Carbery Half-Page

Good start to Junior Championship

The Bandon Co-op junior A football championship got off to a good start last weekend with three games down for decision. In the preliminary round, neighbours Kilmeen and St. Oliver Plunkett’s met in Clonakilty and, after a slow start, Kilmeen kicked the goals that led to a 4-8 to 1-11 victory. At their best the Kilmeen side looked potential contenders but they may lose some players during the summer.

In Round 1 it was another local derby between Kilbrittain and Barryroe in Bandon and, as expected, this was a close encounter which was again decided by goals, Kilbrittain kicking three in a 3-9 to 2-11 victory.

Tadhg MacCárthaigh, last year’s finalists, were hot favourites against Muintir Bháire but were put to the pin of their collar to register a two-point win against a very committed western side.

The championship continues this weekend with four games down for decision in Round 1. Plunkett’s should benefit from their game last Sunday against Kilmeen but will find St. James hard to beat. The Ardfield men invariably punch above their weight in the championship.

Dohenys second string will be boosted by their senior side’s big win against St. Nick’s but much will depend on how serious Argideen are about their football this season. When they put their minds to it, the Timoleague men are a match for most teams and may just win this one.

Clonakilty’s second string will also be boosted by their senior win and will fancy their chances against Clann na nGael but the Scorchers are motoring well this season under new coach, Brian McCarthy and should come through.

Castlehaven’s resources will be well-stretched by senior commitments and injuries and St. Colum’s will be confident of leaving their poor league form behind in this game. Their win over Clon juniors last weekend may help them to shade this one.

U.21 Football Championship

There is one big game in the Clona Milk U.21 championships this week, with Newcestown meeting Urhan in the semi-final of the B championship. This is a most unusual pairing, with the winner taking on Bandon in the final. Newcestown looked world-beaters last time out against a strong Kilmacabea side but Urhan have looked very convincing with clear-cut wins over Kilmeen and Ahan Gaels. This could be one of the best football games of the season with Newcestown’s experience maybe just edging the issue.

New Championships and Gradings

With the new county championships grabbing all the headlines in recent weeks, teams campaigning in the junior grades in Carbery should not forget that new championships will also be introduced in the division for the 2021 season. A certain amount of regrading will be necessary to streamline the various championships and in order to facilitate the CCC in their grading work it has been agreed by the clubs at a Board meeting earlier in the season that all championship and league results from the 2019 and 2020 seasons will be taken into account. A points system that gives preference to championship results has been drawn up by the CCC and will be outlined to the clubs at the next Board meeting. Hopefully, all clubs will be mindful that their results this season, with the leagues and championships already underway, are being monitored. This should add an extra bite to the games and ensure that a special effort is made to complete all league games before the cut-off dates.

Coaching Flag day

A special fund-raising Flag Day will take all over the Carbery Division during the month of May. All clubs will be involved in the event with the specific aim of raising funds for the new coaching programme introduced in the Division this season. Rebel Óg will be vitally involved in the Flag Day as most of the coaching is aimed at the underage grades. All clubs will be circulated with details of the fund-raising in the next week.

Cups and Trophies

Clubs are reminded again that all cups and shields won during the 2018 season must be returned immediately to the Board for cleaning, polishing and repair work, in respect to the memory of the people they commemorate. March 31st was the closing date for the return of all trophies but less than half a dozen have been handed in.

Scór Sinsir

This coming Saturday 13th April, the All-Ireland final of Scór Sinsir will take place in Castlebar Co. Mayo. St James will be representing Carbery in the final and we would like to wish very best of luck to fantastic ballad group of Áine Fitzgerald, Rachel Hodnett, Rachel O’Sullivan, Amy O’Sullivan and Ashlie O’Sullivan.

The event will be streamed live on the TG4 You Tube channel from approx 4.30pm