FERMOY BOXING CLUB

- Young boxers continue apace -

Last Thursday night at the Glen Boxing Club in Cork we saw Kurt Bowes take to the ring for his second round of the Cork county leagues. Kurt was boxing Jack O’Grady from Ballyduff in Co Kerry.

Kurt started well catching Jack with some strong jabs and crosses but Jack’s defence was working well and round one ended 2 points each. Round 2 saw Jack up the tempo putting Kurt on the back foot and after a hard second round the score was 4 points each.

Round 3 saw Kurt and Jack go toe-to-toe launching punch after punch and half way through the round Kurt caught Jack with a powerful body shot, which saw Jack end up on the canvas. Jack got a standing eight count but just as Kurt was moving back into finish him off the bell went to end the fight.

After three very hard fought rounds with both boxers displaying some fantastic boxing, this fight went down to the wire, the score was 8 points each so this then meant there would be a count back to see which boxer threw the most punches and to everyone’s amazement the score was 16 each.

As there cannot be a draw in amateur boxing this meant that the decision was down to the three judges for them to pick whom they taught should win. Kurt won on a unanimous decision with all three judges voting in his favour. Well-done Kurt.

Last Sunday afternoon at the Lough Community Centre in Cork Leeside Lough Boxing Club held their annual tournament where club coach Ciara Noonan was up against a hard-hitting Clara Fraher from Dungarvan Boxing Club.

Ciara is dominating her own weight division in Ireland and fights are getting harder to come by so for this fight Ciara had to move up 2 weight divisions from featherweight to welterweight to fight Clara.

This was Ciara’s first time fighting in the welterweight division and she did not disappoint with what was a cracker of a fight with plenty of hard hitting action that went right down to the wire. Ciara eventually had to give second best to Clara on a scoreline of 16 points to 14 points.

TRAINING

With such large numbers now attending training, Fermoy Boxing Club is changing its training times. Training will still be on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7pm until 9pm. Tuesday nights training will now be changed to Saturday afternoons from 3pm. This change will allow us more time training our younger boxers. For further information you can contact club coach John Bowes on 086/0637878 or e-mail fermoyboxingclub@live.com

THANK YOU

Fermoy Boxing Club would like to thank Pat and John Hurley and the staff at Fermoy Community Youth Centre for all their help in getting our new punch bags erected.

CASTLEBRIDGE CELTIC SOCCER CLUB

- Big weekend -

The coming weekend will be a big one with our juniors playing in the FAI Junior Cup and our U15s competing in the National Cup. Both sides will be playing with home advantage and we hope that it can be a double celebration for both teams – also coming up this weekend the U18 youths’ league will finally kick off.

Our juniors must have a realistic chance of going further if they play to their full potential – the opposition is another team from the Tipp South league, Glengoole Utd, and like our opponents in the last round, Vee Rovers, who play in the same league this should be a tough, physical game with plenty of end to end action and nothing between the sides.

A place in the final 64 of the competition with an open draw awaiting us if we can make history on Sunday.

On Saturday our U15s will also attempt to make history and progress to the 5th round of the National Cup when they take on Greenwood from Cork city at home. We know that Greenwood have a good record in Cork schoolboys and this will be a really tough game for our lads who have yet to field their strongest team due to injuries, but if the attitude is right they have the football and can compete with the best on their day.

Both kick-off times are 2pm on Saturday and Sunday so hope to see as many as possible come out and support the lads.

FIXTURES

Saturday, Nov 22. U15 Umbro National Cup: Castlebridge v Greenwood, in Bridesbridge. KO 2pm. Players to be dressing rooms by 1.15pm. U18 league: Castlebridge v Cappoquin, in Affane. KO 2.00pm. Players to meet in Bridesbridge at 12.45pm. Sunday, Nov 23. FAI Junior Cup 4th round: Castlebridge v Glengoole Utd. KO 2pm. Players to be in dressing rooms by 1.15pm.

TRAINING

Training continues as follows on the astro turf each week – Under 11s and 12s Tuesday 7–8pm. Under 14s and 16s Wednesday 7-8pm. Youths and juniors Tuesday and Thursday 8–9pm.

UNDERAGE ACADEMY

Saturday at 4.00pm we will continue with our academy training sessions for boys aged 6 to 8 and girls aged 7 to 11 on the Astroturf pitch. The U10 boys will follow from 5 to 6pm. Runners and shinguards must be worn – no boots please and each session will last an hour with the cost at €2 per child.

LOTTO

Lotto held in Abbey Bar on Thurs, Nov 13th. Nos drawn: 3, 76, 84. No winner. Match 2: Dave and Mary Hoare, Cathy Drislane, Derry Murphy, P O’Brien c/o POB. Next draw in O’B’s Bar on Thurs, Nov 20th. Jackpot €2,900.

THANK YOU

Castlebridge Celtic wish to thank all our sponsors, in particular Coolagown Stud, Fermoy Credit Union and Frankie Shaw, and to all our lotto and WW/EC draw members for their ongoing support.

KILWORTH SQUASH CLUB

- Outlook for club -

Below is a brief synopsis of our season to date and our outlook for the remainder at Kilworth Squash Club. After a lapse of two years, Kilworth Squash Club was re-established in August of this year following an informal meeting between a number of players who were contacted by phone to attend. Trevor Slattery was elected as chairman, Conor Cooney as secretary while Aidan Kenny was elected as treasurer.

22 players signed up in the space of a week and now the club has 30 players. During the Christmas period, there will be a big push to promote squash in the area in addition to promoting handball and racquetball also. An autumn league was initiated with good participation from our members.

At the time of writing, most of these league games have been played and the tournament deemed a success. In all, 24 players took part, many of whom had not played squash in a number of years. In the background, the ladder tournament is running continuously which will seed all players within the club. A ladies’ ladder will also be created for ranking purposes. Although at this moment there is small interest from ladies to partake.

Two club members took part in the recent Munster Open Squash Tournament in Cork in October. They were Trevor Slattery and Conor Cooney who finished in first and third place respectively in the D grade of the competition. In December, Kilworth will be taking on Thurles and Midleton in friendly matches in order to gain more exposure to different players, squash styles and courts.

In January 2009, Kilworth Squash Club will be entering a team into division 4 of the Munster Squash Association Country Leagues, where we will play teams from Midleton, Silversprings, Highfield, Orchard and Thurles.

A spring league will be organised in tandem with the country leagues to cater for those not on the division 4 team. This league will cater for men, ladies and juveniles and it is anticipated that up to forty players may take part.

While there is currently no formal coaching process in place, if there was enough interest, the squash committee could put a programme together that would cater for all ages and levels.

There are enough adult players within the club that could manage to offer their services on a shared time approach whereby each senior member may be asked to cover a session every three to four weeks. Some light refurbishment work was carried out in late October when the red lines in the squash courts were repainted.

The club also intends to repaint the white walls and sand the floors hopefully over the Christmas period to meet the standards set by other clubs. We would also like to repaint the wall at the back of the court to a brighter shade, as the squash ball can be difficult to see against the dark colour.

In addition, we are looking into the possibility of providing some form of heating to the courts and viewing areas to meet current standards. It is hoped that we will be in a position to generate enough funds to cover these costs but will need to look into this matter further.

The Munster Closed Squash Tournament will take place in Killarney in February 2009 where it is expected that more players from Kilworth Squash Club will participate and improve on our achievements to date.

As with every club, we will be looking into putting a more concerted effort into fundraising that would leave a healthy balance in our bank account. The only expenditures expected at this time will be the court upgrades which could cost in the region of €500 or more.

The Kilworth squash committee would like to welcome more players to our club including ladies and juveniles. We are prepared to put more time into this club if the interest is there and would like to be in a position in a few years where we can emulate the success of our Cork brethren.

In the meantime, if you would like any further details, please contact Trevor Slattery (chairman - 086 947 7210 - trevor@slatterytravel.ie) or Conor Cooney (secretary - 086 823 9754 – conor.cooney@arup.com )

FERMOY RUGBY LIONESSES

- ‘The Lionesses’ roar into action! -

The 16s played South Munster league game on Monday, November 17th.

Fermoy 17 Mallow 20
This was a great game of girls rugby between the Fermoy Lionesses and Mallow, the elements made it difficult with a high wind crossing the pitch.

Mallow playing with the wind in the first half opened the scoring with the first try, the Lionesses then found space of their own and a fine try was scored by Kate O’Shea, Mallow then made some run for their winger to get their second try, Fermoy got another try five minutes from half-time by inform Jackie Johnson.

Mallow to their credit did not waste time and again took the lead on the stroke of half-time, Mallow 15 Fermoy 10.

The second half was strongly contested with neither side able to break the deadlock and with six minutes remaining the Lionesses got through some great rucking to get within striking distance of the Mallow line and Leah Lyons picked from a ruck and from seven metres out made it all the way for a great try which she converted and Fermoy took the lead 17-15 to the Lionesses.

The clock ticking away Mallow to their credit came back and with some great passing crossed the Fermoy line for a try in the corner to take victory in the last minute. Thanks to Bill O’Keeffe who referred the game and to the parents and supporters on the night.

Next game is away to Shannon on Saturday, November 22nd ko 11.30, leaving club house 9.30am, text will be sent out to confirm. Team: Danielle O’Riordan (C), Kate O’Shea (1 try), Louise Buttimer, Louise Fitzgerald, Adina Lyons, Claire Hutchings, Rosie O’Sullivan, Leah Lyons (1 try 1c), Melissa O’Sullivan, Maria O’Riordan, Rachel Boyce, Meadhbh O’Callaghan, Jackie Johnson (1try).

U18

The U18s played a South Munster league game away to Clonmel on Sat, November 15th.

Clonmel 20 Fermoy 20
This was a very hard and physical match, they took the lead when Louise Buttimer robbed the ball in a tackle and ran in unopposed. Clonmel then drew level midway through the half with a good try in the corner. On the stroke of half-time Mairead Rice ran a penalty and passed the ball back to Louise who ran in her second try from our half.

Clonmel scored straight from the kick off and with Fermoy tiring Clonmel brought on fresh legs and with constant pressure scored two tries to take control of the game.

Fermoy despite having no fresh legs to bring on, they rose their game and after some great play Louise went over for a hat-trick (third try), with time running out Fermoy pushed forward and after some great rucking on the Clonmel line, Danielle O’Riordan got over for the equalizer just on full time.

The support of Emer Ferrick, Miriam Lynch, Clodagh Lacey and Justine Fitzgerald all played their part in achieving a great result away from home. Well done girls that is the Lionesses sprint who work together as a team.

Next game is at home to Shannon on November 29th. Team: Mairead Rice, Emer Feerick, Miriam Lynch, Danielle O’Riodran (1 try), Justine Fitzgerald, Louise Buttimer (3 tries), Clodagh Lacey.

U14

The U14s played a friendly on Sat, November 15th.

Fermoy 65 Carrigaline 10
The U14s kept up their winning ways, on a lovely afternoon Fermoy played a friendly against a Carrigaline team. The backs were in fine running form and getting the game off to the perfect start running in a try, in the first minutes.

After this it seemed like Fermoy were going to have the game of open rugby which they enjoy playing but for some hasty passing and not allowing each other room, the opposition were quick to exploit and made Fermoy’s task harder then it should have been came back with a good try of they own. The score at half-time had Fermoy leading 20 points to 5.

At the half-time break Jackie Johnson (captain) had some very stern words with the team and we had a different style of play in the second half, Fermoy put in a bigger effort and workrate which allowed them to outplay the Carrigaline girls and tries started to come much easier running in 9 tries to Carrigaline’s 1 try. This was a much better performance by the home team.

Next game is at home to Shannon on Sat., November 29th. Team: Jackie Johnson (3tries), Leah Lyons (2 tries), Maria O’Riordan (2 tries), Melissa O’Sullivan (1 try) , Rachel Boyce, Sophie Egan (1 try), Meadhbh O’Callaghan, Niamh Dorgan, Becky Collins, Brianne Bartley (2 tries), Moya Gubbins (2 tries), Clodagh O’Callaghan.

BRIDE ROVERS GAA

-Junior B footballers in final this Saturday -

JUNIOR B FOOTBALL FINAL

On this Saturday coming, our junior ‘B’ football team contest the East Cork championship final in Glenville. This is the club’s second team in adult football and it’s a great achievement to get to the divisional final.

We were drawn to play Cloyne in the first round of this championship but this fixture was never played. The game was fixed in the month of June but we got a walkover. This put us into the quarter-final. Our opponents here were Glenville. Having been behind for most of the game we staged a great recovery in the last few minutes to win by 2 points.

Next up was a semi-final meeting with Glenbower Rovers under lights in Carrigtwohill. After a low scoring game the contest ended all square and went to two periods of extra-time. A John O’Dowd goal was the clinching score and we went on to win by two points. This victory qualified us for our first junior B final since 1993. That year we completed a B grade double.

The football team, led by John Joe Barry, defeated Glanmire in the final, which was also played in Glenville. That was our second junior B football title, the first coming in 1981 when Tom Kearney led his team to victory over Youghal. We lost a junior B final to Aghada a few years later.

Our team for next Saturday’s decider is a mixture of youth and experience. Our opponents are Carraig na bhfear who have already defeated us in the A grade junior football championship semi-final, a game, which ‘doubled up’ as the 2008 junior football league division 1 final. Carraig were defeated by Cloyne in the A grade final but have a very strong panel for the final.

They’ve captured titles at ‘A’ level in U16, minor and U21 with a few seasons, so their players are not short of experience. They will, as always, be a very hard team to beat. We certainly need to increase our scoring return in order to win.

Go for it lads, it would be great to bring the junior B grade trophy back to Bride Rovers for the third time. The game is fixed for Glenville at 2.30pm.

DOUBLE DEFEAT FOR U21S

Our U21 football team played Fr O’Neills in the divisional championship final at Rostellan last Thursday night.

Unfortunately, the team completed an unwelcome double, losing this game as well as the hurling final. Played on a perfect sod on a balmy evening under lights this was a strange game.

At times we looked to be in for a drubbing but as the game wore on we were well in it and had plenty of chances to win but kicking nine wides was the main reason we lost. Fr O’Neills were out of the blocks quickly and had two points in as many minutes before Daniel Dooley got one back for us. O’Neills went up by two again before Sean O’Brien kicked over a point from a free.

With Liam Forde dominating at midfield we were winning an amount of possession and after 16 minutes Sean O’Brien levelled the scores at 0-3 each. Then in a swift reply Fr O’Neills moved the ball downfield and goaled.

Shane Murphy from a free brought our tally to 4 but O’Neills finished the half with 4 points to lead by 1-7 to 0-4 at half time. We dominated the first ten minutes after the break, two points from Sean O’Brien made it 1-7 to 0-6.

Then a long ball was finished into the O’Neills net from the fist of Michael Collins to leave us just one point in arrears 1-6 to 1-7. This was a crucial phase of the game and once more our inability to kick over points from good chances was our downfall.

We didn’t score for the last 6 minutes and Fr O’Neills added 1-2 to win by 2-9 to 1-7. Great credit to all the players on duty on the night. They gave their all for the green, white and gold. Well done to each and every one of them.
Team: Vincent O’Keeffe, Stephen Quinn, Shane Kearney, Brian Collins, Stephen Pratt, Michael Kearney, Stephen Boyce, Liam Forde, Stephen Buckley, Michael Collins, Sean O’Brien, Shane Murphy, James O’Sullivan, James Hogan, Daniel Dooley. Sub: Kevin O’Keeffe.

TABLE QUIZ

Supporters, members and quiz addicts are reminded that a table quiz will be held in The Rathcormac Inn on this Friday night, November 21st. The funds raised are to help James Bermingham our club cultural officer with his campaign. James is travelling with the Niall Mellon Foundation next March to Africa. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

AGM

The club annual general meeting is fixed for Thursday, December 4th in the clubrooms.

BEST OF LUCK

Best of luck to the junior ladies who are playing in the East Cork final, against Inch on Friday night.

ARAGLIN GAA

- North Cork convention on November 26th -

This year’s Avondhu divisional convention takes place in Mallow GAA Complex on Wednesday, November 26 at 8pm. Agenda to include: chairman’s address, secretary’s address, treasurer’s address, presentation of medals and election of officers.

LOTTO NEWS

Last week’s lotto took place in Christy’s on Thursday, November 13. There was a fine crowd present and the draw took place shortly after 10pm. The four numbers that would have scooped the jackpot were: 03, 06, 12 and 15. There was no winner.

Consolation prizes of €20 each went to: Mary Gallagher, Fermoy; Sarah Russell, Ballard, Araglin and Mary O’Donovan, Propogue, Araglin. This week’s jackpot is worth €5,800. Thanks to everyone who helps out with the lotto and especially those who buy tickets.

SENIOR CITIZENS PARTY ON SUNDAY

One of the first senior citizens’ parties in the region takes place in Araglin Community Centre on Sunday next. As usual there will be a full house and a great day is in prospect. Anyone in a position to assist should do so.

AGM

Our AGM takes place upstairs in the racquetball complex on Saturday evening, December 6. It’s an important occasion and members are urged to keep this date free.

LOCAL HORSE WINS

Well done to the Undecided syndicate owners of Central Lady who recorded a big race win recently.

COUNTY FINAL WIN FOR BALLYDUFF FOOTBALLERS

Ballyduff put the disappointment of their exit from this year’s county senior hurling championship behind them to land a rare county football title when they saw off the challenge of Mount Sion. A fine victory by all accounts, congrats to captain Brendan Hannon and his team.

BEREAVEMENT

This week marked the passing of Mai Ryan (nee Murphy) Ballyhindon, Fermoy. Mai was a real traditional sort of woman whose loyalties were to her family, her church and her party (Fianna Fail). Someone who was very active socially and politically, she will be sadly missed.