ALL-IRELAND CAMOGIE FINAL:
It wasn’t to be for the Waterford Senior Camogie team last Sunday in Croke Park, as they were defeated by Cork in the All-Ireland final. For our own club member Iona Heffernan, she and the team gave it everything on the day, but a superior Cork side proved too strong throughout the game.
However, Ferrybank GAA & Camogie club are proud of Iona's achievement on being selected to play for the County, and to play in an All-Ireland Senior Camogie Final. No doubt, this was a huge honour for her parents John and Anne, siblings, Siobhan, Cormac, Grainne and Sean to see her running onto the Croke Park field for the match itself, and playing her part in the game. Hopefully, the disappointment will soon be forgotten, and they can look back on a fantastic year for Waterford Camogie. Let’s hope they will come back stronger, and more determined for next year. Also, it was a busy day for some of the Ferrybank Camogie players, with Zara acting as a flag bearer for the big day, and also for Ciara, Eve, and Lilly, who are current members of the Waterford U14 development squad and were part of the on parade during the half time break as well. No doubt, a proud day for them, their parents, and the club.
TEAM 100:
With the playing season in full flow, many people will have seen the progression of the new clubhouse development. Phase 2 (shell and core) is nearing completion, and we are preparing for Phase 3 (fit out) with your help. This is the biggest capital development project in the history of Ferrybank GAA club. With the recent upsurge in the underage section, this development will benefit these juvenile members and indeed the wider community far into the future.
This project will deliver a new building, consisting of modern dressing rooms, and a community orientated multipurpose rooms for all.
Team 100 has delivered numerous projects for Ferrybank GAA club in the past, including our hurling alley, running track, ball stoppers, pitch drainage, car park tarmacking, and the initial enabling works for this new project. We would ask everyone associated with the club; parents, supporters and players to join Team 100, and contribute to the continued development of the club and community.
Joining Team 100 involves paying a €25 per month standing-order (€6.25 per week) to the club, which covers your full-membership for the year. This works out as the price of a few cups of coffee/tea a week.
Please talk to any member, mentor, trainer or e-mail ferrybankgaa@gmail.com for an application form to join Team 100.
UNDER 15 HURLING:
The combined Ferrybank/ St. Saviour’s team made it win number five on the trot with a hard fought victory over Naomh Brid / Cappoquin on a scoreline of 1-13 to 0-14 last Monday. The team had to survive a late rally from their opponents to claim the points.
Things were going well in the opening half for the team as points from Jacob, Sam and Evan had edged the team into a three-point lead. Soon after, the only goal of the game arrived towards the end of the opening half when the busy Jacob having a goal attempt blocked earlier, made no mistake this time when following up on a loose ball, and found the back of the net. Further points from Sam and Evan ensured a 1-07 to 0-02 lead at the break.
An early point from Jacob extended the lead, but Naomh Brid / Cappoquin quickly replied with four points in as many minutes to close the gap. The team woke up, and with Mark and Senan getting on more ball, three fine points in a row from Jacob pushed out the lead further. Naomh Brid / Cappoquin never gave up and caused the defence a few problems, with Adam and Lee holding firm. Welcomed points from Max and Mark F, pushed the lead out, and again it looked like a routine win, but again, Naomh Brid / Cappoquin came roaring back with five points to set up a nervy finish, but the lads held out for the win.
A good victory for the team, and hopefully the injuries picked up in the game are not too serious. Next up is a trip to Ballymacarbry on August 14th to play Fourmilewater.
MINOR HURLING:
Our Minor hurlers maintained their unbeaten run in this year’s competition with a hard-earned win over a fancied Tramore side on a scoreline of 2-14 to 1-12. The team had to work hard in the second half, particularly in defence, where they restricted their opponents just to one point in the final 18 minutes of play.
It was Tramore who got off to a good start with the first three points in the opening minutes, but Ferrybank settled with Conor Haley converting two placed balls to reduce the gap. Tramore were testing Ferrybank’s defence in the first-half, and extended the lead with two more points. However, Ferrybank’s midfield duo of Mark Flanagan and Fionn McGarrity replied straight after with two good points. The opening goal arrived in the first-half when Jacob Richards picked up the sliothar towards the sideline and raced through the Tramore defence and hit a fine shot into the top corner of the net. This goal gave the team confidence, with another point from Jay Bagge, and a second Ferrybank goal soon arrived when great perseverance from Caolan MacCathmhaoil, in which he harassed the Tramore goalie for the ball, and shrugged off the challenge from two defenders, before planting the ball to the net. Caolan MacCathmhaoil then hit over two more excellent points to leave it at 2-08 to 0-07. Further scores from Jay Bagge and Caolan MacCathmhaoil extended the lead. However, a moment of lapse in the defence let Tramore in for a goal. This goal gave Tramore hope and they almost had a second only for another fine save from Kyle Daly in the goal to prevent a green flag from being raised. However, Tramore hit over five points on the spin, which brought the gap back to two points. Ferrybank’s defence really had to work as Tramore were asking questions now, but with the outstanding Paddy Mackey leading the way, closely followed by Conor Daly, Mark Flanagan, and Lochlann Flanagan ensuring nothing was going to be given away, the lads began to weather the storm. Welcomed scores from Conor Haley (2) and Caolan MacCathmhaoil closed out a good win. This was a big test for the team, against a big strong Tramore side, and the selectors will have been pleased with the display.
Another test next week awaits on Wednesday, August 9th with a home game against Clonea at 7:15pm.
Scorers: Caolan MacCathmhaoil (1-04), Conor Haley (0-06), Jacob Richards (1-00), Jay Bagge (0-02), Fionn MacGarrity (0-01), Mark Flanagan (0-01).
INTERMEDIATE HURLING:
Our Intermediate hurlers were defeated by Clashmore / Kinsalebeg in their latest Premier Intermediate hurling Championship match last Friday night in Leamybrien on a scoreline of 2-16 to 2-13.
Despite missing a number of players, they were second best. Despite an early point from Mark O’ Brien, it was Clashmore / Kinsalebeg who got an early goal in the opening five minutes, when the Ferrybank defence failed to clear their lines to open a three-point lead. Nonetheless, successive points from Mark O’ Brien (2), Ruadhri MacGarrity, and Neil O’ Sullivan edged them back into the lead. With a slippy pitch, it was Clashmore / Kinsalebeg who began to get on top, and with their forward line causing a few problems, they hit Ferrybank for 1-05 without reply, with the second goal coming from poor defending to open a seven-point lead.
Badly needed points from John Ahern, and MJ Sutton settled the team a bit better, and just before half-time, a long ball down the line from Sam Lawless was superbly caught by MJ Sutton, who raced through the Clashmore / Kinsalebeg defence and blasted the ball to the net. This goal lifted the team, and further scores from Ruadhri MacGarrity and Mark O’ Brien only left the team down by three points at the break. Further scores from Darryl Griffin and Mark O’ Brien reduced the gap early in the second-half to two points, but crucially Ferrybank began to struggle with putting scores on the board, whereas Clashmore / Kinsalebeg, despite hitting a number of wides, hit over four unanswered points.
Robbie Carew was very unlucky not to see his shot go into the net, as it just went narrowly wide. However, moments later, he made amends, when running onto the ball, and placing it to the net for a badly needed goal. Another point from Darryl Griffin reduced the gap to three, but Ferrybank, despite having a couple more half chances of goals, failed to take them, as two converted frees from Clashmore / Kinsalebeg edged them further clear. Another point from Mark O’ Brien, reduced the gap to three, and with virtually the last chance of the game, Mark O’ Brien’s close-range free was saved by the Clashmore / Kinsalebeg defence, and that was that.
Overall, Ferrybank can have no complaints on the nights, a lot of frees conceded were punished by Clashmore / Kinsalebeg, and the lads will just have to regroup now. Hopefully with a few more players available for selection, it’s a trip to Bushy Park (Brickey Rangers’ GAA Grounds) on Friday at 7:30pm to play Ballysaggart.
Scorers: Mark O’ Brien (0-05), MJ Sutton (1-01), Robbie Carew (1-01), Ruadhri MacGarrity (0-02), Darryl Griffin (0-02), John Ahern (0-01), Neil O’ Sullivan (0-01),
JUNIOR HURLING:
Our Junior hurlers were narrowly defeated in their opening game in this year’s Junior Championship by Ballyduff Lower last Thursday in Kilmeaden on a scoreline of 1-16 to 1-14. A late goal by the homeside swung the game in their favour.
It was a game of two halves as the wind played a big part in the game, with Ballyduff Lower aided with the breeze in the opening half led by 0-12 to 0-05, thanks mainly to a lot of frees conceded by Ferrybank. Shane O’ Sullivan, Eoin O' Neill (3) and Jack Keogh-Moran raised the white flag for Ferrybank in the opening half. Crucially, Ferrybank only trailed by three points with a few minutes to go to half time, but five placed ball frees were punished by the homeside.
With the breeze behind them in the second half, Ferrybank quickly reduced the gap, with points from Eoin O’ Neill (2) and Shane O’ Sullivan. Things got even better for the team, when the Ballyduff Lower goalie could only parry out a shot from Greg Murphy and Pawel Tomczuk was the first to react to put the ball to the net. Further scores from Maciez Tomczuk and Eoin O’ Brien drew the sides level, and it looked like the lads would go on and win from there. However, with a couple of minutes to go, Ballyduff Lower replied with a goal from close range, despite a fine save from Cian Martin earlier. This edged Ballyduff Lower into a three-point lead, and despite a few chances that went a begging towards the end, a late score from Eimhin Burns reduced the gap, but the homeside held on to claim the spoils.
Next up for the Juniors is a home game on Thursday, August 10th against Roanmore at 7:30pm.
DÉISE DRAW:
The fourth Déise Draw of 2023 will take place on Thursday, August 10th. Best of luck to all who have purchased a ticket for it, hopefully we can have a couple of winners on the night.
UNDER 13 HURLING:
The combined Ferrybank / St. Saviour’s U13 hurlers are back in action tonight (August 7th) with a trip to play Clashmore / Kinsalebeg at 7pm.
UNDER 8 FOOTBALL:
Our U8 Footballers played their opening game in Ferrybank last Saturday morning, by welcoming St. Saviour’s to the GAA grounds. Despite the strong winds, both teams put in a great effort, with plenty of skills, tackling, and scores on display for all to see, which was enjoyed by all the parents. Thanks to St. Saviour’s for coming over, and to Damien O’ Donohoe and Johnny McGee for looking after the team.
FAMILY FUN DAY
The club will be hosting a family fun day in the GAA grounds on Sunday, September 10th. There will be plenty of fun-filled activities taking place on the day. Old favourites like Egg and Spoon races, 3-legged race, and plenty more intend to make a comeback on the day for all to enjoy.
More details will follow in due course, so keep the date in your diary. Also, hurling on the greens will also be back. In the lead up to the fun day, there will be hurling on the greens in various housing estates for the young kids to get involved in the game, and venues and dates will come to hand ASAP.
