1990 Group from Primary to U-16

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July  2006

Under 16 Carlow Town Cup. 

The Blackrock under 16 panel reached the final of this competition on Saturday 1st July at Carlow. Acknowledged unofficially as the All -Ireland under 16 Championship, Blackrock were seeking to retain the trophy which they won last year.

Despite a very brave effort with a depleted team, the Rockies had five straight victories before falling in the final minutes of the final by two points to Ahane, the Feile Champions of 2004. This was an outstanding achievement by a wonderfully disciplined and skillfull group of players comprised of 15 and 16 year old hurlers from Church Road.

Results: 

Blackrock 0 - 8 Sarsfields (Galway) 0 - 5 

Blackrock 3 - 7 St. Rynagh's (Offaly) 0 - 2 

Blackrock 1 - 8 Portlaoise (Laois) 0 - 0 

Blackrock 0 - 6 Na Piarsaighs (Cork) 0 - 5

Semi Final. Blackrock 2 - 7 St. Martin's (Wexford) 2 - 3

Final. Blackrock 2 - 4 Ahane (Limerick) 2 - 6.

Under 16 Blackrock Panel. Paul O'Brien, Diarmuid Mc Curtain, Ray Norberg, Brian Parsons, Niall O'Shaughnessy, Aonghus O'Drisceoil, Cathal Hannon, Elliot Cantwell, Paul Bennett, Patrick Deasy, Simon Zebo, Richard Dineen (capt.) Eoin O'Farrell, Darren Griffin, Stephen McCarthy, Patrick Parfrey, Conor Kilcoyne, Howie Leahy, Ciaran O'Herlihy, David Healy and Eoghan Buckley.

Our sincere thanks to Dan Harnedy and the Carlow Town Hurling Club for their kind invitation to participate in this great competition which this year comprised of some 40 of the best hurling teams from all over Ireland.

Under 16 League,  

played at Church Road, Wednesday 26th April. 

Blackrock 4  10 Mayfield 1- 8. 

Click here for Report

Under 16 league 

played at Sarsfields on Monday 10th April. 

Blackrock 4-- 5 Sarsfields 3-- 10.  

Click here for Report

Under 16 League. 

Played at St.Vincents Tuesday 18th April. 

Blackrock 1 - 9 St. Vincents 2 - 6. 

Click here for Report

Semi Final 2005 Under 15 League played at Togher Saturday 11th March.

Blackrock 3 --- 5 St. Finbarrs 2 --- 5.

In spite of heavy underfoot conditions, this under 15 (2005) league match was played out with total commitment and passion by both teams. Daniel McCarthy opened proceedings for the Barrs with an early point, however the Rockies quickly responded with a fine goal from Simon Zebo. Simon added a further point from a free soon afterwards. Scores were hard to come by as a no nonsense approach by both defences limited scoring opportunities for forwards. A David O' Leary point left the score at half time Rockies 1 --- 1 to the Barrs 0 ---2.

The Togher lads courtesy of Niall Fitzgerald banged in an early goal after the restart to take the lead, however exchanges were hard fought as players made light of the bad conditions and gave some great displays. Patrick Parfrey soon fired over a point to level matters and following a foul on Conor Kilcoyne, Parfrey also drove the resultant free to the net from 35 metres.

The Barrs added two points and in the 18th minutes scrambled a goal to leave them ahead by two points 2 --- 4 to 2 --- 2. Darren Loftus playing very well at centre-forward then scored a great point to launch the Rockies counter attack.

After a series of attacks on the Barrs goal, Conor Kilcoyne doubled on a loose ball to send a bullet to the Barrs net. The same player enjoying a purple patch picked up a ball approx 40 meters from his own goal, soloed another 100 metres, kept his nerve and put over the best point of the day to leave 3 points between the sides. In the final minutes Ray Kelly for the Barrs and Patrick Parfrey sent over a point each from play.

Credit to both sides and referee James Dorgan for the fine hurling in the conditions. The Rockies displayed the greater resilience and fought back twice to take the game. From Patrick McCarthy in goal to Darren Griffin at corner forward they gave it everything. Ray Norberg and Ciaran O'Herlihy in the heart of the defence were outstanding, while Aonghus O'Drisceoil and David Hill worked very hard all through.

Patrick Parfrey gave inspired leadership at centre field when the chips were down. Darren Loftus took on the Barrs defence time and again while Conor Kilcoyne got some crucial scores. This was a fine team performance with every Rocky committed to working hard and supporting each others efforts on the field.

Under 15 Championship.

Blackrock 3 --- 9 St. Finbarrs 2 --- 8.

Played at Church Road Sunday morning 2nd October. 

The sides were level with just five minutes in it after a closely fought game. However an opportunist goal from Patrick McCarthy and a point from Stephen McCarthy in the final minutes gave victory to the Rockies. In the first half the Rockies wasted some good possession in the first 15 minutes, while the Barrs put over 6 unanswered points in the closing stages of this half. A brilliant block and clearance by Ciaran O'Shaughnessy from a point block shot on the stroke of half time was crucial.

Under 15 League. 

The under 15s were defeated by Glen Rovers in a league match 1 --- 10 to 1 --- 6 after a great hours hurling at the Glen Field on Monday 5^th September. Brian Parsons was outstanding in the back line along with Ray Norberg. Sean Long put in a fine display while Pat McCarthy and Darren Loftus tried very hard in the forwards.

Under 15 League. 

Blackrock 4 --- 13  Cobh 0 --- 9

A whirlwind start by the Rockies saw them ahead by 4 goals within the first 10 minutes with Pat McCarthy bagging two, while Eoghan Buckley and Howie Leahy grabbing one each. Cobh fought bravely all through and displayed some fine hurling.

Great defensive work by Niall O’Shaughnessy, Kevin Pierce, Aoghus O Drisceoil and Sean Long blunted many of their attacks however.

Good performances up front from Darren Loftus, Bryan Lyons and Darren Griffin continued to give the Rockies the edge.

December 2004

Under 14 City League final 

The curtain finally came down on our hurling season on Saturday 4^th December when the under 14 panel took on Na Piarsaigh in the under 14 City League final at Redmonds. Depleted by injuries and other commitments the team did very well to hold Na Piarsaighs to a goal for the first 35 minutes, however Na Piarsaigh then pulled away with the aid of the wind and ran out deserving winners in the end.

Richard Dineen, Ciaran O’Herlihy, Ray Norberg and Brian Parsons played well for the Rockies.

November 2004

Under 14 League semi-final.

Blackrock 15 points; Glen Rovers 9 points.

Despite the heavy underfoot conditions this match had some fine hurling from both sides. 

The Rockies started well and had six points on the board without response. 

Stephen McCarthy picked off six wonderful points during the game ably assisted by Eoghan Buckley and Pat McCarthy.  One of Stephen’s points from the sideline about 40 metres out was a real classic.  

Blackrock were ahead by 0 --- 9 to 0 --- 4 at the interval, however the Glen came storming into the game in the second half and only for some fine defending from “man of the match” Sean Long, Ciaran O’Herlihy and Richard Dineen the result could have been in some doubt. 

In the final 10 minutes Patrick Parfrey closed off all avenues at centre back and the Rockies pulled away despite the best efforts of Ronan Virgo, Stephen McCarthy and Shane Murray. 

Credit both sides for the high standard of hurling in late November.

Under 14 Cork County Quarter-Final.

Blackrock 0 --- 8  Sarsfields 0 --- 15.

Despite playing with the aid of a very strong wind in the first half, the Rockies played poorly and

were behind by four points at the interval. 

Although their performance was much better in the second half and they attacked continuously, they could not get the vital goals they required to get back into the game. 

Two outstanding saves from the Sarsfields keeper in the final ten minutes ensured no way back for the Rockies. 

Simon Zebo and David Hill at centre field did very well; Robert Creagh in goal had a fine game, while Raymond Norberg and sub Paul Bennett did well in defence. Stephen Mc Carthy, Olan Kelleher and Eoin O’Farrell had good games in the forwards.

Under 14 Cork City Championship Final.

Played at Redmonds pitch Wednesday September 8^th 2004.

Blackrock 3 --- 7  Na Piarsaigh 1--- 9  

At half time in this cracking match, the Rockies looked to be in trouble, ahead 6 points to 4 after playing with a cross field north westerly wind. Piarsaighs were all they were expected to be; tough, determined, excellent hurlers. The question was could Blackrock play them and the wind in the second half? This was a question each Rocky had to answer for himself at the half-time discussion. The mentors remarked that there was a quiet determined mood among the young lads; the pain of the Feile defeat in May could only be erased with a victory, nothing else.

Two quick Na Piarsaigh points to level matters immediately after the interval brought a dose of reality.  Then a response! Goals within three minutes from Conor Kilcoyne and Olan Kelleher, (who had put over three lovely points in the first half), put the Rockies back in the driving seat. Stephen McCarthy (who bagged two fine points in the first half) was now driving in and like Eoin Buckley took the game to Na Piarsaigh. Game on and what a game! The northside lads threw caution to the wind and attacked from all sides.

The Blackrock defence was under the proverbial seige. From Robert Creagh in goal through the tenacious Brian Parsons to the majestic Ray Norberg at full back, whose one handed catch was reminiscent of Wayne Sherlock at his best.,and the rock solid Ciaran O’Shaughnessy, the full-backline defended as good as the Alamo. Patrick Parfrey hunted down forwards like some American cowboy on the range. On the wings both  the gritty Richard Dineen and Ciaran O’Herlihy who has become an accomplished hurler turned defence into attack time and again as Shane O’Connor and Darren Walsh tried to storm into the Blackrock territory.

Shane O’Connor pulled on a loose ball from a sideline cut and struck the Blackrock net. Parfrey went down heavily following a leg injury. Eventually he took his place again.  Pat McCarthy for the Rockies took a fine low ball from Conor Kilcoyne and fired it over the bar to put the Rockies three points up. Shane O’Connor matched it following a good run.

Gradually Simon Zebo and David Hill reasserted their first half dominance and the ball was again heading into the Piarsaigh half.  A Piarsaigh point from a 65, in the 35^th minute left just one point in it. Would we settle for a draw? No way!

The sliotar was again driven into the Piarsaigh half where Pat McCarthy standing on his own collected and drove it to the corner of the net, game over. And how they celebrated! From Creagh to Sean Long and Kieran McCarthy and the lads on the bench, the relief of redemption was palpable.

Credit to Na Piarsaigh, there is so little between the teams, and it was some match, yet at the final whistle, the hugs and embraces between the rival players signalled the growing respect between two great hurling teams.     

Panel.

Robert Creagh, Brian Parsons, Aonghus O’Drisceoil, Patrick Parfrey, Andrew Crean O’Leary, Richard Dineen, Ciaran O’Shaughnessy, Bryan Lyons, Ray Norberg, Ciaran O’Herlihy, Darren Griffin, David Hill, Niall O’Shaughnessy, Sean Long, Simon Zebo, Jim O’Callaghan, Johnny Mc Carthy

Howie Leahy, Robert Waters, Stephen McCarthy, Eoin Buckley, Martin Burke, Conor Kilcoyne, Brian Hartnett, Olan Kelleher, Kieran McCarthy, Patrick McCarthy.

Under 14 City Championship.

Blackrock 3 --- 10 Glen Rovers 0 --- 4.

In windy conditions at Redmonds pitch, Blackrock scored 3 --- 7 in the first half with the wind and then held out from the Glen attacks in the second half. Ciaran O’Shaughnessy, Richard Dineen and Ray Norberg played well in defence, while up front Eoin Buckley and Olan Kelleher were in good form. Simon Zebo and David Hill put in a great evenings work at centre field. However it will require another massive performance to defeat the Feile champions and favourites, Na Piarsaigh in the final on Wednesday evening next.

Update July 1, 2004

The season commenced in Jan with some outdoor hurling sessions at Ashton which blew away some cobwebs and straightened out those who were committed to hurling for 2004.

Our first friendly game was held down at Na Piarsaighs ground in Limerick City on the day of the Cork/Limerick league game. Good effort, some rustiness and a lot to do. There were later games against Dungarvan and Durlas Og which provided good match practice and enabled the entire panel to get games.

Trianing was concentrated on Monday evenings at Church Road and with 30 hurlers on the panel; it was sometimes possible to have full matches. We entered the East Cork League and the City League.

Our League matches commenced with an away game against St.Vincents. the panel was then drawn against the same club in the Feile competition. The panel dug deep to win both contests after terrific games. We had victories over Cobh, Glen Rovers and Douglas in the league and presently share the top of the table with Na Piarsaigh, both teams on 8 points.

Our Feile campaign continued with a two goal victory over Sarsfields after a good game at Shanbally on the May bank holiday weekend. In the Feile final against Na Piarsaigh the panel conceeded 2 goals and 8 points in a ten minute spell in the first half and try as they did could not reduce the deficit to less than 4 points. In what was a very good game of hurling, Na Piarsaigh ran out eventual winners by two goals and qualified for the All-Ireland competition.

Due to many of the same players qualifying for the football Feile with St. Michaels, a summer break has been agreed and we will all resume training for the league and championship in August.

June 2004.

Semi – Final Under 13 City League. 

Blackrock 4 --- 8   Midleton 0 --- 1. 

Despite the inclement weather at Church Road last Saturday both sides played very good hurling in this eagerly awaited clash between the Rockies and Midleton. Having served up a classic in the recent Championship both sides fancied their chances to progress to the city league final. 

The first half was a very close encounter with little separating the sides, however some bad finishing cost the Rockies dearly while the Magpies also squandered several good chances. Conor Kilcoyne opened the scoring for the Rockies with a goal from a rebound after the Midleton keeper had made a great save from Eoghan Buckley in the 12^th minute.

A point from a free by Stephen Mc Carthy for the Rockies while a point for Midleton from a free just before half time left Blackrock ahead at the interval by a goal. Mark O’Keeffe and young Seamus O’Mahony had played well for Midleton in that half while Raymond Norberg had a storming match at full- back for the Rockies. 

On the turnover Simon Zebo at full forward took over and fired over four points from play in quick succession despite the best efforts of Padraig O’ Brien. Zebo returning after injury could not be contained during this period. Although Midleton tried hard, when Stephen Mc Carthy who had threated the Midleton defence all day banged in two goals, the match as a contest was over. Ian Ring took a lovely point while the outstanding Patrick Parfrey got a point after being denied a goal by a point-blank save from the Midleton keeper. Eoghan Buckley chipped in with a further point and Aoghus O’Drisceoil picked off a fine goal to complete the Blackrock scoring.  

This was a comprehensive display by Blackrock who were recently crowned city champions at this level. In the second half they were magnificent and kept Midleton scoreless. Midleton to their credit fought hard in particular their defence put up great performance while Patrick O’Shea and Patrick O’Keeffe excelled but could not contain the Rockies as the weather conditions deteriorated. 

The Rockies defence was also teak tough with Patrick Mc Carthy and Ciaran O’Herlihy

put on great displays. David Hill got through a lot of work at mid-field while the pace of Eoghan Buckley and Stephen Mc Carthy in the forwards always meant Midleton were chasing the game.

Teams:

Blackrock.

Robert Creagh, Ciaran O’Herlihy, Ray Norberg, Patrick McCarthy; Kieran Mc Carthy, Patrick Parfrey, Richard Dineen; David Hill Sean Long; Ian Ring, Eoghan Buckley, Stephen McCarthy, Brian Hartnett, Simon Zebo, Conor Kilcoyne, Brian Parsons, Aoghus O’ Drisceoil, Howie Leahy, Brian Lyons, Darren Griffen, Jim O’Callaghan, Martin Burke.

Midleton;

Padraig O’ Brien, Luke O’ Farrell, Mark O’ Keeffe, Kevin O’ Leary, Patrick O’Shea, Patrick O’ Keeffe, Sean Mac Givern, Seamus Nagle, Niall Walsh, Ray Mac Givern, David Morrisey, Paul Mc Sherry, Finbarr O’ Mahony, Killian O’Brien, Seamus O’Mahony, Patrick O’Mahony, Con Lehane, Shane Ryan, Seamus O’ Farrell, Thomas Wallace, Charles Daly, Niall O’Leary.

Referee; John Buckley, was always up with the play, and gave a fine performance.

Under 13 City Championship Final.

Bishopstown, 18th October 2003.

Under 13 City Championship Final.

Bishopstown, 18th October 2003.

Blackrock 1 --- 11: Na Piarsaigh 1 --- 7.

Blackrock retained the Corn an t-Athair Nessain trophy when they defeated a very strong Na Piarsaigh team at Bishopstown on Saturday 18th October 2003.

This Blackrock team, which were the reigning under 12 County Champions in 2002, defeated both Carrigaline and Midleton to get to the final, while Na Piarsaigh had accounted for St.Vincents and Douglas.

Playing into the wind in the first half, the Rockies defence was in top form. Robert Creagh who is making quite a name for himself as an assured goalkeeper saved some very difficult shots, and added up with some great clearances. The performances of Ray Norberg at full back and Ciaran O'Shaughnessy in the corner playing as they were on the Na Piarsaigh duo of Darren Walsh and Shane O' Connor were outstanding in that the Piarsaigh lads could make little or no progress against the young Rockies. A number of wides did not help Na Piarsaigh's cause either during this half.

At the other end Eoghan Buckley ran at the Na Piarsaigh defence while Stephen Mc Carthy and Richard Dineen began to put over some points. A beautiful goal from Stephen after 15 minutes left the position at Blackrock 1 --- 3 to Na Piarsaigh 0 --- 2.

In the closing 10 minutes of the first half, Piarsaigh added a further two points. Patrick Parfrey had dominated the half back position, ably assisted by Ciaran O' Herlihy and Kieran Mc Carthy, while Brian Parsons held his own in the corner.

The Blackrock effort against the wind had taken a lot out of the team and despite Simon Zebo a sub introduced at half-time adding an early point, it was clear that Na Piarsaigh were going to fight hard for this one.

A point and a goal after the Blackrock defence was slow in clearing the ball, brought the sides level after 5 minutes of the second half. The midfield pairing of Shane Lynch and Ian McDonnell were on top for Na Piarsaigh combined with Walsh moving to centre forward gave rise to a brief period of dominance for the northside club. However they could never pull away from the Rockies during this period as the Blackrock youngsters hung on.

Richard Dineen who had reverted to the half-back line repeatedly repelled the Piarsaigh attacks and drove some great ball into their back lines, which Stephen Mc Carthy, who contributed 1 --- 5 in total made good use of. Increasingly Olan Kelleher came into the game and began to trouble the Piarsaigh defence, while Conor Kilcoyne and Patrick Mc Carthy won more ball in the full-forward lines, forcing Na Piarsaigh to bring back defenders.

Simon Zebo and Stephen McCarthy added further points, while Olan Kelleher added two more from difficult frees to put Blackrock back in front, a lead which they never looked like losing. A disallowed Blackrock goal by referee Michael Corcoran after 15 minutes of the second half made the job a bit difficult but with David Hill and Sean Long getting on top at centre-field against a tiring Piarsaigh duo, the Rockies were finishing strongly and had four points to spare at the end. Ian Ring was introduced with 10 minutes remaining.

Chairman Of Bord Na Nog, Mr Jim Ryng presented the Fr. Nessan trophy to Patrick Parfrey, captain of Blackrock. Patrick thanked all involved with the team and praised the splendid efforts of Na Piarsaigh who contributed enormously to the high standard of hurling in the game, which was played in front of a very large crowd. The skill level shown by both teams was of a very high order indeed, a point remarked on by Eamonn O'Donoghue the Blackrock Under-age chairman, when he visited the Na Piarsaigh dressing room afterwards. He added that "it was not inconceiveable that several of the players on both sides would one day soon play for the Cork hurling team."

Man-of- the- match. While many Blackrock players were outstanding on the day, this honour must go to Richard Dineen, for his two points in the first half and his dominance of the defence in the second half, when he blocked many of the Na Piarsaigh attacks. Stephen Mc Carthy comes a very close second in the order of merit.

Team: Robert Creagh, Brian Parsons, Ray Norberg, Ciaran O'Shaughnessy: Kieran Mc Carthy, Patrick Parfrey, Ciaran O'Herlihy. David Hill, Sean Long. Stephen Mc Carthy, (1 --- 5) Eoghan Buckley, Richard Dineen (2 points) Conor Kilcoyne, Patrick Mc Carthy, Olan Kelleher.(2 points) Simon Zebo (2 points) for Kieran Mc Carthy (half-time). Ian Ring for Patrick McCarthy (40min). Panel members; Niall O'Shaughnessy, Howie Leahy, Johnny McCarthy, Robert Clune, Brian Hartnett, Darren Griffin, Bryan Lyons, Jim O'Callaghan, Aonghus O' Drisceoil, Martin Burke, Daniel Stout, Daniel Moore, Kevin Pierce, Andrew Crean O'Leary.

Under 13 Championship Semi-Final.

Blackrock:  2 --- 11     Midleton:  3 --- 3

Leading by three points at half-time against the wind, Midleton appeared to be on the road to victory, however the ever-resilient Rockies dug deep in the second half and ran out eventual victors by 5 points. This was a fine sporting game and the result was in doubt right up until the end. A spectacular goal by Olan Kelleher and some fine points from Stephen Mc Carthy enabled the young Rockies to take the lead, while some stout defending from Ciaran O’Herlihy and Sean Long curtailed the powerful Midleton attack. Robert Creagh was outstanding in goal for the Rockies.

Blackrock under 13s recently scored an important victory over Sarsfields by a point in a league game at Church Road. 

On Friday 12th September the same squad had a comprehensive victory over Glen Rovers having been a goal behind at half-time, however they put in a tremendous performance in the second half.

Unfortunately several of our fixtures have been called off at short notice and this has disrupted our progress somewhat. Unfortunately injuries arising from all codes have ensured that we have yet to put out a strong team. However many members of the panel have had an opportunity to play in the team and we have tried where possible to ensure that all the members get a fair chance of a game. Many of the lads are developing into fine hurlers and are putting in a great effort.

The team should qualify for the semi-finals of the league competition, along with Midleton, Na Piarsaigh and St.Vincents. The draw for the Championship sees the team play the winners of Carrigaline and Blarney.

Enjoy the summer holidays, we meet for training on Monday 25th August and Friday 29th August next at 6.30 pm at Church Road. Regular training and matches will continue through September and early October.

Thank you all for your efforts over the past two months. Due to your efforts, we are well positioned in the Under 13 league for September and if results go our way we should qualify for the play-offs. The under 13 Championship will also be held in September/October, so we will be seeking an extra commitment from all of you for this competition as we wish to try to do well.

In the extended City under 13 league Blackrock has defeated St.Finbarrs, Kinsale, Blarney, Douglas and Carrigaline over the past few weeks. Na Piarsaigh defeated us. The competition will resume in late August, early September.

Good luck to our representatives, Stephen and Olan, who play in the Primary game in Thurles on Sunday 29th June. We hope Simon and Bryan are recovering from their injuries and will be back with us in August. Best wishes to the under 13 lads on the St Michaels Football Feile panel and good luck in the finals. Well done to the lads on the St. Anthony's Sciath na Scol team which emerged winners in the recent final. By the way visit our website www.blackrockhurling.org if you want to see the pictures of our presentation night and keep up to date with happenings in our club, use the guest book if you wish to have your say.

Reminder; You must wear your full faceguard hurling helmet at all times while training or in matches or even pucking around in the club. This is detailed in the Blackrock code of Good behaviour, which you have all signed up to. It is not cool, macho or trendy to throw away your helmet during play, it is very very stupid! A recent report states that in the period 1994 to 2000, Waterford Regional Hospital and Cork University Hospital dealt with eye injuries to 308 hurlers; mostly avoidable if full-face guarded hurling helmets had been worn. Some of you may be wearing helmets, which may not be protecting your full face at all times, check them out, ask your coaches if you are unsure. Please sort this out over the summer, what price your eyesight?

Under 13 panel report to May 25th 

On Saturday may 10th the panel travelled to St.Finbarrs to play a first round league game with St. Finbarrs. In a closely contested game, Blackrock eventually ran out winners by 4 points on a scoreline of 2 --- 5 to 1 --- 4. The strong wind played a major role in the game and it became a game of two halves with the Rockies dominating the first half and the Barrs the second half.

Our match versus Blarney set for Monday 19th was called off due to pitch flooding.

Trip to Kilmacud Crokes. 30 members of the under 13 panel which included some of the under 12 Rockies who helped in the under 12 county success last year travelled to Dublin on Saturday 24th May to play two games against Kilmacud Crokes, one of the top Dublin clubs. Leaving at seven o clock in the morning, the lads had a long day. We shared the honours with the Kilmacud hurlers and everybody performed well on the day. We should like to place on record our appreciation to the Kilmacud officers and mentors, especially Tony O' Shaughnessy, Ken Hannimy and Larry Ryan, club secretary for their help and co-operation towards what was a very successful trip.

The afternoon was spent enjoying the facilities at Croke Park where we received a special tour of the stadium and visited the museum. While some of the young Rockies managed to feel right at home in the seats Ard Chomhairle section, hopefully some of them will become even more at home out on the field, representing club and county, one day. The lads had a great day and it was one very tired bunch of Rockies, which arrived back in Church Road on Saturday night.

Under 13 Team Meeting

The under 13 hurlers attending a team meeting recently, at which their schedule for the year was discussed. Among the speakers was Dr. Paddy Hayes, the Blackrock club doctor and Garda Inspector Charlie Barry who spoke about issues such as healthy and active lifestyles and the necessity to avoid the use of cigarettes, alcohol and the drug culture if young people wished to participate seriously in sport. There was a great response from panel members to the presentations.

Trip to Dublin.

This will take place on Saturday 24th May 2003. We will leave Church Road at 7 am, arriving at Kilmacud Crokes at 11.30. We play two friendly matches with the Kilmacud under 13 teams at 12 noon.

We travel to Croke Park, arriving at 2.30 where we have arranged a special tour of the ground, and later a visit to the museum.

We will leave Croke Park at 5pm, stopping on the way down for a meal. We arrive in Church Road approx 10 pm.

Bring packed lunch (absolutely no cokes/colas allowed) and some money for a snack in Croke Park.

Cost of the day €25 euro, complete attached form and bring it to the training session on Monday 28th April. Numbers are limited, so let us know if you are travelling. You can download application form here

Right click on this link ans click on SAVE TARGET AS    Kilmacud application form.doc

The following are our fixture dates for the Southeast leagues

30th May 2003 V Carrigaline Away.

6th June 2003 V Valley Rovers (Away)

13th June 2003 V Bishopstown (at Home)

20th June 2003 V Bandon (Away).

The Cork city leagues will commence at the end of April, beginning of May.

Training

Hurling Training begins Monday 28^th April at 6.15 pm and every  Monday  thereafter during May and June.  If you cannot make it phone one of your mentors.

Meeting

Under 13  hurling panel meeting Monday 14 th April at Church Road 7pm to 8pm. Training commences Monday 28^th April at 6.30.

Training Session Update

The Under 13 (1990 Group) will not have a training session on Friday 14th, but will resume at 8pm on Friday 21st March at Ashton and continue until Friday 4th April.

Under 12 Reception.

The successful Blackrock under 12 hurling panel and their parents were treated to a reception to mark the presentation of medals after a very successful year in 2002 at the Club Hall on Friday night last. The panel won the under 12 County Championship title and the City League during 2002, as well as emerging victorious in the inaugural Ger Dineen Memorial Tournament.

Following inspirational words of encouragement from both Kevin Cummins and Timmy Murphy, the presentation of medals by Wayne Sherlock, Alan Browne and Fergal Ryan took place accompanied by a citation of praise for each panel member. Patrick Parfrey, on behalf of the panel thanked everyone in the Blackrock club who had helped during the year, while Gobnait Burke on behalf of the parents thanked the mentors, coaches and administrators who had worked with the teams. A presentation of medals to the under 12 footballers of St. Michaels who had a magnificent victory in the City League then took place.

The Blackrock club would like to record its thanks to representatives of the clergy of the local parishes who attended the reception, to the representatives of the schools, sponsors and to the parents of the children. The club wishes to thank the Dineen family for their sponsorship of the magnificent trophy and medals for the Ger Dineen tournament. Most of all our thanks goes to the members of the under 12 panel who have been a fantastic group of young fellows and who have been great ambassadors for the club and for hurling.

Click here for photos

Happy Christmas

The coaches and mentors of the under 12 (1990) hurlers wish to thank the members of the panel who turned up to do some bag packing at Dunnes Stores in Douglas Court on Tuesday 17th December 2002. Well-done lads! The presentation of medals to the under 12 hurlers will take place at the club hall on Friday night 24th January 2003. Full details of the reception and presentation will issue to you all in early January.

On behalf of Maurice Griffin, Pat Roche, Seamus Hartnett, Tony Falvey, Brian Roche and Gerard O'Mahony, we wish all the Blackrock under 12 hurlers and the under 11 rockies who participated in the league and championship campaigns a very happy Christmas and a sporting new year in 2003. Thanks for a fantastic year!

Under 12 (1990 Group) report for 2002.for AGM 16th December 2002

The decision to divide the Under 12 Group into two teams for the purposes of the city league proved to be very successful. With the aid of eight under 11 hurlers both Blackrock teams qualified for the final in the premier league competition in October. The result is that the Under 12 panel finished 2002 with 35 active young hurlers, most of whom played regular games during the year.

Earlier in June and July, the under 12 championship team put together five wins to capture the under 12 County Championship. In a straight knockout competition, this team defeated Na Piarsaigh, Charleville, Sarsfields, Douglas and finally Midleton in a classic County Final played a Pairc Ui Rinn. For sheer good quality hurling and excitement this final with Midleton was a fantastic occasion and one that will never be forgotten by the boys.

In early September, the team played in the inaugural Ger Dineen Tournament, held here in Church Road. With strong teams from Newtownshandrum, Tulla, Bray, Bishopstown, and Durlas Og participating, the young Rockies were determined to win this competition as the late Ger Dineen had a special interest in this particular group. After some great contests during the course of the day, we were all particularly proud, when Richard Dineen, stepped forward to accept the Dineen Cup at the end of the day.

Patrick Parfrey was an outstanding captain of the championship team, while Olan Kelleher and Richard Dineen proved to be very able captains of the successful league teams. This group of young Rockies is a very committed, skilful and an extremely disciplined panel, having been together since the lads were about seven years old.

The challenge for the club and mentors is to keep them hurling together as they develop into their teens. As most of the young lads are heading into second level schools with either no serious hurling team at all or little emphasis on hurling, this challenge becomes very difficult. With competing codes displaying an increasingly professional approach to coaching in second level schools throughout the city, our response within the club will determine if we can compete.

Under 12 mentors: Maurice Griffin, Pat Roche, Seamus Hartnett, Brian Roche, Tony Falvey and Gerard O'Mahony. Special thanks to Ray Kelleher, Jamie Harrington and Michael Kilcoyne for their assistance and cooperation. Eamonn O'Donoghue and Billy Reidy were extremely helpful throughout the year.