FIRST HALF GOALS RUIN CARRIG’S CHANCES OF COUNTY SUCCESS

BY NATHAN WALL PRO

PREMIER MINOR FOOTBALL COUNTY FINAL:
Two first half goals from the penalty spot gave Macroom the advantage in this Ulster bank premier minor football county section final played in bitter conditions in Newcestown on Sunday last. This was Carrig’s sixth Sunday in a row playing championship matches and there is no doubt that this took its toll on some of the players who during the week were playing Harty cup with the school. Carrig got off to a good start with an early pointed free from Cormac Creed Nolan but Carrig witnessed their best spell of the entire game in the opening ten minutes and it was the two controversial penalties that killed off this game as a contest. The lads were flying it up to this point when after a high ball was played into the Carrig square goalie Michael Webb ran out to win a high ball, the referee was in the opinion that the Carrig keeper took out the player and to the disgust of the Carrig team the penalty was slotted nicely into the back of the net, then the second penalty was awarded moments later, again the referee pulled the Carrig keeper for a leg block but it was very harsh and yet again the ball was nicely tucked away from the spot. What Carrigaline needed was an early second half goal but they failed to break down the superb Macroom defence who on the day got the better of the Carrig forwards. Macrrom played some nice football on the day and there is no doubt that they were deserved champions, they dominated the half back line and took control of midfield from early on so the Carrig backs were under savage pressure from the word go. In a very scrappy and low scoring second half Macroom scored 3 points were Carrig only managed 2. Carrig never gave up on the day and every player believed he could come back and win it for Carrig. The main highlights of the first half had to be Cormac Creed Nolan fisted goal after a high ball in to the box from Kyle Meehan and Wesley O’ Brian’s superb solo run from his own 45m line and he ran up the wing to the Macroom 21 m line and his fine kick sailed superbly over the bar. At the break it was Macroom 2-7 Carrigaline 1-3. Carrig made a few changes at the break and moved fellows around in hoping that this would change the game but this failed to boost Carrig. In a very poor second half Carrig’s points came from Cormac Creed Nolan and an injury time point from Joe Moran. The final score was Macroom 2-10 Carrigaline 1-5. The lads now have a deserved break now in a year that has been outstanding for them, they have learnt a lot in the 12 months especially believing that they are up there with the best in our county, well done to every player on a superb year. Also best of luck to the Harty cup team in CCS who are playing Templemore of Tipp in the last game of their league, it’s a win win situation for both schools if they want to reach the quarter final stages so best of luck to all involved.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
The general AGM was held in the club on Monday 5th December and saw the new constitution been voted in. the year ahead sees the new structure brought into effect were the executive committee take control of the club, the new committee is as follows Billy Walsh Chairman, Sean Collins Vice- Chairman, Secretary Frank Crowley, Treasure Christine Jenkinson, Pro Nathan Wall, Youth Officer Pat Dineen, Registrar Billy McCarthy, Field Officer Sean Cooney. This is the last report on matches for the year as our season in the club has come to an end so id like to wish the club members, players and people of the local community a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Carrigaline Under-Age GAA

UNDER 16’s REACH COUNTY FINAL

Pride of place this week goes to our under 16 footballers who by virtue of their semi-final win over Beara on Saturday last have qualified to meet St.Michaels in the County Premier Final on Saturday next.
Our under 14 footballers added to their impressive collection of silverware by defeating Valley Rovers in the SE League final at Brinny while our under 12 footballers went down narrowly to Bishopstown in the City League semi-final.
The under 13’s had a hectic schedule on Sunday, playing games in both codes and emerging with a draw and a victory.
With the playing season drawing to a close it is time to review the year’s activities. The Under-Age AGM will be held in the club pavilion on Thursday Dec. 1st at 8.00p.m. and all are welcome to come along.
The Annual Victory Social for players and parents will be held in the Club Pavilion on Saturday next Dec. 3rd.

FE 16 SEMI FINAL COUNTY FOOTBALL
CARRIG UI LEIGHIN 1 – 12 BEARA 0 – 10
VENUE: PAIRC TADGH NA SAMHNA
REF: DONAL MC.CARTHY (DOHENYS)

After several fixture/venue changes the Fe 16 Football County Semi Football finally got the go ahead. Carrigaline and Beara travelled to Drimoleague last Saturday the 26th November. Prior to the commencement of the match both sides stood for a minutes silence in memory of the victims of a recent fatal accident in Beara.
Carrig opened the scoring with a quick point, then Beara got a point from a free, followed by another free to both sides in quick succession. The game was a stop start affair with many frees being awarded. Carrig tried pushing forward and responded with a point. Another attack and the challenge on the Carrig forward in the square was deemed a penalty which was duly converted. Beara started mounting pressure on the Carrig goalmouth but the backs defended well. The goalkeeper pushed the ball over the bar for a point and Beara were back in the game. Carrig got going again but saw Simon O’Brien’s effort saved on the line. A free to Carrigaline and another point for Carrig meant the teams went off at half time with Carrig leading 1 - 5 to Beara’s
0 - 7.
After some strong words from the mentors at half time, the Carrig lads came out with only one thing in mind. Carrig had some good passing movements resulting in an early point. Beara got two frees in quick succession one resulting in a point. A quick pass from Eoin Harrington to Andrew O’Sullivan on to Niall Coakley who was held and another free quickly converted. A pass from Eoin O’Sullivan to Darragh Coughlan who kept the ball in play but collided with an opponent, resulting in a five minute stoppage. Beara pointed the resulting free. The mentors substituted Robert Foley with Kyle Kinsella and Kevin Ahern with Stephen Power, and this gave the team new momentum. Kinsella immediately pointed. With ten minutes to go Beara regrouped and applied pressure on the Carrig defence, however the defence stood firm and weathered the storm. The advantage was now with Carrigaline and they ran down the clock winning eventually by five points. The final score Carrigaline 1 - 12 Beara 0 - 10.
As this was one of the team’s very few bus outings, full advantage was taken of the occasion. A stop at the Parkway Hotel Dunmanway for food was followed by a mighty sing song on the way home in the bus. Carrigaline now move forward to the Final, to meet St Michaels at a venue to be announced.

The Carrigaline panel: James O’Reilly, Killian Kavanagh, Darragh Coughlan, Brian Giltinan, Cian O’Sullivan, Conor Hurley, Andrew O’Sullivan, Robert Foley, Eoin O’Sullivan, Tony Murphy, Niall Coakley, Eoin Harrington, Kevin Ahern, David O’Reagan, Simon O’Brien, Stephen Power, Kyle Kinsella, Tony O’Connor, Brian Twomey, Shane Noonan, Brendan Cashman and David Manley.

Special thanks to all who travelled from Carrigaline to the match, and to Kevin O’Driscoll and Pat Corcoran for acting as umpires.

South East Under 14 Football League Final

Valley Rovers 2 – 7 Carrigaline 5 - 12

Played in Brinny on Saturday last this was the final game of the year for this side. In the first half the home side made a match of it and played some nice football to go in leading at the interval on a scoreline of 1 – 6 to 0 – 3.
Carrig upped their performance in the second half, overhauled the half-time deficit and went on to record a comfortable victory.
James Sheppard had an outstanding game at midfield while Cian Barry and Davy Spillane were superb in the half-back line. Michael Dwane never put a foot wrong at corner-back and Michael O Donovan at centre-forward had a super game. Two of the younger players deserve special mention, goalkeeper Ciaran Malone was very sound throughout while Chris Allen had a great outing at half-back.

U 13 City Football Championship Semi-final

St.Nicks 2 – 5 Carrigaline 1 - 8

Carrigaline put in a determined gritty performance to scratch out a well deserved draw in this hard fought match. St. Nicks had the better of the opening exchanges and two early goals meant that Carrig were on the back foot and went in at half time four points behind. In the second half Carrig dug deep and aided by scores from A Healy, M O Hanlon and C O Flynn worked their way back within striking range. Inspired from the back by C Allen and C O Flynn Carrig drove on to the end, but a goal remained between the sides. Up stepped super sub J Glennon who waltzed through the St Nicks rearguard and fired in a shot which hit the bar. C Keating was on hand to score an opportunist goal to draw the game level. Carrig can feel very happy with their efforts in this game.

U 13 South East Hurling Championship Semi-final

Carrigaline 1 - 9 Sliabh Rua 3 - 2

Carrigaline won out in a thrilling encounter that went down to the wire. After an evenly matched first half Carrigaline were one point down at the interval. Carrig pulled away by a few scores in the second period, but credit to Sliabh Rua who came back into it with well taken goals. They could have scored more, but P Conway stood firm in goal and pulled off many top class saves. With R O Shea, C McSuibhne and L O Hanlon working hard Carrig recovered from the two goal Sliabh Rua blast. A late point by Carrig seemed only to be a consolation, but up popped O Shea to finish coolly to the net and clinch a narrow one point victory.

City Under 12 Football League Semi-Final

Bishopstown 4 – 4 Carrigaline 3 – 5

A long and successful year for the under 12 team and management finally came to an end on Saturday last when they were narrowly beaten by Bishopstown in the semi-final of the City league.
It was a close and exciting game throughout with the home side just about deserving their victory on the day.
Best for Carrig were Andrew Thomas and Eoin O Donovan in the forward line while Eoin O Donnell and Brian Curran stood out in the backline.

Fixtures
Saturday December 3rd
County Premier Under 16 Football Final v St. Michaels
(See notice board for details of time and venue)