As many of you are aware St Catherine’s GAA Club are in the process of developing a third playing field. After a significant amount of work with stakeholders, local authority etc, the club are delighted to confirm that this week we lodged planning with Cork County Council for the development. An application that includes a new full-sized sandbased pitch, dressing rooms, car park, a viewing stand, an extended walkway along with the extension of the current roadway down to the new grounds. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our club supporters (including the proceeds of the Strictly fundraiser) will be able to fund the purchase of the field without resorting to borrowing. Once planning has been granted and the sale has closed, the club will then update its members with details of plans to complete the phased development of the new facilities. Looking forward to your ongoing support into the future. St Catherine’s GAA Club offer their thanks to the development committee for their hard work and to all volunteers who help in so many ways to run the club. Both on and off the field. Now that the intercounty part of the year is almost at an end and the split season shortly takes effect, we wish all teams across male and female codes the very best of luck for what effectively is the second part of the year.

All-Ireland hurling final weekend

Tipp are champions as they claim their 29th All-Ireland Senior hurling title

 

There were a few clear indicators in the opening half. Particularly defender Eoghan Connolly blazing a goal attempt wide on 19 minutes. Then referee Liam Gordon disallowing a Tipp goal. Final touch deemed to be inside the square. So the threat was there all the time. 

Balance that with a trio of ‘Dudsy’ Healy points as the Rebels now found themselves 5 points to the good to 30 minutes. Shane Barrett who had an excellent first half then pounced for the Cork goal. Judging it beautifully, looking for the bounce, coming as it did a minute overtime and ideally placing the Rebels 6 points ahead. Now in the lead on a half time scoreline standing at 1-16 to 0-13. 

But what we didn’t know at the time was that was as good as it was going to get. All the second half pluses were on the Tipperary side. Two John McGrath goals. Darragh McCarthy who had a few horrible moments during the summer clinically goaling from the penalty spot on 53 minutes. Eoin Downey now off the field. Tipp ravenous with Noel McGrath now in the thick of the action. Outscoring the Rebels on a mesmerising 3-16 to 0-02 second half scoreline. Ample compensation for the league final and earlier round robin setbacks. Inflicting back-to-back final losses on the Rebels who have now tasted defeat in their last five final appearances. In fairness they were unlucky last year. But it’s going to take some time to get over this sizeable defeat.

Round 2 Michael O’Connor Motors East Cork Junior B football championship

St Catherines 5-15 Fr O’Neills 0-04

St Catherines hit the ground running, surging into a sizeable lead not for catching when this round 2 divisional Junior B football championship tie went ahead in sunny conditions at Aghavine on Friday evening last. Appointed venue on toss of a coin when switching the match from the land they call Killeagh. Industrious midfielder Eoghan O’Riordan with the game’s and the Saints’ opening goal inside 3 minutes. Diarmuid O’Connell and Ed Kenneally combining before the ever-threatening Eoin Condon picked his spot when slotting in the second 8 minutes later. A feature of the first half was the scoring contribution of attacking wingback Nathan Sheehan with a return of 1-03 all from play with the Saints in a strong, commanding position and ahead on a half time scoreline now standing at 3-06 to 0-02. Now favoured by the conditions and in an instant on the change of ends were further boosted with ‘Doc’ O’Connell securing a two pointer from a placed ball. Further points quickly followed from Rory Galvin and team captain James Hayes, and the margin was just too wide. This competition for the Saints resumes in mid-August as the focus now reverts to the 13-a-side Junior D championship this upcoming weekend.

Scorers: E Condon (2-04), N Sheehan (1-03), R Galvin (1-01), E O’Riordan (1-00), D O’Connell (0-02 frees) (0-03), S O’Donoghue, W Leamy, J Hayes and G Sheehan (0-01 each). Fr O’Neill’s scorers: P Butler (0-01 free) (0-02), J Finn and L Phipps (0-01 each).

St Catherine’s team: T Dee, J Neville, L O’Connor, D O’Donovan, S O’Donoghue, R Galvin, N Sheehan, G England, E O’Riordan, W Leamy, E Kenneally, J Hayes (team captain), E Condon, B Davis, D O’Connell. Sub: G Sheehan for B Davis (temporary) (17’). Referee: Anthony O’Regan (Youghal).

Round 1 division 2 Rebel Óg Minor hurling championship

St Catherines 3-15 St Vincents 1-20

Two evenly and well-matched teams playing out a highly exciting Minor hurling championship opener at overcast Ballynoe on Wednesday evening, July 16th last. Both squads difficult to separate would never have more than two points separating them. Goals from Gearoid Sheehan and Alan Cotter, 11 minutes apart to 24 minutes helping the home team to shade it and ahead on an interval scoreline standing at 2-08 to 1-09.

You could say the Saints enjoyed their most rewarding period just into the turnover and midway through the third quarter. Good work served up by Billy O’Connor and Liam Moore in turn saw just introduced replacement Tadgh Walsh crash home a third goal. Well worked points from Eoghan O’Mahony and Thomas Dee forthcoming with the widest margin yet now between the teams. A point-blank Cathal Higgins stop between the posts ensuring that would remain the situation. It was 3-12 to 1-12 now 12 minutes into the second half. Response from the northside city club emphatic. Six unanswered points followed, five from the ever-threatening Sean Daly, be it general play or frees. For the seventh time over the hour Catherines and Vincents not for dividing. Now it’s 3-12 to 1-18 to 54 minutes. Now you know by what we mean when declaring even and well matched. Catherines surge to the front again. Conor Murray, James Kenneally and Shane O’Donoghue defending like never before. Use any method to get it out. Kick, boot, whatever. Trevor Broderick now has it back to the minimum again. Never was the sound of Mike Carey’s whistle so welcome. Good start. Football was to commence in Cobh last evening (Wednesday, July 23rd). Next hurling tie v Mayfield. See fixtures.

Scorers: G Sheehan (0-05 frees) (0-01 “65”) (1-07), A Cotter (1-05), T Walsh (1-01), E O’Mahony and T Dee (0-01 each). St Vincent’s scorers: S Daly (0-06 frees) (0-02 “65”) (1-11), AJ Murphy (0-04), T Broderick (0-03) and L Coughlan (0-02).

St Catherine’s team: C Higgins, C Murray, J Kenneally, S O’Donoghue, R Hickey, S Walsh, B O’Connor, C Hickey, L Moore, C Barry, K O’Donoghue, A Cotter, T Dee, E O’Mahony, G Sheehan. Sub: T Walsh for C Barry (34’). Also: S McCarthy and L Kilmartin. Referee: Michael Carey (Bride Rovers).

Carrigtwohill 3-07 St Catherines 6-11

Running concurrently with aforementioned Junior B was this U16 football championship tie in Carrigtwohill also on Friday evening last.

Scorers: T Walsh (2-00), A Cotter, K O’Connell (0-03 frees) and B O’Connor (0-01 free) (1-03 each), R Hickey (1-01) and C Higgins (0-01).

Team: J Cunneen, N Keane, E O’Mahony, C McCarthy, S McCarthy (captain), S Walsh, E Dillon, A Cotter, S Riordan, C Higgins, B O’Connor, R Hickey, K O’Connell, T Walsh, R O’Donoghue. Subs: S Moore for C McCarthy (10’0, S O’Keeffe for R O’Donoghue (20’), D Temple for T Walsh (55’). Referee: PJ Delaney (Glanmire).

St Catherines 1-12 Douglas 2-03

Since moving onto phase 2 this was the most demanding test in either code following round 2 of the U12 hurling league in sunny Ballynoe on Thursday evening last. Defensively James Beecher and Cathal Kearney were solid and dependable. Ronan Geaney, Ciaran O’Connor and Robbie Pietropaolo were regularly on the ball with the bulk of the scores coming from the prolific Alex Keane against a Douglas team blessed with good players, most noticeably in Joe Cronin, Patrick Cullagh and Ned McSweeney. Catherines were due a visit to Togher playing the Barrs on Tuesday night just gone. Next football league match will be at home to Killeagh.

Scorers: A Keane (0-03 frees) (1-11) and R Pietropaolo (0-01). St Catherine’s team: S Flynn, J Beecher, E Passaquay, C Fitzgerald, C Kearney, S Cummins, R Geaney, C O’Connor, R Pietropaolo, A Keane, D Fitzgerald, S O’Keeffe, A Fitzgerald. Also: C Twomey, D Linehan, L Fleming, O Ryan, L Kearney and R Coffey. Referee: Stephen Hackett (Bride Rovers).

St Catherines 1-18 Ballinacurra 1-10

Following the completion of the confined competition and the domestic league shortly afterwards a first competitive encounter for this squad of players in 6 weeks when opening round 1 of the round robin East Cork Junior B football championship on Magniers Hill on Sunday last at 12 noon. High noon! With Eoghan O’Riordan ably supported by Gavin England to the fore around the middle of the pitch guaranteeing a plentiful supply of ball inside with the Saints utterly dominating the opening sequence of play and would find themselves ten points to the good without reply to twenty minutes. All scores coming off the boot of Oisín Fitzgerald, Eoin Condon and Ed Kenneally. Margin untrimmed with the Saints still to the good and ahead on a half time scoreline now standing at 0-12 to 0-02.

That said now favoured by the conditions with a stiffish breeze to their backs and Ballinacurra were much more involved. Points from Luke Kelly O’Reagan and James Nagle ensued and when James Hegarty goaled it had cut the deficit to 0-16 to 1-08 right at the end of the third quarter and beyond. No doubt the Saints’ goal finished off by Oisín Fitzgerald would prove a massive psychological boost with the score standing at 1-17 to 1-08 to 48 minutes. There were a few smartly taken Kian O’Donoghue points to follow with the opposition successful with a 2 point attempt with a free on the far side of the pitch from the dugouts side of the ground. An 8 point win for the Saints at game’s end. Football to the fore for the month of July. Another round upcoming this coming weekend. Playing Fr O’Neills in Killeagh. While St Catherines have entered a team in the 13-a-side D football championship. One game at home, one away and the third on neutral soil. Starting their campaign when playing Cobh at Ballynoe towards the end of the month.

Scorers: O Fitzgerald (0-04 frees) (1-08), E Condon (0-04), E Kenneally and K O’Donoghue (0-03 each). Ballinacurra scorers: L Kelly O’Regan (0-05 frees), J Hegarty (1-01) and J Nagle (0-01 free) (0-04).

St Catherine’s team: T Dee, C McAuliffe, D O’Donovan, J Neville, S O’Donoghue, R Galvin, J Hayes (team captain), E O’Riordan, G England, E Davis, E Kenneally, K O’Donoghue, E Condon, O Fitzgerald, W Leamy. Subs: T Barry for G England (43’), C McCarthy for J Hayes (51’), N Sheehan for K O’Donoghue (56’). Also: G Sheehan, B Davis and L Heffernan. Referee: James Daly (Youghal).

Mayfield 6-11 St Catherines 5-07

All through an evenly contested, well fought affair when this Minor football league tie went ahead in sunny conditions at Lotabeg, home venue of Mayfield GAA Club on Wednesday evening, July 9th last. It was the home team making the better start. But after Kyle O’Donoghue picked out Tadgh Walsh for the first of his two first half goals on 11 minutes the visitors would always remain in contention. They led 1-02 to 0-03 and after at least two blinding Thomas Dee stops between the sticks it remained at 2-05 apiece at the sound of the half whistle. Moving on to 3-05 each after Eoghan O’Mahony carefully picked his spot to add a third Saints’ goal now nine minutes into the second half. Calum McCarthy and Adam O’Flynn among others were good for the home team, overall were that bit better balanced and deserved to win. As the Saints fought gallantly right to the end. Right, that’s it. We’re now in Minor hurling and football championship season.

Scorers: T Walsh (2-00), A Cotter (1-00 free) (1-02), J O’Connor (0-01 free) (1-01), E O’Mahony (1-00), S Walsh (0-02), L Moore and K O’Donoghue (0-01 each).

St Catherine’s team: T Dee, B O’Connor, S O’Donoghue, C Barry, L Moore, T Clancy, A Cotter, S Walsh, G Sheehan, K O’Donoghue, E O’Mahony, T Walsh, J O’Connor. Referee: PJ Dennehy (Glanmire).

Now then St Catherines were much the stronger when starting off phase 2 of the U12 football league played in excruciating heat in Mitchelstown on Saturday evening last at 4pm. It was like old times with two water breaks required in an effort to counteract the savagely warm conditions. This team following an earlier success over Watergrasshill return to duty tonight (Thursday), July 17th when then play Douglas in Ballynoe in round 2 of the hurling. Next Tuesday evening (July 22nd) it’s off to Togher playing St Finbarrs. Next football match will be at home to Killeagh towards the end of the month.

Scorers: R Pietropaolo (4-01), R Geaney (3-02), N Keane (2-00), E Passaquay (1-00), S O’Keeffe and C Fitzgerald (0-02 each), A Fitzgerald and C O’Connor (0-01 each).

St Catherine’s team: T Cummins, S Cummins, L Kearney, C O’Connor, A Fitzgerald, C Kearney, R Geaney, S Flynn, R Pietropaolo, S O’Keeffe, C Fitzgerald, A Keane, E Passaquay. Also: D Linehan, L Fleming and R Coffey. Referee: John Aherne (Araglin).

Mixed fortunes for neighbouring clubs in recent county deciders. Disappointment for Araglin following a heavy loss to Ballyphehane who in fairness have been knocking on the door for a few years in the confined county Junior B football championship final. Better luck for Castlelyons when getting the better of Rochestown in the C competition. Both county football finals were played in Mallow on Sunday, July 6th.

Cobh 5-16 St Catherines 2-05

Right from the outset it was the home team who were dominating this opening Minor football championship tie played at O'Connell Park in Cobh on Wednesday evening, July 23rd last. Charlie McCarthy and Kai O'Neill combining in all five first half goals, with the issue all but decided at the interval.

It was a bit more competitive on the turnover but the damage was done. Margin too wide. Cobh deserving winners. Focus reverting to a second round hurling championship tie v Mayfield due for Ballynoe last Wednesday evening, July 30th. After that it’s football v Carrigtwohill.

Scorers - J Temple (1-01 frees; 2-01), A Cotter (0-01 free; 0-02), B O'Connor and J O'Connor (free) (0-01 each).

Cobh scorers - K O'Neill (4-03), O Dorgan (0-01 "45"; 0-05), D Leahy (0-04), C McCarthy (1-00), C Mulvihill (0-02), J Morey and E Cummins (0-01 each).

St. Catherine's team: T Dee, R Hickey, C Murray (captain), S O’Donoghue, C Barry, S Walsh, T Clancy, C Hickey, L Moore, A Cotter, G Sheehan, E O’Mahony, K O’Donoghue, J O’Connor, J Temple. Subs: S McCarthy and B O’Connor for E O’Mahony and J O’Connor (both second half); T Walsh for S O’Donoghue (44').

Referee: David Butler (Carrigtwohill).

As the subheading aptly puts it, having two juvenile teams on the road simultaneously made for a busy evening. Starting with round three of the division one U12 hurling league played in Togher on Tuesday evening, July 22nd last at 7.30pm. An evenly contested well fought out affair between two well matched teams watched by a plentiful supply of supporters, be they home or away, with the visitors making the ideal start.

There were the usual supply of scores from the always threatening Alex Keane. Before the pair Sean O'Keeffe picked out Cillian Fitzgerald to goal, the score of the first half on 21 minutes with the Saints to the good on a 4-05 to 3-04 half-time scoreline.

John Barrett, Joe Power and Luke O'Neill were prominent for the Barrs who had worked their way narrowly to the front with about three minutes to go. But aforementioned Keane secured a deserved leveller before Ronan Geaney found for what proved the winning score very close to the end. Good win. It finished St Finbarrs 5-08 St Catherines 5-09.

Scorers - A Keane (0-06 frees; 0-01 '65'; 4-08), C Fitzgerald (1-00) and R Geaney (0-01).

St. Catherines team: S Flynn, J Beecher, S Cummins, A Fitzgerald, C Kearney, E Passaquay, C O'Connor, R Geaney, D Fitzgerald, A Keane, C Fitzgerald, S O'Keeffe, R Pietropaolo. Also: C Twomey, L Kearney, O Ryan, D Linehan and L Fleming.

Referee: George Murphy (Whitechurch).

One hour previous, St Catherines lost out to a good Fr O'Neill's team in division two of the U14 hurling league played in Ahavine also on Tuesday evening, July 22nd last at 6.30pm.

Scorers: K O'Connell (0-08 frees; 1-10), S Moore and O Sheehan (0-01 each).

St. Catherines team: P O'Sullivan, C Fitzgerald, S Moore, J Mulkerrins, O Sheehan, G Leary, O Feeney, K O'Connell, Z Pyne, D Kenneally, N Keane, A Coakley, B Coakley, D Temple, O O'Farrell. Subs: L O'Keeffe and S Maguire for B Coakley and O O'Farrell (both second half). T Shiels and R Molloy for Z Pyne and D Temple (both '40').

Referee: James Daly (Youghal).

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.