April
Since last month’s publication both our Junior Hurling teams commenced their 2005 league campaigns. Both Junior Hurling teams are participating in the top flight A division leagues in the Seandun Division. Our first team defeated Bishopstown in Bishopstown on a 1-12 to 1-9 score-line. Led on by 2005 Captain John Meade there were fine performances here from Murt Kelleher at centre-back, Junior A Hurling debutant Brian O Sullivan at wing-forward, and last year’s goal-keeper Conor Buckley who notched up 1-2 from corner-forward.
The following Wednesday our second team defeated near-neighbours Rathpeacon at Whitechurch on a 1-11 to 1-05 score-line. In a typical hard-fought derby clash it was the clinical free-taking of Colm Sheahan and the driving play of John O’ Callaghan at centre-back which laid the foundations for this victory. Others to impress here were corner-back Brian Murphy and Ger Harte on the wing.
Due to Under 21 and Junior Football Championship commitments neither of these teams has played any further league games.
Autumn
Football games have been put on the back-burner as the hurling competitions are finished out. Our Junior A hurlers meet Na Piarsaigh in a play-off for a spot in the league semi-final. They recently contested the MacCurtain Cup Final having had victories over Na Piarsaigh, St. Vincents and Bishopstown. In the final however we lost out on a score-line of 1-09 to 1-05 to Mayfield. Whitechurch had led for most of the game but ran out of steam against the Championship holders who used the game as a crucial warm-up for their up-coming County Semi-Final. Meantime our Under 21 hurlers, fresh from a very credible victory over St. Vincents, await the winners of Nemo Rangers and Blackrock, in their Championship Semi-Final. We wish them luck in what is our clubs’ eighth championship semi-final at adult level in 2005.