CORK 3-22 WESTMEATH 0-25
Courtesy of www.gaa.ie
Cork preserved their place in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League with a six-point win over Westmeath at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, but they had to dig deep to see off the Lake County.
Brian Hurley’s 63rd minute goal proved to be the decisive score as Westmeath had responded well to strikes from Mark Collins and Luke Connolly before that. However, Hurley – who scored 1-4 after coming on for the injured Cathail O’Mahony just before half-time – made it 3-18 to 0-22 when he got on the end of a superb pass from wing-back Kevin O’Donovan and Cork were not going to be denied from there.
Ultimately, Cork’s ability to take their goal chances was a key difference between the sides. Westmeath were very impressive in the opening half, the end of which they led by 0-14 to 0-12, but the lead could have been even better as sub Sam McCartan was unlucky to see a 34th minute goal attempt – created by a lovely reverse pass from their talisman John Heslin – come back off the inside of the post, with David Lynch unable to divert the loose ball to the net.
The visitors’ best goal opportunity of the second period also fell to the impressive McCartan on 62, as fellow sub Fola Ayorinde found him in space but his shot whistled just over the bar when a green flag would have made it 1-22 to 2-18 in Westmeath’s favour.
However, while the loss means Division 3 football for Westmeath and four defeats from four league outings, they can take a lot of positives as they face into a championship clash with Laois.
Having fallen behind three times early on, with Cathail O’Mahony the Cork scorer each time, Westmeath hit the front as Ronan O’Toole, Ray Connellan, Ger Egan and Heslin all pointed in a four-point burst and Heslin’s fourth of the day left them 0-10 to 0-6 in front at the first-half water-break.
Cork did show an improvement when action resumed, Luke Connolly frees allied to points from Paul Walsh and Seán White as they drew level, but Heslin and Connellan replied for Westmeath. After Connolly went close to a goal for Cork, McCartan went closer for Westmeath but they would still have been encouraged to lead by two at the break.
Walsh and Hurley got Cork off to a positive start in the second half, Heslin with a Westmeath point in response following a mark, but on 40 Cork looked to have made an emphatic move. When Connolly found Hurley with a good pass from deep, he offloaded to fellow sub Mark Collins and he finished smartly to the net for 1-14 to 0-15.
Again, Westmeath had a stiff riposte, with O’Toole, Ger Egan and Lorcan Dolan all on target, but Cork suckered them with a second goal as captain Ian Maguire was the architect for Connolly’s fisted finish.
By the time of the second-half water-break, Cork were 2-17 to 0-19 ahead but Heslin’s ninth and 10th of the day left just two in it with 11 minutes of normal time left. Ultimately, Hurley’s goal made Cork safe and they finished well to finally put the issue beyond doubt.
Scorers for Cork: Luke Connolly (0-4 frees), Brian Hurley (0-1 free) 1-4 each, Mark Collins 1-1 (0-1 free), Cathail O’Mahony, Daniel Dineen (0-1 mark) 0-3 each, Paul Walsh 0-2, John O’Rourke, Ruairí Deane, Seán White, Brian Hartnett, Colm O’Callaghan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Westmeath: John Heslin 0-12 (0-8 frees, 0-1 mark), Ronan O’Toole, Ray Connellan, Ger Egan, Lorcan Dolan 0-3 each, Sam McCartan 0-1.
CORK: Michéal Martin; Kevin O’Donovan, Seán Meehan, Kevin Flahive; Seán White, Mattie Taylor, Cian Kiely; Ian Maguire, Paul Walsh; John O’Rourke, Ruairí Deane, Kevin O’Driscoll; Daniel Dineen, Luke Connolly, Cathail O’Mahony.
Subs: Mark Collins for O’Rourke (31, injured), Brian Hurley for O’Mahony (35, injured), Tadhg Corkery for Kiely, Brian Hartnett for Deane (both 53), Eoghan McSweeney for White, Damien Gore for Connolly (both 61), Colm O’Callaghan for O’Donovan (70).
WESTMEATH: Jason Daly; Jack Smith, Kevin Maguire, Boidu Sayeh; James Dolan, Ronan Wallace, Jamie Gonoud; Denis Corroon, Sam Duncan; Ray Connellan, David Lynch, Ger Egan; Ronan O’Toole, John Heslin, Lorcan Dolan.
Subs: Sam McCartan for Smith (25, injured), Darren Giles for Connellan (41, injured), Fola Ayorinde for Duncan, Noel Mulligan for Gonoud (both 51), Nigel Harte for Lynch (62), Sam Maxwell for Dolan (67).
REFEREE: Cormac Reilly (Meath).
Picture courtesy of John O’ Brien
Cork hurling and football squads pay their respects to GAA stalwart Tommy Lynch
Courtesy of Denis Hurley (The Echo)
BACK in December 2014, it was my pleasure – along with John Horgan and Finbarr McCarthy – to cover the last game in the old SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Ciarán Cormack and Seán Powter powered St Francis College, Rochestown to a 2-14 to 1-8 victory over Midleton CBS in the semi-final of the O’Callaghan Cup, with Cormack scoring the last point in that iteration of the venue. Of course, the report that appeared was less focused on the match than an elegy for the stadium, and it ended thusly: “On leaving, the last person seen was the man with the most stories to tell, ubiquitous groundsman Tommy Lynch. As it always was.”
Tommy, who died this week at the age of 91, had seen it all in four decades or so of service to Cork GAA but – underlining perhaps why he came to be so well-trusted in his various roles – he wasn’t too keen to talk about himself or his job. Any requests to interview him were politely declined, as he focused on doing his work well, without seeking plaudits.
Former Cork County Board chairperson Tracey Kennedy can’t ever remember a time where Tommy wasn’t present in the background.
“He liked what he did and he liked the people he spoke to,” she says, “but he didn’t want the limelight at all.
“I’d have been in and out of SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for years as a club secretary, so I presume I must have met him back along then as there would have been a lot of interaction with the office – we used to have to bring in cheques and that kind of thing and he was there because he was always there.
“I don’t remember a specific introduction but he was always there, whether it was SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh or Páirc Uí Rinn – which he never referred to as anything other than ‘Christy Ring Park’ – there was a sense of ubiquity, he was part of the building, part of the furniture.
“It was the same when you went to matches elsewhere, he’d always be around the dressing room getting things ready and so on. He was just part of matchday and part of every event at the stadium.
At Páirc Uí Rinn, the first-aid room just inside the door on the right was where to find Tommy if you needed something – for a club game where you might be the first press person arriving, he would take great care to point out which key among the massive throng on the keyring was needed to open the press box.
KEY ROLE
It was fitting that he was such a part of that venue as well as SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, given the small but important role he played when the county board purchased it from the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
A blind bidding process was done through solicitors and so, as Frank Murphy revealed in 2014, when the time came to announce what had happened, Tommy was sent to the AOH.
“We had a meeting of the executive here on the Tuesday night and they were briefed on the decision,” he said.
“There was a board meeting at 8.30pm so before we informed them the property had been bought, we sent our groundsman, Tommy Lynch, with a letter to the secretary of the AOH to inform them that we were the new owners of Flower Lodge. And that was the first intimation they had who the new owners were.”
In 2005, during Seán Kelly’s tenure, Tommy was honoured with a GAA President’s Award and the citation that appeared in the media at the time almost did him a disservice: “Tommy Lynch has been involved in Cork GAA for close on quarter of a century, looking after the playing gear for the various county teams, as well as filling the role of chief groundsman at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Páirc Uí Rinn.”
Like so many true servants of Irish sport, the majority of the work was unseen, but the kind that is truly appreciated by those aware of it.
“He instilled a sense of confidence in you,” Kennedy says, “because you knew that he knew everything.
He knew where everything was and he knew who everyone was – he knew what needed to be done.
“You never had to worry about any of the little things that needed to be done because Tommy would just have it all under control.
“I’d just like to send my condolences to his family and friends as he is a huge loss to them.”
Cork edge out Westmeath
CORK 3-22 WESTMEATH 0-25
Courtesy of www.gaa.ie
Cork preserved their place in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League with a six-point win over Westmeath at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday, but they had to dig deep to see off the Lake County.
Brian Hurley’s 63rd minute goal proved to be the decisive score as Westmeath had responded well to strikes from Mark Collins and Luke Connolly before that. However, Hurley – who scored 1-4 after coming on for the injured Cathail O’Mahony just before half-time – made it 3-18 to 0-22 when he got on the end of a superb pass from wing-back Kevin O’Donovan and Cork were not going to be denied from there.
Ultimately, Cork’s ability to take their goal chances was a key difference between the sides. Westmeath were very impressive in the opening half, the end of which they led by 0-14 to 0-12, but the lead could have been even better as sub Sam McCartan was unlucky to see a 34th minute goal attempt – created by a lovely reverse pass from their talisman John Heslin – come back off the inside of the post, with David Lynch unable to divert the loose ball to the net.
The visitors’ best goal opportunity of the second period also fell to the impressive McCartan on 62, as fellow sub Fola Ayorinde found him in space but his shot whistled just over the bar when a green flag would have made it 1-22 to 2-18 in Westmeath’s favour.
However, while the loss means Division 3 football for Westmeath and four defeats from four league outings, they can take a lot of positives as they face into a championship clash with Laois.
Having fallen behind three times early on, with Cathail O’Mahony the Cork scorer each time, Westmeath hit the front as Ronan O’Toole, Ray Connellan, Ger Egan and Heslin all pointed in a four-point burst and Heslin’s fourth of the day left them 0-10 to 0-6 in front at the first-half water-break.
Cork did show an improvement when action resumed, Luke Connolly frees allied to points from Paul Walsh and Seán White as they drew level, but Heslin and Connellan replied for Westmeath. After Connolly went close to a goal for Cork, McCartan went closer for Westmeath but they would still have been encouraged to lead by two at the break.
Walsh and Hurley got Cork off to a positive start in the second half, Heslin with a Westmeath point in response following a mark, but on 40 Cork looked to have made an emphatic move. When Connolly found Hurley with a good pass from deep, he offloaded to fellow sub Mark Collins and he finished smartly to the net for 1-14 to 0-15.
Again, Westmeath had a stiff riposte, with O’Toole, Ger Egan and Lorcan Dolan all on target, but Cork suckered them with a second goal as captain Ian Maguire was the architect for Connolly’s fisted finish.
By the time of the second-half water-break, Cork were 2-17 to 0-19 ahead but Heslin’s ninth and 10th of the day left just two in it with 11 minutes of normal time left. Ultimately, Hurley’s goal made Cork safe and they finished well to finally put the issue beyond doubt.
Scorers for Cork: Luke Connolly (0-4 frees), Brian Hurley (0-1 free) 1-4 each, Mark Collins 1-1 (0-1 free), Cathail O’Mahony, Daniel Dineen (0-1 mark) 0-3 each, Paul Walsh 0-2, John O’Rourke, Ruairí Deane, Seán White, Brian Hartnett, Colm O’Callaghan 0-1 each.
Scorers for Westmeath: John Heslin 0-12 (0-8 frees, 0-1 mark), Ronan O’Toole, Ray Connellan, Ger Egan, Lorcan Dolan 0-3 each, Sam McCartan 0-1.
CORK: Michéal Martin; Kevin O’Donovan, Seán Meehan, Kevin Flahive; Seán White, Mattie Taylor, Cian Kiely; Ian Maguire, Paul Walsh; John O’Rourke, Ruairí Deane, Kevin O’Driscoll; Daniel Dineen, Luke Connolly, Cathail O’Mahony.
Subs: Mark Collins for O’Rourke (31, injured), Brian Hurley for O’Mahony (35, injured), Tadhg Corkery for Kiely, Brian Hartnett for Deane (both 53), Eoghan McSweeney for White, Damien Gore for Connolly (both 61), Colm O’Callaghan for O’Donovan (70).
WESTMEATH: Jason Daly; Jack Smith, Kevin Maguire, Boidu Sayeh; James Dolan, Ronan Wallace, Jamie Gonoud; Denis Corroon, Sam Duncan; Ray Connellan, David Lynch, Ger Egan; Ronan O’Toole, John Heslin, Lorcan Dolan.
Subs: Sam McCartan for Smith (25, injured), Darren Giles for Connellan (41, injured), Fola Ayorinde for Duncan, Noel Mulligan for Gonoud (both 51), Nigel Harte for Lynch (62), Sam Maxwell for Dolan (67).
REFEREE: Cormac Reilly (Meath).
Picture courtesy of John O’ Brien
Match Programme for Cork vs Westmeath in FL and Cork vs Galway in HL
This weekend Cork will play Westmeath in Football and Galway in Hurling. Below is this weekend’s match programme
Hurling League Fixtures this weekend
FIXTURES:
Saturday 12th June 2021
RedFM Hurling League 1A: Blackrock v Glen Rovers , Ref: Nathan Wall, Venue: Church Rd, 18:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 2A: Killeagh v Douglas , Ref: Eoin Coleman, Venue: Killeagh, 19:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 2B: Newtownshandrum v Erins Own , Ref: David Copps, Venue: Newtownshandrum, 19:30, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 5B: Dungourney v Kildorrery , Ref: Paudie O’ Brien, Venue: Dungourney, 18:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 7A: Midleton v Ballygarvan , Ref: Arthur Murphy, Venue: Midleton, 18:00, Round 1;
Sunday 13th June 2021
RedFM Hurling League 1B: St Finbarrs v Bride Rovers , Ref: David Daly, Venue: Togher, 14:00, Round 1; Bishopstown v Midleton , Ref: Mark Maher, Venue: Midleton, 14:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 2B: Na Piarsaigh v Ballyhea , Ref: Brian Murphy (Carrigtwohill), Venue: Na Piarsaigh, 12:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 3A: Carrigtwohill v Cloyne , Ref: Brian Sweeney, Venue: Carrigtwohill, 12:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 4A: Watergrasshill v Ballincollig , Ref: Michael Walsh, Venue: Watergrasshill, 12:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 4B: Fermoy v Carrigaline , Ref: Ciaran O’Regan, Venue: Fermoy, 11:30, Round 1; Castlelyons v Mayfield , Ref: Willie Wallis, Venue: Castleyons, 12:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 5B: Inniscarra v Milford , Ref: Diarmuid Kirwan, Venue: Ballyanley, 12:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 6A: Kilbrittain v Aghada , Ref: Ian McCarthy, Venue: Kilbrittain, 12:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 6B: Argideen Rangers v St Catherines , Ref: Shane Scanlon, Venue: Timoleague, 12:00, Round 1; Dripsey v Na Piarsaigh , Ref: Liam Barry, Venue: Dripsey, 12:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 7A: Russell Rovers v Grenagh , Ref: Paudie Kearney, Venue: Russell Rovers, 12:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 7B: Glen Rovers v St Finbarrs , Ref: Paddy O’Sullivan, Venue: Glen Rovers, 11:00, Round 1; Douglas v Aghabullogue , Ref: Canice Walsh, Venue: Douglas, 12:00, Round 1;
RedFM Hurling League 8: Sarsfields v Ballinhassig , Ref: Pa Beausang, Venue: Riverstown, 12:00, Round 1; Cloughduv v Castlemartyr , Ref: John Horgan, Venue: Cloughduv, 12:30, Round 1;
Tommy Lynch R.I.P
A sad day for Cork GAA was how the death of SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Pairc Uí Rinn groundsman Tommy Lynch was described on Wednesday. Tommy, 91, passed away at St Finbarr’s Hospital on Wednesday. Tommy was a well-known figure in GAA circles, who had a deep love for the sport and a passion for his work.
Tommy supported his local Knocknaheeny Club, St Vincents and was a well-known character among players and executives of Cork GAA, regaling them with stories from his 43 years of service. Tommy was described as the “go-to” man for games and concerts at the two stadiums.
Tommy had one son, Anthony and one daughter, Marian and he retired just three years ago from his role at the stadiums.
Cork G.A.A. Chairman Marc Sheehan led tributes to Tommy Lynch who passed away on Wednesday describing him as a genial and committed figure who was well known and highly regarded by all who encountered him in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Páirc Uí Rinn over many years.
“Tommy was a great character , blessed with that great Cork city wit and charm who above all was fiercely loyal to Cork Inter county Teams and clubs teams by aiding their preparations and match day visits to the stadia.
He took immense pride in his work in both stadia and enjoyed the banter with the various visitors whom he encountered – always good for a ‘ ball hop’ and the odd good humoured ‘jab’ as well.
Scores of former Cork players, team mentors, Board officers and club members will fondly remember him and will recount many stories and yarns at this sad time”.
Cork GAA Secretary Kevin O’ Donovan said “Tommy Lynch stands as a true giant amongst the many unsung heroes of Cork GAA, all those that make the organisation thrive on a daily basis. He marked time for over a half-century of service from the Athletic Grounds to Páirc Uí Rinn, from the original SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh to the latest model. No Cork match or training session will ever be the same without Tommy’s customary wit and indeed his eagerness to help those who were lucky enough to pass through his hands. Sincere sympathies to all his family and friends. He will be a great loss, but there will be joy too in remembering the great colour he gave to us all over an incredible tenure”
At Rest now Tommy – a long life well lived . Ar dheis a Dé go raibh a anam.
Sympathy to his family and friends at this time.
Death Notice of Tommy Lynch (rip.ie)