Cork hurlers looking for first hurling league title since 1998

 

First appearance in a decider for three years and without a title since 1998 and the Rebels return to a national hurling league final. You might well be aware of when and where by now. One thing for sure and certain it will be against Tipperary. At club level, a second win for the Saints in division 3 of the East Cork Junior Hurling League. A juvenile programme gradually gaining league momentum. While Emma Hanrahan, Ballyhooly wins the lotto jackpot of €14,400. That and much more. So off you go. Read on.

Cork GAA highlights

Another sad loss in the annals of county GAA with the death of Midleton man Ger Fitzgerald. May he rest in peace. Contrary to all the controversy 12 months ago and the rebel county’s opening three fixtures in this year’s Munster Senior Hurling Championship against Clare, Tipperary and Limerick are all set for live television coverage. But before all that in 9 or 10 days’ time the Rebels will play the most traditional of their great rivals when for the first time in 65 years they meet Tipperary in a national hurling league final.

Ironically, they play against each other again 3 weeks later in the championship at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Cork beat Dublin in the first ever national hurling league final in 1925. They lost to Tipperary in the ’60 final. They actually collected 8 titles in a row, winning all finals contested between 1969 and 1998. As against that they are now without a title since then. Losing 5 finals, taking in the years 2002, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2022. Including in that a duo of losses to Kilkenny and Waterford. Let’s hope they can lift the title and send them to Ennis on a high a fortnight later.

Last Sunday’s end result from Kingspan Breffni Park doubly beneficial for the Rebels. Securing their league status for another year in division 2 of the national football league allied to championship retention for the season. Remember Cork will be away to Limerick in a fortnight commencing their Munster football championship campaign. Could it be doubled up for the hurling league final? Football winners will be at home to Kerry in the semi-final, so overall a satisfactory weekend for Cork spread over both codes.

Action on the field of play

Round 2 division 3 East Cork Junior Hurling League

Cobh 2-07 St Catherines 3-21

Two from two for the Saints following a resounding success in this round 2 Amarenco Junior Hurling League tie played up the hill under the lights on Cobh’s second choice pitch on Thursday evening last at 8pm. A feature for the winners was that all nine scorers registered in the opening half. Eoin Condon, Jake Bryan and Philip Griffin were the goalscorers with Diarmuid O’Connell, Kian O’Donoghue and Ciaran Leamy also on the register among others, against a sporting home team for whom Paul Murphy, Jason Cotter and Conor Farrell played well. Next up will be a home game against Carrigtwohill.

Scorers: D O’Connell (0-03 frees) (0-07), E Condon and J Bryan (0-01 free) (1-03 each), P Griffin (1-00), K O’Donoghue (0-01 free) (0-03), C Leamy (0-02), C Pietropaolo, C Hayes and A Neville (0-01 each).

St Catherine’s team: E Sheehan, C McCarthy, M Geary, T Barry, M Mulcahy, E O’Driscoll, C Pietropaolo, A Neville, C Hayes, D O’Connell, P Griffin, K O’Donoghue, J Bryan, E Condon, C Leamy. Referee: Brian Murphy (Carrigtwohill).

Juvenile report

Round 2 division 2 Rebel Óg North Minor Hurling League

Kilworth Araglen Óg 1-15 St Catherines 2-12

Strong defensive play from James Kenneally and newly appointed U16 captain Sean Walsh, allayed to the lead score finished off by Cillian Hickey and a two goal John Temple strike at opposite ends of the opening half, all helped to place the Saints into a half time lead of 2-05 to 0-06 in their opening Minor hurling league tie at a cold, albeit dry Araglen on the afternoon of St Patrick’s Day last at 2pm. Favoured by the elements, a margin trimmed to one point within two minutes of the turnaround. Taking it in turns on the scoreboard as the second half advanced with the home team to the good at 1-12 to 2-08 to the three-quarter mark. With the combination of Killian Watts and magnificent centreback Denis Riordan producing 12 points of the opposition’s eventual overall tally of 1-15.

A help to the Saints near the end was moving goalscorer Temple out into the thick of the action. Scoring a vital point, unlucky with another attempt, and setting up unerring free taker Gearoid Sheehan for a well struck point from play. In fairness a share of the spoils was a fair and justifiable result.

Scorers: J Temple (2-02), G Sheehan (0-06 frees) (0-07), S O’Donoghue (0-02) and C Hickey (0-01).

St Catherine’s team: C Higgins, C Barry, J Kenneally, S Walsh, B McKeen, T Clancy, C O’Driscoll, K O’Donoghue, L Moore, C Hickey, S O’Donoghue, G Sheehan, T Dee, J Temple, R Hickey. Subs: S McCarthy for B McKee (43’), E O’Mahony for K O’Donoghue (50’). Referee: Davy Farrell Snr (Mitchelstown).

Round 2 division 2 Rebel Óg East Minor Football League

St Catherines 1-03 St Vincents 7-16

A pacy St Vincents were much too strong in this round 2 tie when played in Ballynoe on Sunday evening last.

Scorers: A Cotter (1-00) and J O’Connor (0-03 frees). St Catherine’s team: T Dee, S McCarthy, C Murray, C O’Driscoll, C Barry, T Clancy, S Walsh, L Moore, C Hickey, C Higgins, S O’Donoghue, R Hickey, A Cotter, J O’Connor, E O’Mahony. Subs: B O’Connor for C Higgins (second half), C Higgins for E O’Mahony (52’). Referee: Greg Byrne (Cobh).

Round 2 division 2 Rebel Óg East U14 Football League

St Catherines 1-03 Castlelyons 3-14

A slightly fortuitous Aaron O’Gorman goal on 10 minutes was the key score separating the teams with the Saints to the good on a half time scoreline standing at 1-03 to 0-03 in this round 2 U14 league tie at a cold, wet Ballynoe on Saturday afternoon last at 2pm.

Favoured by the elements on the changeover, Castlelyons, with advantage in the height and strength department and with Ned Condon and Cionnaith Cotter sharing in a litany of scores, were worthy winners at game’s end. These same two teams were to have met in the equivalent hurling league in Castlelyons yesterday evening (Wednesday, March 26th).

Scorers: A O’Gorman (1-00), K O’Connell, D Temple and N Keane (free) (0-01 each).

St Catherine’s team: S Maguire, O Feeney, C Fitzgerald, A Coakley, Z Pyne, S Moore, A O’Connor, K O’Connell, A O’Gorman, D Temple, N Keane, T Shiels, B Coakley, S O’Keeffe, J Bryan. Subs: O Sheehan and R Molloy for T Shiels and J Bryan (both second half). Also D Kenneally. Referee: Jimmy Smiddy (Kiltha Óg-Castlemartyr).

Lotto success for Emma Hanrahan, Ballyhooly

Being our national feast day so last week’s lotto draw was held over until Tuesday night, March 18th when the combination of 13, 24, 27 and 29 saw Emma Hanrahan, Ballyhooly the sole winner of a then accumulated €14,400 jackpot. Congratulations and well done to Emma who as Emma Hegarty, Garrycaheragh, Ballynoe prior to moving to Ballyhooly has been supporting the draw since the outset. Consolation winners on the night were P D Hartigan, c/o PH Conna, Sheila O’Leary, Carrigeen, Conna, Billy Hurley, Kilclare, Conna, Michael Kenneally, Shean, Ballyduff and Rose Buckner, Glantane, Ballynoe, online. Reverting to a basic €2,000 jackpot the most recent draw was set for the clubrooms, Ballynoe on Monday night last, March 24th. But for now, it’s all about Emma Hanrahan, enjoy!

What’s coming up

Sunday, March 30th at Killeagh, round 3 division 2 Amarenco Junior Football league v Glenbower Rovers at 11.30am. Monday, March 31st round 2 division 2 Rebel Óg North U16 Hurling League in Kildorrery at 6.30pm. Wednesday, April 2nd at Ballynoe, round 2 division 2 Rebel Óg North Minor Hurling League v Clyda Rovers at 6.30pm.

East Cork Scór na bPáistí Finals

We congratulate Stephanie Carr on her success in the sean nós dance decider at the East Cork Scór na bPáistí finals held in Lisgoold community hall on Sunday evening last. Now going forward representing club and division to the county final in Éire Óg on this coming Sunday afternoon, March 30th. We congratulate all finalists.

Clocks go forward

Just watch out as the time goes forward this weekend. Meaning an hour less in the leaba on Saturday night which you get back at the end of October. A lot of water under the bridge by then.

St Catherine’s GAA Club sponsors

T&A Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Ballynoe, are sponsors of St Catherine’s GAA Club. Mulcahy Steel are sponsors of St Catherine’s Juvenile GAA Club.