Clonakilty GAA Notes
Luckily, the weather held out on Sunday for the second decisive round of the 11 a-side league and again there was a great turn-out of players. There were also surprises as the teams who had led on day one failed to maintain their form and the issue od deciding the final pairings went right down to the final two games and was eventually decided on bonus points. A team earned a bonus point if they won and finished seven points clear of the opposing team or within four points if they lost. The finals, involving all eight teams, will take place on Saturday next, 30th, under lights, starting at 6.15 p.m. with the Plate Final between Team G, Sean Nagle, and team B, Liam Lyons. At 6.45 p.m. Team F, Mark Griffin, will oppose team D, Dave O’Regan, in the 5th/6th play-off. At 7.15 p.m. team C, Kevin Sutton, will play Team E, Tony Anglin, who were leading after day one, in the 3rd/4th play-off. The big final lies between Team A, Donal Lyons, and Team H, Michael Finn at 7.45 p.m.
Team A will be looking to the experience of Padraig Griffin, Eamonn Harte, Conor Murray, while Denis Harrington has been very impressive in defence. Youngsters, Barry O’Mahony, Alan O’Sullivan and Gareth Boohig have been playing well. Team H, under captain Michael Finn, have been the surprise packets so far and have been very well served by a few veterans like Jonathan Hunt, Martin White and Mícheál Griffin while Nigel Hayes and Howard Kenny provide the senior backbone. Their young brigade has also carried their share with Thomas Clancy, Stephen Sheehy and Kevin Cormican looking very lively. It may well come down to a battle of wits on the sideline and here
Team A will look to the vast experience of mentors Pius Lyons, Ger McCarthy, Jim Murphy and Mick O’Mahony to overcome the sheer enthusiasm and determination of Pat and Micky Harte, John Sheehy, Tadhg Holland and Pat Hayes. It should be a battle royal with the sparks flying from the floodlights and may well take extra time to decide, if the mentors nerves are up to it. Come what may all teams will be wined and dined afterwards in the club complex where the various prizes, plus the eagerly-awaited Player, Young Player and Veteran Player of the tournament will be awarded.
Here’s hoping for fine weather and some great entertainment. Full marks to Aidan McCarthy and Casey O’Donovan who have done marvellous work in organising the tournament again this year.
Congrats to the underage club which won the Club of the Year award at the Bord na nÓg Convention on Thursday night last. They share the award with Pedlar’s Cross and that makes it a great double for Clon in 2009 as the club had already won the prestigious overall Buckley Financial Club of the Year award the previous week. So, already, with 2010 only a few weeks old, there is more silverware in the trophy cabinet to replace all the cups that will be returned shortly to various boards.
The u.21 footballers were in action on Friday night last, 22nd, in a challenge game against reigning champions, Ilen Rovers, in Ahamilla. With young players, Kevin Cormican, Alan Murphy and Liam Cahill playing extremely well Clon put in a fine performance to win by 1-10 to 1-4. The team has been drawn against Newcestown in the quarter final of the SW championship, to be played on 20th March. A win there would put them into the semi-final against the winners of Bantry.Dohenys/ Kilmacabea. Their next outing is a challenge against Russell Rovers in Ahamilla on Sunday next at 1 p.m. in Ahamilla.
On the first weekend in February St. Brigid’s intermediate team of Dublin will be vistors to Clon and will play the clon junior team. Their visit is eagerly awaited.
A number of selection committees have been put into place during the past couple of weeks. The big news on the senior football front is that Seán Cowhig has taken over as manager for 2010, replacing Mike ‘Haulie’ O’Neill who stepped down at the end of the season. Seán has been involved with the senior in the past as a selector and had vast experience with numerous teams from u.12 to senior. His appointment has been warmly received and his management team includes Willie Griffin, a hero of the 1996 winning senior team, and John Collins, who was a selector last season. We wish them luck in what is bound to be a tough year. The team will be in action shortly in the first round of the Tadhgo Crowley, the final of which will be played in Ahamilla.
The junior A footballer mentors are the same as last season with Michael ‘Casey’ O’Donovan as manager, helped by Noel lynch, Tim ‘Baker’ Hayes and John ‘Rusty’ O’Regan. They did well as a team last season. The junior B selectors will again be headed by Aidan ‘Carew’ McCarthy as manager, who brought the league title to the club last season and only lost the championship final to a last minute goal to Kilmeen. Fellow selectors are John O’Callaghan snr., Noel Calnan, John O’Callaghan jnr. The u.21 football selectors are Eoin O’Mahony, Lar O’Sullivan, Pa O’Connor and Eamonn Walsh.
The new manager for the junior A hurling team is Leo Hassett and he has a very strong team of mentors in John Corcoran, Liam Ryan, John O’Brien and John Twomey. The junior B and u.21 hurling selectors are John Kevin McCarthy, James O’Donovan, Seamus O’Brien and Pakie Murphy.
The Lotto numbers for the jackpot of €3,200 were 13, 22, 27, 30 and the was no winner. The lucky dip winners were Liam Lyons, Cruary; Jim Daly, Millgrove, Meibh Collins, Rineens; Pat Sutton, Clonakilty; Noelle Hurley, Carrig, Ballinascarthy; Paddy O’Connell, Skibbereen. Next week, jackpot of €3,400.
28 Jan 2010 04:56 by TL