of an injury point Peter Murphy who was our scorer in chief with four great points. His brother Nicholas was outstanding, in particular in the second half fielding the wet ball and keeping the forward line in plentiful supply.

Our opponents Ilen Rovers have been most people’s favourites since the beginning of the campaign and were very impressive in their demolition of Glanmire in the semi-final. As seen by the results to date we have been very tight at the back but have failed to score a goal in any of our three games. We will almost certainly have to put our lack of success in the goal scoring department right if we are to be victorious on Sunday. One of the stars of the semi-final victory over Newmarket, John Keohane will be absent due to injury on Sunday and this is a big disappointment for John and the team as he had just fought his way back to fitness after suffering the same injury early on in the year. John will be a big loss on Sunday but the game against Newmarket proved that we have a number of very good performers on the subs bench.

The odds are certainly against us but we have battled very well to date and there is no reason why we can’t be celebrating on tonight with the clubs first adult county under our belt.

Junior Hurlers defeated by Grenagh

Carrigaline junior hurlers went down to a disappointing three points defeat to Grenagh in the quarter final of the Cork County Junior Hurling Championship in Pairc Ui Rinn last Saturday. Our cause was not helped by the fact that we had 15 wides over the course of the game.

Carrig played with the wind in the first half but were slow to settle. We had to wait until the 7th minute for our opening score, a point from Brendan Hogan. This was followed by another point, again from Hogan, after some good work by Brendan O’Driscoll two minutes later. Grenagh opened their account in the 11th minute with a point. Carrig had plenty of possession but were finding scores hard to come by. Brendan O’Drsicoll pointed a free in the 16th minute but this was cancelled out four minutes later. Peter Murphy, who was effective at centre forward burst through but his kicked effort went over the bar to leave the score 4 points to 2. Two pointed frees from Brendan O’Driscoll in injury time left the time score Carrigaline 0-6 Grenagh 0-2 with the very stiff breeze in our faces for the second half.

We got a good start to the second half with a pointed free from Brendan Hogan in the first minute. However Grenagh started to grow in confidence and had three points before disaster struck in the 9th. Minute when a defensive mix up allowed Grenagh in for a goal and the lead. A further pointed free for Grenagh in the 11th minute put two points between the teams. Nicholas Murphy pointed in the 15th minute, but this was immediately cancelled out and Grenagh had a four point lead entering the last five minutes. Carrig put on a lot of pressure during this period but all that we had to show at the end was a point from Peter Murphy which left the final score Grenagh 1-9, Carrigaline 0-9.

A very disappointing end to a year which has shown improvements in the fortunes of hurling in the club. It is important that this progress is carried on into next year.

Team: Eoin O’Sullivan, Ger Hoey, Jimmy Murphy, Philip Ahern, Geoff Dillon, Paul Foster, Padraig O’Driscoll, Kevin O’Driscoll, Ger Cooney, Brendan O’Driscoll (0-3), Peter Murphy (0-2), Nicholas Murphy (0-1), Shane Reynolds, Dave Fleming and Brendan Hogan (0-3). Subs Used: Michael O’Sullivan and Eoin Barry

FE 16B SOUTHEAST FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
CARRIGALINE 3-11
VALLEY ROVERS 2-03

Having played hurling for the last number of weeks, and with the football semi-final played at least six weeks ago, Carrigaline were not overly confident going into this final. In the opening minutes Carrigaline put on a lot of pressure, but their first few efforts went wide. Craig Neville scored our first point. Valley Rovers first chance to score did not come until the tenth minute, when they got a free and made no mistake. Carrig continued to pile on the pressure. But a point for Valleys in the 15th minute levelled the game. This was to be their last score of this half. Carrig scored some nice points in the latter part of the first half, and just before half-time, a great shot on target by Wesley O’Brien came off the corner back and ended in the back of the net, to leave the half-time score Carrigaline 1-7, Valley Rovers 0-2. Carrig registered the first three scores of the second half, points from Stephen Corcoran, Hugh Cox, and Kyle Meehan. Then came a slight chance for Valleys to catch up. They were awarded a penalty, which was well taken. They scored the next few points to put just five points between the teams. Carrig were not deterred and a brilliant goal from the boot of Stephen Corcoran put them well on top once more. A great ball in from Jenko to Hugh Cox ended in the back of the net and the game was over as a contest. Michael Webb, for Carigaline played well in goal, Peter Ronayne had a good game at corner back and even better when moved to half back. All the defenders did their job well. Alan Noonan and Kyle Meehan covered mid field and Hugh Cox had a tremendous game. Cormac Creed Nolan, a good distributor of the ball played well also when he came on.

Scorers: S. CORCORAN 1-4, HUGH COX 1-1, W. O’BRIEN 1-0, CRAIG NEVILLE, KYLE MEEHAN, AND TIMMY KENNEALLY 0-2 EACH.
PANEL: M. WEBB, P. RONAYNE, J. WALSH, J. MORAN, C. TUOHY, J. KIDNEY, R. KEOHANE, K. MEEHAN, A. NOONAN, W. O’BRIEN, H. COX, A. JENKINSON, C. NEVILLE, T. KENNEALLY, S. CORCORAN, CORMAC CREED NOLAN AND PAUL CAMPBELL.

CARRIGALINE UNDER 16 HURLERS FALL AT THE FINAL HURDLE.

For the Carrigaline under 16 hurlers, it was a case of so near and yet so far. In Pairc Ui Rinn on Saturday, they took on Glen Rovers in their eagerly awaited Premier County Final. In the opening minutes the Glen had three wides in a row and their first score, a point came from a free in the 4th minute. A minute later, Paul Campbell had Carrigaline’s first point from play. The first half was a fiercely contested affair. Both teams had some wides but also some nice scores. A great goal from Stephen Corcoran in the 11th minute gave Carrig a 2 point advantage. Glen responded immediately with a great point from a free and followed this with a great goal to give them a two point lead. 2 points from Stephen Corcoran had the sides level at 1-3 each. Stephen was again on target in the 21st minute, but a Glen Rovers goal and a few more Carrig points left the halftime score Carrigaline 1-7, Glen Rovers 2-3.
At the start of the second half, Glen Rovers had a point to level the sides once again. Both sides served up some unbelievable hurling and for twenty minutes there was never more than a point or two separating the sides. With ten minutes remaining the sides were level. With seven minutes remaining a Glen Rovers goal had them 4 points ahead. Carrigaline did not give up, they added two points to let them 2 points adrift. Almost on the stroke of full time, a good goal scoring opportunity was flicked agonisingly wide. Glen came up the field to score a goal in added time. Heartbreak for Carrigaline. But we can all be proud of this teams performance, which was outstanding. The final score does not do them justice. Just a little bit of luck and we may have won by one point!
Heroes on the day: Michael Webb in goal had a few excellent saves, Kieran Kelleher, a tenacious player who fought for every ball, John Walsh, Patrick Donnellan, Jason Kidney and Colin Tuohy worked tirelessly in defence. Joseph Moran and Alan Noonan played their hearts out in midfield. Captain, Wesley O’Brien, though very nervous in the opening half, had the game of his life in the second half. Craig Neville Paul Campbell and Timmy Kenneally did a lot of running. Alan Jenkinson contested every ball to come his way and was a little unlucky to be substituted just before halftime. Peter Ronayne and Alex Darrer worked very hard when they came on. But the best performances of the match came from Raymond Keohane who gave a dazzling display of hurling and our super forward Stephen Corcoran who scored 1-7. The team though all visibly upset at losing were gracious in defeat. They can be proud of their performance in what was a good, but tough clean game of hurling. For the majority of the team this is their last year at underage. We wish them well as they move up to the adult playing section. I am sure the team would like to thank those who have worked with and moulded them into what they are today: Paul Kidney, manager, Padraig O’Driscoll, Pat Moran, Tom Jones coaches, and Pat Corcoran fe 15 manager. From a younger age, Billy Walsh, Oliver Webb, and N. O’Keeffe also worked with them.

SCORERS: STEPHEN CORCORAN 1-7, RAY KEOHANE 0-2, TIMMY KENNEALLY, WESLEY O’BRIEN, AND PAUL CAMPBELL 0-1 EACH.

We really enjoyed the Fe 12 County Final

After a long wait, Carrigaline’s Fe 12 Footballers played their County Final against Mallow last Saturday 11th October 2003 in Pairc Ui Rinn.

What a spectacular location for the young lads to play their county final. The day started tensely as the lads prepared their bags and thought about how the game would go. The clean boots, the blue shorts and socks washed to perfection were neatly packed into their sports bag. Their football gloves, nearly forgotten, were added to the bag. I’m sure that in their night’s dreams they played every ball to perfection and scored the winning scores. When they arrived down to the club to meet their team-mates and mentors they each had a nervous looking smile, but each and every one of them was looking forward to their special day. Lot’s of the other Managers came down and wished us well on the day.

There’s something very special to the preparation for a county final at any age, but at 12 it’s extremely poignant. This is the first time that any young man can compete in a county final and only two teams in any county can reach that position. This year it was Carrigaline and Mallow lads that had the privilege and honour to be in this position. It was their County Final. It was their All-Ireland. It was their dream!

The trip to Pairc Ui Rinn was made in near silence, thinking about what lay ahead. Would they win? Would they lose? Would they play well? Who would be there?
What were Mallow like? What would it be like to play in Pairc Ui Rinn? What were the dressing rooms like? This was great stuff – Imagine the roars from the crowd when I catch the first ball and kick it to perfection up the field?

We arrived in Pairc Ui Rinn and went straight to our dressing rooms. While the lads sat and thought about their upcoming game a few strayed over to read the good luck card from Christine. Then the club chairman, Kevin O’Driscoll phoned to wish the lads well. There was two minutes to go to our dream.

We ran out on the pitch as fast as we could and listened to the roars of welcome from the Carrigaline supporters. The adrenaline was pumping and excitement was building up. The Mallow lads were big but then we beat a number of big teams to get here. The pitch was really big and looking up, the stands all around the ground were awesome. The floodlights are really big – I wonder what it’s like to play at night under them? Maybe I’ll find out, sometime in the future. Maybe when I play for Cork.

The match began fiercely. It was end to end stuff. The scores were very slow to come but the football was class. Every player on each of the teams was giving their all. The referee was rarely called upon as the game was being played in a very sporting manner. It was over 20 minutes into the game when the scores began to come. Mallow were first out of the block with a splendid point. However, Carrig replied almost instantly with a well taken free from David Drake. Mallow added another three points and looked like they were going to take control when Oisin Finn competed in the air and punched the ball into the corner of the Mallow net to put Carrig level. Eoin Brennan added a superb point to put Carrig ahead by a single point at half time.

We went into the dressing rooms at half time, had a drink of water and listened to the encouraging words from Pat Barry. We only had to keep going for another 30 minutes

and if we stayed ahead we could be the county champions. We talked amongst ourselves egging each other on and tapping one another on the back. Our Captain Sean Conlon encouraged us to keep it going. We just wanted to get back out.

The second half of the match began. Mallow started very strongly and had a number of early wides. We counter attacked and were close to scoring a goal on at least three occasions but somehow, someone got in the way. Mallow edged ahead when they added three more points. Sean Mellett put in some magnificent saves to keep us in the match. David Drake added another point for us. Mallow were only one point ahead. We had a couple of chances but couldn’t convert. Mallow were also attacking hard and eventually they broke through and scored a goal. The Carrig lads heads dropped in anguish. There was only two minutes left. They gathered the last bit of strength they had and surged on the Mallow goal. They were awarded a free. Kaelan Spillane put it over the bar. The final whistle blew. Mallow were the victors by a single goal. The tears of both disappointment and joy flowed from the Carrig and the Mallow lads. What a marvellous display of gutsy football. The match was played in a brilliant sporting manner. What a wonderful occasion for the young lads. It was wonderful to watch the young players from each team genuinely shake hands with each other. It was the end of a big day for all of them.

After supporting our Under 16’s in their County Final against Glen Rovers, we all travelled back to the Carrigaline Clubhouse where we were all well fed. The 12 year old’s wondering when they were 16, would they have the honour again to play in another county final like the older lads. Maybe, we’ll get there when we’re 14?

Lads, each one of you were a credit to yourselves, your families, your club and the GAA when you performed in your first County Final. That honour only happens for a very small number of people playing GAA. Let’s hope it’s the first of many for you and this club. We know you performed your best on the day and we thank you for that. We are all very proud of each and every one of you. Well Done!

A very close encounter
Carrigaline’s Fe 12 team played St.Finbarrs in a playoff for a place in the City Championship.
It was a tough and feisty encounter from beginning to end. The Carrig lads were tired from their bruising battle in the Fe 12 County Final against Mallow on the previous day. However, they played some great open hurling and fought to the very end.

Carrigaline played with the aid of a strong wind in the first half. They were slow to score and had quite a number of wides before they settled down to score 1-2 before halftime to St.Finbarrs 0-1. Michael O’Donovan, Sean Mellett and Sean Timmins played some great defensive hurling in the first half. Sean Conlon at midfield was superb and Kaelan Spillane, Dylan O’Keeffe and Oisin Finn played well in the forwards. Unfortunately we lost Sean Mellett to injury mid way through the first half.

The second half saw St.Finbarrs take control with the aid of a stronger wind and some fine hurling. They went ahead after 15 minutes, when they scored two quick successive goals and followed it with a well-taken point. Carrigaline had it all to do.
Michael Dwane, Cian Sisk and Cian Barry were playing outstanding hurling in the backs. Stephen Gorman brushed passed the Barr’s defensive line time after time and provided some marvellous ball in to the forwards. The forwards were finding it difficult against a strong and determined Barr’s defense, but Eoin Brennan, Ronan McCarthy and David Drake were trying hard. Eventually the breakthrough came with a rasper of a ball, that rattled the Barr’s net. They were all level at that stage. The next 4 minutes were tight and tense but no scores came. The match ended in a draw 2-2 to 2-2 and the replay will played next week in St.Finbarr’s.

Well-Done Lads.

Team: M.Hanlon, C.Sisk, S.Mellett, S.Timmins, M.Dwane, M.O’Donovan, S.Gorman, S.Conlon, D.Drake, D.O’Keeffe, C.Barry, R.Duggan, O.Finn, K.Spillane, S.O’Donovan, E.Brennan, E.Kavanagh, I.O’Halloran, K.Ryan, N.Martin, R.McCarthy, L.Hanlon.

Minor A Football Final

A great game of football, but the wrong result from a Carrigaline point of view. The name on everbodys lips at the end of the game was Valley Rovers full forward Kevin Canty who was the difference between the teams. The Carrig defence tried valiantly to curtail him but his ability to win possession and turn it in to scores was out of the top drawer. At the other end the Carrig forwards looked very dangerous but they did not see enough of the ball, particularily when playing against the wind in the second half.

Barry O’Keeffe opened the scoring with a point in the first minute. Valleys opened their account with a free two minutes later. Eoin O’Sullivan pointed a 45 in the sixth minute but the game was lost from a Carrigaline point of view in the next ten minutes when Valley Rovers scored a goal and three points against the wind to lead 1-4 to 0-2 after 16 minutes. Barry O’Keeffe had his second point on the 21st. minute. Carrig got the goal they needed in the 25th minute when Daniel Twomey finished to the net after great play between himself and Danny Kelly. A Tony O’Sullivan point had the sides level as half time approached. Danny Kelly added two points in the space of a minute and when Eoin O’Sullivan converted a 14 yard free, Carrig were rampant. However half time came too soon and we had to be content with a three point lead, 1-7 to 1-4 as we faced the strengthening breeze.

Valleys owned the first ten minutes of the second half and were back on level terms thanks to three points. Daniel Twomey restored Carrigs lead with a point in the tenth minute from a pass from Timmy Kenneally. Valleys were back on level terms in the twelfth minute but Twomey had Carrig back in front again. Two turning points came when Danny Kelly appeared to be brought down in the large square but play was waved on. Elliot O’Keefe then saw an effort for come back of the upright and you felt that it wasn’t going to be our day.

Despite another Eoin O’Sullivan free, Valley Rovers grew in confidence and with Canty dominating the last fifteen minutes Valleys added five points to leave the final score Carrigaline 1-10 Valley Rovers 1-14

There were many good performances on the Carrigaline side, none more so than John Roberts who was outstanding at corner back. Despite playing for the under 16’s the day before, Alan Noonan played very well when moved to wing back in the second half. Eoin O’Sullivan worked tirelessly throughout while up front Daniel Twomey, Danny Kelly and Barry O’Keeffe looked very dangerous when the ball came their way

Team: Shane O’Hanlon, John Roberts, Rory Barrett, Alan Noonan, Colin Lynch, Gary Harrington, Raymond Keohane, Elliot O’Keeffe, Andrew Duggan, Philip Fehilly, Eoin O’Sullivan (0-3), Tony O’Sullivan (0-1), Barry O’Keeffe (0-2), Daniel Twomey (1-2), Danny Kelly (0-2). Subs Used: Michael O’Sullivan and Timmy Kenneally