Sacred Heart Secondary School, Clonakilty, team members Annie Condon, Emma O’Driscoll, Daire O’Brien, captain; Sinéad McCarthy and Jessica McCarthy, who represented the squad at the presentation of the Rebel Óg monthly award for March at a function at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs.

SACRED Heart Secondary School Clonakilty, winners of the Munster and All-Ireland camogie titles, are the March winners of the Rebel Óg Monthly Awards, sponsored by the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cummins Sports (award sponsors) and in association with The Echo and RedFM, media partners.
The campaign began when Sacred Heart faced Midleton in the first of a trilogy of games between the two teams.
and this was not to be their last meeting of the campaign.
The first meeting took place in Ahamilla where Sacred Heart ran out 4-9 to 1-5 winners in the first group match. In the next group game, they travelled to University Limerick where they had a convincing 4-0 to 1-1 win over Laurel Hill on a very fast 4G pitch.
They then travelled to Bruff where they beat St Flannan’s of Ennis 6-12 to 2-5 on a very blustery day.
These victories left Sacred Heart top of their group and awaiting a Munster sem-final. Charleville provided the venue where the Clonakilty side were pitted against Scariff. Having suffered a few losses to the Clare outfit over the previous four years, the Clonakilty girls were determined to rectify those defeats and were in control from the outset and had a commanding 7-7 to 3-2 win.
Midleton were finished as runners-up in the group and were paired against Nenagh in the other semi-final. The east Cork outfit fulfilled their promise and beat the North Tipp kingpins, meaning Clonakilty would meet their old foes on in the Munster final day.
Clonakility’s victory set up with an All-Ireland semi-final against Coláiste Bhride, Enniscorthy.
Clonakilty had to travel to the Leinster champions’ home ground on the first Saturday in March. The Cork ladies showed tremendous courage, passion, and skill on the day and dispatched an excellent Wexford, side on a scoreline of 1-5 to 0-6.
Midleton, as Munster runners-up, had a chance to redeem themselves as they accounted for Dublin A Champions, St Dominican’s in the other semi-final. This left both Cork teams pitted against each other for a third time in this competition, with the chance to lift the All-Ireland Cup.
Castle Road was the venue. Millie Condon was sublime on the day and netted two first-half goals. This earned her the Player of the Match Award.
Others to shine on the day were Sinead McCarthy, wing-back Jessica McCarthy, Caoimhe Murphy and Eimear O Brien. 3-8 to 1-7 was the final scoreline.

The various clubs that are represented in the Christians Harty Cup team tomorrow.

SATURDAY,
Dr Harty Cup final
CBC V St Flannan’s,
Mallow, 1pm
GETTING back into the final a year after being runners-up and with nearly a new team represents quite an achievement for CBC.
Only four of the team that lined out against Midleton CBS in Páirc Uí Rinn 12 months ago and one sub who was introduced in that game will be on the starting block against the most decorated school in the history of the competition.
This is very much a final story of a traditional school going in against a school far more renowned for its rugby exploits but one that has made great progress on the hurling front in recent times.
Flannan’s are back where they want to be, contesting a Harty final after being on the outside looking in for the past 15 years.
That’s a famine in this great hurling nursery and they will be all out to set the record straight here.
And they will start as favourites against a side that was not ranked among the leading contenders at the outset.
But CBC have arrived in this final on merit, topping a group that contained Ard Scoil Ris, Rochestown College and Templemore.
The subsequently got through two tough challenges in the quarter-final and semi-final against St Colman’s Fermoy and their conquerors last season, Midleton CBS.
There was certainly nothing easy about that passage to this defining day in Mallow and in the games against St Colman’s and Midleton CBS they had to exhibit true grit and abundant character, winning by the bare minimum in both games.
Coming out on the right side of games like that has to raise their levels of confidence and instill into them extra belief.
St Flannan’s got the better of Clare compatriots St Joseph’s Tulla and Our Lady’s Templemore along their route, the latter by two points in the semi-final.
Their standout players are Cian Galvin at centre-back and Diarmuid Cahill up in attack.
Conner Hegarty and Stephen Casey form a strong midfield partnership while Killian O’Connor and Ashley Brohan are highly-rated in the Banner County too.
However, CBC have really proven themselves, digging deep when that had to be done and knocking out the holders Midleton CBS was a real feather in their cap.
The absence of Denis McSweeney from midfield is a blow for CBC but they coped without him against Midleton CBS.
Daire Burke got a fine goal in that game too while Shane Kingston in defence and James Dwyer in the middle of the field are serious operators too.
Eoghan Kirby and Robbie Cotter are playing their part too while Niall Hartnett can cause problems if he gets the right supply.
Obviously, Flannan’s will be aware of the threat that Cahalane can pose and containing him will be a priority for them.
Likewise, CBC will be mindful of Cahill’s threat and how Cian Galvin can dominate at centre-back.
If tradition stands for anything then St Flannan’s have to be fancied and, by all accounts, a huge effort has been put in in the college to try and get this trophy back with the likes of Tony Kelly and Brendan Bugler involved.
CBC had a good workout after their win over Midleton CBS with Good Counsel from Wexford who ran St Kieran’s from Kilkenny close Having been in a final last time has to benefit them even if the majority of the personnel have changed It’s a fascinating final because of the colleges backgrounds, a hurling stronghold against a hugely successful rugby school.
But on Saturday they’ll start on equal terms and this CBC team will not be found wanting in the character stakes.
They are slight underdogs but there’s no reason why they cannot come good again.
They have beaten some top teams along the way and this would be the biggest scalp of all. They need a positive start, get some early scores to settle them for an occasion that will be very demanding.
Flannan’s are the slight fancy as stated but CBC can just as easily turn the tables.

 

 

A fundraising hurling game between Cork and Kilkenny will be played in Páirc uí Rinn on Wednesday, March 27, at 7.30pm, with tickets priced at €10 (adults) and €5 (Under 16’s). Tickets will be available on the night and are also on sale online http://corkgaa.tickets.ie/ and at participating Centra/SuperValu stores.

The game will be preceded by the County Senior Hurling Championship clash involving UCC and CIT at 5.30pm, and we encourage patrons to come in early to watch both games.

Entertainment will be provided by the Barrack Street Band.

Donations to the fund can be also be made online at https://www.gofundme.com/friends-of-kieran.

There was a very strong turnout for the information night held in Eire Óg GAA Club in Ovens.

Kevin O’Callaghan & Ronan Dwane kicked off proceedings and discussed a number of different topics around clubs availing of the coaching service from the County Board? Were they utilizing the services of the GDA for their schools and clubs, coaching workshops were a few of the items discussed

Des Cullinane Child Welfare Officer of the Co. Board was up next. He discussed the responsibility of Clubs and Club officers to be compliant in the protection of our underage members, with a philosophy that recognises the welfare of the child is paramount .It is the responsibility of the club to have all personnel involved with their underage members be Garda Vetted and have received relevant child welfare and sports related training, to enable them fulfil such roles

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Brian Coniry of the South East Referees gave a very frank and honest talk about refereeing with particular emphasis around Give Respect Get Respect and received a round of applause. A Q&A was held afterwards with a lot of questions from the floor.

To finish off the evening Chairman Coiste Na nÓg John Purcell thanked everyone in attendance and spoke a few words about upcoming Féile and where to get information for clubs and their host families.

The large number of those in attendance availed of the Teas, coffees and lovely refreshments afterwards and spoke with the guest speakers. Overall a very informative night.

Thank you to all who attended and to Eire Óg GAA Club for facilities.

Mid-South Board

The next meeting of the East Region will take place on Wednesday next, March 20, at 7.30pm at Midleton GAA Club.

All clubs are requested to attend.

A meeting of the West region will take place on tomorrow, Wednesday, March 6, at the GAA pavilion, Dunmanway, at 8pm.
All clubs are requested to send a delegate to this meeting.

A meeting of the East Region will take place on Monday, March 4, at 7.30pm at Midleton GAA Club.

All clubs are asked to have representation at the meeting.