On Monday, the June Rebel Og Awards function took place in the Clayton Hotel Sliversprings.

The June Award was presented to Sarsfield Camogie and St.Finbarr’s Hurling team’s following both sides success at National Feile where both clubs brought All-Ireland Success back to Cork.

Sarsfields Camogie Féile Team were winners of the Féile na nGael Division 1 Cup  and St. Finbarr’s Féile Hurling Team were the winners of the Féile na nGael Division 1 Shield 

The two teams follow previous 2018 Rebel Óg Award winners, the Cork Minor Camogie Team (All-Ireland winners), All Ireland Doubles Handball players Muireann O’Brien and Celine Kelleher (April), St. Mary’s High School Midleton who received the March Rebel Óg Award for their wins in the Post Primary All-Ireland and Munster Junior Camogie Championships, All-Ireland Scór winners (February) and Sam Maguires footballers who won the January 2018 Award. 

 

 

JUNE 2018 WINNERS 

St. Finbarr’s Féile Hurling Team 

Winners of the Féile na nGael Division 1 Shield 

Sarsfields Camogie Féile Team 

Winners of the Féile na nGael Division 1 Cup 

 

The Sarsfields Camogie Féile Team, winners of the Féile na nGael Division 1 Cup and St. Finbarr’s Féile Hurling Team, winners of the Féile na nGael Division 1 Shield are the joint June 2018 winners of the Rebel Óg Monthly Awards sponsored by the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs and Cummins Sports (Award Sponsors) in association with RedFM and The Evening Echo (Media Partners). 

 

The two teams follow previous 2018 Rebel Óg Award winners, the Cork Minor Camogie Team (All-Ireland winners), All Ireland Doubles Handball players Muireann O’Brien and Celine Kelleher (April), St. Mary’s High School Midleton who received the March Rebel Óg Award for their wins in the Post Primary All-Ireland and Munster Junior Camogie Championships, All-Ireland Scór winners (February) and Sam Maguires footballers who won the January 2018 Award. 

2017 winners were Éire Óg footballers and Inniscarra hurlers who were joint December winners, Bride Rovers U16 and Minor Hurlers (November), who won the County Championships, October Winners Bandon,  September Winners, Cork Minor Hurlers, August winners Cork U17 Hurlers, July Winners Ballinora Juvenile GAA Club,  quartet of June Winners, Féile na nGael Champions Sarsfields, Na Piarsaigh, Cuchullains and St. Kevin’s.  January 2017 winners were Kiltha Óg, February Winners St. Colman’s College Fermoy, March winners Stephen O’Rourke and Niall Delany from Mallow, winners of the All-Ireland U17 Handball Championship, April Winners, Carbery Scór and the May 2017 Winners St. Francis College Rochestown, winners of the Simcox Cup.   

St Finbarr’s Hurling and Football Club 

Féile na nGael Division 1 Hurling Shield Winners 

 

The Barrs’ journey to the Féile na nGael 2018 began back in April when the group stages of the Cork Féile Premier Hurling took place.  St. Finbarrs were grouped with Eire Óg and Valley Rovers and won both group games with excellent displays of hurling in each game.  The Togher side then won the group final against a very strong Ballygarvan team who scored a couple of excellent early goals.  However, the lads bounced back at half time and rallied to a 7 point win. We went on to play against our old rivals, Ballincollig at the semi-final stage. It was a fantastic battle but a hat-trick of goals by our full-forward proved crucial in to the win. The opposition in the final was a very resilient Bride Rovers team. It was an exhilarating exhibition of hurling by both sides and to the delight of the players we prevailed.  It was on to Féile na nGael in Galway! 

 

The preparations in the weeks building up to Galway was hard work for the players, training continuously twice a week while also fundraising for their kit. The focus was on developing their skills to compete with the best teams in Ireland.  The involvement of Donal O’Grady was crucial for the players as he taught them skills which proved lucrative in Galway. 

 

St. Finbars were hosted by Craughwell GAA club just outside Galway City, receiving a wonderful welcome. 

 

The first two games of Féile na nGael took place in Clarinbridge, the club of the All Ireland winning manager, Michéal Donoghue. First up was Clarinbridge who are one of the top teams in Galway and had excellent hurlers throughout the field. The Barrs players were exceptional in the heat and won the game by a single point. This settled the nerves, which was just as well because straight after the final whistle the team played the Waterford champions, Ballygunner.  The players finished off an enjoyable day with another win to make it two out of two on the Friday evening. 

 

The last group game was on Saturday morning against host team Craughwell. St. Finbarrs were disappointed to lose a hard-fought game by three points which left them out of contention for the Cup based on scores conceded.  To lift the spirits, the team went for a bite to eat in Supermacs before the Shield quarter finals against Clare champions, Clooney Quinn. The fast food and some motivational words from Br. Cusack worked because the team won 1-08 to 4 points in Gort.  The team moved the ball quickly and were clinical in front of the posts.  This win meant a trip to an All-Ireland semi-final in the Connaught GAA Centre of Excellence in Mayo on Sunday morning. 

Up next for the team was the Limerick Champions, Monaleen. From the moment the ball was thrown in, the forwards were threatening and gave a spectacle of magnificent scoring. The defence was rock solid and only conceded 3 points in the whole game.  A final score of 3-5 to 3 points was an incredible performance to bring the Barrs back to their first All-Ireland final in over 30 years.  

 

The final was against the Ballygunner team who St. Finbarrs had already beaten at the group stage. They had come through their side of the draw with strong performances but the Cork players drew on all their skill, training and determination. They scored freely throughout the game, from the goalkeeper to the full forwards, giving a performance that will live long in the memory.   Each player gave a truly magnificent Barrs performance. The final score of 2-11 to 2 points was well deserved by every player on the team. 

 

This team are a wonderful bunch of lads and their dedication throughout the last number of years has been exceptional. The teamwork, friendship and positive attitude of each player on the panel has not only brought this team great success on the pitch but has also made them best friends off the pitch. The parents and supporters always deserve a mention for their continued support of the team.  The players and coaches greatly appreciated the encouragement both from the supporters who travelled with them and those who followed their progress on social media. 

 

 

Sarsfields Camogie Club 

Feile National Div 1 Cup Winners 2018 

 

Sarsfields Féile U14 team achieved an incredible 3-in-a-row of Div 1 Cup titles (2016, 2017 & 2018). 

Three players have the honour of being involved in all three wins – Katlyn Sheehan, Cliona Lynch & Orlaith Mullins, with all three playing prominent roles in each title. In-fact, Katlyn Sheehan has a 4th Féile medal with sister club, Glanmire Ladies Footballers in 2017. 

Host club:  St. Davitts, Galway 

Mentors:  Denis Twomey, Tadhg Og Lynch, Mark Mullins, John Sheehan & Karen O’Brien 

Captain:    Orlaith Mullins 

 

For the third year in a row Sarsfields have reached the Feile final unbeaten in their three campaigns.  Tired limbs were forgotten as they prepared to meet fancied Kilrush of Wexford who had beaten Cashel in the other semi-final. 

“Four times Kilrush took the lead in what was the very last game of a packed schedule at the Ballyhaunis facility and four times Sars showed all the character of defending champions, drawing level to push the game in extra time and then to rescue the tie twice over in the last period of 10 minutes of play”. Kevin Egan, Evening Echo 

Kilrush made the better start, playing with the wind and lead by two points inside 10 minutes and they added to it before a Kate Fennessy goal had the sides level, 1-0 to 0-3 at half time.  

 

On the restart Sars hit the front with a point but a determined Kilrush again rallied with a goal from a penalty to lead 1-3 to 1-1.  Sars showed their true quality and grit digging deep and a well converted free from impressive centre back, Cliona Lynch brought Sars within a single point of Kilrush. With two minutes remaining it was level pegging, 1-3 a piece forcing extra time.  

 

Extra time was tough on both teams and at half time of extra time the sides had traded points. With three minutes remaining it was 1-5 each (the two points coming from Cliona Lynch & Orlaith Mullins).  Despite both teams battling to find a winner it failed to transpire and so at full time it remained deadlocked. A free-taking shoot out threatened & the drama continued while clarification was sought. 

 

Féile rules state that should a final end all square after extra time the title is shared by both teams – with the trophy getting to spend 6 months in each club.  Toss of a coin to dictate which team gets to take it home first.  Sarsfields were commended by the Feile committee by turning down this option and offering Kilrush the trophy as a first time winner. Kilrush gratefully accepted. 

 

This is the first time a title has been shared in the history of Féile camogie. 

 

Path to the Final 

Fri 8th June, Duniry, Galway 

Sars 0-6Shamrocks 0-1 (Cliona Lynch 0-3f, Katlyn Sheehan 0-3) 

Sars 0-9Gailltir  0-2  (Katlyn Sheehan 0-6, Cliona Lynch 0-2f, Ella O’Brien 0-1) 

 

Sat 9th June, Tynagh, Galway 

Sars 1-3Davitts 0-2 (Cliona Lynch 1-1, Katlyn Sheehan 0-2) 

 

Quarter Final (Castlegar, Galway) 

Sars 2-4St Bridgets 1-2 (Cliona Lynch 1-2, Ella O’Brien 1-1, Katlyn Sheehan 0-1) 

 

Sun 10th JuneSemi Final (Connaught Centre of Excellence, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo) 

Sars 0-8Carnmore 1-2 (Cliona Lynch 0-5 3fs, Katlyn Sheehan 0-2, Orlaith Mullins 0-1) 

 

FINAL 

Sars 1-3Kilrush 1-3  (Kate Fennessy 1-0, Cliona Lynch 0-3fs) 

Extra Time Score Sars 1-5Kilrush 1-5 (Orlaith Mullins 0-1, Cliona Lynch 0-1f) 

Top Scorers:   Cliona Lynch 2-16 (1-14fs); Katlyn Sheehan 0-14; Ella O’Brien 1-2