It’s all systems go in the Hurling scene. Teams of almost all grades are training and playing either championship or league games. The winter pounds are being painfully lost at the training sessions under the guidance of John Carroll and John McIntyre. The attendance at training has been excellent.
U14
The under 14 team were beaten in the final of the Turloughmore Tournament. They defeated Abbeyknockmoy and Turloughmore on the way to the final. This competition was good experience for them for the championship. They have to date defeated Kilconieron, Kinvara and Ardrahan in the championship and are now in the County Quarter Final.
U18
The minors have also started their championship competition. They were defeated by a strong Craughwell team in their first game but bounced back with a big win over Liam Mellows. They are in a tough group with Portumna and Killimor games coming up.
The Junior A team have played two City League games todate, defeating Castlegar in the first game and Turloughmore on the following week. I have previously reported on the Castle game.
The win over Turloughmore was encouraging as this was a strong Turlough team with numerous experienced senior players. Carnmore did all their hurling in the first half, leading at half-time by 3 goals and 5 points to 4 points (a lead of ten points). Some great hurling in that first half from Richard Donovan scoring 2 goals and 1 point; Noel Walshe 1 goal and 1 point and Paraic O’Connell, Noel Grealish and Martin O’Connell 1 point each. There were also fine displays during that first half from Michael Walsh, Kevin Moran and John Keogh. The second half belonged to the defence with Shane Hynes playing brillantly in goals and all six backs doing well. The final score was 3–5 to 1–9, a 2 point win for Carnmore.
The Junior C Team had thir first outing in the city league, losing to Annaghdown on a scoreline of 3–9 to 2–7 for Carnmore. This was an entertaining game with good displays from Gerry Giles in goals, Jimmy Cummins in defence, some fine scores from play and frees by Gerry Madden (scoring 1–5). John O’Hagan scored a fine goal and John Abbott scoring a great point from a line ball.
The Senior Team are playing well. They made a fine start to the Championship with a convincing win over near neighbours Castlegar in the first round of the championship. You have probably read the report of the match in the local paper. The score was Carnmore 1–13 to 7 points for Castle. Carnmore led by 8–0 to 0–3 at half-time.
Some fine displays on the day with all six backs playing powerful hurling, great first half displays from T.J. Hynes and Patrick Killilea at centrefield.
Liam Fahy and Tomás Grealish did a lot of work. Shane Walsh played well at centre forward. The Bomber had a fine game, scoring a total of 1–6, 5 points from frees. The highlight of what was an uneventful game was Bomber’s overhead strike that rattled the Castle net!
Look out for their next championship matches and come along and support them and all the club teams. The Senior team are also doing well in the ACC City League. They recently had fine wins over Kinvara (Carnmore 2–16 to Kinvara 0–8) They next defeated Ballinderreen in the Quarter Final of the City League (Carnmore 2–12 to Ballinderreen 1–12).
The Lotto Committee wish to thank you for your continued support. Your support is valued and essential. Did you know that it cost over £18,000 to run the Hurling Club during 1996 and probably the same or more to run the club for 1997. Did you also know that £11,665 was paid out in prize money during 1996 and hopefully as much during this year? Again, thanks for your great support and if you can help by selling a book at your workplace, please volunteer.
Finally, and most importantly, we had a beautiful evening at Carnmore Pitch on the 11th of April. Fr Tommy blessed the Pitch and Grounds, followed by Mass in the Community Centre with Fr Noel as the main celebrant. There was a great spirit of community participation and support. Over two hundred people were present. Declan Walsh (a member of the Senior Hurling Team read the Readings and four of the Juvenile Hurling Team read the Prayers of the Faithful (Martin King, Martin Kelly, Martin Kerrigan and Tomas Moran). Jim Cuddy led the singing and the Ladies Club did a wonderful job providing all with tea and refreshments.
The Hurling Club were delighted with your support and wish to thank all who made it such a lovely occasion.
The Carnmore Hurling Club Golf AM–AM will be taking place in June. Last year it was a great success and the competition raised over £4,000.
Dates: 27th and 28th June
Venue: Barna Golf Club
