Cobh Gaa Notes 19th Sept

Street Leagues Time Again
The annual, Cobh Credit Union sponsored, hurling street leagues will be starting off on the first weekend of October. As with last year we have three sections- U12, U9 and U7. The U12 games will be played under lights on Friday nights and the U9 and U7 games will go ahead on Sunday mornings. Boys & Girls, beginners or experienced players, interested in taking part are asked to fill out an application form and return it by Saturday 25th of September. Forms are available from team coaches, in the schools or can be downloaded from the Cobh Gaa website www.cobhgaa.com. Teams and match details will be published on the Gaa website, in local newsletters and in the schools.

Cloneen, Co. Kilkenny pay a visit to Pairc Uí Chonaill.
On Saturday last our U12 and U10 hurlers played host to the Cloneen club from Kilkenny. The throw in was timed for 11 o’clock, given that Cloneen share a border with Carlow the 52-seater bus (crammed with players, parents and supporters) had a very early start. The games were of an excellent standard with the Cobh U10s shading the result in their game while the Cloneen U12s did the same in that contest. All participants were conscious that they were representing their club and county and gave a great display of all the skills of our ancient game. A big thank you to everybody who made this such a massive success especially the players, their parents (who gave great support as well as providing food for the teams after the games, and to Br. Athanasius
for his support on the day. The Gael’s of Cloneen had an enjoyable mornings workout and, fed and watered, they headed to FOTA WILDLIFE PARK for the next part of their trip.
Cobh cheer on the Rebels
A great afternoon’s entertainment was had by the big crowd of Rebel and supporters, and the couple of Mourne women, who came along to the club pavilion on Sunday the 19th to watch the All-Ireland football final. As with most things in sport, once the result went our teams’ way it made the day even more enjoyable. Well done to Willie O’Donovan and Nick O’Callaghan for organising the screening of the game which was accompanied by the final commentary of Michéal Ó Muircheartaigh. Up the Rebels!

Players Moving On.  This week saw two prominent Cobh Gaa players, at different stages of their playing career move on to pastures new. The U12 clash with Cloneen was a final showing for David (Oggy) Ogbebor. Oggy has distinguished himself in both hurling and football for the Cobh club but he is now leaving to take up residence in Killeagh. A presentation was made to Oggy on behalf of his sporting buddies and the team mentors. In acknowledgement Oggy made a short speech saying, “ I’m going to miss ye boys and while I will be living in Killeagh, in my heart I’ll always be a Cobh man”.   A second player made his final bow for Cobh in the Intermediate game against Barryroe the previous Monday evening. This years’ team vice-captain and inspirational full-back Trevor Byrne has had to head for Pittsburgh in search of work only two days after his younger brother Alex, emigrated to Canada. Unfortunately this is a sign of the times we live and for a club which has already lost Pat Sloane to emigration only two months ago it is a huge blow to the sporting ambitions of our adult teams.  We wish all our club men the very best of good fortune as they leave us and we hope that it won’t be too long before they are in a position to return and our country is in a position to provide them with the employment they seek.

Results: Ó Murchú Cup semi-final: Barryroe 2-17 Cobh 2-09. JBH Lge Cobh 1-12 Ballinacurra 3-09.

Fixtures: U8 & U10 hurling in the Paddy Histon sponsored Cobh Blitz on Saturday 25th September. Junior hurling challenge v Gleann na Laoi, Thurs 23rd at 7:30pm.