East Cork GAA
CORK SFC
Carbery 2-18 Imokilly 1-10
Our footballers encountered a few rough patches in last week's SFC game as Carbery drove hard at them at different times of the game, especially in the run into the final whistle. We were well in the game up to the last 15 minutes and then Carbery, with a fresh injection of some strong men from the bench, pulled away for a deserved win in a good game of football.
However, credit and well done to Imokilly for such a game performance in their first championship outing in a few years and no doubt while defeat was our lot, we will learn from this experience as we had a young team out. We are not out yet and are awaiting the results of other games for the next opponents.
We were against a stiff breeze for the first half but responded well to a Carbery point by scoring three points in a row, with captain Mikey Kelly doing very well at centre forward. With 15 minutes gone it was 0-4 to 0-2 in favour of Imokilly. However, Carbery got on top at midfield or is it that modern stuff, middle third, as Rory Deane came outfield more to good effect and supported Sean Ryan and that fine footballer Kevin O’Driscoll in the middle.
This move caused our lads trouble as Sean Daly, an effective corner forward got in nice ball and put over a few points for Carbery as Dave O’Sullivan added a goal. Mickey Kelly, who had a fine game, put over a point from play for us and Cian Spriggs left the half-time score 1-8 to 0-6 in favour of Carbery.
SECOND HALF
That great warrior Pearse O’Neill was introduced for Imokilly at the start of the second half and he managed to break up the Carbery dominance in the middle, helping us to start well. Imokilly broke through for a great goal from Cobh’s Conor McLoughlin and while we made a game of it, Carbery gradually took over towards the end to run out comprehensive winners by 2-18 to 1-10.
Overall, despite the scoreline, it was a great effort from Imokilly as Carbery had several top experienced footballers and we could not match that over the hour.
Thanks to all the players and Eoin O’Neill and his management team. Referee Pat O’Leary of Kilmurry had a steady game too. Who is responsible for a programme? Well, your guess is as good as mine. It was most disappointing to that there were no programmes available for a Cork Senior football championship game. Surely in the days of modern technology where all tickets for games are now online, there could be a programme online too – as that famous singer would say floating like a candle in the wind.
That would be a help if they do not want to print a programme.
Team: C O’Shea (Aghada), S O’Reilly (Glenville), Niall Motherway (Dungourney), K O’Shea (Aghada); T Hartnett (Aghada), C McLoughlin (Cobh), J Tynan (Aghada); J Ahern (Carraig na bhFear), PJ Dennehy (Glenville); A Berry (Aghada), M Kelly (Castlemartyr), D Byrne (Aghada); S Bennett (Aghada), E Condon (St Catherine’s), C Spriggs (Cobh). Subs (all got game time): P O’Neill (Aghada), D Kelly (Castlemartyr), P Fitzgerald (Erin’s Own), D Kearney (Cobh), A Joyce (Youghal).
LAUNCH OF EAST CORK JUNIOR A FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AND NEW WEBSITE
We are having a launch the Junior A Football Championship on Wednesday evening, 22nd June in Carrigtwohill GAA Club at 8pm. Michael O'Connor Motor Factors have sponsored this competition for the last number of years and are doing so again this year.
Michael O'Connor is one great sponsor of the East Cork Board, and we are asking that the twelve East Cork Junior A Football clubs attend, bringing along a player with a jersey on the night. The East Cork Junior A Football Championship will commence on the weekend of June 24th and should be a cracking competition.
NEW WEBSITE
Also, on the evening of June 22nd in Carrigtwohill we will launch a new and improved East Cork GAA website. Work on the website has been ongoing few months and it will be of a very high standard with greater visibility on the leagues and championship tables, results and fixtures of all club competitions, including Rebel Óg for clubs in East Cork for and several other new features.
Club officers including PRO’s and board delegates ae invited to attend on the night and don’t forget a player with a club jersey.
EAST CORK HURLING AND FOOTBALL LEAGUES A GREAT SUCCESS THIS YEAR
All leagues in hurling and football are going well this year with almost all games up to date. Carraig na bhFear are top of the JAHL with twelve points from seven games. Cobh are going well this year too as they are second and had a big away win over Carrignabhfear recently – 2-24 to 0-9.
Fr O’Neills are showing their strength as they are going well with their second outfit and heading up the JBHL, remaining unbeaten in five games, while Youghal are second with eight points. Cobh are also heading up the JAFL and remain unbeaten, while Lisgoold are second.
GAA CÚL CAMPS
A reminder on booking into a Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camp this summer and it is also possible to book a second camp for your child without gear and at a reduced rate. Also, if young people wish to join Cúl Camps they are looking for coaches at all levels.
The safety of participants and staff is always of the utmost importance. Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps are proceeding in line with Government guidelines and subject to advice from the relevant authorities. All are given a warm welcome and the Covid situation is monitored very closely. For all details, please view the Cork GAA website.
ALL ROADS TO THURLES ON SUNDAY
The forecast is good and the scramble for tickets is on. No doubt about it, Semple Stadium will be packed to the rafters and down the town too as its quarter-final time Cork v Galway and Clare v Wexford for the right to play Kilkenny and Limerick in the semi-finals.
Cork are enjoying some great form recently, whereas Galway had a poor show against Kilkenny in the Leinster final. The Rebels will be up for this one and best of luck to all our East Cork men on the panel and backroom team.
Clare, who had the proverbial cracker with Limerick in the Munster final will find it hard to get in such a zone again, especially without Rory Hayes and Peter Duggan. They may find Wexford hard going in what should another great game too.
Crowd wise it will be interesting as of now supporters are finding it hard to come by tickets, but the scramble may level off and Semple will accommodate the crowd.
