Gleoise na Carraige December 2020

 

Muintir Carraig na bhFear, ta an Lockdown chriochnaithe agus ta suil again go bhfuil daoine ag tnuth le chursai na Nollag agus an gnath shaol ag dul thar nais, diaidh ar ndiaidh. Caithfear a admhail ce go deacair agus chrua do bhi an bhliain seo.  Ni ligfear lamh a chasadh, seasamh nios giorra na dha meadair, do bhi iomai daoine in umar na haimileise. Ach, do chuir roinnt cluichi iomanaiocht agus caide gliondar ar ar gcroi, agus seo iad na tuairisci nios deanai faoi ar gcumann Carraig na bhFear.

We hope you all enjoy the last instalment of Gleoise na Carraige 2020. It has been a really tough year for both young and old. We have had to learn new skills, new ways of socializing, whilst also trying to keep a level of normality going. The club season came to an end in early October with most championship games played to completion. Here is an account of some those games, where glory and victory walked hand in hand with disappointment and regret.

 

Adult Club Report

Junior C Hurlers Dreams Shattered in Final

East Cork Junior C Hurling Final 2020

Castlemartyr 1-19 Carraig na bhFear 1-05

Do yourself justice. A common enough phrase in every day lexicon, but how do we attribute this phrase to playing sport? Is justice the feeling that you have given your all and have no regrets? Or is it playing without fear? Is it truth? Something to ponder, but the phrase appeared appropriate as our Junior C Hurlers trudged off the green sod of Killeagh Gaa Grounds, beaten and mute with disappointment. We were beaten well, of that there was no doubt, but the lingering regret was that we did not bring the war. We did not bring our true selves nor reached our potential.

What made the regret sting even further was the performance this team gave in the last game of the round robin series versus Bride Rovers, the two weeks previously.  The game finished in a draw, 4-10 to 1-19, a game that showcased some super performances, both in defence and attack. Carraig had fallen seven points in arrears midway through the second half, but with some astute changes, a bloody mindedness from a few players and a bit of guile up front, Carraig ate into the lead and actually lead by 3 points deep into injury time. The Rovers then scored a fortuitous goal, agus cheapamar go raibh leac ar a cheann. Were we out? The calculators were called into action and what transpired was that due to a better scoring difference, Carraig qualified for the Junior C Final with a +2 score aggregate, whereas the Rovers were at 0.

So, things were all set for the team to take on Castlemartyr in a game played under lights at Killeagh GAA Grounds. Carraig played with the aid of the wind in the first half and dominated possession for periods of the game. P O Sullivan at wing forward and C Hill were dominant in the early stages, but for every score we garnered, Castlemartyr responded relatively quickly. Our full back line were coping admirably with their pacy counterparts, but things were not going as fluidly for our forwards. Carraig did score a well worked goal after 20 minutes, finished well by S O Donovan, but unfortunately this goal was cancelled out within 5 minutes, as Castlemartyr registered their own green flag. Half time score Carraig 1-04 Castlemartyr 1-05.

The second half was a big disappointment as our team struggled to break past the Castlemartyr rear guard. The conditions deteriorated a bit further and aided by a strong gust, Castlemartyr picked off scores from distance.  Changes were made, the chess pieces were moved around the table, but unfortunately, the game was over with ten minutes to go. Manfully Carraig kept playing, T O Driscoll and C O Reilly taking the fight to their opponents until the end.  However, as the final whistle sounded, reality hit home. Justice. Truth….strong words. But these are the risks we take when we take part in competition. This group will hopefully learn from this and get back on the horse again next year. Because that’s where you start. See the truth, face it and work hard to realise your own truth.

Foireann: C O Brien,  P O’Brien, C O’Reilly,  S Casey, C Cronin, J Walsh, T Hegarty, C Hill, C Cooney, P O Sullivan, T Deegan, T O Driscoll, T Coleman, P O’Sullivan, S O’Donovan.

Fir Ionaid: C Hayes, D Foley, E O Flynn,  J Meehan.

The presentation of the Michael Foley Memorial Cup was performed by his brother Dan Joe Foley to the victorious Castleymartyr captain, Rob O Donovan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“No Complaints…..The Better Team Won”

East Cork Junior A Hurling Final 2020

Carraig na bhFear 0-11 Liosgoold 0-17

In the end, we knew how they felt. For any club making a breakthrough by winning an adult hurling title, the first is always the most memorable. It is the release of the frustration, the numbing defeats, the “ when will we ever”…the whys?? They get cast aside, replaced by a totally new feeling. Joy.

So we know how they felt. But our club and our Junior Hurling team were experiencing something different. An unwanted two in a row. Two defeats in two consecutive East Cork Hurling Finals, leaves more hurt, more doubt, more questions.  What went wrong? What went right? Where do we go from here?

The game, the occasion and its backdrop was diluted by the Health Crisis that has changed our behaviour and social interactions for 2020. No crowd, no dressing rooms, locked gates….the price to pay to keep us safe. But as has been more than the exception, people found a way into the viewing gallery at Pairc Clonmult, Midleton, and by 3pm on Sunday 13th of September, the dice was set. Would the up and coming team from Liosgoold maintain their upward trajectory? Or would the experienced and battle hardened men from Carraig, reclaim Jamesy, after a gap of 8 years.

The story of the game was dominated by some of the main protagonists. T Geaney was imperious at No.5, a throw back to the youthful lad from Birr Co,Offaly who was the prince of half backs in the nineties. Geaney was complemented by the hard work of A Dorgan in midfield and a half forward line of the two Sheehans and one Murphy who plundered 4 points in the first half exchanges. Half time score was Carraig 0-06 Liosgoold 0-07.

However the second half was all about the men in blue and gold. J Cronin at centre back was extremely dominant and the twin threat of Cashman and O Shea in the forward line started to tell. Carraig began to struggle to win their own puckout and Liosgoold went 5 points in front after ten minutes of the second half. Carraig moved a few of the pieces around on the chess board, trying to penetrate the Liosgoold rearguard a bit more. Good points from O Crowley and P Sheehan closed the gap to three with 15 minutes left.  Carraig did create one good goal chance within this period, a chance that we needed to take, but it was repelled.

As the game entered its final vestiges, the momentum was now with Liosgoold. Carraig defended manfully at times, but with a constant supply of ball coming out of the defence, the inevitable scores came to Liosgoold, who with a few classy scores from O Shea, ended their own famine and won the Jamesy Kelleher trophy for the first time, on a scoreline of Liosgoold 0-17 Carraig na bhFear 0-11.

 

And so…how does one reflect? Inwards or outwards? The lazy analysis may point to shot selection, fitness, the usual suspects…..or does the team and club have the courage to go deeper? The team is evolving, the setting sun is approaching for many of the breakthough generation of the noughties, and the next batch now have the gauntlet thrown down in front of them….who will take the baton up? Who will ask the hard questions and self examine? A starting point? One can’t improve unless one understands what the problems are….pushing the boulder up the hill has to start again, for everyone in the club, juvenile and adult. Put your hand up if you are ready to work…………..

Carraig na bhFear: B Casey, T Sheehan, D O’Driscoll, D Coleman, J Forde, T Geaney, P Geaney, A Dorgan, M Ahern, B Sheehan, P Sheehan, P Murphy, O Crowley, B Murphy, D Sweeney.

Fir Ionaid: J Forde, M Hickey, S Farrell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Juvenile Report

St Colmcille’s Under 16 team

St. Colmcille’s Under 16 team saw the curtain come down on their season in late September, when they were beaten by Killeagh Ita’s in a high-scoring encounter played at White’s Cross. Indeed their tally of 1 goal and 13 points would win a lot of football games, and more so at this time of year. However with the team needing to be rejigged owing to the unavailability of a number of key players 6 goals and 3 points were leaked to our East Cork opponents.

This panel of players have had a fantastic season having also qualified for their hurling play-offs only to lose out in the final to Erin’s Own, and while the players will no doubt be disappointed to not have won either competition, they have much to be optimistic about. In their first year together the lads from the two Clubs gelled together very well, and this season will surely stand them in good stead as they transition into Minor competition in 2021.

Well done to the players and the management team of our Under 16 squad on their gigantic efforts this season – míle buíochas libh go léir.

St. Colmcille's - Rebel Og East Minor B Football Champions 2020

St. Colmcille’s – Rebel Og East Minor B Football Champions 2020

The Victorious St Colmcille Minor Football team who defeated Mayfield in the final.

 

Rebel Og East U18 Football Final Division 2

St Colmcille’s 2-16 Mayfield 1-6

St Colmcille’s won the Minor Football East Championship in great style today against local rivals Mayfield. Despite the final scoreline this was a titanic battle which was only put beyond doubt late on. The team was dealt a big blow before the match with news that Conor Docherty, a real leader for this team, was struck down by illness. It certainly put all our team on notice that they needed to step up, but that they did in spades. Early on St Colmcille’s were a bit hesitant and guilty of some poor decision-making in attack. Mayfield were looking threatening going forward and, after some early points were exchanged, they struck for a goal. However we worked our way into the game and points from Colin O’Brien, Billy Connolly and Harry Coughlan tied it up. Cian Walsh, Rory McCarthy and Dylan Foley were rock solid at the back and scores dried up for both sides for awhile. Rory Teahan’s kickouts we’re starting to find the right range and target, still Mayfield pulled two points clear by the end of the first half and while you felt there was more in the lads they had to show it. They did that in truly awesome fashion in the second half. David Dunphy was having a huge influence on the game, winning possession, setting up and finishing attacks. The incisive running of Stephen Whooley & Sean O’Donoghue, and the hard graft of Daniel Kelleher, Harry & Colin saw us take control upfront. Tadhg O’Donoghue was a colossus all through and when he drove forward to stitch a fantastic goal to the roof of the net we were really motoring. A two point halftime deficit was transformed into a ten point lead by the water break, some turnaround! Still the lads drove on, with Eoin O’Flynn playing a stormer at wing back and Patrick O’Leary getting on top of his man after a great tussle. Great credit to the backs for limiting our opponents to a single point in the second half. Colm Murphy needed to rise above even his high standards today, without his regular midfield partner, and not only did he deliver but he also struck for a great team goal with a cool finish. Eoin Murphy, Ciarán O’Regan, Senan Ryan, Sean O’Donnell and Fionnán Quinlan came on to play their part too. We have been fortunate to have a great panel this year, unfortunately not everyone could get game time today, but they have all played a part in building this team. The final whistle brought great scenes for all involved. Conor (Lazarus) Docherty stepped forward to lift the cup, a fitting moment for his immense influence in all the matches. In this strangest of years the team has been a welcome distraction for the players, families and mentors and it’s a fantastic way to finish it off. St Colmcille’s Abú

Panel: Rory Teahan, Rory McCarthy, Cian Walsh, Dylan Foley, Eoin O’Flynn, Tadhg O’Donoghue, Patrick O’Leary, Colm Murphy, Conor Docherty, Billy Connolly, David Dunphy, Harry Coughlan, Stephen Whooley, Sean O’Donoghue, Daniel Kelleher, Colin O’Brien, Eoin Murphy, Ciarán O’Regan, Senan Ryan, Sean O’Donnell, Fionnán Quinlan, Eolan Dill, Felix Murphy, David Fitzpatrick, Darragh Tattan, Sean Twomey, Michael Myers, Cian O’Brien, Aaron Wallace, Kyle Murphy, Adam Curtayne Gardiner

St Colmcille’s U12 Football Report

Rebel Og East Division U12 Football Final

St. Colmcille’s 2-6 Whitechurch 0-6

As we soak up the last rays of this Indian summer, there was plenty excitement in Carraig na bhFear GAA Grounds this Monday evening as both sides fought for supremacy in this football decider, played on an immaculate surface. With a much diluted programme of games being played this year owing to Covid-19 restrictions, silverware is a real prized possession. However the reality is that we must be grateful that a programme of games was played at all – it didn’t look at all likely four and five months ago.

Our Under 12 team entered this final undefeated in their league campaign, but the only points dropped was a draw with tonight’s opponents, so we knew this was going to be nip-and-tuck. Finals can be tense affairs and tonight’s game was that at times, however the quality of football on display was of a very high standard during particular passages in play.

Both defences ruled supreme for large chunks of the game, with Jack Harte a rock in the full-back berth for our lads. A switch in defence leading to Alex Sheehan moving into corner-back and Tom O Sullivan to wing-back after fifteen minutes benefitted both players, who proceeded to be massively influential in this victory. Jamie Murphy at wing-back thundered into this game in the second half, while Ciarán Tattan was his usual steady self all through – he is a player that has improved with each and every game this year.

Captain Darragh McGuire put in a great shift in the middle of the field tonight – a real leader in this team. Along with Ciarán Ryan at six, Cian Dunne at nine and Davyn Maher at eleven, this central diamond has been a platform for each of our successes.

Up-front, while we struggled for scores, it wasn’t for the want of trying – Rowan O Connell and Chris O Keeffe ensured the Whitechurch defence won no ball easily. Billy Cambridge brought a different dynamic to proceedings when he was introduced with his darting runs, while Mark Reynolds, Fachtna Kelleher and David O Donovan also contributed positively to this success. Joe Arrigan was most unlucky with his effort in the first half when his quick thinking saw his shot flash over the crossbar via a deflection – it could so easily have raised the green flag.

However it wasn’t until the final quarter that a green flag was raised and ultimately it’s those scores that determined the outcome here. Before that Rónán Aherne in the St. Colmcille’s goal parried two goal-bound efforts away to safety – two fine saves from our netminder. The goal that put the first bit of daylight between these two teams was finished with aplomb by our full forward Shane Harrington – an effort he should be really proud off. When the ever-dangerous Alex Flynn got a hand to a high ball into the square to knock it away from the Whitechurch keeper’s grasp three minutes from time, this goal also put this contest firmly out of the grasp of our determined opponents.

Well done to everyone involved in a great campaign for our Under 12 footballers – CLCG Naomh Colmcille abú:

Panel: Alex Flynn, Alex Sheehan, Billy Cambridge, Brian Barry, Charlie Horgan, Chris O’Keeffe, Cian Dunne, Ciarán Ryan, Ciarán Tattan, Darragh McGuire, David O’Donovan, Davyn Maher, Dillon Manley, Evan O’Leary, Fachtna Kelleher, Jack Harte, Jamie Murphy, Joe Aitken, Joseph Arrigan, Josh Varley, Kaya Sayin, Kevin Murphy, Killian Burns, Mark Reynolds, Martin Cotter, Mike Murphy, Oisin Arrigan, Rónán Aherne, Rowan O’Connell, Ruairi Dunlea, Shane Harrington, Tadgh Harden, Tom Collins & Tom O’Sullivan.

Management: Aidan Sheehan, Conor Kelleher, Don O Connell, Glen Arrigan, Lee Burns, Mike Flynn, Noel Manley & Shane Horgan.

 

Mentors: Sean Coughlan, Damien Horgan, Mark Twomey, Liam Ryan, Martin O’Regan, Finbarr Pyne, Michelle Whooley

St. Colmcilles U12 football squad 2020

St. Colmcilles U12 football squad 2020

The Victorious U12 St Colmcille’s Football team.

 

 

That’s it folks……remember that the club lotto is the talk of the village ( I mbeal an phobail), as it now sits at 10,600 EU…what a nice Christmas present that would be!!! Do not forget to get your tickets at Drummonds shop in the village.

Important Dates: Juvenile AGM Friday December 11th at 8pm. Zoom link will be shared on whatsapp and Facebook.

Adult Club AGM to be announced in the coming weeks.

Finally, Carraig na bhFear CLG wishes every parishioner, member and Gael sa bhreac Gaeltacht Carraig na bhFear a happy and enjoyable Christmas. At this time,we also pause to remember friends and colleagues we lost in 2020, their memory has not dimmed. And for 2021, we hope to return to the fields and pitches of East Cork and have a rewarding and exciting year.

See you all in 2021, new faces and old…what awaits us, who knows, but Bob Dylan puts it well when he says “ behind every beautiful thing, there is some kinda pain”….Slan.