How they did it!
1ST Game 16th June 2006 St. Catherines (1.03) Oisín (2,13)
Referee Kevin O’Connor
Playing the first game against our host club St. Catherines, a dual club who were founded in 1946 was memorable. Sean Cosgrove was the first to score in the tournament with a point taken in the third minute of the match. This score put the Oisíns in fine form and they continued their scores collecting nine in total before the half time whistle. St. Catherine’s only score in the first half came from Fionola Neville in the fourth minute when she scored a nice point from a sharp angle on the right. St. Catherine’s corner back 12 year old William Walsh, son the All Ireland medallist, Denis Walsh winner for Co. Cork in1986 and 1990, was very impressive and did a lot of damage holding the Oisíns out from getting important scores in this half.
He will undoubtedly follow in his father’s footsteps and was an honour to watch. St. Catherines piled on the pressure on the last two minutes of the first half with three consecutive attempts at goal, all saved on the line by the Oisín star keeper Eamonn Kearns.
Half Time Score – St. Catherines (0,1) Oisín (0,9)
St. Catherine’s Matthew Mulcahy’s shot in the first minute of the second half went wide followed by Fionola Neville’s second score of the match finding another point. The first ten minutes saw a lot of accurate play as the Oisíns extended their lead. Niall Murray’s fine pass to Niall Leech in the 14th minute saw the latter find the net, the Oisíns first goal.
St. Catherines were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute when Patrick Roche who recently celebrated his 11th birthday and plays for Co.Cork at primary school level stepped up and took his goal. The host’s next score came from Daniel Mangan from a 65. The first game over, and plenty more hurling ahead for the Oisíns, they were definitely up for it.
St. Catherines: Stephen Mills, William Walsh, Richie McGrath, Eoin Carney, Michael Wade, Patrick Roche, Fiona Cotter, Richard O’Dea, Matthew Mulcahy, Connor Kearney, Paul Tobin, Daniel Mangan, Fionola Neville, Colm Ahern, Brian Lane, Patrick Lee, Daniel O’Brien, Patrick Fitzgerald, Mark Buckley, Aaron Neville, James Neville, Johnnie Hurley, Cathal Galvin –
Manager: Pat Ahern.
Scorers: St. Catherines – Patrick Roche (1,0) Fionola Neville (0,2) Daniel Mongan (0,1)
Oisíns – Niall Leech (2,2) Sean Cosgrove (0,1) James Montaque (0,5) Fionntan O’Connor (0,2) Niall Murray (0,1) Maírtín McAlister (0,1) Ryan McKenna (0,1)
2nd Game 17th June 2006 Oisín (4,9) Glanworth (0,0)
Referee: N/K
The second game was against Glanworth. An 11 o’clock start on a very warm sunny morning saw the young Oisíns prepared for action and full of confidence following their win the previous evening. They hit the ground running and got off to a great start scoring four goals and as many points in the first half to Glanworth’s no score.
Half Time Score – Oisín (4,4) Glanworth (0,0)
Glanworth were unable to pick themselves up against a strong confident team. However Shane O’Riordan, Ross Murphy and Barry Condon battled hard throughout the game but were unrewarded for their efforts.
Glanworth Team – names unknown. Manager – John Fahey
Scorers: Oisín – Niall Murray (0,1) James Montaque (1,5) Niall Leech (1,0) Gerard McKenna ( 1,1) Ryan McKenna ( 1,0) Robert McGaughey ( 0,1) Eamonn Kerr (0,1)
3rd Game 17th June 2006 Tooreen (0,01) Oisíns (4,10)
Referee: James Birmingham
The third game was played in very hot weather conditions with the thermometer reaching 81 degrees Celsius. The Tooreen support from Co. Mayo was three times greater than that of the Oisíns, however this did not deter the young Glensmen. Although Tooreen did not manage to build up a tally of many scores, thanks to the defence led by Eamonn Kerr who endured a tough fight with his opponent Stephen Cummings, they battled to the bitter end. Paul Lawless, Niall Freeman and Shane Bowland also tried hard throughout the entire game.
Half Time Score – Tooreen (0,1) Oisín ( 1,6)
The finishing score of this match did not reflect the hard fought game. Tooreen’s Connor Henry, son and nephew of the infamous Henry brothers who played hurling for Connacht and Co. Mayo proved to be difficult in wing three quarters despite receiving a yellow card against Ciaran Farrell.
Niall Leech and James Montaque accrued three goals and eight points between them and both played a fantastic match. The referee showed the caution sign a number of times in the game as he tried to curb the enthusiasm of both teams as they fought equally for their place in the Féile na nGael 2006 Semi Final.
Tooreen: Stephen Cummins, Noel Walsh, Enda Kearns, Tomas Murphy, John Waldron, Dermot Crinnegan, Daniel Folliard, Brendan Harrison, Niall Freeman, Stephen Keane, Colin Finn, Neil Murphy, David O’Connor, Shane Muldoon, James Dolan, Michael Caulfield, Daniel Harrison, David Kenny, Shane Boland, Dylan Lynskey, Fergal Boland, David Harrison, Kieran Finn, Conor Henry,
Paul Lawless, Dylan Finn –
Manager: Paul Hunt.
Scorers: Toreen Paul Lawless (0,1). Oisíns Niall Leech ( (2,4) James Montaque (1,4) Fionntan O’Connor (0,1) Patrick Burns (1,1)
Semi-Final 17th June 2006 Erin’s Own Park Caherlag, Co. Cork
Keady (1,10) Oisíns (4,9)
Referee: Pa O’ Driscoll
Was this game difficult, if ever there were nerves abounding it was in Erin’s Own Park. Oisíns recovering from an extremely testing match against Tooreen in continental weather conditions travelling to Caherlag knowing that this was their chance of reaching and All-Ireland final.
They fielded, the huddled, they took their positions and before they knew what hit them they had knocked up a lead of 2 goals and 3 points in the first 6 minutes to no score – 3 scores resulting from frees. The first long poc of the game was from a talented Niall Murray straight to Niall Leech and they were immediately on the score board. Direct hurling was the manor of the game for the Oisíns and the lightening start from Glenariffe was to hold the team together against not only a very strong breeze but a very strong Keady side also.
Ciaran Farrell and Eamonn Kerr held the back line exceptionally well and had their work cut out for them. The team knew they needed early scores and they found them. However, Keady were stunned, they retaliated and the notched up their scores, this was concerning the Oisíns!
The renowned Dean Nugent (Deano), in mid-field for Keady the architect from the Armagh scores was magnificent. His grandfather played for County Armagh Gaelic Football team. Deano is a dual player and a star both in school, club and county not only in hurling but in Gaelic football as well. Nugent was magnificent and will field in the big venues in the near future. Also prominent in the Keady team were the three other U14 county players, goalie Darren Morgan and his cousin James King and Conor Gorvan. The pressure was on for Glenariffe with the first half continuing score for score and the game for the taking. Keady gradually reduced the Oisíns lead, had the supporters from County Armagh on one side of the pitch and the County Antrim supporters on the other with their respective host clubs shouting, singing, praying and hoping for their young sons, nephews and grandsons to triumph. An experience never to be forgotten! What a match!
Half Time score Keady (0,6) Oisíns (3,6)
The teams returned from the break. The Oisíns were finding it difficult to settle with a strong breeze on their backs and with Keady playing Barry Molloy as a third mid-fielder, the Oisíns were finishing with a few misplaced balls. The cheers from the sidelines were deafening, nerves shattered both on and off the pitch and the chance to enter an All-Ireland final only twenty minutes away.
The Oisíns captain James Montague and his friend Niall Leech collected the scores, both players demonstrating magnificent hurling throughout the tournament were assisted by Fionntain O’Connor whose contribution to the forward line from the wing paid great dividends. Also prevalent in the Oisíns camp were Ciaran Farrell, Eoghan Patterson, Niall Murray and Eamonn Kerr. The entire team worked exceptionally well together showing true sportsmanship in County Cork and deservedly heading towards an All-Ireland Final! Keady’s best players on the day were, Dean Nugent, Nathan Green, Conor Hughes (great nephew of Dessie Hughes county Gaelic football player), Conor Gorvan and goal keeper Darren Morgan.
Keady: Darren Morgan, Conall McGale, Tom Shanaghan, Kevin McArdle, Conor Hughes, Damian Gorvan, Sean Colton, Dean Nugent, James King, Marc Toal, Nathan Green, Conor Gorvan, Barry Molloy, Declan McCooey, Brian Molloy, Marius O’Brian, Ruairi Fullerton, Francis Smyth, Cathal Hatzer, Rory Powell, Liam Mulligan, Sean Gibney, Ryan Conway, Conor Mone.
Scorers: Keady Dean Nugent (0,5), Nathan Green (0,1), Conor Gorvan (1,3) Cathal Hatzer (0,1)
Oisíns: Niall Leech (3,5), James Montague (1,4).
The Final
18th June 2006 Pairc Chriostoir Uí Rinn
Donoughmore (1,0) Oisíns (0,4)
Referee: Michael Sheehy
The Final of The All Ireland Divison 4 Féile na nGael 2006 Dr. Brich Trophy!
The young Oisíns made it to the final. The Final was played in Pairc Chriostoir Uí Rinn pitch in Cork city. The opposing team Donougmore in their navy and white stripe fielded to a rapturous applause from their great number of supporters. They are from Cork, they are playing in Cork, and it was a County Cork referee! But the Oisíns from the far corner of Ireland took their position with one thing on their mind – their All Ireland!
The stadium was breathtaking. Young Oisíns having never played in such a setting before, nervously but proudly lined out. They received a euphoric applaud from the Glenariffe supporters who had travelled so far to support them. Everyone’s nerves both on and off the field were really shattered.
Oisín’s captain James Montaque took the first score on the 6th minute with a point, leading his team to victory. The match proved to be very tough with the two squads continuously cancelling each other out. This resulted in a game of little scoring and the game being very tense.
At times the Oisíns made it hard for themselves losing scores from easy targets but they were a long way from home and found the going tough. After all Donoughmore are 2006 League and Championship winners outright. Their manager is Johnny O’Callaghan an All Ireland medal winner in 1986 and they beat Kilbrittain, the favourites in the Semi Final of their section in this Féile to meet the Oisíns in the final.
However the Glensmen were determined to hold onto their one point lead. In the 14th minute Eamonn Kerr blocked Alan Tomey’s attempt for goal followed by a second try for goal by Donoughmore on the 16th minute. This one saved by Oisín’s young goalie Eamonn Kearns. Oisíns efforts to increase the lead were prevented by the very talented James Looney and Stephen O’Connor. The score board was idle. The hurling was tight and very demanding.
Half Time Score: Donoughmore (0,0) Oisíns (0,1)
Three minutes into the second half saw the gifted Oisíns captain, James Montaque collect a point followed by another four minutes later. His team now leading (0,3) to (0,0) it was certainly no time to ease off. And what a shock that was in store for The Oisins. Donoughmore’s Shane Healy took a free from far out, in the 6th minute to find the Oisíns net.
Both teams now level, the will to win, by both teams, their mentors and supporters was so evident in Pairc Chriostoir Ui Rinn. The squads holding each other off with tough powerful and skilful hurling were grasping at every trick to gain victory. The sliotar repeatedly travelled hard and fast up and down the field.
The Oisíns knew they must score and their stalwart Niall Leech took his chance in the 11 minute and accurately placed the ball between the posts. The Oisíns were ‘one up’. They needed to hold this lead and the longer the match lasted the tougher it became. Donoughmore required a score for an All Ireland win and the Oisíns knew it.
The Glensmen tried everything in the book to keep possession and defend. With the minutes ticking away, the young Glenariffe boys displayed great determination and ability. They played out of their skins. The referee was reminded on each second that ‘time was up’ but with two minutes into injury time Donoughmore’s Alan Tomey was racing toward the Glenariffe goal mouth with only one thing on his mind and that was to find the back of the Oisíns net. He aimed.
The Donoughmore manager and his selectors jumped and cheered only to find that the young hero of the match, Glenariffe’s brilliant wee goalie, 11year old Eamonn Oisín Kearns caught the ball and blasted it out the wing. I will never ever forget that moment!
The stadium was electric. The referee was shouted at – “the match was over”! And it was! The whistle blew with cheers and tears in abundance.
The Oisíns Under 14 team were All Ireland Champions!
Donoughmore: Alan Tome, Kevin Horgan, Kevin Kearney, Philip O’Callaghan, Stephen O’Connor, Brian Crowley, Mark Foley, Trevor Relehan, Diarmuid Healy, William Murphy, Shane Healy, Seamus Murphy, Cian Moran, Leon Cogan, Denis Dorney, Evan Hartnett, Sean Wallace, Gearoid O’Rourke, Barry Crowley, Don O’Hanlon, Conor Healy, James Looney, William Foley, John O’Mahoney.
Scorers: Donoughmore – Shane Healy (1,0) Oisín – James Montaque (0,3) Niall Leech (0,1)
Presentation of the All Ireland Division 4 Féile na nGael 2006 Dr. Birch Trophy was presented to James Montaque captain of Oisíns Under 14 Team,
by GAA President Nioclas O Braonainn
WELCOME HOME!
Tradition and heritage play a huge part in the game of hurling in the beautiful glen of Glenariffe and what pride Oisín CLG Hurling Club hold for their Under 14 Team after they brought home the All Ireland Division 4 Féile na nGael 2006 Dr. Birch trophy on Sunday 19th June 2006 from the host county, Cork.
Clubs from all four corners of Ireland were represented as they emerged in Co. Cork to compete in many different venues throughout the county, each participant hoping for success and for their team to return to their respective counties as champions. That is exactly what the young Oisíns did and what a reception awaited them when they arrived home to Waterfoot, Glenariffe on the team bus on Sunday evening.
The welcome awaiting them will never be forgotten. Although exhausted, the young team were soon woken by the loud cheers and noise of air horns as they crossed the bridge, elated to received the guard of honour from the Senior Team, with Oisín’s teams at every level paying tribute and camogs, mums, dads, friends and families gathered in great numbers, flags flying high, banners proudly displayed. Oisín shirts could be seen everywhere. Cheers deafening. Many, many emotions were evident, laughter, tears, hugs, and most of all love and pride for the children who did so well.
What a team!
At heartfelt thank you goes to the Oisíns U14 Team, Sean Cosgrove, Robert McGaughey, Ciaran Farrell, Ryan O’Connor, Eoghan Patterson, Niall Murray, Patrick Burns, Colleen Patterson, James Montaque, Noeleen Cosgrove, Niall Leech, Eamonn Kerr, Ryan McKenna, Fionntan O’Connor, Caoimhe McAleese, Daniel McAuley, Gerard McKenna, Eamonn Kearns, Adhamh O’Neill, Maírtin McAlister, Ruth Haughey, Sean O’Neill, Aaron Cooper and Jack Kerr. A special mention to the young camogie players Caoimhe, Noeleen, Colleen and Ruth who bravely took the field in the earlier stages of the tournament in Co. Cork.
The success of the Under 14 team is due to the managers/selectors David Burns, Gerry Cosgrove, Malachy Leech, Seamus Kerr, Ciara Burns and Seana Cosgrove. Without their dedication, hard work and commitment to the juveniles in the club over the last number of years we would not have the All Ireland Division 4 Féile na nGael 2006 Dr. Birch Trophy. Who knows what the future holds. We may one day see some of the young Oisín’s heroes grace the pitch of Croke Park.
Is Mise
Maggie McToal
PRO 2006
