Ben Cunningham honoured for October

Left to right
Diarmuid O’Meara (St Finbarr’s), Marc Sheehan (Cork GAA Chairman), Finbarr McCarthy, (96FM/C103), Ben Cunningham (St Finbarr’s), Isabel Keane (96FM), Tom Tobin (Rochestown Park Hotel), Pat Horgan (Cork GAA Vice Chairman)

In what were probably the worst conditions imaginable St Finbarr’s put 29 years of heartbreak behind them to finally capture the Sean Og Murphy with a stunning display against old rivals Blackrock.

Key player in that win was Ben Cunningham turning in a man of the match display hitting 0-9 and was a worthy recipient of the 96FM/C103 GAA Sports Star award for October in association with the Rochestown Park Hotel.

Ben was delighted to be honoured but was quick to acknowledge that winning the title was very important “it was a big win for the club after such a long wait and we are delighted, and I am accepting this award on behalf of all of the team who played their part in the win.”

As for the day itself “it was very special and with so many family connections it made it better again.”

Ben’s dad Ger was the coach, his brother Sam played as a 2nd half substitute, while his cousins Eoghan Finn and Brian Hayes last year’s overall award winner were also important players on the team.

County Board Chairman Marc Sheehan was fulsome in his praise for Ben and his team mates, “I would really like to congratulate Ben on a truly exceptional display that was key to the win, and also St Finbarr’s on their contribution to the Championship as they were outstanding in all their games and of course we wish them the very best of luck in Sunday’s Munster semi-final.”

Marc also thanked 96FM/C103 and the Rochestown Park Hotel for “their continued support and promotion of these prestigious awards and also supporting the Board in other means as well it is greatly appreciated.”

Tom Tobin Rochestown Park Hotel and Kieran Mc Geary 96FM also congratulated Ben on his award and wished him well in Sunday’s Munster semi-final.

Ben’s family were in attendance along with club officials Diarmuid O’Meara, Billy O’Shea and John Cremin, while County Board officers Francis Kenneally and Pat Horgan were present along with Isabel Keane 96FM/C103.

Ben now joins the previous monthly winners in the race for the overall award.

St Finbarr’s Sam Ryan was the January winner while Ballygiblin’s Joseph O’Sullivan picked up the February award, there were joint winners in March with Rochestown College and Beara Community College honoured for their All-Ireland wins in hurling and football, Handball was acknowledged in April as All-Ireland doubles champions Brendan Fleming and Donncha O’Connor were honoured and in May Ben Shorten was the recipient as Ballingeary were crowned Comortas Peile Na Gaelthachta Senior Champions for the very first time.

While the June award went to Colm Lyons on his appointment as referee for the All-Ireland Hurling Final, Cork Camogie star Libby Coppinger was the July recipient.

Erin’s Own Kieran Murphy was the August winner, with Blackrock and St Michaels dual player picking up the October accolade.

The 2022 Banquet will now take place on February 10th next in the Rochestown Park Hotel where GAA President Larry McCarthy will be the guest of honour.

Two other awards will be presented on the night The Kieran O’Driscoll Youth Award and the Donal Lehane Distinguished Career Award.

Finbarr McCarthy
96FM/C103

Championship Draws 2023

 

At Tuesday nights County Board meeting, details of the 2023 championship draws was announced. The Co-Op Superstores Hurling Championship Draws and Bon Secours Football Championship draws from Premier Senior to Premier Junior will take place on December 11th as part of County Convention. On the same evening, the draw for ‘Confined’ Junior B and C County Championships will also take place [more information on Junior B and C here].

Clubs will be seed 1, 2 and 3 based on the results of competitions in 2022.  The seedings will be broken down as follows,

  1. The finalists from the previous year, along with the top ranked semi-finalist (based on the group stages) are designated as A seeds.
  2. The remaining three teams to emerge from the group stages are designated as B seeds.
  3. All remaining teams are designated as C/D seeds, in no particular order.

 

The format of the draw and procedure will be:

  1. In all competitions with 12 teams (3 groups of 4), draws will take place as follows:
  2. There are 3 Groups to be filled (labelled 1 to 3).
  3. There will be three A seeds, three B seeds, six C / D seeds.
  4. Firstly, the three A seeds will be placed in the bowl.
  5. Each will be drawn and placed in Groups 1 to 3 in order.
  6. Then, the three B seeds will be placed in the bowl.
  7. Each will be drawn and placed in Groups 1 to 3 in order.
  8. Then, the six C/D seeds will be placed in the bowl.
  9. Two will be drawn each time labelled C & D and placed in Groups 1 to 3 in order.

 

If clubs wish to submit observations, please reply by email before close of business on Wednesday, November 23rd next.
The teams in each competition and grade

‘Confined’ Junior B and C County Championships

 

 

The draws for the Co-Op Superstores Hurling  and Bon Secours Football  ‘Confined’ Junior B and C County Championships will take place at County Convention on Sunday, December 11th in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, along with the Senior, Intermediate and Premier Junior Draws.

 

These competitions are confined to Junior B and C Clubs only, with fixtures starting in May.

 

The deadline for entries is close of business on Wednesday, November 30th.

 

All clubs who wish to play in these competitions in 2023 are asked to complete the following link.

 

https://forms.office.com/r/zAJkDz2CBH

 

Having reviewed the 2022 competitions, the CCC is aware of the challenges faced by a number of clubs in these grades.

 

Hence, it is recommended that a number of of Junior B football teams re-grade to Junior C for 2023. These are as follows: Abbey Rovers, Crosshaven, Doneraile, Glengarriff, Grange and Lough Rovers.

 

However, we are, of course, happy to accept the club’s views also. Clubs are asked to liaise with your Division also, if wishing to re-grade, upwards or downwards.

 

The CCC will also consider a further football competition for teams who cannot assemble the required numbers to field at 15 a-side, subject to interest from the clubs involved.

Cork Senior Football Backroom team update

Former Galway and Sligo manager Kevin Walsh has been confirmed as the new Cork football coach.

The two-time Connacht SFC winning manager was ratified as the new coach in John Cleary’s backroom team at the Cork county board meeting on Tuesday night.

The two-time All-Ireland winning Galway midfielder arrives into the Cork set-up with a decade of inter-county managerial experience split evenly between his five years with Sligo (2008-13) and his five years with his native county (2015-19).

Cork Minor Hurling Backroom team update

 

Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh) has been ratified as coach for the Cork Minor Hurling team for the 2023 season, linking up with manager of the team Kieran Murphy (Sarsfields).

The 2005 All-Ireland winning captain was previously involved with the Cork minor hurlers during Donal Óg Cusack’s one-year tenure in 2020.

We wish the Cork Minor Hurling management team the best of luck for the coming year.