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Feile County Final Report 2009 |
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Cork Feile Final. Blackrock 4 – 10 Midleton 3 – 9 May 8th 2009 At the end of a gripping hurling encounter, the Rockies emerged victorious in this pulsating game at Pairc Ui Rinn to capture the Cork Feile trophy for the second time in three years. The first half, while it contained some good hurling, was relatively slow burning and the Rockies led by 2 – 6 to 0 – 6, thanks to goals from Eoin O’Connell, who struck home a rebound, and Brian O’Leary who cool as a cucumber picked his spot and put away a sweet goal. In this period however, the dominance of Cathal Cormack at centre back and PJ Green at centre forward provided the launching pad for the Blackrock attacks. Michael Abernethy at full forward for the magpies always looked dangerous, while Sean O’Farrell broke up many of the Blackrock attacks. One particular highlight was a brilliant save by Blackrock keeper Gavin Connelly, who blocked on the line and cleared a ground shot from Abernethy. The game really took off in the second half with some outstanding hurling from both sides. The spectators were treated to a tremendous contest and the emotions were pulled in all directions as the battle took on a life of its own. There was not a dirty stroke to be seen between two excellent hurling teams both of which just wanted to hurl. Abernethy for Midleton fired in a goal after 40 minutes, followed by a point to leave just two points in it. Joe Logue responded with a point for the Rockies. There followed 10 minutes with end to end drama and some incredible misses. Finally the deadlock was broken when Ian O’Keeffe rattled the Midleton net. To be fair to the Midleton keeper Brian Rossiter, he may have been deceived by the lights. While Rocky fans celebrated, Abernethy responded with another goal. Again intense drama, finger nails in bits, prayers rising. Alan O’Callaghan steadied Rocky nerves with a fine point. Then Eoin O’Connell got his second goal and it was game over. Michael Abernethy sealed his hat trick in the final minute but referee Michael O’Mahony then brought proceedings to a halt, the celebrations commenced and the tears of joy and sorrow were shed. This was a perfect advertisement for Cork underage hurling. There is tremendous potential in this Midleton team. Players such as Darren Quirke, Aaron McEvoy and Sean O’Farrell will only get better, while Michael Abernethy will be some handful for full-backs. Blackrock had a more balanced team and their ability to get goals at crucial stages was vital to the end result. Eight players contributed to their scores in contrast to Midleton’s three. From Gavin Connelly, who was brilliant in goal to Eoin O’Connell at number 15, there appeared to be very few weaknesses in this Blackrock team, some of whom seemed to be restricted on the night by injuries. Many of this team were also on the St Michael’s team which won the football Feile a couple of weeks ago so it has been a massive and rare achievement to complete a “double”. For coordinator John Green and his team of coaches and mentors the victory represents the culmination of a lot of hard work put in over the past decade by many committed people at Church Road. For the young Rockies, it represents a unique and historic achievement, one they can be extremely proud of. Blackrock: Gavin Connelly; Paul Redmond; Craig O’Donovan; Daniel Meaney, Niall Cashman; Cathal Cormack; Eoin McCarthy; Ian O’Keeffe; David Hurley; Alan O’Callaghan; P J Green; Darragh Kiely; Brian O’Leary; Joe Logue; Eoin O’Connell; Nathan Adams; Jack Canning; Kevin Cotter; Brendan Couch; Alex McSweeney;Nicky O’Mullane;Glen Stokes;Niall Fitzgerald; David King; Paddy Lynch; Luke McGee; David Redmond;PaulTobin. Scorers: Eoin O’Connell 2 - 1, Brian O’Leary 1 – 0, Ian O’Keeffe 1 – 0, Joe Logue 0 – 4 (2f), Darragh Kiely 0 – 2 David Hurley 0 – 1, PJ Green 0 – 1, Alan O’Callaghan 0 – 1. Report on the Magnificent Double by the footballers of St. Michaels and the Hurlers of Blackrock on their achievement Young hurlers and footballers from Blackrock are staking their claim to sporting history. The Saint Michael’s Gaelic Football Club and Blackrock National Hurling Club are Cork Feile champions 2009 in their respective codes. And now both camps are busily preparing for the All-Ireland Feile competitions later in the Summer when they will be representing not just their clubs but their county. As both clubs draw players from Blackrock, Mahon and surrounding areas it is no surprise that many of the same Under-14 players crop up in both panels. The reality of so many shared players has brought both clubs together in arranging their coaching schedules to ensure they are to the benefit of both panels. And at an organisational level the two clubs have come together in a joint fund-raising committee. Recognising the reality that the clubs would be knocking on the same doors for sponsorship, the Rockies and St. Michael’s are pooling their energies and resources for these exciting Feile adventures. The Feile hurling competition comes up next month and it is hosted by Laois and Offaly while the football Feile will take place in Kildare in July. The Rockies – as one of the most successful hurling clubs in Cork at all age levels – will be hoping that their young players can do the business for Cork next month. St. Michael’s - who are now based at their own club grounds at Pairc Ui Mhichil Naofa by Mahon Point – have an amazing record in the Feile competition, winning the competition in Cork city and county five in a row, 2002 to 2006, and winning an All-Ireland Feile title in 2005. That year has a special place in the Rockies Feile record also as they made it to national final of the competition in Pairc Ui Chaomh. Past captains – and some previous Feile players now playing Under-21 for Cork - from both clubs turned up as the youngsters trained and they had some words of advice for them. Shane O’Sullivan who was the Michael’s captain back in 2002 when they went to Carlow said, “Go to the finals with no fear, you are the best team in your county with no fear of anyone. Once the first game is out of the way anything can happen. It is an experience, something you’ll never forget – cherish it.” Eoghan Buckley who was in Tyrone in 2004 said that the Feile is unusual in being an All-Ireland clubs competition: “Make the most out of it, it is a once in a lifetime.” David Healy, captain of the Rockies team that made it to the Feile final in 2005, said, “Enjoy it. Work hard and you’ll get what you deserve.” Although they are distinct clubs there is an obvious shared history as St. Michael’s was based at Blackrock’s club on Church Road for over 50 years until last year’s move to its own new facilities at Pairc Ui Mhichil Naofa, where the hurling club also has a pitch. While representing Cork is an honour that both clubs keenly relish it comes at a cost – and the clubs will be turning to the families and businesses in their locality in the coming weeks to help meet that cost. The players will be kitted out to the highest standard and both clubs are committed to ensuring that nothing comes between these young players being 100 per cent prepared to represent Cork at these national competitions.
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