Junior A County final Mitchelstown 0-12 St Colums 2-04

Mitchelstown’s footballers bridged a 52 year gap to take the Cork junior A football title on Sunday last. On a day, where the weather made the chances of having a free flowing game impossible, our boys came out on top after a ferocious battle with a very determined St Colums’ side.

The initial few minutes were taken up with both teams trying to come to terms with both the heavy underfoot conditions and the difficulties caused by the fact that the teams’ shirts were so alike with the red of town and the orange of Colums causing major issues with several passes going astray. Colums spent most of the first few minutes in our half but when captain Shane Beston set up Shane Cahill for ‘town’s first score, we were hopeful that any pre-match nerves would wither away. However, in the very next minute disaster struck after a muddy goalmouth scramble, the ball ended up in our net.

In a year that has seen Mitchelstown go unbeaten in league and championship, we were now about to see the reasons for this remarkable statistic. Instead of lying down after the disappointment of the Colums’ goal, Mitchelstown set about their work to get back into the game and were rewarded with a second Beston point and were level on 15 minutes with Mikey Walsh scoring a lovely point from distance.

‘Town should have gone ahead shortly after, when Cahill burst through on goal following a forced error by the Colums’ defence only to see his shot bravely saved by the keeper. James Sheehan did give ‘town the lead with a pointed free and were 2 points up on 25 mins after Beston again hit the target.

Colums scored their only point of the first half from a free in injury time to leave the half-time score at 0-05 to 1-01 in favour of ‘town.

BLISTERING PACE

The second half began with blistering pace and quick scores from Beston and Cahill stretched our lead to 3 points inside 2 minutes. We hoped that we might be able to add on scores to pull away in this game but as I said at the top of this report, both teams gave it their all and Colums, realising they were in trouble and may not be able to score enough points against an outstanding Mitchelstown defence, decided that for them to remain in the game, they would need another goal. And to their credit, that is what happened as Cork stay Alan O’Connor finished off a great move with a major to leave the teams level again. In fact Colums will feel unlucky not to have a third goal by the 5th minute of this half but a very brave Luke Hanna in goal defied them on this occasion when he punched the ball away to safety.

A further 2 points from Shane Beston put us ahead again but Colums would simply not go away and the teams were level again on 44 minutes. Jimmy Sheehan put us ahead again with a free with 9 mins remaining but again with only minutes remaining, the Colums go-to-man McSweeny tied the game and a draw really looked on the cards as time ran down. However, following 5 minutes of added time in the first half, the 4th official’s board went up to show that at least 4 mins were going to be added on in the second so we were going to have to slog it out for another while. But then the tie swayed our way once again when a free was awarded out near the sideline, and when James Sheehan stood up to score an unbelievable point from this free kick, it looked as if the cup was finally coming back to Mitchelstown.

We really had to dig in as Colums came at us again but this Mitchelstown team has grown in confidence as footballers over the last few years and they worked the ball around in the last few minutes to keep possession first and foremost and when the move eventually arose to make a scoring chance, Dave Dineen was on hand to put over a lovely point to put result beyond any doubt. This was a great performance from the panel and whilst I mention certain players in this report, every player from number 1 to 26 on the day as well as Larry, Barry, Kevin, Mick, Deborah and Eilish all deserve great credit for the way in which this team was prepared.

We now move on to play Keel from Kerry in the Munster quarter-final this coming Sunday in Fermoy at 2pm. We hope that as many followers as possible will make their way to the game and bring as much colour and support with them as possible as we cover unchartered ground and try to represent Cork as positively as we can in what will be another historic day for our club. Baile Mhistéala Abú.

Team: Luke Hanna, Fionn Herlihy, Stephen Fox, Mike Maher, Owen Burke, Pa Molloy, Sean Coughlan, Dave Dineen (0-01), Lar O’Flynn, Jimmy Sheehan (0-03, 0-02f), Mikey Walsh (0-01), Jason Cott, Shane Beston (0-04, 0-01f), Shane Cahill (0-03) and Jamie Finn.

Subs: Anthony O’Brien for Jamie, Joseph O’Sullivan for Jason, Liam Molan, Paudie Donegan, Diarmuid Lynch, Eddie Walsh, Peter Griffin, Kevin Mullins, Peter Conroy and Greg Carroll.

HOMECOMING

Following the traditional trip around town to pass through the streets and estates, the team marched down the square from King Street behind a lone piper to a podium set up in between Whelan’s Bar and Reidy’s SuperValu where they received an incredible reception from the hundreds of people who had gathered to meet them, despite the horrendous weather on Sunday evening. The team were played onto the stage by the James Fitzgerald Memorial Band and chairman, Garry Coleman, introduced the captain, Shane Beston of new county champions to the large attendance who responded with an unbelievable cheer as he waved the Donal O’Sullivan Cup in the air before he addressed the crowd. Garry then thanked everyone for turning out on such a bad night and outlined that this victory was not just for this team but for everyone in the parish who had ever lifted a hand to help out the club in any way and also for every footballer who had represented the club, with or without success, down the years. Jimmy Skinner, Denis Twomey, secretary of the North Cork Board and team manager Barry Kiely then spoke of the great achievements of the day before the team celebrated on the stage as Pat and Justin pumped out the tunes and Billy Finn’s version of ‘Mitchelstown’ as the Walsh brothers led the singing from centre stage.

Our thanks to club personnel who helped prepare the homecoming and John and Michael Kiely for the use of the truck, Aisling on pipes, Seanie and the band, Pat and Justin for all their help and Kathleen Whelan for supplying power to the stage. The team then set off into the night to celebrate with friends and family this momentous occasion. Mitchelstown GAA would like to thank each and every one of you who has supported us during the year and we are looking forward to having another huge following in Fermoy on Sunday next as we strive to beat the champions of Kerry!

U12 FOOTBALLERS

Patrons at Sunday’s game were entertained at half-time with display of skilful football from our U12 footballers who took on their St Colums counterparts. I’m sure that when these boys mature into adulthood that they will keep this memorable day with them. Well done to all players and mentors from the Juvenile section who added immensely to this great occasion for the club.

FIXTURE

Sunday, 17th November: AIB Munster Club Championship quarter-final, Mitchelstown v Keel, in Fermoy at 1.45pm.

LOTTO

There was no winner in our lotto which took place on Friday night last in The Ramble Inn. The numbers pulled from the drum by Mike Carey on the night were 4, 7, 21 and 23. The lucky dip winners were James O’Shea, Susan Walsh and Peg Brosnan who each receive €50. Our next draw takes place on Friday of next week at Jackie O’Briens with a very attractive jackpot of €3,800. Lotto tickets are available from most retail outlets and club members for just €2 each. There are also annual and 6 month tickets available from club members at present. Thank you for your continued support.

CLUB GEAR

We have a limited stock of O’Neills Club Gear available from Anne Roche 087 9533413. There are polo shirts at €15, half zip tops at €20 and black Tara jackets at €40 all embroidered with club and GAA crests.

CHURCH GATE COLLECTION

Our annual church gate collection takes place at all Masses in the parish over the coming weekend and we thank you in advance for your generous support.

CLUB SPONSORS

We would like in this memorable week for the club to give special mention to John Cleary and family of Walsh’s Bar who have, win, lose or draw heavily sponsored the club for many years and has always been on hand to help out with many financial hurdles that have cropped up from time to time. We would also like to thank all at The Hunter’s Rest who look after the club so well and did so again on Sunday after the game with a beautiful meal for the team and backroom team. We would as always like to thank those of you who are in a position to help the club through our various fundraisers and thank you for your continued support as we would not have been able to prepare this team without that help. Thank you to one and all.

We would also like to give special mention to Kildorrery GAA who have been extremely accommodating with their facilities in the run up to the county final and beyond and to everyone who gave well wishes etc., in the run up to the big day.

Social Media

Please feel free to follow us on any of the following to keep up to date with fixtures, results etc.

Website;www.mitchelstowngaa.com; Facebook; Mitchelstown GAA; Twitter; @GaaMitchelstown