CARRIGALINE UNDER 16 HURLERS FINISH YEAR ON A HIGH NOTE.
Carrigaline under 16 hurlers came to the end of their underage careers on a high note with a comprehensive victory over Valley Rovers, in Brinny last Saturday afternoon. From the very start Carrig were well on top. Stephen Corcoran had our first three points from play in the opening five minutes and we held Valleys scoreless until the 13th minute. At halftime, Carrig had a big lead, and even though Valley Rovers played some nice hurling at times, they were unable to convert this into scores. Top scorer for Carrig, Stephen Corcoran came off at halftime, but the rest of the forwards showed they too could take their scores. Scorers: Stephen Corcoran 3-6, Alex Darrer 2-0, Craig Neville 1-2, Cormac Creed Nolan 1-0, John Walsh, Alan Noonan, Paul Campbell, Wesley O’Brien, and Alan Jenkinson all had 0-1 each.
This was a fine team performance, and a great finish to what was a super year for this Carrigaline team. They created a little bit of history for the club by winning both the hurling and football southeast leagues and championships, as well as the Richard Lombard seven a side hurling tournament for the first time since its inception. They then went on to contest both the Premier Hurling and Football Championships. In hurling they reached the final and were defeated by Glen Rovers in a very closely fought final. They lost out to a strong Nemo Rangers side in the Football semi-final. This was no mean achievement, as they proved they are up there with the best of them in both hurling and football.
Over the years many people helped them to develop their skills in both hurling and football, N. O’Keeffe, Tom Jones, Sean McLoughlin, Danny Brosnan, Padraig O’Driscoll, Pat Moran, Oliver Webb, Billy Walsh, and of course manager, Paul Kidney, who has been with them since their street league days and hardly ever missed a match or a training session with them. As they move on now to the adult playing section, we hope the transition will be smooth and that they will continue to play at the highest level.
HEARTBREAK FOR CARRIGALINE UNDER 15 HURLERS.
Carrigaline fe 15 hurlers took on the might of Glen Rovers in the City Championship Final in Redmonds Grounds near Cork Airport on Sunday Morning. Weather conditions were brilliant for this time of year even if the pitch was a little heavy. There was a great start from both teams with opening score from a free by Stephen Corcoran. Next score went to Glen Rovers, a point from play. Steve and Craig had the next couple of points, but a great goal from Stephen Corcoran in the 8th minute had the Carrig supporters jumping for joy. At this stage Carrig were on a roll, a brilliant pass to Stephen Corcoran by Kieran Manley resulted in a super goal. Glen had the point from play, but then Carrig had another good goal, this time from Tony Murphy. But one sensed that Glen Rovers were not going to give up, they finished the half strongly with two points.
Halftime score: Carrigaline 3-5, Glen Rovers 0-7.
There was a good brisk start to the second half from two very committed teams, with Glen Rovers taking the first two points. Once again, Stephen Corcoran had Carrig’s first score of the half, this score of the match came in the 12th minute when he was hassled by about four players and still managed to score a point from a very awkward angle. At this stage there were five points between the sides, but a great goal form Glen Rovers in the 14th minute put just 2 points between the sides. They also had the next two points to level the game. In the 16th minute a great sideline cut from Craig Neville sailed over the bar to put Carrig’s noses in front once again. It was a mighty struggle from here to the 28th minute, when the Glen took the lead for the first time. At this stage it looked as if it was all over for the Carrig lads. But in injury time they were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a free. Stephen Corcoran, under tremendous pressure, made no mistake and put it over the bar. The referee blew the whistle for full time. Extra time followed, ten minutes a side and all to play for. Glen got a goal early in the first period of extra time, and this seemed to knock our lads back. One could see the weariness taking over, but they battled really hard and eventually lost out 3-16 to 3-25. The nine-point defeat, in no way reflects the closeness of this game. It was an absolutely tremendous game to watch, exciting from beginning to end. What scores, 47 in total from both teams!
Carrigaline can be proud of the way they played both from a hurling and discipline point of view. Yes, it was a good tough closely fought game, but very seldom a dirty stroke. Joseph Moran, having had a rest for a couple of weeks, was totally focused, and cleared almost every ball to come his way. All the defence worked tirelessly, as did Stephen O’Regan and Peter Ronayne at mid-field. All the forwards worked well together, but Stephen Corcoran who amassed a score of 2-12 really shone. What a future lies ahead of him! Craig Neville scored 0-4 and Tony Murphy 1-0.
TEAM: SHANE BARRY, JERRY McCARTHY, GER KIELY, P. O’MAHONY, JONATHAN COWHIG, JOSEPH MORAN, PATRICK DONNELLAN, STEPHEN O’REGAN, PETER RONAYNE, CRAIG NEVILLE, PAUL CAMPBELL, TONY MURPHY, KIERAN MANLEY, STEPHEN CORCORAN, IVAN WARD AND SUBS USED ROBERT FOLEY AND NIALL COAKLEY.
UNDER-AGE AWARDS NIGHT.
After a very successful year in the playing fields, Carrigaline Under-age section held their annual awards in the club pavilion last Saturday night, November 29th..
Chairperson, Pat Dineen, welcomed all the players, parents, Fr. Bertie O’Mahony, P.P., Kevin O’Driscoll, club chairperson, guests, Eoin O’Sullivan, Cork Minor, Nicholas Murphy, Cork Senior Footballer, and Niall Cahalane former Cork Footballer. All speakers spoke highly of the teams and those looking after them. They were complimented on their achievements to date, but emphasised the importance of playing the games and not just winning. Kevin O’Driscoll spoke of the importance of those mentors now finishing with the under-age section to bring their expertise and ideas to the adult section.
Eoin O’Sullivan presented the medals to the younger players, Nicholas Murphy, the under 13’s/14’s, and Niall Cahalane presented the under 16’s with their medals. Joy Murphy, who supplies the club with medals and trophies, made a special presentation to the under 16 hurling team for reaching the Premier County Final.
Presentations were also made to those players who were selected to play for Cork: Stephen Corcoran, Craig Neville, and Joseph Moran under 15, Timmy Kenneally and Alan Noonan under 16, and Simon O’Brien who was on the Cork Primary Schools Team.
A table quiz followed which was greatly enjoyed by those who participated.
On behalf of the committee I would like to thank Sarah and Jack McGrath who prepared the food, Pat, Bernard, Geraldine and Ray for making sandwiches in the afternoon and anyone who helped in any way to make the night a success.
It was a great end to a great year.