FERMOY HANDBALL CLUB

- Another Munster title for Fermoy -

INTERMEDIATE DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

On Thursday night last, in Cappagh in Limerick, Colm Jordan was partnered by Pat Buckley of Mallow to win the Munster intermediate doubles title for 2008. This was a great win for the pair and was the second Munster title won by the Fermoy club this year. It was a late evening game as Colm and Pat did not take to the court until 9:30 on Thursday night.

Colm was coming up against Declan Frawley, his doubles partner of 2 years earlier when they went on to claim world championship honours so a good close game was expected. Colm and Pat got off to a great start going 5-0 up before the Clare pairing got a chance to get into the game.

Once the Clare pairing got in to serve they started to up the tempo of the game and it was ace for ace from her on in. The sides were level at 5-5, 11-11, 13-13 and 16-16 before the Clare pairing of Declan Frawley and Fergal Coughlan got a few vital aces and took the first game on a scoreline of 21-18.

Clare had the first serve in the second game and had a few early aces on the scoreboard. It was now back to the wall time for Colm and Pat as they knew that they had to up their performance for the next game or their campaign was ended for 2008. Neither player wanted to lose this game so Colm went back to his strongest game of using his power and killing everything in sight, Pat began playing solid sensible Handball on the right with an array of ceiling shots and passing shots to keep his opponents at the back of the court.

With Colm now forcing the play they started to pull away and took the second game on a 21-12 scoreline to force the tie-break. The momentum was now firmly with the Cork pairing but how would the 5 minute break affect both teams. Colm and Pat would have preferred to go straight into the third game and the Clare pair would gladly take the break. Luckily the break did not affect the concentration of Colm Jordan and Pat Buckley and the seized the initiative early in the tie break.

Continuing with the game plan of the second game Colm continued to kill the ball expertly with left and right hand and left his Clare opponents with little hope for a comeback in the game. Colm and Pat closed out the game and the match on a scoreline of 21-10 and in so doing claimed the second Munster title of 2008 for a Fermoy player.

Colm Jordan now joins John McDonagh Snr in the All Ireland semi finals and hopefully they can continue their successful run in 2008.

JUNIOR DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

On Saturday evening last Alan O’Dwyer and partner Finbarr Rafferty took to the court in Liscarroll to play the Munster junior doubles final where they came up against Ballydesmond duo Mike Murphy and Donnacha O’Dea. Alan and Finbar came into this game after 2 tough matches during the week in the quarter final and semi final of the competition. Unfortunately on the night the Ballydesmond pairing took the honours winning the match 21-14, 21-15.

DIAMOND MASTER ‘A’ CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL

On Wednesday night Fermoy Stalwart Michael Jordan had to travel to Liscarroll to play fellow Cork man Dan O’Brien in the final of the diamond masters ‘A’ final. These notes went to press before the result of this game was known so see next weeks notes for the report of this game.

MASTER ‘B’ DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI FINAL 2008

Masters ‘B’ singles champion John McDonagh Snr began his assault on the doubles championships on Friday night when he was partnered by Danny Linehan to play in the Munster semi final of the master ‘B’ doubles championships. They would be coming up against a strong Clare pairing in this game.

However, John’s experience and skill proved too strong as they came from behind and they won through to the Munster final on a scoreline of 20-21, 21-15, 21-17. This will be John’s second Munster final this year and hopefully he can claim a second Munster title and make it a clean sweep of Munster in his category for 2008.

SENIOR DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINAL

Colm Jordan was again thrust into action on Sunday when he had to travel to Kildare to play in the All Ireland quarter final of the senior doubles where he is partnered with Tony Healy of Ballydesmond.

Here they came up against the formidable Meath pairing of Tom Sheridan and Brian Carroll. After over an hour and a half of top class handball the Cork pairing of Colm Jordan and Tony Healy proved too strong and won the game in a closely contested tie -break on a scoreline of 21-19.

Final score 21-15, 10-21, 21-19. They are now through to the All Ireland semi final where they will join some of the best handballers in Ireland.

INTERMEDIATE SINGLES CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINAL

On Tuesday night in Fermoy Colm Jordan takes on Clare’s Fergal Coughlan in the quarter final of the Munster intermediate singles championship. Unfortunately the result of this game was not known when these notes went to press so the result and report will be on next week’s notes

JUNIOR ‘B’ DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

Fermoy’s Timmy McDonagh is partnered by Conor O’Riordan on this Tuesday night as they travel to Nenagh to play a Tipperary pairing in the quarter final of the Munster junior ‘B’ doubles championship

NATIONALS 2008

Alan O’Dwyer is the last Fermoy man standing in the 2008 nationals championships. Alan plays the quarter final of the mens ‘B’ singles on Saturday in Carlow and hopefully he can go all the way and take the title. Fermoy Handball Club League 2008.

There have been a few changes in grading of players in the league. Paudie Donegan and Joe O’Brien have moved to division 1 from division 2. Stephen Slattery and Pa Walsh have moved up to division 2 from division 3. Donie Gilmartin has joined division 3 and Tommy Hughes has moved up from division 4.

RESULTS

Division 1: John McDonagh Snr 2 John McDonagh Jnr 1; Anthony O’Brien 3 Willie Cahill 0; John McDonagh 3 Michael Jordan Jnr 0. Division 2: John Hennessy 3 Lee Tobin 0; Hugh Carolan 2 Tom Tobin 1; John Hurley 2 Tony Jordan 1.

Division 3: Michael Ahern 3 Eoin Cody 0; Michael Ahern 0 Tommy Hughes 3; John Sweeney 0 Tommy Hughes 3; John Sheehan 3 James Roche 0; Donie Gilmartin 3 Barry Quinlan 0.

Division 4: Mark Stapleton 3 Timmy Ahern 0; Don Cahill 3 Timmy Ahern 0; Brian O’Hagan 3 Derek O’Shea 0; Daithi Noonan 3 Mark O’Regan 0.

FERMOY HANDBALL CLUB COLLECTION

Fermoy Handball Club will be holding a street collection on Saturday, 15th March, to help raise money for the continuing development of Fermoy Handball Club which currently has over 30 juvenile players and over 50 adult players. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

Fermoy Handball Club will be walking in this year’s St Patrick’s Day parade and would like to ask all current and past players to walk on the day. Please be at the meeting place outside John McCarthy Motors at 11am on Monday morning.

MITCHELSTOWN C.B.S. HURLING

- CBS beaten in senior ‘B’ decider -

Colaiste an Piarsaigh 3-14 Mitchelstown CBS 1-8

Colaiste an Phiarsaigh are Cork Colleges senior B hurling kingpins following their win over Mitchelstown CBS at Watergrasshill on Tuesday, March 4th. The overall balance and teamwork of the Glanmire side proved decisive. They had outstanding players in Tomas O h-Ogain, Seamus O Fearghaill, Dara MacRuairi and team captain Cillian O Murchu.

The winners had an early goal by Tomas O h-Ogain and led all through. They followed with points by Cillian O Murchu long range free and Seamus O Fearghaill. CBS had an outstanding free taker in Paul Hennessy who sent over two long range frees in the opening quarter. A good delivery by Cillian O Murchu led to a second goal in the 17th minute by Seamus O Fearghaill. It put his side two goals clear.

Both sides exchanged long range frees with Dara MacRuairi having a very good point. Tomas O h-Ogain and Paul Hennessy exchanged a point. CBS forced a penalty when John O’Connor was fouled. Hennessy’s effort at goal was saved with the rebound going over. John O’Connor pointed for the Mitchelstown side who trailed at the break by 2-6 to 0-7.

The second half was all Colaiste an Phiarsaigh. Marc O Caoimh and Tomas O h-Ogain had early points with Cillian O Murchu pointing a 65 after Martin Jackson had saved well from Tomas O h-Ogain. CBS had a goal when Shane Beston put John O’Connor through in the 36th minute which brought the lead down to five points again 2-9 to 1-7.

The winners were now well on top in the halfback line and midfield sectors and further pressure saw them tag on 1-5 in the last 20 minutes. The goal came in the 47th minute by Seamus O Fearghaill. CBS had just a single point by John O’Connor in the 56th minute. Colaiste an Phiarsaigh last won this title in 1998 and 1999.

Mitchelstown CBS also reached the final last year when they were beaten.

Mitchelstown CBS scorers - P Hennessy 0-6 (frees) J O’Connor 1-2.

Mitchelstown CBS - M Jackson (Glanworth), R Fox (Kildorrery), P Norris (Ballygiblin), T Lane (Kildorrery), P Magee (Ballygiblin), S Hennessy (do), K Duggan (do), G Carroll (do), P Molloy (do), S O’Keeffe (Glanworth), P Hennessy (Ballygiblin), F Herlihy (do), N Fitzgibbon (Kildorrery), S Beston (Ballygiblin), J O’Connor (Kildorrery). Sub: R Corbett (Ballygiblin) blood sub for J O’Connor, J O’Connor (Kildorrery) for R Corbett.

Referee Barry Day (Aghada).

FERMOY YOUTHS SOCCER

- Fermoy bow out of FAI Cup -

FAI YOUTHS CUP QUARTER FINAL

The Fermoy youth team took on Dublin side St Patrick’s Ath in the quarter final of the FAI Youths Cup at home on Sunday last and were most unlucky to lose by one goal to nil. Played before a very big crowd the home side started brightly and had the Pats defence at sixes and sevens.

Fermoy should have taken the lead after eighty minutes when a long ball out of defence was chased by Kalin Kelly flicked the ball over the keepers head who managed to just get a hand to the ball which broke nicely for James Campion but with a open goal at his mercy he managed to put the ball over the bar from six yards what a start that would have been.

Fermoy kept up the pressure and were well on top and Adrian O’Driscoll’s missile like throws had the Pat's keeper and defence all at sea, and it was from one of these throws that Fermoy should have opened their account when the ball hit the post but there was know one there to finish it off. Kalin Kelly was unlucky not to score when his flicked shot just went over the bar.

Shortly after Pats had another escape when a great volley by Adrian O’Driscoll which was destined for the back of the net was cleared off the line by a Pats defender who did not do much about it for a corner ball.

Then just before half time Fermoy had another chance to open the scoring but Shane Howard's header went narrowly wide. Fermoy were so much on top in the first half that Pa O’Grady in the Fermoy goal had only three saves to make.

The second half started with the Pat’s midfield getting the upper hand and putting the Fermoy defence under more pressure. However, they still never threatened the Fermoy goal. Fermoy came more into the game and Adrian Clancy was most unlucky to see his great shot just go wide.

Fermoy then had a lucky let-off when the Fermoy keeper fumbled the ball but one of the defenders cleared the ball off the line. However, the all important goal came with twenty minutes remaining when a throw ball was played across to one of the Pats midfielders and his thunderous shot from thirty five yards gave the Fermoy keeper no chance for a truly great goal. Mark Flynn who came on as a sub was unlucky to see his shot just go over the crossbar.

Fermoy put on the pressure for the last ten minutes and had claims for a penalty turned down when from a corner ball one of the Pats defenders seemed to handle the ball but the referee was having none of it. Then in the closing minutes Fermoy were most unlucky not to get the equaliser when a great volley by James Campion was heading for the bottom corner of the net but one of the Patsi defenders just got his foot to the ball to knock it out for a corner.

Pats had no more chance to increase their lead but Pa O’Grady made a great one handed save to leave the final score one nil to Pat’s. Even though it was disappointing to lose I am sure that everyone who was at the game feels that Fermoy were not unlucky and only if they had taken their chances in the first half I am certain that we would have been collecting a famous victory on Sunday but that’s football.

It would be unfair to single out anyone for special mention from the goalkeeper to the subs who came on as they all played their hearts out and hopefully Fermoy soccer club can build on the future when some of these players play with our senior team.

Great credit must go to managers Tommy Egan and Mike Pratt for having the team in great shape. On behalf of the club I would like to thank the groundstaff and Fas workers who had the pitch and surroundings areas in great condition, to Brian Enright and staff of the Forge Bar for providing refreshments after the game which were greatly appreciated by both teams.

Also to Albert's Bar for sponsoring the match ball and finally to all the supporters who turned up on the day in such great numbers to support the lads and who created a great atmosphere and appreciation for the team by applauding them of the field at the final whistle and it just goes to show that there is great support for soccer in Fermoy on the big day.

Team: Pa O’Grady, Brian Phelan, Shane Howard, Thomas Clancy, Adrian Clancy, Paudie Pratt, Adrian O’Driscoll (capt), Gavin Quirke, Kalin Kelly, James Campion and Darren Quirke. Subs: Mark O’Flynn, Emmett Sheehan, Brett Hanrahan and Tomas Piacek.

MUNSTER SENIOR LEAGUE - AWAY VICTORY FOR FERMOY

Tramore Ath 1 Fermoy 2

Fermoy gained 3 valuable points with this away victory. A strong wind made playing conditions difficult and both teams struggled to adapt. Fermoy took the lead on 10 minutes through Alan McCormack. Tramore equalised just before 1/2 time from a corner kick.

Fermoy played with the wind in the 2nd half and dominated for long periods with Tramore Ath confined to some rare counter attacks. Fermoy took a deserved lead with 15 minutes remaining. Alan McCormack latched on to a long kick out and finished superbly giving the Tramore Ath keeper no chance.

Fermoy played out the remaining 15 minutes comfortably with Tramore never looking likely to get an equaliser.

Team: R O’Sullivan, G Howard, J Noonan, L Roche, R Conway, K Wheeler, M Byrne, O’Driscoll, G Quirke, P Amechi, M Nwanko, A McCormack and A Unagafi.

BALLYPOREEN HANDBALL

- Juveniles lift County titles -

The clubs juvenile handballers had great wins at last Sunday’s County 40/20 Juvenile finals winning 7 county titles. Before a packed gallery at the Horse and Jockey last Sunday, the young handballers of Ballyporeen did their club proud with some great performances.

In the U10 doubles – Jason English and Darren O’Dwyer turned in a great performance to record a 11-2, 11-4 win over D Ryan and M Daniels (Silvermines) in the 11 doubles – John Ryan and Mikey Maher were in fine form but had to work hard to record a 15-7, 14-15, 15-0 win over N Shinnons and W Ryan (Lahorna).

In the U14 Doubles Tommy and Mikey Sweeney were far too strong for the Silvermines pair of D Ryan and TJ Timmons winning easily 15-9, 15-7. In the U15 Singles – Anthony Crotty turned in an excellent performance to easily beat M O’Connor (Newport) 21-10, 21-5. In the girls U10 Doubles Elmarie O’Brien and Mai McKenna received a walkover to take the title.

In the U11 singles – Bridie Martin also received a walkover to take the title. In the U11 doubles girls, Evie Kearney and Sinead Casey also received a walkover to take the title. In the U10 singles boys Adrian English was most unlucky to lost 11-10, 11-7 to A O’Flaherty (Youghalarra) in a great final.

In the U11 Singles boys Tiernan O’Brien was very unlucky to lose to Josh Moroney, Carrick-on-Suir 11-7, 11-9 in the South Final.

In the U12 Singles Lochlain English went under 15-2, 15-3 to P O’Donoghue (Cashel) in the South Final. In the U12 Doubles – Ceallach Hennessy and Philip English played well but lost out 15-9, 15-7 to J Walsh and D McGrath (Cashel) in the South final.

In the U13 Singles – Jason Cahill put up a great show before losing 15-9 15-5 to S Moroney (Carrick-on-Suir) in the South final.

In the U16 singles – Ethan O’Brien played well but lost out to E Fitzgerald (Cashel) 21-11, 21-18 in the South Final. Well done to all the players who took part and thanks also to all the parents and supporters who supported them on Sunday last.

Three of these young handballers now go forward to the Munster Championship Tommy and Mikey Sweeney in the U14 doubles and Anthony Crotty in the U15 Singles. They will now meet the winners of Limerick or Kerry in the Munster semi-final on Sunday, March 23rd at 12 noon at either Kerry or Limerick venue. We wish them the best of luck.

COMMUNITY GAMES NEWS

The club have two teams in this years County Community Games championships. The U13 team of Tiernan O’Brien, Mikey Maher, John Ryan and Philip English did very well in the South final but just lost out to a very strong Cashel team in an exciting final played in Cashel recently.

The U15 team of Jason Cahill, Tommy and Mikey Sweeney and Bobby Breedy were in action last Tuesday night in the Horse and Jockey against Silvermines in the County final. Result next week.

CHALLENGE MATCH

The final set of challenge matches for our juvenile handballers will be held over the Easter period when we will travel to Dungarvan to take on the local side.

FINAL TRAINING SESSION

After six months of Juvenile handball the clubs final training session will be held on Tuesday, 18th of March at 6.30pm. After a great year with over 35 young handballers playing the game and winning many honours for the club, we will take a break for the summer months.

But all the young handballers are asked to come along and keep playing both in the 40/20 and 60/30 count. We would like to thank the players, parents and coaches for their attendance during the past six months. See you all for the 2009 season!

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

The club will be taking part in the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. They are asking members and Juvenile handballers to come along and march with us.

BALLYLANDERS A.F.C.

- Bally to play semi final this Sunday -

Ballylanders will be the host club in this 3A divisional cup fixture this Sunday, 16th March. The fixture is set for 2pm, weather permitting against Caherconlish; your support will be much appreciated, many thanks. Bally friendly On Sunday, 9th March Ballylanders juniors played the youth team (Under 18s) in what was a battle of speed in youth against know how in maturity!

The game kicked off a quick pace with the advantage to the youth team in terms of the slope of the pitch in the first half, seeing them apply some early pressure. It was in the first ten minutes a cross come shot hit the junior goals woodwork. Although the first half saw lots of action it didn’t get a goal, due to both defences doing well and both teams doing their jobs.

The junior team came close in the first half for the youth keeper to deny them. In the second half the advantage went the other way and the junior team had been conserving energy, which meant they could break with the ball easier. Goals from Liam Noonan (2), Dan Hennessy (1) and Shane Hennessy (1) saw the juniors score four.

The reply came from a cross from the right for John Frewen to drive his shot home, beating two of his team mates to the ball! What was seen here was a youth team of up and coming talent with lots of energy creating chances, putting in tackles and playing good soccer.

In the junior game we saw a team bide their time and then put together the moves that they were being stopped from doing to score earlier on in the game.

It was a good run out for both teams. Well played both sides.

JUNIORS

The junior team fixture is on Sunday, 16th March in the Tony Power 3A Divisional Cup semi final and is at home vs. Caherconlish, ko.10.30. Training is on Friday 8-9pm in Galbally on the astro turf pitch.

U16

The Under 16s, of the first division have no fixture this weekend. Training this week will be on Tuesday, 6.30-8pm at Castlepark.

U14

The Under 14s, of the second Division have no fixture this weekend. Training this week will be on Tuesday, 6.30-8pm at Castlepark.

U12

The Under 12s, of the second division fixture is on Saturday, 15th March and is at home vs. Murroe ko 11am. Training this week will be on Thursday, 6.30-8pm at Castlepark.

U10s

The Under 10s of the first division fixture is on Saturday, 15th March and is away vs. Rathkeale ko 2pm. Meet in the street 1pm. Training this week will be on Tuesday, 6.00-7.00pm at Galbally astro turf. Denny Gold Premier Shield Under 12s Schoolgirl

FIXTURE

The Under 12s schoolgirls fixture is on Sunday, 16th March and is away vs. Murroe ko. 4pm.

LOTTO

Next week’s Jackpot €5,000 The numbers drawn in the Ballylanders lotto draw on Monday, 10th March were 16, 17, 23, and 27. There was no jackpot winner. The three €25 lucky dip winners were Catherine Keane c/o Nellie, Pakie Sheehan c/o Tom and Johnny Murphy c/o DJ. Last week’s number drawn in the Ballylanders lotto draw on Monday, 3rd March were 4, 6, 10, and 17. There was no jackpot winner.

The three €25 lucky dip winners were Martina McCarthy c/o PO, Catherine Keane c/o Nellie and Pat Fitzgerald c/o DJ. Next week’s jackpot is €5,000. Next draw is Tuesday, 18th March and will be held in MacDermott’s Bar.

Contact the club If you would like to join the club or contribute in a particular way or need to contact a particular aged team coach try a person listed for more information: Contact: Ballylanders Soccer Club secretary, Eoin Ryan for our Schoolboys and Junior team’s information. 087-921-2509.

Contact: Ballylanders Ladies managers, Rob and Mary McInerney for schoolgirls teams and information. 062-46614 Contact: Treasurer, DJ Noonan for lotto 6 or 12 monthly subscriptions, €50 and €100 respectively. 086-855-0299 Contact: Public relations officer & children’s welfare officer, Justin Faust in confidence, 087-2030-638.

MUNSTER TUG OF WAR BOARD

- Fermoy are Munster indoor champions -

The last of the Munster indoor championships were held on Friday night last at the Rowing Club in Fermoy, and ran by the Munster Board. Unfortunately there was only three teams competing for this the last indoor championship of this season, in which the Fermoy Club once again took the honours, this is their fourth win of this season.

Two rounds were held in which each team had to pull each other twice, Fermoy won all their pulls to take 12 points, where as the Harps and Cappoquin ended on 3 points each, so they had to have a pull off to see who would go into the final, here Cappoquin had the edge over the Harps to go through, and in the final it was very close for a while but with Fermoy having more experience men on their team they pressured Cappoquin out, and it was similar in the second end.

So Fermoy took the gold medals and the cup, and Cappoquin took the silver medals, the Fermoy team was Batt McHugh Jnr, Aidan O’Sullivan, Trevor Hales, John Rice, Bat McHugh Snr, anchor, substitute John Flavin. Cup was filled at The Avondhu Bar afterwards and was enjoyed by all.

NEW TEAMS JOINING

Munster Board is at present out recruiting new teams to join our Association, at present Ballyhooly, Kildorrery, and Doneraile, are committed to joining up for the outdoor season, Watergrasshill, Clashmore and Ballyduff, are also working on it, Bantry from West Cork are also committed to joining up, so the outcome is really looking good now for tug of war.

Now if there is any more towns or villages out there wishing to consider starting up a team then please give us a ring and we will only be too pleased to visit you and show you how to get a team up and running plus give you all the other details, you can contact Mick Carroll, at 0863503298, or Pat Lee, at 0862657126, and we will be only too delighted to help you out.

We will be running competitions this year, for teams consisting of 5 a side men, Under 23 5-a-side, and Ladies 5-a-side, so there is a great opening out there for everyone to get involved.