At a pleasant function held in the Club Pavilion last Thursday night, the club paid tribute to Carrigaline players who won All-Ireland medals in hurling and football.

In attendance were Jim Forbes, Chairman of the Cork County Board and Con Murphy ex-President of the G.A.A.

1925 – Our first medal winner was Andy Johnson who was a member of the Cork team who defeated Dublin 5-6 to 1-0 in the 1925 Senior Hurling Final. Mary Brady a niece of Andy and her husband Tom were present at the function and Mary brought along the medal won in this game.

1940 – In 1940 Luke Tully and Sam Bouge were on the Cork team who defeated Galway in the Junior final on a score line of 3-3 to 3-1. Donal O’Connor, Secretary of the Seandun Division represented his father Gerald who was a selector on that team. Ma ry and Kathleen, daughters of Sam Bouge, attended

1947 – Daithi O’Donovan (present Club President) and Joe Weste were on the Cork team who defeated London in Enniscorthy to win the Junior All Ireland. Con Muprhy was a selector on that team and paid tribute to Daithi and Joe. Peg West and her daughter Susan attended.

1951 – Paddy Drivers was a member of the Cork team who defeated Galway in minor final on a score of 4-5 to 1-8. Frank Crowley (secretary of the executive committee) represented his Grandfather Andy O’Neill, who was a selector on that team. Paddy Dreivers daughters Marie and Susan attended

1955 – Con Cooney, John Cooney and Paddy Drivers were on the Cork team who defeated Warwickshire in the Junior final on a scoreline for Cork 6-10 Warkwickshire 1-5. Andy O’Neill was also a selector on this team

1958 – Con Cooney played on the Cork team who defeated Warsickshire in the Junior Final.

1959 – John Farrissey played on the Cork team defeated by Antrim in the home final (Junior)

1964 – Barry Wiley played on the Cork Minor Hurling team who defeated Laois in the final on a scoreline of Cork 10-7 Laois 1-4. Eddie Cooney was a selector on this team.

1966 – Barry Wiley was on the Cork team who defeated Wexford after a second replay in the Under 21 Hurling final on a scoreline of Cork 9-9, Wexford 3-9. Eddie Cooney was also a selector on this team

1989 – Declan Fitzgerald was a member of the Cork team who defeated Galway in the Under 21 Football Final on a scoreline of Cork 2-8, Galway 1-10. Jim Forbes was a selector on this team.

1990 – Declan Fitgerald was on the Cork team who defeated Warsickshire in the All-Ireland Junior Football Final on a score line of 3-17 to 0-3.

1993 – Declan Fitzgerald won his second Junior Football Championship medal when Cork defeated Laois in the final by 0-11 to 2-3. Mick Barry of Delaneys (father of our main underage sponsor Pat Barry) was a selector on both teams

2004 – This year Nicholas Murphy holder of a National Football League and two Munster Football Championship medals played on the Cork Intermediate team who defeated Kilkenny in the Intermediate Hurling Final

Minor Hurlers Fail at Final Hurdle

Unfortunately the Minor Hurlers dreams of a county title were dashed by an excellent Blarney team in Pairc Ui Chaoimh last Saturday. From the very outset Blarney were in control in most sectors of the field. Blarney had a tonic start with a goal in the second minute and despite Stephen Corcoran pointing a minute later it was all Blarney in the first half and they had amassed a lead of 1-9 to 0-3 by half time.

Carrig upped their game considerably in the second half but found the Blarney defense in top form. Despite laying siege on the Blarney goal in the closing stages we found scores impossible to come by and Blarney ran out very deserving winners by 2-14 to 0-5.

Despite the set back last Saturday we can take a lot out of the season. We will remember that titanic struggle with Erins Own in the county quarter final and the fine victory over Valley Rovers in South East final. Well done to all who were associated with the team over the year

Team: Michael Webb, Jason Kidney, John Walsh, Kieran Kelleher, Joe Moran (0-2), Ray Keohane, Colin Tuohy, Colin Lynch, Gary Harrington (0-1), Wesley O’Brien, Mitchell Cuddihy, Craig Neville, Stephen Corcoran (0-2), Alan Noonan and Timmy Kenneally. Subs: Alan Jenkinson, Stephen O’Regan and Brian Cotter

Carrigaline Underage Function
A very enjoyable function for Carrigaline GAA Underage was held in the Club last Saturday night, Dec. 3rd. The players were presented with trophies and medals for their success in the playing field throughout 2004. It was fantastic to see such a large attendance of players and parents. Also present were, Rev. Fr. Bertie O’Mahony, Daithi O’Donovan, Present of the Club, Kevin O’Driscoll, Chairman of the Adult Section, Pat Moran, Chairman of the South East Board and Micheal MacSuibhne, Secretary of Board Na nOg. Invited guests to present the trophies to the teams were, Sean Og O’hAlpin, hurler of the year and Nicholas Murphy, Cork footballer and Intermediate All Ireland Hurler.
This was another successful year for the underage, with great enthusiasm and effort been given by the players. Sean Og and Nicholas presented the awards starting with our U11 C team, who had a very competitive year ending with a south east hurling league title. The commitment of our U11B team led them to complete the double, when they earned two southeast league titles in hurling and football. This team also reached the semi-final in city football. Our U12 team were rewarded for the most improved team, this dedicated team has put in enormous effort throughout the year. They narrowly missed out in the south east football final and two semi-finals both in county and city. Joy Murphy sponsored one set of trophies for this team. Our U13’s had a fantastic year, winning the south east championship in both hurling and football and presently are still playing, having reached the semi-finals in the city football league.
Both the U14’s and U16’s won the south east league and championship in hurling and football and reached Premier County Hurling Finals, which is a huge achievement. The U14’also won through and represented Cork going forward to the Feile Na nGael All Ireland Hurling Competitions in Mullingar. In the course of the year, the U16’s also won the All Ireland Hurling Tournament, which was held in Carlow. The U16’s had a very successful year and now leave the underage to join the adult section of the club. As an appreciation to the hard work of their manager, Pat Corcoran, and mentors, Andy O’Keefe and Tony Barry the players made them presentations. Our U15’s, a great team of hard working lads, have won out the city hurling league and the hurling championship.
Trophies were also presented to our players who have played with Cork teams in 2004, namely, Kaelen Spillane, in Primary School hurling, Sean Mellett and David Spillane in football. Representing Cork in U14 hurling were Simon O’Brien and David O’Regan.. In U15 hurling we had Tony Murphy and Connor Hurley. Joseph Moran and Peter Roynane for football in the U16’s. Also, Joseph Moran and Stephen Corcoran in U16 hurling. Congratulations to all of them. Sean Og also gave an interesting speech to the players, congratulating them and also advising them to listen to the coaches and that hard word brings success. Other speakers on the night, Pat Moran, South East Chairman, Kevin O’Driscoll, and Michael MacSuibhne congratulated the underage on their success and encouraged the players to continue with the same commitment and effort.
Our Club President, Daithi O’Donovan, wasn’t left without an award on the night, as he was presented with a birthday cake for his 82nd birthday.
The night concluded with a karaoke, which was enjoyed by all the lads.
As we are coming to the end of a very busy and rewarding year, we would like to thank all officers, managers, coaches, mentors, and the many helpers, who contributed so much throughout the year. We wish you all a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas. Beannachtai na Nollag oraibh agus Athbhliain fe shean is fe mhaise dhaoibh.

FÉ 13 City Football
Carrigaline 2-4 St. Finbarrs 1-5
Carrijgaline under 13’s had a spirited and superb win in the City Fe 13 Football league against a very strong St. Finbarrs side, last Saturday. The game, which was held in the Lough Field, was played in a very sporting manner. It was end to end stuff in the first half with the Carrig lads playing against a stiff breeze. Our full back line of Shane O’Halloran, Michael O’Donovan and Michael Dwane played some great defensive football and held St.Finbarrs to 0-3 in the first half. David Drake and Wayne Bruton scored points and Wayne Bruton added a brilliant goal just on half time to put un 2 points ahead.
The second half saw a very strong St. Finabarr’s team use all they had to attack the Carrig goal. Sean Mellett in goal pulled off some great saves to keep us alive. David Drake and Wayne Bruton added 2 points for us, while St.Finbarrs scored 1-2 to put them one point ahead. Our lads showed great resilience in digging deep to come back at the Barrs and finally were rewarded with a goal with only two minutes to go. Carrig lads held out to run out eventual winners 2-4 to 1-5. A great display of football by both teams and it could have gone either way in the end. Well done lads.

Wayne Bruton had a magnificent game throughout, while Cian Barry gave a man of the match performance at centre back. David Spillane and Stephen Gorman also played well on the day.
Team:
S.Mellett, M.Dwane, MO’Donovan, S.O’Halloran, D.Spillane, C.Barry, E.Callanan, W.Bruton, S.Gorman, N.Crred Nolan, D.Drake, L.O’Regan, E.Brennan, O.Finn, D.O’Keeffe, R.Duggan, E.Kavanagh, M.O’Reilly, S.O’Donovan and E.Horgan.

Fe11 City Football
Our U11’s lost out in the city football semi-final against St. Nicks in the Glen Field on Saturday. Their opponents were physically stronger and ran out the winners on a score line of 1-2 to 0-3.

Fe16 County Football Semi-Final
Heartbreak for Carrigaline U16 footballers when they lost to Macroom in the Premier County semi-final in Ovens last Saturday.
In the first half, both teams found scoring difficult. Carrrig had the first point, a brilliant effort from Craig Neville from 50 yards out. Macroom failed to score until the 15th minute. Stephen Griffin goal rolled gently into the net in the 17th minute. Macroom had the next point and point from S. Griffen left the half-time score 1-2 to 0-2.
Macroom, playing with the wind in the second half scored six points without reply. Our first score in this half did not come until the 14th minute, a point.
S. Griffin. Niall Coakley next point to leave just a point between sides, S. Griffin point from a free levelled the game with just 5 minutes left. An unfortunate clash of heads, held up the game for a few minutes and Carrigaline seemed to lose the momentum. Deep into injury time, a free to Macroom was saved be unfortunately was punched into the net. From the kick out, Craig Neville got the ball, ran the length of the pitch and blasted the ball over the bar. Final score, Carrigaline 1-6 Macroom 1-8
Scorers: S. Griffin 1-3, C. Neville 0-2, N. Coakley 0-1.

FÉ 13 Footballers win twice in two great games

Carrigaline 3-5 Glanmire 0-4
Carrigaline under 13’s began the weekend with a quarter final game against Glanmire in the City Championship. This match was played in very wet conditions. Despite the weather, both teams played some magnificent football. Our lads got the better start and with great scores by Dylan O’Keeffe and David Drake. Glanmire were equal to the task and scored three points of their own. David Drake got an equaliser just before half time.

The second half was a fiercely contested game and scores were hard to come by. It was end-to-end stuff and for each of the two points scored by David Drake, Glanmire returned one of their own. The break for Carrigaline came when Stephen Gorman shook the Glanmire net with a brilliant goal. Our lads started to settle on the ball at that stage and after scoring a further two goals by Dylan O’Keeffe and Eoin Brennan, Carrigaline ran out winners with the scoreline 3-5 to 0-5.

Carrigaline 3-6 St. Michaels 2-5
Our second game was the South East Final against St.Michaels. This match was played in cold and windy conditions in Shanbally on Sunday. Our lads played against the wind in the first half and opened the game with some fine passing football. Oisin Finn was in great form and put over two great points, while David Drake added one of his own. Michael O’Donovan was playing some outstanding defensive football along with Cian Barry and Stephen Gorman. St.Michaels were also playing superb football and put over four magnificent points of their own. Earlier on Eoin Brennan scored a cheeky goal from play and just before half time, Captain Dylan O’Keeffe rallied all his team mates by scoring a further magnificent goal. Carrig were 2-3 to 0-4 ahead at half time.

In the second half, St. Michael’s were playing against the wind and opened the half with two great scores a goal and a point. It was all to play for with only a single point between the sides. Our lads began to tire but continued to fight for every ball. Eoin Brennan came to the rescue with a super point to keep us ahead. David Drake added another soon after. St. Michael’s replied with one of their own and it was end- to-end football for a five minute period. Both sides knocked a few balls wide during this period. Eoin Brennan again came to the rescue with a point and it wasn’t until Cian Sisk lobbed the goalkeeper for a goal that our lads started to breathe easily. We ran out eventual winners by 3-6 to 2-5. In the end, either side could have won. It was a very closely fought match right up to the final whistle. Well done lads on winning the South East Double in Hurling & Football. Congratulations to Dylan O’Keeffe as Captain of the team, who led his team mates to a great victory. Well done to Sean Mellett, Eric Callanan and Shane O’Halloran, for a great display of football. Kaelan Spillane, and Liam O’Regan were also superb on the day. However, David Spillane was outstanding on the day with his man of the match performance.

Thanks also to Sean Conlon for his ongoing support for the lads. Despite his injury, he was there to support his team mates.

Best of luck in the City Semi Finals lads.

Team:
S.Mellett, E.Callanan , M.O’Donovan, S.O’Halloran, D.Spillane, C.Barry, S.Gorman, W.Bruton, K.Spillane, C.Sisk, D.Drake, L.O’Regan, E.Brennan, O.Finn, D.O’Keeffe M.Dwane, R.Duggan, E.Kavanagh, M.O’Reilly, E.Horgan, C.O’Mahony and S.Conlon.
U13C South East Football
Carrigaline U13C’s played in the south east football final against Courcey Rovers last Saturday in Riverstick. Coucey’s dominated the first half, but Carrig came out in the second half to make a game of it, displaying good football with a magnificent fight back, but Carrigaline were left with too much to do and Courcey’s ran out the winners on a score of 4-6 to 3-3.

U15 City Football Championship
Carrigline played Brian Dillons under lights in the final of the U15B hurling league at Pairc Ui Rinn last Tuesday night. This was typical championship hurling with both teams starting in a very determined, high tempo fashion, which was to be the trend for the entire game. Carrigaline were the first to score with a goal from centre forward, Niall Coakley, from the edge of the square in the second minute. With mid fielder Tony O’Connor very solid under the puckout and playing a brand of hard direct no-nonsense hurling, allied to the more subtle skills of his midfield partner, Robert Foley, whose speed over ground and skilful striking from the hand, gave Carrigaline an advantage in this area for the whole of the first half. Even with a plentiful supply of ball the forward came up against a formidable Dillons defence, who fought tenaciously for every ball and never allowed their opponents to settle on the ball.
Brian Dillons had their opening point in the 3rd minute, followed immediately by a point from Robert Foley. Both teams had a barren period between the 5th and 18th minutes, but Dillons will rue the two clear- cut goal scoring opportunities they missed. From then until the end of the half the Carrigaline full back line battened down the hatches, and the trio of full backs Daragh Coughlan,(who was outstanding) and fellow full backs James O’Reilly and Brian Giltenan, both of whom made several telling clearances, never again allowed their immediately opponents the same latitude to pose any great threat and they were able assisted by goal keeper Michael O’Sullivan. As well as this, Conor Hurley’s sweeping clearances and clever positional play at centre- back never allowed Dillons forwards to force directly through the middle, allied to the excellent wing back play Mark Willianson (captain) and Andy O’Sullivan.
As the half wore on and with a plentiful supply of ball, the hard working Carrigaline forward line began to find their scoring range, and between the 18th and 30th minutes had scores from Eoin O’Sullivan 1-1, Tony Murphy 0-2, Conor Hurley 0-1, Simon O’Brien 0-1, to leave the scores at half- time, Carrigaline 2-6 Brien Dillons 0-1.
The loss of Carrigline mid-field Tony O’Connor just before half-time with a groin strain proved to be a big loss, as the necessary positional changes seem to effect the rhythm of the team and it took some time to regain the momentum. Another factor was the continued ascendancy of Dillons centre back, who had a fine game and made numerous length clearances throughout the second half. Unfortunately, for Dillons they came up against an in-form Carrigaline defence, who repelled their best efforts time after time.
All of the Carrigaline forwards played well at different stages and this is reflected in the scoreboard, where the six forwards had their name of the score sheet. A feature of the second half was the sheer speed, physicality and athleticism of wing forward Eoin Harrington’s play, which was typified by two balls he collected deep in his own half-backline, sprinted away from his opposition corner forward Simon O’Brien. Carrigaline ended up winning the match 4-11 to 2-0 to add to the championship final win of the previous week, but the score line did not do justice to their opponents, who hurled well and never gave up right to the end.
Panel: Ml. O’Sullivan, James O’Reilly, Daragh Coughlan, Brian Giltenan, Andy O’Sullivan, Conor Hurley (2-2), Mark Williamson, Robert Foley (0-1), Tony O’Connor, Tony Murphy (1-2), Niall Coakley (1-0), Eoin Harrrington (1-0), Simon O’Brien, David O’Regan, (0-1), Eoin O’Sullivan (1-1) Kevin Ahern, Jamie O’Sullivan, Brendan Cashman, CJ O’Sullivan, Jason O’Leary, Adrian Lynch.
U16 South East Hurling League Final
Carrigaline under 16 hurlers brought their long season to a very satisfactory conclusion with a comprehensive victory over their old rivals Ballinhassig, in the final of the Southeast League in Carrigaline on Sunday morning. On this occasion, Carrigaline were on top in most departments and had a good lead at half time on a scoreline of 2-7 to 0-3. In this opening half they played against quite a strong wind. In the second half both teams found scoring difficult, but in the end it was Carrig’s day. Final score 2-12 to 0-6.
Stephen Corcoran, Tony Murphy, Patrick Donnellan, Peter Ronayne, Joseph Moran and Conor Hurley played exceptionally well on the day. Goalkeeper, Shane Barry was called upon to make some excellent saves, and this he did with great confidence.
Scorers: Stephen Corcoran 2-08, Mitchell Cuddihy, Craig Neville, Tony Murphy, and Paul Campbell 0-1 each.
Most of this team will now be moving on to the adult playing section of the club. They have given us many enjoyable matches over the last few years and like their predecessors from last year, have helped to bring hurling to a new level in the club. Hopefully, they will continue to play for many years. Well done also to everyone involved with the team, but in particular Pat Corcoran, Manager who has been with them from the start and Tony Barry who has coached them in recent years.
They are still involved in football, and who knows, we may still have a county trophy in 2004!