Midleton GAA Club

30 September, 2018

Senior Hurling
Last Sunday afternoon after an exhilarating hour we deservedly defeated Blackrock in the County Championship semi final in Pairc Ui Chaoimh by 2-16 to 3-11.
We led at the break having played with the aid of the wind by 0-10 to 0-08 thanks to an opportunist goal from Conor Lehane after a Luke O’Farrell delivery came off the upright.
With hit a purple patch throughout the first ten minutes of the second half when a goal from Luke and points from Conor, Cormac Beausang & Sean O’Meara put us ten points ahead. But the Rockies in turn struck their own purple patch and when they goaled from a penalty and a 21yard free the game was back in the melting pot. But true to form like in the previous games our lads showed tremendous character and resolve and when our defence and the magnificent Tommy Wallace couldn’t be breached we were ahead at the final whistle by two points. Well done to all the players and management on another great win, let’s hope we can keep up the momentum over the coming weeks. We will now meet Imokilly in the final on the 14th of October after their comprehensive win over UCC in the curtain raiser.   
Team: Tommy Wallace, Eoin Moloney, Finbarr O’Mahony, Seanaidh Smyth, Luke Dineen, Sean O’Leary Hayes, James Nagle, Seamus O’Farrell, Paul Haughney (0-03), Cormac Beausang (0-03), Cormac Walsh, Luke O’Farrell (capt.) (1-01), Patrick White (0-01), Conor Lehane (1-06, 4 frees) & Sean O’Meara (0-01).
Subs used Padraic Nagle, Tommy O’Connell (0-01) & Garan Manley.
Referee Joe Larkin of Ballinora.

Junior Football
After our fine victory over Urhan we have been drawn to play Iveleary in the County quarter final, the game is down for next Saturday in Ballincollig @ 4.30pm, we wish all the players and the management the very best of luck in this game.

Minor
Our minor hurlers will play Blarney in the Premier 1 County final on Monday next the 8th of October in Pairc Ui Rinn at 8.15pm, we wish the players and the management team the very best of luck in this game.    

Fixtures (Cluichí)
Saturday 6th October County Junior Football ¼ final v Iveleary in Ballincollig @ 4.30pm
Monday 8th October County Minor Hurling Premier 1 final v Blarney in Pairc Ui Rinn @ 8.15pm
Sunday 14th October Senior Hurling County final v Imokilly in Pairc Ui Chaoimh
(Please note these games may change and will be updated on our website.)  

Camogie (Camógaíochta)
U7/U8:  We travelled to Castlelyons to take part in a blitz on Saturday morning last on a fine sunny day we fielded two teams and played Fermoy and Castlelyons. Our young magpie played very well and everyone enjoyed a great morning of camogie. Thanks to Castlelyons for hosting and to the referees for doing a fine job. Thanks also to the players parents and coaches. 

U10:  We hosted Douglas in Balllinacurra on Sunday morning, our girls put in a great performance in a very entertaining game of camogie. Thanks to Douglas to travelling and thanks to the parents and families who turned up in great numbers to support the team.

U12: We contested the U12 A2 County Final on Saturday morning last. We met a very sharp Sars team who proved be two strong for us on the day. The girls put in a great performance each and every player fought for every ball and did so to the final whistle, the match ended on a score line Sars 3.03, Midleton 2.01. We are very proud of this bunch of girls who have a great season and no doubt as they progress their efforts will be rewarded.

U14B Championship
We played our semi-final against Clonakilty at home on Saturday evening last.  The girls got off to a flying start scoring two fast goals in the first five minutes.  For the next twenty minutes Clonakilty put us under pressure and we found it difficult to get the ball out of the Clonakilty forward line and they got back into the game scoring 1-2 before half time. We stepped things up in the second half and drove forward but their physicality stopped us from getting into any sort of flow. They scored another goal ten minutes into the second half putting them two points ahead.  We were up against it but demonstrated their usual heart & determination to come back and score another goal putting us ahead by a point. Clonakilty were the ones under pressure for the last ten minutes fighting to get another score to win the game and a point for Clonakilty seconds before the final whistle resulted in a draw game and extra time was to be played.  Both teams gave it everything in extra time with the ball going up and down the pitch with chances to score from both teams. It didn't look like any team were going to score and the game would result in a replay. It was clear that the team who scored next would be the winners and five minutes into the second half of extra time they got their chance and took it, scoring a point from play.  We did not give up and tried hard until the final whistle but time ran out resulting in a win for Clonakilty.  These girls have achieved great things this year to get to the semi-final of B Championship.  The skill, teamwork & work rate this team have shown in this match and throughout the Championship campaign has been outstanding.  This was two very evenly matched teams and either could have got the win in the end. Every girl put everything into this match and they should be very proud of their performance both on and off the pitch.  The year is not over for these girls yet, they have the semi-final of the league v Ballinhassig yet to play and four games yet to play in the County second league.  There is no doubt this team will keep fighting to win some well-earned silverware by the end of the season.
Panel: Jill Connaughton, Tori Buckley, Mia Tarrant, Emma Domeney, Ruthi Hennessy, Yvonne Abernethy, Aoife Fitzgerald, Caoimhe Murray, Emily Lamb, Saoirse Twomey, Abbie Foley, Elle McManus, Emma O'Sullivan (1 goal), Ellie Collins, Chloe Garde (2 goals), Rachel Ryan, Laura Goulding, Lora Dineen, Ella Murphy, Anna Sheehan, Rachel Mc Sweeney, Holly Duggan & Rebecca Crowley.

Ladies Football (Peil na mBan)
U12 East Cork Championship Semi Final v Glanmire A
On Sunday morning our U12 girls had a very tough work out against a very strong Glanmire side. From the moment the ball was thrown in we had our work cut out for us but our girls fought for every ball. They have a fantastic attitude and never gave up even though the game was not going our way. Great credit is due to each player for their work effort. The mentors must also get a special mention for the time you put in with the team. It was a great achievement to reach a semi final. Unfortunately a win was out of our reach, well done and good luck to Glanmire in the final.
Panel: Cara Foley, Ellen O Neill, Shelia O’ Leary Hayes, Rachel Ryan, Alex Cahill, Jade Fitzgerald, Amy Keeshan, Laura Goulding, Sadhbh Hartnett, Grainne Finn, Kate Saunderson,  Kate O Sullivan, Lily Kelly, Ava McAuliffe, Saoirse Ní Theangana, Roisin Crotty, Alannah Magan, Katie Smith, Kelly Quirke, Isabella Nestor, Saorlaith Ní Bhriain & Sorcha Cronin.
Mentors: Donnacha O Theangana, Marcella Scanlon and Ber Kelly.

Fé 10 EastCork LGFA ‘C’ Final vs. Rockbán
We met Rockbán in the East Cork League ‘C’ Final in Killeagh Gaa grounds on Saturday the 29th of September at 12.30. It was a dry bright day with now wind to speak of, perfect conditions for a game. We started strong getting a shot at a point in the early seconds of the game. Unfortunately we didn’t score that one, but it certainly set the tone of our  performance on the day. After several more minutes of great offensive play by Faye Dunlea opened the our account with a well taken point. Rockbán had a robust back line who rose to meet all the challenges from us. The girls kept going not being deterred and the first half ended with a score line of 0-2 to nil, thanks to a point by Emma Fitzgerald. Just before half time Rockbán we represented with a goal scoring opportunity which hit the side of the net. Had this this been scored it could of changed the trajectory of the game but the pressure applied by our equally robust back line made scoring difficult. In the second half we grew from strength to strength. Our midfielder’s and halfback line were warriors in preventing them getting any decent ball into their half forwards and forwards and when they did the pressure we applied was stellar and they shot several wides. Rockbán scored their only point in the second half. Whereas we supplemented our account with 2-1  by Cáit O’Leary-Hayes, a further point by Faye Dunlea and 0-1 by Ciara Murphy.
We were victorious with a final score line of 2-5 to 0-1 and the girls celebrated on the field with chants of ‘Olé Olé Olé Olé’. This performance topped off a wonderful season for us. Whilst we were glad of the wonderful weather over the summer, we had to play some highly competitive games in some really warm conditions. But the girls proved their mettle by taking it on with gusto! They are tough and the newer players that joined us this year took on football like naturals! We continued our celebrations by driving through the Main Street in convoy making ourselves heard. The girls had a ball it was the icing on the cake.
Thank you to every single player on our panel you all helped us achieve success and making 2018 a season to remember. Go raibh míle maith agat. Magpies Abú.
Team :Roisin McManus, Faye Dunlea, Cáit O’ Leary-Hayes, Robyn Keating, Emma Keeshan (captain), Lucy Murphy, Caoilinn Fraser, Ciara McGrath, Ciara Murphy, Thea Howard, Rebecca Ryan, Ella Fitzgerald, Hannah O, Brien, Cara Pyne, Leah Costigan, Oonagh Lange, Emma Fitzgerald, Molly Barrett, Sarah Goulding, Julie Murphy, Sadhbh Cronin, Mia Walsh, Olivia McGrath, Rebecca Cronin, Andrea Herbert & Ciara Hynes.
Mentors: Gillian Murphy and Kevin Keeshan
Training this week: U8’s at the Tech Pitch from 6-7pm & U10’s Upwards at the Tech Pitch from 6.30-7.30pm.

Annual General Meetings
The following dates have been confirmed for the various AGM’s;
Wednesday 14th November Camogie AGM
Wednesday 21st November Ladies Football AGM
Wednesday 28th Juvenile AGM
Tuesday 4th December Hurling  & Football AGM
There are a number of current officers across the various clubs standing down in the coming year so it will be important that others make themselves available.

Church Gate Collection
Many thanks to all the people who supported our annual Church Gate collection last weekend, thanks also to our club members who assisted at the various masses.

GAA Memorabilia
On Saturday the 13th of October between 11am and 4pm, Denis O’Sullivan from Ballynoe will bring his massive collection of G.A.A. memorabilia to Midleton G.A.A Club.
On display will be a large collection of photo albums which will include Hurling and Camogie teams from all grades from many decades and from all corners of the country.
There will be a large collection of memorabilia on Cork Hurling legend Christy Ring. Included in the display will be a large collection of recordings of Hurling and Camogie matches on audio cassettes, Cd’s and Dvd’s. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to hear selected scores on audio cassettes by legendary broadcasters Micheal O’Hehir, Michael O’ Muircheartaigh, John Cashman, Paudie Palmer and Declan Drake.
A selection of memorabilia on ladies football will also be included in the exhibition.
The display will include many signed hurleys, signed jerseys and lots more too numerous to mention. Ger Murray from (Cry-104FM) will be covering the exhibition.
There will be a special guest appearance by Cork ladies Senior Football Star, Orlagh Farmer.
Admission is Free, all are welcome.

Lotto (An Lató)
Our Lotto Jackpot was €4,600 and there was one winner, congratulations to our winner Teresa Lawton, next week’s Jackpot will be €1,200.
Tickets are on sale at the Club Bar, O‘Neills Bar, Linehan’s Bar, Maple Leaf Bar, O’ Farrell’s Butchers, Frank Murphy Butchers, Pat Walsh Paints, Chadwicks, Teach Beag, Niall Mac’s Bar & Wallis’s Bar. Our Online Lotto is now available, logon to the Club homepage www.midletongaa.com to purchase your ticket.

BINGO – BINGO - Fantastic prizes to be won next Friday at 8pm. Jackpot, almost certainly will be won on 55 calls, Conditional sheets - Pink €610, Blue €500, Green €280,
everybody welcome.

Juvenile

Fe 11
On Wednesday evening last, Riverstown was the venue for the next round of hurling action in the Rebel Og league. On a beautiful evening for hurling, we took on Sars with both teams fielding three teams of 10 a side. From the off both teams went toe to toe with each other. The skill, scores and commitment shown throughout the evening from our lads was outstanding. The games were closely contested and the boys responded every time Sars came at them. As a result we got two wins out of the three games that were played. Training continues for the next few weeks with the possibility of one/two matches still to play. Well done again lads on a fine display.

Fe 12
Douglas was the venue for our C3 Hurling league semi final on Saturday evening last.  The Douglas pitch was in excellent condition and ideal for hurling. Our hosts had defeated us earlier in the league with a late goal so we knew we would be up against it for this fixture.  From the start  it was obvious that both team were fully committed . They began the sharper and had a point from play on the board after 5 mins we began to dominate but were finding it very difficult to breach the very well organised Douglas defence.  After some intense pressure Callum O Brien got the final touch to find the back of the net to ease our nerves.  Shortly thereafter Odhran Dennigan scored a fine point from play they responded with another point from play before Callum got in for his second goal, once again Douglas responded with a point from play. Odhran Dennigan managed to squeeze the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle after their keeper had made a great save. Jack Foley added a point from a free.  With ten minutes to go to half time we lost the very impressive Matthew Gregory through injury.  Peter Barrett added an excellent point on the stroke of half time to leave the half time score Midleton 3.03 v Douglas 0.03.  Douglas began the second half in a very determined mood and had the better of the early exchanges but a resolute defence of Ben Fitzpatrick John Paul McManus and Callum Mc Sweeney held them to just one pointed free at this time. Outside them the half back line of Paddy Walsh, Eoghan Fraser and Fionn Kelly(captain) were snuffing out the Douglas forwards and were launching quality ball to our forward line, at mid field James Mc Sweeney and Yohanis Mehigan were working tirelessly and getting on an amount of ball. Douglas eventually goaled to leave five points between the teams before some great team work saw Gearoid Cashman play the ball into James Mc Sweeney who struck  a fine point  from distance , this proved to be the final score of the game despite some frantic gaol mouth action.  Darragh Egan and Odhran Rabbitte also had fine games in what was a very good team performance. 
Final score Midleton 3.04 v Douglas 1.04. We await Sars or Mallow in the final.

Club Shop
The Club Shop is open each Saturday from 10 to 11.30am and we now have a good selection of Flags, Hats, Headbands & Scarfs for our upcoming Championship games.