Anthony Conway Tournament a Great Success
On Saturday last the Carrigaline club organised an under-14 football tournament to honour the memory of the late Anthony Conway who died unexpectedly just prior to last Christmas. At the time of his death Anthony had been Manager of the Under-13 Hurling and Football teams so it was appropriate that the inaugural tournament in his honour featured his team and five other invited clubs, Aghada, Canovee, Nemo Rangers, St Finbarrs and Valley Rvs.
The six teams were divided into two groups of three; Carrigaline, Aghada and St Finbarrs in Group 1 with Nemo Rangers, Valley Rvs and Canovee in Group 2.
Following the initial round-robin series of games Carrigaline qualified to meet Nemo Rangers in one semi-final and St Finbarrs faced Valley Rvs in the second semi-final
Aghada and Canovee qualified to meet in the C Final.
In their meeting with Nemo, Carrigaline were in a strong position at half-time, leading 1-5 to 0-2. However Nemo came back strongly in the second period and scored some well-worked goals to win on a scoreline of 5-4 to 1-9. It was this ability of the talented Nemo forwards to score goals that was also to prove decisive in the final against city rivals St Finbarrs. What a marvellous final it was and a fitting end to a great day’s sport. The game ebbed and flowed throughout with the lead changing hands on several occasions. Barrs led 2-5 to 3-1 at the interval and extended their lead with a successful penalty conversion after the break. Nemo were not to be denied however, and came roaring back with some scintillating football to run out winners on a 6-5 to 4-6 scoreline.
In the C Final Aghada were winners over Canovee after a closely-fought game while Carrigaline easily accounted for SE rivals Valley Rvs in the B Final.

Following the finals the presentation ceremony took place. Carrigaline Under-Age GAA Chairman, Pat Dineen, welcomed all the teams and their supporters and thanked them for their participation in the tournament. In welcoming the Conway family he paid tribute to the late Anthony, praising him for his dedication and commitment to the club and especially to his young hurling and footballing charges. He said that he was greatly missed by all members of the club but especially by his wife Breda and children Jason, Lorraine, Cormac and Padraic, a playing member of the Carrigaline under-14 team.
Anthony’s wife, Breda, then presented each team captain with a commemorative plaque and his children presented medals to all the players. Finally, Breda presented the Anthony Conway Perpetual Cup to the winning Nemo Rangers captain.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr Billy Fennel thanked all the teams for giving a wonderful display of football and he thanked the Carrigaline club for organising the tournament in honour of Anthony.
So ended what was in some ways a sad day but also a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much time and energy in caring for some of the youth of Carrigaline.

Referees for the day were Rod Allen and Michael Harrington of the host club and Brendan Keohane of Ballinhassig. A special word of thanks to the stewards and umpires and especially to all the ladies who did a superb job in catering for the teams and the adults. John Dwane did an excellent job as co-ordinator of the tournament

Results:
Group 1
Carrigaline 1-2 St Finbarrs 2-2
Aghada 2-1 St Finbarrs 2-9
Carrigaline 9-7 Aghada 0-0

Group 2
Nemo Rangers 1-13 Canovee 2-2
Valley Rvs 5-5 Canovee 5-4
Nemo Rangers 3-10 Valley Rvs 0-4

Semi-Finals
St Finbarrs 5-9 Valley Rvs 0-2
Nemo Rangers 5-4 Carrigaline 1-9

Finals
A – Nemo Rangers 6-5 St Finbarrs 4-6

B – Carrigaline 5-9 Valley Rvs 0-0

C – Aghada 2-4 Canovee 0-6

Carrigaline U 14 Feile na nGael Semi-finalists 2006

The long wait for the Carrigaline Feile hurlers ended last Friday when the action packed weekend started with a match against Clonkill, Carrig’s visitors from Westmeath. Also in Carrig’s group were Lisdowney from Kilkenny and local rivals Sliabh Rua.

Carrigaline 1.7 Clonkill 0.5

Carrigaline kicked off their Feile weekend with a keenly contested match against the Westmeath champions. Although Carrig started with a well taken long range free from C Malone, Clonkill showed that they were well up to the grade and responded with two points of their own. Clonkill won their fair share of possession around midfield but struggled to get their scores up front due to a mean spirited full back line where M Hanlon dominated from the start. L Hanlon and R O Shea found scores to put Carrig three points up at the break. Soon after the restart C O Flynn fired to the back of the net in what was to prove the crucial score in the game. At the other end however, Carrig were indebted to E O Donovan who pulled off three reaction saves of which Davy Fitzgerald would have been proud. C Malone and R O Shea found their range from out the field and although Clonkill rallied with three points of their own in the second period Carrigaline took the points even though they knew they were not at their best and would have to improve in Riverstick.

Lisdowney 1.2 Carrigaline 6.10

Carrigaline turned in a barnstorming performance to which the Kilkenny side could find no answer in their first match on Saturday morning. All of Carrigaline’s players performed in a slick display of creative intelligent hurling. Carrig started with the bit between their teeth and raced into an early lead with well taken frees from C Allen and R O Shea. The game was effectively over by half time as Carrig plundered three goals in as many minutes. P Conway, K Kavanagh and R O Shea all found the net and it gave the visitors a mountain to climb. Unfortunately for Lisdowney Carrig kept the pressure on in the second period with three further goals and C O Flynn D O Brien and A Cooney also picked off fine scores. A O Reilly and M O Grady gave the Kilkenny forwards very little time and space to make an impact and L Hanlon C Malone and half back pairing of C Mc Sweeney, and S Dwane sent in clever ball to free up the forwards. G O Mahony also worked hard when introduced. Carrigaline were well worth their comprehensive win.

Sliabh Rua 2.2 Carrigaline 1.6

Carrigaline had to face their local rivals in the last game of the group stages. This was to prove the closest game of the day with local pride at stake. Carrig again played well in the first period, but Sliabh Rua matched their endeavours and goaled in the first period to leave the game keenly poised at half time with Carrig leading by two points. Scores were hard to come by in the second period but Carrig’s spirit was personified by C Allen who fought tigerishly throughout. M Molly S O Flynn and D Hickey also made a contribution with their committed play when they were introduced. J O Keeffe played well until he left the field due to injury. A long range effort by C Malone was forced over the line in the dying minutes of the game to leave Carrig the winners by two points.

Carrigaline 0.4 St. John’s 2.9

Carrig drew the highly fancied St. John’s in the semi final of the Feile na nGael. St. John’s raced into an early lead and went 1.3 up before Carrig could put a score on the board through R O Shea. However, if there is one thing that Carrigaline don’t lack then it is heart and the boys from the Owenabue rallied with points from C O Flynn and M Lynch that upset St. John’s. Carrig found themselves under pressure in the second period as St. John’s upped their game with physical power and cleverly worked moves. Carrigaline never gave up in the second period and made St. John’s work hard for their scores. Carrig eventually succumbed at the end but, the never say die attitude made their supporters proud of them. This was also acknowledged by the St. John’s supporters who clapped Carrigaline off the pitch. All in all Carrigaline can feel well satisfied with their Feile campaign and were only beaten by the eventual winners.

Squad: E O Donovan, A O Reilly, C Malone, M Hanlon, C McSweeney, C Allen, S Dwane, C O Flynn, L Hanlon, R O Shea, J O Keeffe, M Lynch, A Cooney, P Conway, K Kavavagh, E Moynihan, S Caffrey, D Hickey, D O Brien J Kind, M Molloy, S O Flynn, G O Mahony, M O Grady, P Bresnan, K Murphy, C Keating, C Conway L Brandon

Off the playing pitch we also had a very successful weekend with the steadfast friendships formed between Clonkill and Carrigaline players. A social evening on Saturday night was kick started by a BBQ sponsored by Barry Collins Super Value and the entertainment was provided by Robert Foster and his musicians with traditional music. A Disco for the players gave them a chance to expend any energy they had left!

Thanks to all who helped out in the running of a fantastic weekend that will live long in the memory.