While the emphasis has been on football in recent weeks the hurlers of all grades are now beginning to see more of the action.
The under-11’s have commenced their City League campaign and got off to a fine start with a well-merited win over Ballincollig (2-1 to 0-0). They followed this up with a game against Blackrock in which they gave an excellent account of themselves before going down on a 3-8 to 2-2 scoreline.

The under-12’s hurling campaign is on hold at the present due to their commitments in the county football championship. They travel to Clonakilty on Saturday next to take on the home side in the county quarter-final. They had an excellent warm-up game against St Finbarrs in the City league last week and came away winners on a
1-14 to 1-5 scoreline. Best of luck to Sean Ryle and his charges in Saturday’s game.
(check notice board for time of game)

The under-13 hurlers have also been going well of late, recording wins over Ballincollig and Valley Rovers and drawing with Cobh.

The under-14 hurlers recorded a hard-fought win over Tracton recently as they prepare for their championship game against Valley Rvs on June 5th.

On Friday last the under-15 hurlers entertained Glen Rovers and in a tremendously skilful and high-scoring encounter came out on top by 4-21 to 4-5. Carrigaline led by 0-10 to 1-5 at half-time but in the second period the scoring floodgates were opened in a really entertaining game of hurling. Killian McIntyre was top-scorer for Carrig with 0-11 while Jamie dePuis (2-0), David O’Donovan (1-1), and Darren Murphy (1-1), also contributed significantly to the scoring. Others to shine for Carrigaline were Aodán Cotter and Aidan O’Flynn. The under-15’s are fortunate to have secured the services of coach Tony O’Donovan who last year guided the Intermediate hurlers to an historic first County Title.

Carrig Crowned SE Under-12 Football Champs
Carrigaline 4-9 Valley Rovers 0-1
On an evening more akin to the month of March Carrigaline were crowned SE Under-12 Football Champions for 2009 at Minane Bridge on Monday last when they overcame the challenge of great rivals Valley Rovers.
Valleys played with the strong breeze in the opening half and soon had the Carrig defence under pressure. In the second minute Peter O’Reilly was on hand to make an important goal-line clearance to deny the Rovers. Gradually Carrig began to assert themselves and due to the influence of a dominant halfback line in which Colin Maguire was excellent all through, ably supported by Stephen Williamson and team captain Sean Gray, and a super midfield pairing of Barry Ryan and Kieran Dwane they began to control proceedings. However some wayward shooting saw the game remain scoreless until the twelfth minute. Then a long delivery by Kieran Dwane was cleverly volleyed to the Rovers net by Caleb O’Connell and just a minute later Carrig repeated the dose when Evan Ryle latched onto a Barry Ryan pass to billow the net once again.
Carrig were now in the ascendancy but Valleys responded with a pointed free in the fifteenth minute. Carrig responded in kind with a Barry Ryan pointed free and shortly afterwards Stephen O’Reilly set up Evan Ryle for another point to leave Carrig in control at the interval on a 2-2 to 0-1 scoreline.
Carrig now turned to play with the strong breeze and even though the Rovers never gave up trying there was only going to be one outcome. It took Carrig about ten minutes to find the range but once they did a succession of scores flowed from Evan Ryle (1-2), Barry Ryan (1-1), Oran Buckley (0-2), Caleb O ‘Connell and Elijah Kadi-Harrington (0-1 each).
Following the game, which was excellently handled by Paul McCarthy (Kinsale), the Chairman of the SE Juvenile Board, Martin McMullen, presented the Shield to Sean Gray and the team, mentors and supporters headed back to the GAA Pavilion to continue the post-match celebrations.

Carrig team and scorers: Graham Bowdren, Peter O’Reilly, Daithi Griffin, Peter Stack, Colin Maguire, Stephen Williamson, Sean Gray (Capt), Barry Ryan (1-2), Kieran Dwane, Colm O’Reilly, Oran Buckley (0-2), Cian Drinan, Stephen O’Reilly, Evan Ryle (2-3), Caleb O’Connell (1-1).
Subs used: Elijah Kadi-Harrington (0-1) for Stephen O’Reilly
Adam Williamson for Peter Stack
Emmett O’Mahony for Caleb O’Connell
Stephen Walsh for Peter O’Reilly
Luke Kenny for Colm O’Reilly
Dylan Murphy for Daithi Griffin (inj)

HURLERS ENJOY FIRST ROUND SUCCESS
Both the intermediate and Junior hurlers tasted first round success over the weekend. The Intermediate were first out last Thursday in Caherlag in their first Championship outing in the Premier grade. This was an important game for this team after winning last year’s Championship and stepping up a level. Playing St. Catherine’s who were coming down from the Senior ranks was never going to be easy but after a nervous finish Carrigaline were well worth their three point victory.
Then on Sunday evening The Junior Hurlers started their campaign against Valley Rovers in Belgooly in what turned out to be a close encounter. A Brian Irwin goal in the second half was a major factor in the Carrigaline victory despite having lost two of their starting fifteen due to injuries in the first ten minutes. So it was a good start to both Championship campaigns and both teams now eagerly await the third round draw.
CARRIGALINE 1-16 ST CATHERINES 1-13
A first half which yielded thirteen points, a goal from Creagh Neville after the break and a top class save from Eoin O’Sullivan were the main reasons that Carrigaline are in the draw for the third round of the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship and not having to worry about the threat of relegation. Simon O’Brien scored Carrigaline’s first point in this grade and by the time the half was over all six forwards were on the score sheet plus Peter Ronayne in the middle of the field and Joe Moran from centre back who put over a free from well within his own half of the pitch. Simon added two more from frees in between a number of Catherine’s points before points from David Drake, Wes O’Brien and Tony Murphy meant Carrigaline took a firm grip of the game. The Carrigaline half back line Joe Moran in particular, were strong under the high ball being sent to their opponents attack and this laid the platform for the Carrig superiority. As the half wore on Carrig had further points from Simon O’Brien frees, Peter Ronayne, Ray Keohane and Creagh Neville meant that Carrig went in at the break 0-13 to 0-6 to the good.
The second half started well for Carrigaline with a pointed free from Simon O’Brien and then a well taken Creagh Neville goal. Joe Moran added another free shortly after to leave Carrigaline 1-15 to 0-7 in front and seemingly in total control. But Catherine’s had other ideas and used all their experience in taking control of the game and whittling away at the Carrig lead. They goaled in the ninth minute and continued to add points ensure a tense finish. Simon O’Brien added another free, Carrigaline’s last score of the game, in the fourteenth minute but still Catherine’s peppered the Carrigaline goal. A top drawer save and clearance from Eoin O’Sullivan with time running out kepf Carrig in the lead and some strong defensive work at the death ensured Carrigaline victory on a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-13. The victory ensures Premier status for another year and the knowledge that this team is able to compete in this grade. TEAM; E O’Sullivan, C Lynch, G Dillon, T O’Connor, j Cowhig, J Moran, C Hurley, P Murphy, P Ronayne, W O’Brien, R Keohane, S O’Brien, D Drake, T Murphy, C Neville. SUBS; N Murphy, G Harrington.
CARRIGALINE 1-9 VALLEY ROVERS 0-8
Despite having to make two enforced substitutions in the first ten minutes of the game Carrigaline settled well to come out on top of this JAHC tie. Brendan O’Driscoll’s accuracy from frees in a difficult wind gave Carrigaline the edge and when half time sub Brian Irwin put the sliotar into the Valley’s net Carrig never looked back. TEAM; M O’Mahony, P Donnellan, A O’Keeffe, S Noonan, A Noonan, D Bagnall, D Coughlan, S O’Regan, CJ O’Sullivan, C Barry, D O’Regan, B O’Driscoll, N Coakley, J McCarthy, P Campbell. SUBS; J Keohane, A Lynch, B Irwin.
La na gClub
The La na gClub day will take place next Sunday in the club, The day will begin with a Blessing of the club grounds and the raising of the 125 flag. During the day there will be street league games, novelty games, a dunk tank, a photo exhibition, a Scor exhibition, a pig on the spit and much more. Hopefully the weather will be good on the day and will mean that a big attendance is assured. It is Carrigalines way of marking this special anniversary so we are calling on all club members and their families to call in during the day and sample the atmosphere.