Imokilly GAA Notes.
- Apr 05,2023
By Kieran McGann PRO East Cork Board.
St Ita’s take out full ownership on Pilmore.
History records show that in 1901 St Ita’s played under the name of Gortroe in the East Cork Hurling division and their opponents were Blackrock. The club draws from a population of around 500 in the Gortroe area between Youghal and Killeagh and even fielded two teams, Junior A and B in the eighties. Like so many rural communities there are diehard families working hard and passionately for the Association in St Ita’s to keep the club afloat. Art Supple, showband star, former CC Councillor who has given his utmost to the club over so many years is such an example. There were many great players through their history. Their star man is Sheamie Harnedy who became the first player from the club to play Cork and has gone on to make a massive contribution to the Rebels.
They developed a pitch in Pilmore in 1983 and due to its location near the seaside it is sand based, playable all year round and used by so many including county teams training as the strand is nearby for specialised training and building up the legs. In fact, it was once described by a famous county player as the windiest pitch in Ireland and so near the beach that you could lose a corner forward at low tide. However, it is an invaluable asset to the Club, East Cork Division, and the county.
While the Club have been using the pitch in Pilmore since the eighties the land was not registered with the Land Registry Office in the name of the Club, and they did not have the Deeds or a folio number. They did a lot of work on this over the last few years with many working in the background. Outstanding and long-awaited news for St Ita’s finally broke recently that the grounds in Pilmore have been legally transferred to the Club as now all is formerly regulated with the Land Registry Office. They can no go about upgrading their pitch, replacement of the Portacabins with dressing rooms and enhancing the grounds generally. This will require finances but having the full ownership will assist with GAA loans, grants, and other funding arrangements. So, congratulations to St Ita’s on all their hard work to date and best of luck in the future.
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Photos: Above; St Ita's Junior Hurling Panel 2021: Left; St Ita's, Imokilly and Cork Star Séamus Harnedy: Centre; Ciarán O'Brien wing back, Sean Harnedy, Selector and Séamus Harnedy after winning the Cork SHC with Imokilly in 2018: Right; Art Supple a man that has give a lifetime of service to St Ita's
Imokilly do well in the County Scór na bPáistí Finals in Éire Óg Pavilion.
A wonderful occasion greeted the County Scór na bPáistí Finals on a staging in Éire Óg GAA Pavilion, Ovens. It was a fantastic day for the Imokilly contingent with much to enjoy for the proud East Cork people in attendance. Our Imokilly participants took to the stage with pride and distinction and came away with three newly crowned County Champions and two runner-up prizes. Also, Lisgoold’s Ailéin Ó Faoláin, our East Cork Scór Co-Secretary compered the day’s proceedings as Fear an Tí.
A massive well done to all our Imokilly representatives and a special mention to Aghada Ladies Football - Rince Foirne, St. Catherine’s - Nuachleas who took second prize in their categories and congratulations to our three County Champions, Kate O’Connell, St. Catherine’s - Amhránaíocht Aonair, Stephanie Carr, St. Catherine’s - Rince Seanós and Aghada Camogie - Tráth na gCeist.
Na Torthaí
Rince Foirne
1. Boherbue
2. Aghada Ladies Football
Amhránaíocht Aonair
1. Kate O’Connell, St. Catherine’s
2. Méabh Ní Dhonnabháin, Rosscarbery Ladies Football
Aithriseoireacht/Scéalaíocht
1. Muireann Hurley, Ballinhassig/Goggins Hill NS
2. Odhran Noonan, Shanballymore
Ceol Aonair
1. Ava Thornton, Derrinagree NS
2. Colm Dullea, Valley Rovers/Knockavilla NS
Rince Aonair
1. Rebecca Twomey, Boherbue
2. Caoimhe Cosgrove, Ballygown NS
Bailéad Ghrúpa
1. Ballinhassig/Goggins Hill NS
2. Clonakilty
Nuachleas
1. Ballygown NS
2. St. Catherine’s
Rince Seanós
1. Stephanie Carr, St. Catherine’s
2. Ronan Murphy, Derrinagree NS
Ceol Uirlise
1. Clonakilty
2. Ballydesmond
Rince Seit
1. Boherbue
2. Ballygown NS
Tráth na gCeist
1. Aghada Camogie
2. Ballyhooly
Overall Shield for Best School/Club: Ballygown NS
Congratulation to Kate O'Connell of St Catherines winner of the Amhránaíocht Aonair at the recent Scór na bPaistí seen here with Margaret Whelan Munster Scór and Tony McAuliffe of Cork Scór.
Review of League and Championship and administrative Regulations.
Divisional representatives are meeting with the county board and examining the current regulations that apply to all Adult League, Championship, U18 to U21 Competitions, Secondary Competitions and Challenge games played under the jurisdiction of Cork County Committee and its eight Divisional Sub-Committees and on the administrative set up. In time they will produce a document whereby all Division and the Boards will have a similar set of regulations and our Runaí Patrick Mulcahy is representing the East Cork Division on this Committee.
Divisional Teams have commenced training.
Our Divisional panels are commencing training with their traditional Monday night sessions shortly. The football manager is Eoin O Neill, Aghada with selectors Noel O’Riordan, Glenville, Clive Cremin, Carrigtwohill, Gerry Sparrow, Glanmire and Pat Mackey, Youghal. The hurling manager is Denis Ring, Fermoy, Brian Ronayne, Dungourney, Bill Cooper, Youghal, and Aidan Kelleher, Aghada. The divisional team assist players get on the senior stage and, of course, Imokilly have had great success in recent years. It can be difficult to arrange a training for the panels to we are asking that clubs would be considerate in making their facilities on the occasional Monday evening. Best wishes to both teams on the year ahead.
Strong representation county U20 and Minor hurling panels from East Cork.
Imokilly have big numbers on both the U20 and minor county hurling panels this year. The U20’s already defeated Waterford and take on Tipperary this week in a round robin format, while the minors too had a comprehensive win over the Déise last week and play Tipperary on Tuesday in the same championship format. Best of luck to all.
Back on track again after some adverse conditions.
There were some East Cork hurling and football league games postponed due to the recent adverse conditions. However, pitches are back in order again and we would advise on clubs to pick up on postponed games as soon as possible.
Preparations for Centenary of East Cork Division 1924 – 2024
Our Chairperson Ms Avril Geary has formed a committee to plan for the centenary year of the East Cork Division which was founded at a meeting in Cobh in 1924 with Ben Purcell as first Chairperson. The first meeting was held during the week and Avril is chair of this committee, secretary, Michael O’Brien, Aghada with Gerry O Sullivan and Willie Ring, Cloyne, Ger Lane and John Arnold, Bride Rovers, Oliver O’Loughlin, St Ita’s Dick Fitzgerald, Russell Rovers, and Kieran McGann, Castlelyons. This committee are drafting a programme of celebratory events during 2024 and there will be more information late.
Presentation of Pitch of the Year Award to Cork in Croke Park.
Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh named as GAA Pitch of the Year for 2022 recently were presented with their award in Corke Park last Sunday. There were six pitches shortlisted in the competition and a wide range of factors were considered including the quality of the maintenance programme and the level of pitch use and an expert examination carried out by the renowned Steve Baker. Semple Stadium Thurles and Páirc Tailteann, Meath were joint runners up.
The presentation took place at half time of the Galway v Mayo league final as Donal McSweeney, Oifigeach Gaeilge agus Cultúrtha accepted the trophy on behalf of the County Board from an tUachtáran Larry McCarthy. Stephen Forest, Groundsman during 2022, was presented with the Groundsman award. Donal McSweeney on behalf of the Board thanked all involved with Páirc Uí Chaoimh during 2022 including all the staff and stewards.
An tUachtarán President Larry McCarthy presented the Pitch of the year Award to Mr Donal McSweeney, Cork County Board and Stephen Forest received the Groundsman Award also.
Páirc Uí Chaoimh to host Allianz Hurling League D1 Final
The GAA have confirmed the Páirc are hosting the Allianz Hurling League Division One Final Kilkenny v Limerick at 2pm, on Sunday 9th April. There will be Extra-Time & Winner on the Day and the game will also be live on TG4. Live on TG4. Cork are also away in Ennis to Clare in the first round of the Munster senior football championship on the same day. This is a game the footballers will be expected to take having won comprehensively there already this year.
Queries on First 15s Teams East Cork.
I have noted there are queries on the First 15s teams in East Cork. Please note that that these team lists are set out in our website. Check the ‘Information’ Section. The Regulations are on top and if you press on this the list of First 15’s teams are available plus the East Cork Board Administration Regulations 2023.
Safe Clubs Program – Imokilly.
Patrick O’Brien, Health & Safety Officer Croke Park held a ‘Teams’ support call for all East Cork clubs. However, there were just 12 on the call and some clubs had more than one plus Patrick himself. Hopefully each Club are preparing and / or reviewing their Safety Statement and risks / hazards and be ready for the Audits due to commence the end of April. As outlined previously there will be a special Awards evening at the end of the process. Also, there is a special page on the East Cork Website on the Safe Club Programme in the Information Section. How is you Club progressing.
East Cork Main Sponsors.
