Minor Hurlers Back on Track

Carrigaline Minor Hurlers got their championship campaign back on track by defeating Courcey Rovers in Riverstick last Monday night. Carrig have two points from their two games and will play Valley Rovers in the final if Valleys defeat Courceys in the last game of the round robin section. If Courceys win then all three teams will finish level on points.

Courceys had the better of the early exchanges with two points in the first two minutes. Carrig did not score until the 9th minute through a Stephen Corcoran free. Carrig looked in trouble when Courceys goaled in the 16th minute, but Carrig responded well with Ray Keohane outstanding at centre back and Timmy Kenneally running at the Courcey defence and scoring two points in the 17th and 18th minute. Further points from Simon Shortt and Stephen Corcoran (free) brought the teams level by the 23rd. minute.

Hesitancy in the Carrig defence left Courceys in for a second goal but Carrig came back again and points from Wesley O’Brien (2), Alan Jenkinson (a fine effort from out on the sideline) and Stephen Corcoran and a Courcey free left the half time score Carrigaline 0-9 Courcey Rovers 2-3

Carrig upped their performance in the second half with John Walsh far more assured at full back and Jason Kidney sweeping up around the full back line, Courceys found the going a lot harder than in the first half. Wesley O’Brien was the dominant figure at midfield and Stephen Corcoran looked dangerous every time he got the ball.

Early points from Mitchell Cuddihy and Corcoran had Carrig two points to the good by the 5th minute but despite a lot of possession we had to wait to the 14th minute for our next score from Craig Neville (who had a very impressive second half) which was immediately cancelled out by a Courceys point. This was to be Courceys only score of the second half but the game was still in the balance until Stephen Corcoran pounced for a goal in the 22nd. Minute. Two pointed frees from Craig Neville left the full time score Carrigaline 1-14 Courcey Rovers 2-4

Team: Michael Webb, Brian Cotter, John Walsh, Jason Kidney, Colin Lynch, Ray Keohane, Joseph Moran, Wesley O’Brien (0-2), Mitchell Cuddihy (0-1), Craig Neville (0-3), Alan Noonan, Timmy Kenneally (0-2), Alan Jenkinson (0-1), Simon Shortt (0-1), Stephen Corcoran (1-4). Subs: Stephen O’Regan and Peter Roynane

Minor Hurlers lose their way in Second Half

Carrigaline minor hurlers went down to a disappointing defeat to Valley Rovers in their first match of a two match round robin championship.

Valleys had the first score from a free in the 3rd minute but Stephen Corcoran scored a great goal a minute later to give Carrig the lead. Wesley O’Brien pointed from a free in the 9th minute but this was immediately cancelled out. Carrig took control or the match with points from Alan Jenkinson, Stephen Corcoran (2), Wesley O’Brien (free) and Joseph Moran had Carrig ahead 1-6 to 0-2 by the 20th minute. Valley Rovers pointed in the 21st minute but it looked even better for Carrig when Craig Neville won possession under pressure and soloed through for a goal in the 23 minute. Valleys countered with three points in a row but further points from Stephen Corcoran (free) and Wesley O’Brien gave Carrig an eight point lead at half time 2-8 to 0-6.

Valleys started strongly and had four points in the first six minutes. Wesley O’Brien pointed in the 8th minute but Carrig were then reduced to fourteen men after a rather harsh dismissal and lost their shape for about ten minutes. This was to prove crucial as Valleys benefited from the concession of a soft penalty which saw them draw level by the 16th minute 2-9 to 1-12. They went in front on the 19th minute but Wesley O’Brien equalised in the 24th minute from a free. The 14 men upped their game magnificently in the last ten minutes but the extra man was a major difference. Valleys took the lead again in the 29th minute but Carrig kept coming back and Colin Lynch was most unfortunate to be hooked as he got inside the Valleys defence. A Valleys in injury time left the final score Carrigaline 2-10 Valley Rovers 2-14.

We play Courcey Rovers in a must win match next Monday night.

Michael Webb, Kieran Kelleher, John Walsh, Brian Cotter, Jason Kidney, Ray Keohane, Colin Touhig, Gary Harrington, Colin Lynch, Wesley O’Brien (0-5), Alan Noonan, Joseph Moran (0-1), Alan Jenkinson (0-1), Craig Neville (1-0) and Stephen Corcoran (1-3). Subs Peter Roynane and Simon Shortt.

Last Thursday week, Carrigaline’s U14 hurlers headed off to Mullingar to the All Ireland Feile Na nGael Hurling Final. The bus left at 9.45 and everybody was in high spirits. We stopped in the Durrow Castle for lunch at 12.30 and then continued on to St. Loman’s GAA Club in Mullingar, to register and to meet the host clubs. We arrived in St. Lomans at 3.30 and some of the lads headed off to their host families.
We had our first match at 8.00 that evening against Shelmailers of Wexford. Carrig were slow to start and soon found themselves 1-1 to no score down. Carrigaline then began to improve and had two points themselves. This was now a very good game, with two very evenly matched teams. Just before half time a poor clearance was latched onto by Shelmailers and gave Stephen Gorman no chance in goal.
Carrigaline upped their game again in the second half and with Adrian Lynch, Simon O’Brien and Cian Barry causing problems for the Shelmailer backs. Carrig were back in the game, which was now on a knife edge and could have gone either way. Daniel Bagnell, David Drake and Shane Noonan were outstanding on the night. In the end, Carrig had to settle for second best on a scoreline of 3-8 to 2-6. The lads were disappointed, but this was the A grade and they had put on an excellent performance.
On Friday morning we played Ahane from Limerick. Carrig started well with Tony O’Connor, Brian Dorgan and Gary Naughton playing very well. This Ahane team were physically strong lads with the skills to match. Ahane never relented and won on a scoreline of 5-13 to 0-4. Our lads went away from this game with their heads held high, even though we were well beaten by a better side.
Our final game was against Ballyboden St. Endas and this proved to be a real cracker all through. Jason O’Leary and Kaelan Spillane excelled all through the game. David O’Regan led by tormenting the Dublin backs and scored himself as well. Sean Conlon also worked very well during the game. This game finished in a draw, which was a fair reflection on the game.
Carrigaline did not qualify for the semi final, but both Ahane and Shelmailers qualified, and Ahane beat Na Piarsaighs 3-16 to 0-4 and Shelmailers beat Ballygunner in their semi final. Carrigaline can be very proud of their endeavours at the Feile this year. The lads were a credit to themselves and their behaviour was brilliant.
Their team manager would like to thank all the parents who travelled to support the team in Mullingar. They all enjoyed the experience and here’s to next year, when the Feile will be held in Cork.
Panel: Stephen Gorman, David Drake, Daniel Bagnell, Shane Noonan, Gary Naughton,Tony O’Connor, Brian Dorgan, Jason O’Leary, Kaelan Spillane, Eoin Conway, Simon O’Brien, Cian Barry, Sean Conlon, David O’Regan (Capt.), Adrian Lynch, Adam Scully, Jonathan Bermingham, Brian Twomey, Timmy Byrne, Mark O’Mahony, James Crowley,Gearoid Harrington, Cathel O’Herlihy, Jamie Corcoran, James McCarthy, Mark Canty, Paul Furlong, Redverse Mcgrath.

On Saturday last, July 3rd Carrigaline’s U16 hurlers travelled to Carlow to take part in the U16 All Ireland Hurling Tournament. Over the course of the day we played four games, our first time playing in this annual tournament. We were put in the B section of the competition and played two games in the league section.
Our first game was against Causeway of Kerry, which we won comfortably with all the team giving a good account of themselves. In the second game we defeated Castlegar of Galway, which we also won well with all the team performing very well. This win put us on top of our group and into the semi-finals. The league section was played in Dr. Cullen Park and we returned to Carlow town hurling club for the semi-final.
Our semi final was against Burgess from Tipperary, who gave us a harder game than we had up to now. However, the lads were playing well and we ran out easy winners.
The final was to be an all Cork affair, with Fermoy having qualified to play Carrigaline. This was to be the game of the competition with both teams fighting it out for the trophy. Carrigaline started well with the backs well in charge and forwards making life hard for the Fermoy backs. The outstanding score of the half was from centre-back, Joseph Moran, a point from all of 90 yards. Fermoy scored a goal on the stroke of half time to leave 3 points between the teams.
Fermoy started the second half driving everything into attack, but Carrig held firm and did enough to keep ahead. Steven Corcoran, Tony Murphy and Creagh Neville were outstanding in attack and were always a threat. With 4 minutes to go, Fermoy got a second goal to leave the minimum between the sides and set up a heart stopping finish. Carrigaline held their heads and scored a further point, to end the game two in front, 1-6 to 2-1.
The final whistle brought scenes of great joy and relief from the players, mentors and our loyal band of supporters, who made the long journey. Well done to all!
Panel: Robbie Brennen, Jonathan Cowhig, Ger Kiely, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Hurley, Joseph Moran, Patrick Donnellan, Steven O’Regan, Peter Ronayne, Tony Murphy, Creigh Neville, Paul Cambpell, Steven Corcoran, Ivan Ward, John Bray, Niall Coakley, Simon O’Brien, Scott Hedderman, Simon Deady, Robert Foley, Dieran Manley.

Under 21 Hurling Championship

A spectacular point, from a sideline cut by Peter Murphy, two minutes into injury time gave Carrigaline a one point victory over Courcey Rovers in the first round of the Under 21 Hurling Championship at Riverstick last week.

Carrig were well on top in the first quarter but had only two points on the scoreboard from Elliot O’Keeffe and Colin Lynch. Courceys opened their account in the 15th minute with a point but Carrig got a boost when Stephen Corcoran latched on to a breaking ball off Elliot O’Keeffe to finish to the net.

Courceys pointed in the 21nd minute from a free but this was immediately cancelled out by a point from Stephen Corcoran. Courceys got on top for the last ten minutes in the half but found Eoin O’Sullivan in outstanding form in goal saving well at his near post and making a superb save from a penalty. Courceys managed to add two points to leave the half time score Carrigaline 1-3 Courcey Rovers 0-4.

Having been under pressure going into the half time break, Carrig got the worst possible start to thesecond half when Courceys goaled in the first minute to take the lead and followed up with a point in the 8th minute.

Carrig got back into the game thanks to the forceful play of the half backline where Joseph Moran had an outstanding game. With Colin Lynch and Gary Harrington getting on top in midfield and Wesley O’Brien and Eoin Barry gaining possession Carrig were again creating chances. Two points in a minute from Wesley O’Brien and a long range effort from Gary Harrington had the teams level by the 11th minute.

Carrig continued to squander chances and Courceys were back in the lead on the 18th minute they went two points ahead on the twenty fifth minute and appeared to be doing enough to win.

A number of switches which saw Ger Dooley move to full back, Raymond Keohane to centre back and Joe Moran to centre forward had the desired effect and Carrig came storming back into the game.

Wesley O’Brien pointed from 60 metres our in the 26th minute and it was fitting that Joseph Moran should land the equaliser again from out around the 65 metre line on the 30th minute.

With both teams going for a victory up stepped Peter Murphy (junior,) who had performed very well at corner forward setting up goal scoring chances for his fellow forward on a number of occasion which unfortunately were not converted, to plant a sideline cut over the bar and secure victory on a final score of Carrigaline 1-8, Courcey Rovers 1-7

This result takes us to the quarter final where we may again meet Courceys who play Ballymartle in the back door game.

Team: Eoin O’Sullivan, Ger Dooley, John Walsh, Evan O’Sullivan, Joseph Moran (0-1), Cian O’Mahony, Raymond Keohane, Colin Lynch (0-1), Gary Harrington (0-1), Wesley O’Brien (0-2), Eoin Barry, Michael O’Sullivan, Peter Murphy (0-1), Elliot O’Keeffe (0-1) and Stephen Corcoran (1-1)

Late O’Driscoll point earns Carrig second bite of cherry
Imokilly 1-8 Carrigdhoun 0-11
By Brendan Larkin
A POINT from Brendan O’Driscoll, two minutes from time, earned Carrigdhoun a draw in the permanent tsb County SHC at Carrigaline last night.

It was no more than the South East divisional side deserved as they proved more than a match for their illustrious opponents and matched them score for score in a disappointing tie.

The one bright feature of the game, however, was the display of Brendan Lombard for the home division. The Ballinhassig man was majestic at the heart of the Carrigdhoun defence where he faced county senior Niall McCarthy and still found time to come forward and score two points, the second of which would have been worthy of winning any match.

While Lombard’s display was exceptional, a depleted Carrigdhoun side also had excellent players in goalkeeper Declan McCarthy, Declan Healy, Kieran Lynch and Richie Butler.

Imokilly were a huge disappointment. They came with a big reputation but on a night when Carrigdhoun tested their mettle to the full, only Brendan O’Driscoll, Noel Furlong, Ger Melvin and John Flavin can look back at this game with any degree of satisfaction.

Imokilly opted to play against the strong wind from the start and it looked the right decision when Liam Aherne slipped home a goal after two minutes. However, Carrigdhoun settled well and with Lombard magnificent at centre-back, they laid siege to the Imokilly defence and the home division were level with a succession of points, two of them from frees, by Brendan O’Driscoll.

Two evenly matched sides went on to be level on two further occasions that produced little in terms of skilful hurling and at the break Carrig led 0-6 to 1-2.

It needed to be a lot bigger given the strength of the wind but with Imokilly unable to make any impression on Lombard, despite trying a number of players at centre-forward, scores continued to be scarce.

Imokilly moved John Flavin forward for the last 20 minutes and while he improved matters for the East Cork divisional side they couldn’t convert possession into scores and Carrig, inspired by Lombard, were well in the hunt at the three-quarter stage after he gave them the lead with a superb long range point.

The introduction of Michael Fitzgerald added more penetration to the Imokilly attack and his two points edged his side in front with two minutes remaining. Carrig looked to have blown their chance to level it after Brendan Lombard’s 65 was narrowly wide.

However they weren’t to be denied and Brendan O’Driscoll’s point from a close-in free gave them a second bite of the cherry, which was no more than they deserved for a battling performance.

Scorers: Carrigdhoun: B O’Driscoll 0-4 (frees), K O’Driscoll, R Butler, B Lombard (0-1f) 0-2 each, D O’Sullivan 0-1. Imokilly: L Aherne 1-0, J Flavin, M Fitzgerald (0-1f) 0-2 each, B Coleman, N McCarthy, G Melvin, D Barrett 0-1 each.

IMOKILLY: J.J. Barry (Carrigtwohill), J. Flavin (Fr. O’Neill’s), M. Fitzgerald (St. Catherine’s), B. O’Driscoll (Fr. O’Neill’s), B. Murphy (do.), B. Coleman (Youghal), N. Furlong (Carrigtwohill), P. O’Regan (Watergrasshill), J. Melvin (Aghada), E. Conway (Fr. O’Neill’s), N. McCarthy (Carrigtwohill), G. Holland (Fr. O’Neill’s), V. Morrissey (Aghada), S. O’Leary (Watergrasshill), L. Aherne (Dungourney). Subs D Barrett (Cobh) for Holland, M Fitzgerald (Carrigtwohill) for Conway, P Cahill (Watergrasshill) for O’Leary.

why we should bring back the theme tune for the sunday
>
>game…………..
>
>Da Da Da………. Da, Da, Da, Da, Da….Da, Da,
>Da………. Da,Da, Da, Da, - this is a tune branded
>into our memories since we were gosins, what right
>have RTE to wade in and change it…. if you ask me,
>they’re just trying to pander to these NEW AGE GAA
>folk, like Sorcha from Blackrock and Fionn from
>Castleknock who have quite merrily jumped on the
>bandwagon the last few yrs. You see them in Quinns
>before a game, asking what age you have to be under to
>play minor and later in the corporate boxes trying to
>get to grips with the solo, wearing their Ralph Lauren
>tops, shades and sporting NY caps shouting ‘Like come
>on you goys, your like so utterly cool’ and singing
>”Ireland’s call’ when the crowd is asked to stand for
>the anthem. For now the GAA has become sassy….hence
>the disrespectful abandonment of the age-old
>traditional tune and the adoption of this new snazy,
>sexy but souless sorry excuse - my message to these
>people and RTE is away to hell . We want our soul
>back. Tradition that was so painfully crafted by our
>fathers and forefathers is being fed to the dogs.The
>GAA is about picnics out the back of cars, young lads
>up for the day from Clare with the arse hanging out of
>their pants and a golden ticket in their pockets,
>Meath men looking on with their huge forearms hanging
>through the wire, their necks reddened from from a
>daecent hard month’s work under the sun, messy
>teenagers from Armagh horsing bottles of cider into
>them and vomiting all along Jones Rd., the smell of
>tobacco smoke from auld boys (also soon to be
>eradicated), the savaging of ref’s, Vincent Hogan, Tom
>Humphries, sitting in the Canal with the sun blinding
>your eyes, Hill 16 NA, NA, NA, wearing the county
>colours with the collars down and no. 26 (some obscure
>sub who use to play county football) on your back,
>dodgy hot-dogs, rainy days in Clones when Giants of
>Ulster meet and kill the other, gorgeous days in
>Semple when the high Kings of Munster ply their wares,
>first-round disasters, back-door games in places like
>Antrim or Carlow or Leitrim, Rule 21 ahooooooohhhhh ya
>boy ya (where’s that gone?), Rule 42 - ahooooooohhhhh
>ya boy ya, the meejjjia, the pick-up, the legal Seamus
>Moynihan seven step solo , Graham Geraghty getting
>bursted, off the ball magic by corner-backs, the
>schmozzle, the melee, the half-time debate in the
>dressing-room, the brown envelopes to coaches, the
>GPA, the confidence player, Kilkenny hurlers, first
>time All-Ireland winners, Derry ‘93, Tyrone ‘03,
>Micheal O’Heir, Micheal O’Muirecheartaigh, Bloody
>Sunday, alcoholic umpires in madmens jackets, Christy
>Ring, traffic jams in Clones and Thurles, endearing
>pundits, Joe Brolly and Pat Spillane, mileage
>allowance, the block, Micheal O’Muirecheartaigh
>opening All-Ireland final proceedings with : ‘I want
>to say hello to Roscommon’s Paddy McManus, 96years of
>age today, tuning in from Buenos Aires, Argentina’ ,
>in-fighting in Derry, the throw-up, Sigerson and
>Fitzgerald and McRory games, 6 month bans, Mick
>O’Connell, the Ard Comhairle, players sleeping with
>other players wives, the rebels, Cormac McAnallen, the
>sliotar,the side-line puck, puma-kings, the hook, the
>clash of the ash, Nicky English, Brian Lohan, the
>side-line move, the switch, A.N. Other, John 3:12,
>bullet-proof centre-backs, Kieran McGeeney, fiery
>managers, Eamon Coleman, youse boys from the Dublin
>media, what the hellwid ye know anyway, Ger Loughnane,
>O’Neills balls, local derbies, the All-stars,
>mid-fielders, the fetch, and for the last time, Da Da
>Da………. Da, Da, Da, Da, Da….Da, Da,
>Da………. Da,Da, Da, Da.
>