Cobh GAA Notes 17-06-12

Cobh u14’s reach Championship Quarter Final
Having won the U13 hurling league last year this group of lads have had this years U14 hurling championship on their minds this year. Being drawn first out of the hat in the U14 hurling championship has meant that we have had to play an extra preliminary round, but following two victories within a week against fancied teams we now have now earned a quarter final place and our U14 hurlers will host St Catherine´s in a Championship quarter final in Cobh this Saturday at 2:30pm.

Our first outing in the championship on Wednesday 6th June was a repeat of last years league final and it took extra time to separate Cobh and Mayfield. With just minutes remaining Cobh levelled the match with a well taken point and had to defend for the last few minutes as Mayfield pushed for the late winner,  but some cool heads in the Cobh defence prevailed. The first period of extra time was to prove decisive and  Cobh played their best 10 minutes of hurling, scoring 1-5 to establish a 7 point lead, and Cobh went on to win by 6 points. On last Monday night (11th June) our lads had an impressive victory in their second championship against a strong and confident Watergrasshill team who had shown some recent form by defeating our quarter final opponents St Catherine´s in the U14 Hurling League. On this occasion it was our forwards who took the limelight. In the second quarter they came alive, and we established a decisive 5-10 to 2-2 half time lead following some outstanding scores. We went on to win 7-14 to 3-3 by the end of the game.

We have played our quarter final opponents, St Catherine´s twice this year so far, with a 5 point loss in Ballynoe in our opening league game, and 5 point victory in Cobh in our Feile second round appearance. St Catherine´s are a club with a strong championship reputation, and their U14 hurlers won last years “B” U13 county title. They have made an impact in the A league with 6 victories out of seven, but this group of Cobh lads have proven they have what it takes to win important matches, and we hope to make home advantage count, by getting a good attendance in Páirc Uí Chonaill on Saturday June 16th at 2:30pm. Based on the two earlier championship rounds, a good afternoon´s entertainment is guaranteed.

Cobh u14’s Reach Championship Semi-Final
Our U14 hurlers had a hard earned victory against a competitive St Catherine´s team in a well presented Páirc Uí Chonaill on Saturday. Following the dismal weather of the past few days, the Club can be very proud of the condition of the pitch which was in great shape, and it drew favourable comment from our opponents, in advance of the game. The atmosphere around the pitch and the large crowd all added to a great sense of occasion, and for sure, the fact that we have had home advantage in our first three championships outings, has been seized upon the Cobh supporters, to create a fantastic support to our players on the pitch. And this was another match where we needed every effort to get a victory.

With the advantage of the wind in the first half, the Cobh team pressed hard for scores and we got a great start  when Max Kahn netted a goal. But it was also clear from the start St Catherine´s were going to push us all the way and as both side traded points, Cobh did not make a real advantage of the strong wind at  their backs. Significant moments in this half were two goals scored by Adam O´Donovan, but St Catherine´s also got a goal to leave the score 3-2 to 1-2 at half time. The wind was still a significant factor in the second half, and St Catherine´s started to draw back the lead, point by point. But our defence stood firm and we got two points of our own which meant that with less than 10 minutes to go we were still 3 points ahead. The introduction of two subs on the Cobh  side gave us some extra energy up front and gave our backs and midfield a chance to catch a breath. A feature of the match was the overall absence of frees, which meant the game was almost nonstop, and this meant that we had a very tired crew around the middle of the pitch by this stage. St Catherine´s changed their tactics and decided to go for goals. When their Full back strode the length of the pitch to take a 21 yard free, we all knew what to expect, and we managed to parry the shot over the bar. St Catherine´s continued with their quest for a goal, and  pressed hard with a number of opportunities, but our backs pressed hard, and our Keeper Christian Field stood tall, and made what has been the save of  the championship so far, in the final seconds, to keep  us with a two point lead.  Scorers for Cobh were Adam O´Donovan 2-1, Niall Spriggs 0-3 and Max Kahn 1-0.

Throughout the three home championship matches our lads have all displayed great determination, concentration, and purpose. All players have played their part so far, and it´s significant that  we can highlight the
contribution of the backs in our first game, the forwards in our second game and our Goalkeeper in the quarter final victory.  Their efforts have been  extremely well supported by the  home crowd, and the reception of the players off the pitch after the game,  gives the players great reward, and confidence for the next game. The players now have a short break from hurling championship (but not hurling, I´m sure), and now have potentially two rounds of football championship, before the hurling championship is due to return on or around July 5th. We now have a championship semi-final with Cloghduv to look forward to, at that time, and this will most likely be at a neutral venue. On Tuesday night (7:30pm) we have our Football championship first round against Glenville in Cobh. Glenville (Watergrasshill) cannot be happy about another trip to Cobh, but will be full of determination to reverse the fine victory we had in the hurling.

Cobh u11’s do the Club Proud in Recent Hurling Tournament
The team lost out by two points in the final to Na Piarsaighs of Limerick having defeated Cashel King Cormac’s and Na Piarsaighs of Cork earlier in the day. All the lads performed admirably and their coaches, parents and supporters were very proud of them. Everyone had a great day out, with the Na Piarsaigh club providing lunch for all the visiting teams and their entourage. Many thanks to all who travelled up on the day to support the boys.