ST CATHERINE'S G.A.A. NOTES

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What's been happening in the past three months?

Fermoy is the venue for the first round senior hurling championship match between St. Catherines's and St. Finbarr's. It should be played on the May bank holiday weekend. This initiates a busy time for the club with the attractive pairing of Killeagh and Cloyne, beaten finalists for the past two years, pencilled in for Ballynoe, corresponding with the opening of the excellent second playing pitch on the same weekend.

Jerry Fitzgerald is again team manager. Denis Walsh is coaching the team. Completing the selectorial trio is Shane O'Connell, with Matt Harpur opting out this year because of work commitments.

Training started back in early December and following a players meeting in the Midleton Park Hotel on Friday night January 13th. James "Junior" Sheehan was elected captain, with Shane Fitzgerald as vice-captain. A great honour for them both.

Early season results haven't been that encouraging, losing friendly matches to Newcestown, Knockavilla-Kickhams and Watergrasshill. A victory was recorded against Bishopstown. The best performance was probably reserved for the Erin's Own match in the quarter final of the Abernethy Cup, the East Cork senior hurling championship, which remains the largest fundraiser for the divisional juvenile board. St. Catherine's lost out on a final scoreline of 0-15 to 0-13. Albeit, in fairness, both teams were very understrength when the match was played in Ballynoe on Sunday February 12th. last

But results and matches are decided by the strength of your line out and so far it's been no easy ride for the "the three wise men". They have had to deal with a plethora of injuries right from the start. Can we take this opportunity of wishing a speedy recovery to Declan Noonan who picked up a horrific knee injury in that aforementioned Abernethy Cup match.
The highs and lows of the game brought into sharp focus. Two weeks earlier, Declan was a member of the All Ireland winning Kildalton College outfit which defeated a Clonakilty team, captained by Edward Kenneally, in the final of the agricultural and horticultural senior hurling championship at Youghal.

St. Catherine's open their league campaign with a home fixture against Castlelyons, on St. Patrick's Day, while the Glen Rovers fixture (away) is also confirmed for the end of March. In an effort to upgrade the Cork web-site, league results must now be texted to an agreed number by the home team, for publication within minutes of being played. This is the brainchild of county P.R.O. and league co-ordinator, Bob Ryan, and is organised by a company called 21st. Century Computer Training and Web Design, whose entire package was presented to club P.R.O.'s at a special meeting at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on February 21st. last.
Sterling full back, Mike Fitzgerald, enjoyed a decent Fitzgibbon Cup campaign, although U.C.D. lost the final to W.I.T. Shane Cotter was on the St. Colman's team that lost to St. Flannan's in the semi-final of the Harty Cup. Shane is a member of the county minor hurling panel.

St. Catherine's now play in the third division of the junior football league and the ensuing junior "B" championship. This means that the team can also compete for the divisional qualifiers of the county junior "B" football championship.

Despite the disappointment of not being able to put out a team against Bride Rovers, early league results were satisfactory, with victories over Gortroe, Cobh and Carrignavar recorded in turn. The panel remains very tight, although that could be alleviated by the addition of a few more under twenty ones, who by tradition are the first team pressed into adult championship action. St. Catherine's play Russell Rovers in the quarter final. Best of luck to team manager, James Casey.

Frustrating is one word that could be used in describing the minor hurling season. St. Catherine's merged with Castlelyons and played as St. Bridget's. With Erin's Own, who defeated Bridget's in the championship

final at Rathcormac in late August , completely unavailable to play the East Cork Minor "A" hurling league final, proposed for October 28th. last, Bridgets received what is called the divisional nomination to the county rounds. Victories over Courcey Rovers and Newcestown followed, before beating a disappointing Cloughduv side in the final at Ballynoe after Christmas. It was all riding now on the East Cork league final, which was eventually played, and only on the toss of a coin, at Ballynoe on Saturday February 18th. This was two weeks further on from a previously settled date postponed because of Harty Cup ties. Erin's Own won the match on a final scoreline of 1-13 to 0-11. They now took divisional and county titles in tandem.

Problem! How can a final be held up for four months because of the unavailability of one of the competing teams? Answer-you don't. Nominations are viable if both teams can play within a reasonable time of a nominated date. If not one of them has to go. Precedents have been set!

Last years successful underage hurlers were honoured in a medal presentation ceremony in Ballynoe Hall on Tuesday night, December 13th. last. Guest of honour on the night was intercounty hurler, Timmy McCarthy, from neighbouring club, Castlelyons.

The underage annual general meeting was held a month later on Thursday night, January 19th. Managers were appointed to the various juvenile hurling teams. Not so easy when it comes to football though! Is it any wonder then when the negativity manifests itself up the line. Any of those bar room experts willing to manage a team? I can't hear you!!!! Plans for the Summer or Cúl Camp are ongoing. Names for the gaeltacht scolarship have been submitted. The playing season is about to start with the under twelve football league and the under fifteen football championship imminent.

St. Catherine's enjoyed a memorable season in Scór. Highlight would have been the performance of the ballad group. They were crowned divisional and county champions before a memorable run was terminated in the Munster Scór na n-Óg final in the City Hall in Cork on Sunday January 29th. last. Performing "Mise Rafterí" and "A Shaighdiúirín a Chroí"
group members were Jill Hurley, Stephen Mills, Marie Barry, James and Patricia Moroney. Four of that group, along with Eva Ahern instead of Stephen Mills, also reached the county final in the instrumental music section. There was an East Cork title and county semi-final place for the figure dancing troupe in Scór na bPáistí. In the group were Laura Leahy, Maeve Galvin, Emma Spillane, Mary Galvin, Helen Leahy, Michelle Tobin, Rachel Spillane and Rachel O'Callaghan.

Although not taking the divisional title, St. Catherine's ultimately progressed to the county final of Scór Sinnsir in the ballad group categary. Members were- Ann Galvin (enjoy your holiday Ann), Yvonne Ahern, Susan Finn, Elaine Fitzgerald and Marie Clancy. Overall , a thoroughly rewarding six month season with Scór.

Commiserations to all those who suffered family bereavements in recent times,

On a happier note, congratulations to Rena O'Leary on her success in the Cork G.A.A. clubs draw for the month of December. Also to the Jaylo Syndicate on winning the Jackpot of €3,100 in the final pre Christmas lotto draw, at The Fisherman's Rest , on Monday night December 19th. last. Winning combination of numbers were 8,16 and 24. Syndicate members were- Fred Bryan, Pádraig Dillon, Tom Geary, James Sheehan, Mike Barry, Sean Lynch and Liam Geary. Many thanks to those who continue to support both the County Board draw and the weekly lotto, which at the time of writing has an accumulated jackpot of €2,200.

See you next time.
Report compiled by John O'Mahony

(Adult and Juvenile Club P.R.O.)