Paul wins latest award as c’ship groups are revealed
The season just finished was a memorable one for Aghabullogue as they completed the Intermediate Championship double emulating Newcestown who achieved it at Senior A level.
In recognition of this, outstanding dual player and captain of the football team Paul Ring was recently presented with the 96FM/C103 GAA Sports for November in association with the Rochestown Park Hotel.
Paul was delighted to honoured and thrilled with how the season panned out. “It was fantastic really, we had a very committed group of players and the management of both teams worked very well together, that’s what made it all possible.”
As for the challenges facing them in the higher grades, “you strive to get to the top in any sport you play and we will see how it goes after the draws are made, but for now we will enjoy the Christmas and get back to work in the new year.”
Paul also thanked his family and the players for their help all year.
Fittingly on what was his last official function before stepping down at the end of his 3 year term, County Board Chairman Marc Sheehan - a proud Aghabullogue man - was on hand to formally present Paul with his award. “I really want to congratulate Paul and the players on both teams for their wonderful achievement on completing a historic double. It made me very proud that I not only got to present 1 but 2 cups to fellow club members this year.”
“Paul has been a wonderful ambassador for our club over many years and the fact that he was captain of the football was just reward for his work for the club. I would also like to compliment and thank 96FM/C103 and Rochestown Park Hotel for their continued promotion of these very prestigious awards and also for their excellent coverage of our games.”
Kieran McGeary of 96FM and Steve Cox of Rochestown Park Hotel congratulated Paul and Aghabullogue on their wins and also wished Marc well as he completes his stint as County Board Chairman.
Paul was accompanied at the function by family, friends and team mates while representatives of both management teams were also present.
One very special guest was Paul’s grandfather Paddy Mahoney who has given a lifetime of service to the GAA in Cork in several roles. He is an Inniscarra man through and through but very proud of Paul’s achievements.
Paul now joins the other monthly winners in the race for the overall award which will be presented at the gala banquet on 26 January in this the 20th year of the awards. The previous winners were Shane Beston, Ballygiblin in January, Dylan Foley, UCC in February, Willie Duggan of Mitchelstown CBS in March, while April’s winner was Eoin Downey, the Cork under 20 hurler. Cork ladies footballer Doireann O’Sullivan won in May, June was taken by Michael Mullins, captain of the Cork U20 hurlers, while Cork footballer Rory Maguire won in July. August was claimed by Cork camogie captain Amy O’Connor, with Newcestown’s Tadgh Twomey taking September and Cathal McCarthy of Sarsfields winning in October.
Two other awards will be presented on the night: the Kieran O’Driscoll Youth Award and the Donal Lehane Distinguished Career Award.
Championship draws
The dust has barely settled on the county championships and I would suggest some clubs are still enjoying their celebrations, especially with Christmas now upon us.
However last Thursday night in Páirc Uí Chaoimh ,the draws for the 2024 championships were held and there was a number of talking points.
Not least is the number of repeat fixtures that will occur; in fact for the 3rd year in a row, the 3 groups in the Premier Senior Football Championship will have a familiar look to them.
3 teams that have met for the last 3 years will meet again, the 4th team in each group the odd one out so to speak.
Looking at all groups in both codes, I think I am correct in saying that there is a repeat pairing in every group. Now with just 12 clubs in each championship that is inevitable, how do you change it, not easy?
One suggestion, not a popular one maybe, do away with the 2nd seeds in each championship, that would increase the number of unseeded clubs from 6 to 9 clubs - might be worth considering.
As usual some interesting pairings; in football the champions and now the Munster champions Castlehaven will begin the defence of their titles against West Cork neighbours Clonakilty in Group B.
Runners-up St Finbarr’s, who have yet to announce their new management team, open against southside rivals Douglas in Group C, while Nemo Rangers now under new manager Robbie O’Dwyer have a repeat pairing with Ballincollig with Podsy still in charge but likely without AFL player Liam O’Connell. Senior A winners Newcestown are along with Éire Óg are the other teams in Group A.
In the Senior A grade, keep an eye on the meeting of Gaelthacht neighbours Munster champions Cill Na Martra and Beal Ath An Ghaorthaidh, another local derby is Doheny’s v O’Donovan Rossa, and a Duhallow derby features Knocknagree v Newmarket.
The football championship also has a new sponsor with McCarthy Insurance Group in for 3 years.
As with the football, there are a few repeat fixtures in the Co-Op Superstores Hurling Championship and a couple of intriguing ties in the offing.
Champions Sars will be endeavouring to do something they have failed to do on the last 4 times they won the county and that is retain it, can they do it in 2024?
The draw was kind to them, they start against Douglas and with Bishopstown and Newtownshandrum in the group, they will be fancied to progress.
Recent winners and age old rivals the ‘Barrs and the ‘Rockies meet in round 1, and the outcome could shape that group, with Newcestown and Fr O’Neill’s completing the group, word is a number of key players from Blackrock have gone travelling.
The final group is hard to call: Midleton, Charleville, Erin’s Own and Kanturk - any 2 could emerge here.
In Senior A, relegated Glen Rovers with Tomás Mulcahy at the helm were paired with Killeagh, Ballyhea and Inniscarra - they will feel confident of coming out of this group.
The other 2 are not so easy to predict. Blarney Carrigtwohill, Na Piarsaigh and Courcey Rovers with Sean Guiheen back as a manager in one, while 3 East Cork teams make up the final group - Castleyons, Bride Rovers, Cloyne with Fermoy completing the quartet.
There are a few local derbies in Premier Intermediate in the 3 groups: Valley Rovers v Carrigaline, Castlemartyr v Watergrasshill, Aghabullogue play both Ballincollig and Éire Óg, and Ballinhassig v Ballymartle.
All-Ireland Junior finalists and runners-up in the county final St Catherines will face Glen Rovers who they beat in the county semi-final, St Finbarr’s with Paudie Murray as manager and Argideen Rangers.
It is expected that the Master Fixture plan will be released sometime this week and before we know it the preparations will be underway.
January
Time was this month was a quiet one but not now with 4 Cork clubs looking at big games in the All-Ireland championships - two of them finals.
On Saturday 13 Jan in Croke Park at 5pm in the AIB Junior Hurling, it's St Catherines v Tullogher-Rosbrecon and then at 7pm in intermediate hurling, it’s another Cork v Kilkenny encounter with Castlelyons playing Thomastown.
A week before that, on 6 January, it’s the intermediate football semi-final with Cill Na Martra facing Castlerea in Portlaoise at 2.30pm. On 7 January in Thurles at 1.45pm, in senior it’s Castlehaven v St Brigid’s with all 4 games live on C103.
Add in the McGrath Cup, Munster Senior Hurling League, Harty Cup and Corn Uí Mhuirí QFs and it's now one of the busiest months of the season!
General
Congratulations to Willie Ring on his elevation to President of the Cork County Board, a well deserved honour for a man who has served the CLCG in numerous roles over many years, a fitting accolade for the Cloyne man.
It was a brilliant weekend also for the ladies football teams from Glanmire and O’Donovan Rossa who were crowned All-Ireland champions in their respective grades, congratulations and enjoy the well deserved celebrations.
Well done also to JBM, Ben Cunningham and Castlehaven on their awards at the Munster GAA function last week.
Hard to believe there was criticism of JP McManus a few hours after he had donated €32 million to the GAA, camogie and ladies football clubs in all 32 counties.
The McManus family have made a huge contribution not only to the GAA but to many worthwhile causes in his own county of Limerick and the country in general and are deserving of our thanks, and you know what, to hell with the begrudgers!
Finally
As this is my last offering for 2023, my thanks to all who helped make it possible; Brian for allowing me the extra few hours on a Tuesday to get copy in - much appreciated.
To the players, officials at both club and county level in the 3 arms of our wonderful association GAA, camogie and ladies football, your co-operation before and after games in victory or defeat made my task all that easier.
To Derek Connolly, Paul McCarthy and all in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and Páirc Uí Rinn for the help and to Francis Kenneally County PRO - many thanks.
It was a season of highs and lows on and off the field and I suppose that is what makes us do what we do and derive such satisfaction from going to games.
We remember to those that we lost during the year and while there were too many we think especially of Paudie Palmer and Teddy Mac taken way before their time.
So enjoy the Christmas festivities, and all the best for 2024 when we go again pursuing glory for both club and county.