St Catherines win Munster Junior Club Hurling Championship 2023
Report from Denis Hurley The Echo
St Catherine’s 2-14
Feenagh-Kilmeedy (Limerick) 1-15
St Catherine’s added themselves the long list of AIB Munster junior hurling champions as they edged out Feenagh-Kilmeedy at Mallow on Saturday.
Never trailing at any stage, Catherine’s had two goals from Eoin Condon while teenager Seán O’Donoghue scored nine points. As well as the attack operated, this was a victory built on character, with their Limerick opponents never allowed to lead.
Leading by 2-8 to 1-8 at half-time in this meeting of two clubs beaten in their county finals, Catherine’s conceded four of the first five points of the second half as the free-taking of Diarmuid Coleman helped to draw the Limerick side level. However, the East Cork side had reason to be aggrieved with the awarding of one of those as goalkeeper Eoin Davis reacted to a late hit after a clearance.
Coleman’s seventh of the day, a huge effort from behind his own 65, left it 2-9 to 1-12 but Catherine’s never panicked. Led by Oisín Fitzgerald at centre-back and Shane Cotter and Kyle Wallace at midfield, they drove on again and scored four consecutive points, all from the stick of O’Donoghue – three frees and the other a great team score involving Rory Galvin and Brian Mulcahy.
With Coleman in such impeccable dead-ball form, Feenagh-Kilmeedy – beaten by Kilmurry in the football equivalent last weekend – were going to be fully shaken off. Galvin almost made the game save in the closing stages with a goal effort but Gerard O’Gorman’s brilliant hook denied him.
A tenth point from Coleman left two in it with four minutes of normal time left. Catherine’s passed up chances to buttress the lead and, in the 64th minute, Coleman stood over a free at halfway. He dropped the ball in but the defending was stout and the whistle brought sweet relief.
Set on their way in the first half by a second-minute free from distance by goalkeeper Davis, Catherine’s had their first goal immediately after, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. Condon’s point attempt fell short but goalkeeper Michael Bergin couldn’t cleanly claim possession and the ball squirted down behind the line.
The four-point lead barely lasted a minute, however, as Feenagh-Kilmeedy’s first score arrived in the shape of a Ruairí O’Connor goal, the corner-forward crashing home a shot from a John O’Gorman lay-off. Good scores from Kyle Wallace and Seán O’Donoghue restored the Catherine’s cushion but midway through the half the Limerick side hit a rich vein of form.
After a third free from Diarmuid Coleman, they had their first point from play through Maurice Fitzgibbon and then Luke Ryan tied the match at 1-5.
Foreshadowing what was to come later, Catherine’s ensured that they didn’t fall behind. An O’Donoghue free had them in front again and, though David Boyce levelled again with a fine Feenagh-Kilmeedy point, the second Catherine’s goal was not long in coming.
Davis provided the delivery from behind his own 45 and Condon rose to meet the sliothar perfectly and send it to the net. That made it 2-6 to 1-6 and the four remaining points of the half were evenly shared, though Condon was unlucky not to add a third Catherine’s goal in injury time.
The three-point lead was wiped out early in the second half, but Catherine’s were able to respond and Munster glory was theirs.
Scorers for St Catherine’s: S O’Donoghue 0-9 (0-5f), E Condon 2-0, E Davis (0-1f), K Wallace, K O’Donoghue, B Mulcahy, K Barry 0-1 each.
Feenagh-Kilmeedy: D Coleman 0-10 (0-9f), R O’Connor 1-0, D Boyce 0-2, M Fitzgibbon, L Ryan, S Kelly 0-1 each.
ST CATHERINE’S: E Davis; E O’Riordan, F O’Connell, L O’Connor; K O’Donoghue, O Fitzgerald, K Neville; K Wallace, S Cotter; S O’Donoghue, R Galvin, W Leamy; B Mulcahy, E Condon, M Mulcahy.
Subs: O Wallace for O’Connor, G O’Brien for Leamy (both 42), K Barry for M Mulcahy (51)
FEENAGH-KILMEEDY: M Bergin; B Donegan, K Murphy, S Murray; D Boyce, B Hannigan, J O’Regan; C O’Connor, S Kelly; D Coleman, M Fitzgibbon, L Ryan; R O’Connor, N Irwin, J O’Gorman.
Subs: G O’Gorman for Irwin (36), J O’Sullivan for O’Gorman (46), P O’Doherty for Kelly (51), R O’Connor for Ryan (58).
Referee: N O’Toole (Waterford).
Wreath Laying Ceremony at Grave of John McKay
John McKay wrote up all the early GAA press reports for Cork, as well as his other duties.
A wreath laying ceremony took place at his grave in London on Saturday 2rd December 2023
It was hosted by Provincial Council of Britain and London County Board
Amhrán na bhFiann played by uilleann piper, Tom Lynch
Blessing of grave and prayers led by Rev. John Buckley, PP Cricklewood, a Cork native.
Wreaths laid by
1. Seán Óg McAteer (Down secretary) and Michael McArdle (Ulster Council PRO, from Down)
2. Michael Walker (Prov Council of Britain) and myself (GAA History Committee)
3. Amy O Connor, Cork All-Ireland winning camogie captain, on behalf of Cork
John Arnold of Cork sang The Mountains of Mourne.
Dónal McAnallen gave an oration about John McKay and family which was followed by John Arnold singing The Banks of my own Lovely Lee. This was followed by some laments being played on pipes.
A rep from the Irish Embassy was also present.
The pictures attached show Dónal McAnallen with the Down representatives and Phil McKay, a former Wicklow minor footballer and now resident and Aylesbury; Amy O Connor (Cork Camogie captain) with John Arnold after the wreath-laying; and one of Rev. John Buckley leading prayers.
Honoring a Legend: Galway and Meath Face Cork in Teddy McCarthy Tribute Event
In a poignant tribute to the late Teddy McCarthy, Galway and Meath are set to play a double-header against Cork at Páirc UíChaoimh on December 9th. The event aims to celebrate the unique career of McCarthy, a true icon of the GAA world, who passed away in June of this year.
Teddy McCarthy’s remarkable achievement of winning Senior All-Ireland titles in both hurling and football in 1990 is a feat unmatched in the history of the sport. To commemorate his legacy, specially commissioned memorial trophies will be presented to the winners of the Galway hurlers vs. Cork (5 pm) and Meath footballers vs. Cork (3 pm) games.
Marc Sheehan, Chairperson of Cork GAA, expressed gratitude to Meath and Galway for participating in these fixtures. The day will begin with a function for Teddy’s colleagues from the 1990 teams, who will be introduced to the crowd during halftime. Mini-games featuring Glanmire Ladies Football, Sarsfields, Passage Underage teams, and North Mon First years will add to the festive atmosphere.
A series of interviews with Teddy’s former colleagues and opponents will take place during a special event in the Seandún room.
Match tickets, priced at €20 and €17 (OAPs & students), can be purchased on the official Cork GAA website. All U16s get free admission, and proceeds from ticket sales go to the Teddy McCarthy Memorial Fund. Additionally, a GoFundMe link is available for those who wish to contribute directly.
For fans unable to attend in person, the games will be live-streamed on Rebels Online. A special edition of “Legends,” featuring interviews about Teddy McCarthy, will be recorded on the day and broadcast over the Christmas period.
To learn more about this heartfelt tribute and to purchase tickets, visit Cork GAA’s official Teddy McCarthy Tribute page.
Castlelyons land the Munster IHC title following victory over Corofin
Castlelyons 3-16 Corofin 0-19
CASTLELYONS have been crowned Munster IHC winners following a six-point victory over Clare outfit Corofin in the final at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening.
It’s Castlelyons’ first Munster crown since 1998 which was also at the intermediate grade and they had this win more or less wrapped up by half-time with Anthony Spillane simply on fire, with the Dubai-based forward scoring the three Castlelyons goals in the opening 30 minutes.
The East-Cork side will meet Mayo side Tooreen in the All-Ireland semi-final in two weeks.
Scorers for Castlelyons: A Spillane 3-2, A Fenton 0-8 (0-5 f), K O’Leary 0-4, J Kearney, B Murphy 0-1 each.
Corofin: G Kelly 0-12 (0-10 f), M Kelly, S O’Brien 0-2 each, K O’Connor, J Organ, D Cahill 0-1 each.
CASTLELYONS: J Barry; J O’Leary, C Barry, D Spillane; N O’Leary, C Spillane (capt), L Sexton; K O’Leary, A Fenton; B Murphy, J Kearney, O Hallihan; D Morrison, L Doocey, A Spillane.
Subs: S Moroney for J O’Leary (36), C McCarthy for B Murphy (48), P Roche for K O’Leary (60), B O’Donovan for D Morrison (62), R Feeney for L Doocey (63).
COROFIN: L Corbett; M O’Loughlin, K O’Connor, D O’Loughlin (capt); C McGroary, C Leen, D Ryan; G Cahill, F Clancy; K Keane, D Cahill, G Kelly; M Kelly, J Organ, S O’Brien.
Subs: E Davoren for D Ryan (42), F Killeen for S O’Brien (58).
Referee: Conor Doyle (Tipperary).
One Cork Worldwide Roadtrip heads to Boston
Cork GAA Delegation Kicks off U.S. Tour in Boston as part of One Cork Worldwide Roadtrip.
On Friday afternoon, the Cork GAA delegation arrived in Boston, marking the start of their American tour. The group, led by Cork GAA CEO Kevin O’Donovan, included Cork Senior football manager John Cleary, Tony Nation, Tomás Mulcahy, Eithe Duggan, and Valerie Mulcahy.
The Fox and Hound Tavern was the perfect venue for their first roadshow, providing an ideal setting for an evening of celebration and camaraderie. As the delegation entered the bustling atmosphere of the tavern, the excitement among attendees was palpable, setting the stage for an engaging and memorable roadshow.
Check out the photos from the event below.