INTERMEDIATE HURLING:
The Intermediate hurlers qualified for the semi-finals of the Gerry Kennedy Crash Repairs Eastern championship with a 2-24 to 1-19 over a strong Ballygunner side in St. Saviour’s GAA grounds last Sunday afternoon.
Neil O’ Sullivan opened the scoring in the opening minute, but Ballygunner replied with two quick scores. Mark O' Brien quickly levelled it up, but the Ballygunner forward line was causing a few problems to the defence in the opening quarter, where Cian Martin pulled off a fine reflex save from close range as Ballygunner threatened for goals. Four quick points from them opened up a lead. However, Ferrybank changed a few positions, and began to tighten up in midfield, where points from Cormac Heffernan (2) and Mark O’ Brien (2) reduced the gap to a point at the water break.
Straight after the water break, Ferrybank struck for the opening goal, where a fine catch from Cormac Heffernan was passed to Sam Lawless, and a quick turn saw him drill the ball to the net. This goal inspired the team, and six unanswered points from Neil O’ Sullivan, Mark O’ Brien (4), Robbie Carew (1) and a fine strike on the run from full-back Naoise MacCathmhaoil ensured a 1-13 to 0-10 lead at half-time.
A quick opening score from Mark O’ Brien straight from the restart extended the lead, but Ballygunner came back with a goal of their own, followed by two points, which just left two between them. However minutes later, a long ball into the Ballygunner area was controlled by Robbie Carew, and he was held back in the square, which resulted in a penalty. This was duly dispatched into the net from Mark O’ Brien to open up a six point lead. This gave the team huge confidence, and the Ferrybank defence tightened up considerably, with Shane O’ Sullivan controlling the half-back line, ably assisted by MJ Sutton and Ryan Tierney. The full-back line of Ben Fitzpatrick, Naoise MacCathmhaoil and Davy Atkins repelled any further threat of a Ballygunner goal. At this stage, Mark O' Brien was beginning to excel on the field with a fine selection of point taking from both placed balls and from play, which crucially kept the scoreboard ticking over. Throughout the rest of the field everyone was putting in a serious shift – Robbie Carew, Neil O’ Sullivan, Cormac Heffernan, Oisín MacCathmhaoil, Kevin Hurley and Seamus Burtchaell. As the game went on, Ferrybank always kept a five/six point lead, and with the bench being used wisely, Ballygunner gave it their best, but it was Ferrybank’s day, and ran out worthy winners with a hard fought win.
It’s now onto the semi-final stage, with Erin’s Own waiting in the wings, where a close game is expected. This game will take place on Sunday, September 19th at 1:30pm in Walsh Park. A huge thanks to all the supporters who came along and cheered on the team on the day.
PANEL: Cian Martin, Davy Atkins, Naoise McCathmahoil (0-01), Ben Fitzpatrick, MJ Sutton, Shane O’ Sullivan, Ryan Tierney, Seamus Burtchaell, Kevin Hurley, Mark O' Brien (1-18), Neil O’ Sullivan (0-02), Cormac Heffernan (0-02), Sam Lawless (1-0), Robbie Carew (0-01), Oisín MacCathmhaoil, Damien Ahern, Shane Oates, John Ahern, Luke Flynn, Tommy Carew, Alex Kinsella, Greg Murphy, Tommy Burtchaell, Lee Clarke, Graham Coady.
JUNIOR HURLING:
An understrength Ferrybank side were defeated by Portlaw in the quarter-finals of the John J Murphy sponsored competition last Sunday morning. The team gave it their but, missing a number of key players didn’t help our cause. Despite trailing 1-06 to 0-03 at the break, a fine goal from Tommy Carew gave them hope, which reduced the gap to three points, but a second Portlaw goal extended the lead to seven. From there on, Portlaw controlled the game, and finished with a third goal to secure their place in the semi-final. It was tough on the team, and a special word of thanks to Pat Lawless and Andrew Heffernan who looked after the team throughout the competition.
MINOR HURLING:
Ferrybank/St. Saviour’s bowed out of this year’s competition when they were defeated by a good St. Molleran’s team last Wednesday night on a scoreline of 4-09 to 0-6. This was a must win game for the team, but couldn’t get going, and Mollerans got the goals at vital stages to secure the win.
Last Sunday morning, the combined side finished up their campaign when Clan Na Gael were the visitors. Despite another good performance from the team, they came up short on the day. Even though the combined team failed to make the knockout stages, the lads put in a great effort throughout the campaign, and with the majority of these players available for next season, they will have learned a lot from this. Thanks to Brian, Anthony and Eoin for taking over the team this year, and the lads left no stone unturned in preparing them for the championship.
CAMOGIE:
The Intermediate Camogie team get their Championship campaign underway next Saturday, September 18th, with a match away to Butlerstown at 6pm. The girls have put in a huge effort so far, and will be determined to go one better than last year. No doubt, support will be welcomed, so please come along and cheer on the girls.
COVID19:
As we are all aware, we are still living in the middle of the COVID19 pandemic, and Ferrybank GAA club have been Covid-free so far. Like all, hearing and reading media for the last few weeks of many cases being recorded in schools, the club would like to advise all parents/guardians that if any of their children are advised by their school to isolate for 10 days after being a close contact with a suspected Covid case, could they please notify the Covid Club Officer Tony Power (086-4169215). All calls will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.
UNDER 15 FOOTBALL:
Our U15 Footballers play St. Patrick’s this Thursday, September 15th, in Ferrybank at 6:30pm.
LEAVING CERT:
The club would like to wish the best of luck to everyone who got their Leaving Cert results over the last week. Hopefully everyone got what they wanted and that it will take them onto their next chapter in life.
COUNTY DUTY:
Best of luck to Shane 'Shiner' Ahearne who will take over the Waterford Minor Hurling team next year as Manager, and to Eoin O' Neill who will act as Physio.
