Our Junior Footballers qualified for the semi-final of the Tony Kirwan Plant Hire sponsored competition with a dramatic late late show win over a gallant St. Molleran’s side in Carrickbeg last Friday night. Winning by two points deep into injury time, only to see St. Molleran’s score a late goal, but one last chance saw a converted penalty for Ferrybank to claim a great win.
Two early points from Oisín MacCathmhaoil and Robbie Carew got the team off to a good start, while St. Molleran’s replied with a point. However a good flowing move from the team saw a shot from Robbie Carew come back off the upright, and Tommy Carew was quick to react and planted the ball into the top corner for a fine goal. Hoping that this goal would inspire the team to kick on didn’t materialise, as St. Molleran’s came roaring back with two points. Moments later, a speculative shot from far out sailed over Oran MacCathmhaoil in goal to give them the lead. Credit to the team, as they kept plugging away, and two points from Oisín MacCathmhaoil levelled the game up. Just on the stroke of half time, another good passing move, saw Oisín MacCathmhaoil twist and turn and drill a low left shot into the corner of the net to leave Ferrybank 2-04 to 1-04 ahead at the break.
The opening exchanges of the second-half were hectic as both sides exchanged points with Robbie Carew putting his second over the bar, followed by another point from Oisín MacCathmhaoil to extend the lead to four. However, St. Molleran’s worked the ball down the field, and from close range, got a goal to reduce the gap to a point. But, again similar to the first-half, a great flowing move involving Neil O’ Sullivan, Cormac Heffernan, Oisín MacCathmhaoil and Robbie Carew which saw the latter’s pass going straight to Davy Atkins and Davy palmed the ball to the back of the net for a super team goal. Hoping the lads would drive on from here didn’t happen, and like the first-half, it inspired Mollerans as they hit five unanswered points to regain the lead by one entering the last quarter. But this topsy turvy game saw Ferrybank come back again with points from Tommy Carew and Oisín MacCathmhaoil, and a fine driving run from Neil O’ Sullivan that saw his driving shot just fizz over the bar, but crucially Ferrybank now led by two points.
With the game now deep into injury time and the Ferrybank defence holding firm, and a lot of people wondering how long more, saw the ball go into the Ferrybank defence, and it was gathered by the St. Molleran’s player who sneaked a shot across the goal, which crawled into the corner of the net to give the Molleran’s the lead by the minimum. Thinking that would be it, saw the lads get one last chance, and Oran MacCathmhaoil’s kickout, was gathered by Naoise MacCathmhaoil, whose kick found Shane Dineen, who passed to Cormac Heffernan, and his vision saw the in-rushing Oisín MacCathmhaoil, who turned the defender, but was hauled to the ground for a penalty. With the game seven minutes into added time, up stepped Oisín MacCathmhaoil and calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to roll the ball into the net to secure the win.
Overall, a good game of football was served up by both sides, but credit to the lads who kept plugging away throughout the game, working hard for each other and got their reward at the end. It’s now onto the semi-finals against Bunmahon next Saturday at 1pm in Fenor.
TEAM: Oran MacCathmhaoil, Charlie Atkins, Stephen O’ Kane, Alex Kinsella, Neil O’ Sullivan (0-01), Naoise MacCathmhaoil, Shane Dineen, Cormac Heffernan, Ryan Tierney, Davy Atkins (1-0), Oisín MacCathmhaoil (2-04), Darryl Griffin, Greg Murphy, Robbie Carew (0-02), Tommy Carew (1-01), Cian MacCathmhaoil, Tommy Lane.
INTERMEDIATE CAMOGIE:
Our Intermediate Camogie side rounded off their championship campaign with two games in as many days.
Last Wednesday night, the girls travelled to Bushy Park to play Brickey Rangers. Following a slow start, Ferrybank got themselves back into the game with an Aoife Kenny goal, followed by a Valerie O' Brien point. However, almost straight away, Brickeys got a goal which put them in control, and despite a second goal for Ferrybank by Valerie O’ Brien, it was too late as the home side ran out winners. Unfortunately, the injury list didn’t help with the team losing Rachel Butler during the game, and we wish her a speedy recovery.
Last Saturday afternoon, the girls travelled to play Modeligo with a depleted team in their final league game. Playing against the breeze in the opening half, saw the home side race into a 2-08 to 0-01 lead. Again, the dreaded curse of injuries struck again, with Áine Prendergast injuring her ankle, and despite having to play with fourteen players, credit to the team as they kept playing away with Iona Heffernan scoring a goal and good points from Valerie O’ Brien and Bríd Coady saw them outscore their opponents by 1-6 to 0-4 in the second-half. However, it was too little too late, and this defeat ended their championship for this year.
Overall, it was a tough year for the team, with injuries not helping, but nobody can fault the effort, desire, commitment and dedication that was put in by the girls during the year. No doubt they will come back a lot stronger in 2022. A huge thanks to Paul Martin, Nicky Heffernan, Doxer Burns, Siobhan and Karen for all their help in preparing the team during the season, and hopefully we will see old and new faces next year.
CONDOLENCES:
Ferrybank GAA club would like to express its sympathies to the family of the late Essie Collins who passed away last Friday. Essie served as the Club President for many years. To her sons, Sean and Eoin, daughters Ger, Yvonne, Miriam, Valerie and Denise and extended family, Ar dheis de go raibh a h-anam.
UNDER 6s:
Another excellent turnout for the Under 6s last Saturday morning with plenty of boys and girls learning the skills of our national game. Again, a huge thanks to all the coaches and helpers for ensuring this great turnout, and all those training drills and practice are beginning to pay off.
BENEFIT NIGHT:
The club will hold its annual benefit night on Saturday November 20th at Kilcohan Park. Tickets will shortly go on sale at €10 each, and we would appeal to those associated with the club to support this vital fundraiser, with all proceeds going towards the day-to-day running of the club.
CLOTHING COLLECTION:
The clothing collection is continuing. If you have any of the following items, drop them down to the GAA grounds;
- Clothes
- Paired Shoes
- Belts
Please do NOT send down any DUVETS OR PILLOWS.
Bags can be left at the entrance to the club's grounds on a weeknight, or between 10 am and 11 am on Saturday mornings.
