Junior A Team Report AGM 16th December 2002

JUNIOR 'A' REPORT

Even though we failed to win any of the competitions at junior level, some progress was made during 2002. Our league campaign ended at the end of October when we were defeated by Mayfield in the semi-final, after having a comfortable victory over Na Piarsaigh in a 'play-off' game. We also qualified for the semi-final of the MacCurtain cup, but were beaten in that game by Passage. After recording victories over Nemo Rangers in both the first and third rounds of the city championship we were subsequently beaten by Mayfield, who went on to win the competition. The complete list of results is as follows,

League MacCurtain Cup Championship

Mayfield - Draw Mayfield - Won Nemo - Won Bishopstown - Won Douglas - Won (wo) Nemo - Won Shamrocks - Won Passage - Lost Mayfield - Lost St. Finbarrs - Won Glen Rovers - Won Douglas - Won ( MacCurtain cup) Passage - Lost (MacCurtain cup) Nemo - Won (c'ship) Na Piarsaigh - Won Lough Rovers - Lost Ballinhassig - Lost St. Vincents - Won Whitechurch - Lost Delaneys - Won Brian Dillons - Won Na Piarsaigh - Won (play-off) Mayfield - Lost (semi-final)

The most encouraging aspect of this season's activities was the level of commitment and interest demonstrated by the players. Despite the fact that 8 of the junior panel eventually played senior championship and subsequently 'weakened' the junior team, the spirit within the panel never diminished. The players who were part of the junior panel and eventually played senior championship, and could therefore no longer play with the junior team, were, Declan O'Sullivan, David Dempsey, Barry Hennebry, Joe Young, Stephen O'Keeffe, Ciaran Connery, Sean Murphy, Colin O'Reilly. The promotion of players from the junior panel to the senior team is something that was encouraged by the junior selectors at all times. The fact that so many members of the junior panel were capable of playing a part in winning the Senior County Championship, regardless of the effect it had on the junior team, was viewed as something in the best interest of the club.

There was many people who helped & supported the junior selectors, who were Ger Coughlan, Tom Ahern, Kieran O'Keeffe, Paddy Barry jnr. & Donal Downey, during the year. In particular I would like to thank the following:

- Committee members - Jim & May O'Brien - Senior team selectors - Noel O'Flaherty - John O'Driscoll - Donal Fleming - Ladies Committee

Despite the efforts made by the people mentioned above, the overall level of support for the junior team in the club is very low and extremely disappointing. We played a number of games this year where the only Blackrock members in attendance were those directly involved, i.e. players & selectors. As any player will tell you, support is a vital ingredient for success. I would like to take this opportunity to ask you to come along to as many games as you can in the future and offer whatever support possible. You will be playing your part in building and maintaining this great club and I'm sure you will also enjoy it.

The extremely poor standard of refereeing, and lack of referees, in the Seandun division was again highlighted this year. We had a situation where there was no referee appointed to one of our league games (v. Lough Rovers) as there was 'inter-firm' games on that evening and some of the Seandun referees were officiating at these games. The lack of referees, and people interested in becoming referees, is having a direct impact on the standard of refereeing at most levels within the organisation, particularly in the Seandun division. This is a very serious situation and is one that needs to be addressed immediately.

On behalf of the junior selectors I would like to congratulate everyone involved with the senior team, especially the 8 players mentioned above, on winning the county senior hurling championship for the 32nd time in our club's history. You were all a credit to yourselves, your families and your club. You made many people, including myself, feel very proud to be a 'Rockie'.

In summary, while the junior team was not successful in winning any competitions, good progress was made. We fulfilled all our fixtures and qualified for the semi-final of the league. The junior team supported the senior team well during the year, particularly during the senior league campaign.

Even though the junior team is probably not yet good enough to make the transition to the intermediate grade, the amount of players available and the commitment shown by those players is very encouraging. We need to set our ambition, and put a plan in place, to compete at intermediate level. Having an intermediate team would have an enormous benefit for all players and would also help us to achieve our ultimate goal of winning senior County, Munster & All-Ireland titles.

Donal Downey.