ST CATHERINES GAA CLUB
Galway and Clare meet in an eagerly awaited replay this upcoming weekend for the right to now play Limerick in this year’s All-Ireland senior hurling final. What a finish exerted by the Shannonsiders who outscored the Rebels 2-12 to 1-05 over the closing ten-minute period and twenty plus minutes of extra time.
A John O’Connor point was Cork’s only score from play in a thirty-minute period. Unless you include the goal at the very end which the media are accrediting to a Conor Lehane touch. By now the injury tally was increasing and having a telling effect.
We were all well aware of the imposing strength in depth of the Limerick panel. All seven players introduced both in the regular match and extra time would make a significant contribution.
Indeed, a total of 2-06 would come from the subs introduced. By contrast Cork reintroduced three players previously withdrawn. It sums it up. Can Limerick go all the way? Of course they can. It’s not clear how the Galway treatment table is coming along. While if it’s Clare who provide the opposition, well then Limerick now have massive motivation to redress a sizeable loss to the Banner county from the round-robin series of matches played in Ennis back in June.
This Limerick team won’t and don’t fear anybody. They have a winning mentality coming from their minor and U21 days. So far they have seen off Tipperary, Waterford, Kilkenny and Cork. One more good day at the office and the ultimate prize will be theirs for the first time since 1973.
It was only right and proper that reigning holders Galway and battling Clare produced a share of the spoils from the first semi-final played before an attendance of 54,191 at headquarters twenty-four hours previous. Galway rampant and every bit as dominant as they were in the Leinster final replay with Kilkenny.
In contrast, the Banner were as poor as they were in the opening passages of play against Tipperary in the round-robin. Shaky at the back, dithering, shooting inaccurate. First touch not good. Behind at 1-07 to 0-01 to sixteen minutes. Clare came back in Thurles. It was the match, which turned this hurling year on its head.
They recovered here as well and while the champions finished proceedings minus the services of Gearóid McInerney, Conor Whelan, David Burke and Joe Canning few could deny Clare another crack at the ultimate prize. Replay in Thurles this Sunday.
Proceedings started in a positive fashion for the Rebels with a well earned and deserved seven point success in what might well have been the last All-Ireland intermediate hurling final as we know it when played in Nowlan Park at 2pm earlier on Saturday afternoon last. Only fitting as last year’s final between the same two counties was played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Catherines player Daniel Mangan scored both Cork goals.
With the first on eight minutes putting the Rebels favoured by the conditions into a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Ahead on an interval scoreline standing at 1-10 to 0-08. An advantage whittled down to three points when Mangan struck again for the key and match winning second goal on fifty-four minutes, enough to set up a win for the Rebel red on an end scoreline of 2-19 to 0-18.
A plethora of East Cork players adorned the winning team’s line out with a second Catherines player Brian Mulcahy also named on the panel.
Cork return to the famed Kilkenny venue again this upcoming weekend, playing Wexford in the All-Ireland U21 hurling semi-final. Throw in at 4pm on Saturday evening.
Last Saturday wasn’t the first time that Brian Mul or Dan Mangan adorned our county colours. Brian donned the number twelve jersey in a primary game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh against Kerry on Sunday, May 16, 2004.
Also playing that day was Mark Collins currently involved as part of the Cork senior hurling extension panel. Brian himself playing with the Ccounty in the winter league back in January. Daniel Mangan made the number seven jersey his own in the ill-fated minor hurling campaign of 2012. A team that also included current senior panellists Patrick Collins and Michael Cahalane. It was Clare who terminated Rebel interest that summer. A team featuring Conor Cleary, Niall Deasy and Shane O’Donnell.
Last Saturday’s result and following recent success attained by Eoin Davis, Orla Cotter and Ciaran O’Brien now means five club players have attained All-Ireland success within a twelve month period. There would be some champing at the bit to emulate such a significant fete. Brian Mul and Dan Mangan setting the standard for club division and county. Caths and Rebels abú. We are living in great times, long may it continue.
REBEL ÓG EAST U16 B1 HURLING LEAGUE ROUND FIVE
Kinsale 2-11 St Catherines 4-11
St Catherines are on the cusp of lining out in their second county juvenile final in twelve months, playing Ballinhassig tonight Thursday in this year’s Coiste na nÓg County U15 A hurling championship final. Throw- in is at 7.30pm in Mayfield.
Thirteen of the panel were part of a thus far unbeaten squad of players when the Saints overcame a dogged challenge from this round five Rebel Óg East U16 B1 hurling league tie, when played in Kinsale on Monday evening July 23 last. Goals from Kyle Wallace and Gavin England helped the Saints to a slender 2-07 to 1-08 interval lead.
Were able to exert greater authority in the resumption. Further goals from Harry Draper and Kevin Barry forthcoming. Resulting in a two-goal victory on a scoreline of 4-11 to 2-11. A second proposed fixture with Carraig na bhFear wasn’t played.
Scorers: H Draper (1-06), K Barry (1-02), G England (1-01), K Wallace (1-00) and G O’Brien (0-02).
St Catherines team: C Roberts, B O’Connor, J Duncan, F O’Connell, C England, C O’Brien, W Leamy, G England, D Galvin, T Hartnett, K Barry, C Dineen, G Leahy, H Draper and K Wallace. Also on panel: G O’Brien, W McAuliffe and E Philpott.
Referee: Michael Harrington (Carrigaline).
CAMOGIE
A blemish on the weekend programme saw a one-point loss incurred to Courcey Rovers in the county senior camogie championship. Narrowly ahead at 2-05 to 1-07 to the break. Catherines coming out the wrong side of a one point scoreline at 5-07 to 3-14 when played at Castle Road, Mahon on Saturday evening last. It will take a win over Inniscarra to survive.
JUVENILE FIXTURE LIST
Tonight (Thursday) August 2 at Mayfield – Coiste na nÓg County U15 A Hurling Championship final v Ballinhassig, 7.30pm.
Monday, August 6 at Ballynoe – Rebel Óg East U16 B Hurling Championship quarter-final v Aghada, 7pm. Extra time if necessary.
PHOTO
The photo shows the St Catherines team and panel that play Ballinhassig on Thursday, August 2nd in Coiste na nÓg county U15 A hurling championship final. Throw-in is 7.30pm at Mayfield – Best of luck lads.
LOTTO RESULTS
Results from the most recent lotto draw which was held at The Plough, Curraglass on Monday night last, July 30. Numbers drawn were 5, 9, 24 and 27. There was no winner of the €3,600 jackpot. While the consolation winners on the night were: Noelie Ahern, Shanakill, Curraglass; Liam Rice, Ballinlegane, Ballynoe; Diarmuid Barry, Kilcor, Castlelyons; Eddie O’Keeffe, Kilphilibeen, Ballynoe and Linda Maguire, Kilcoran, Conna.
Being a bank holiday next draw on Tuesday night, August 7, with a now accumulated jackpot of €3,800, will be at McAuliffe’s, Ballynoe.
SPONSORS
T & A Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Ballynoe are St Catherines GAA club sponsors. Juvenile club sponsors are Mulcahy Steel.
