CUMANN  LÚTHCHLEAS  GAEL ===  COISTE  CHONTAE  CHORCAÍ

                                                     Roinn  IarDheisceart

                                         Cruinniú Ginearálta Bliantúil --   Annual  General Meeting

@ The ST.JAMES G.A.A .CLUB ARDFIELD  ON  FRIDAY 29th November  2019 at 8pm.

                                      CUMANN  LÚTHCHLEAS  GAEL

COISTE  CHONTAE  CHORCAÍ

ROINN  IARDHEISCEART Cruinniú Ginearálta Bliantúil --   Annual  General Meeting

Tuarascáil  an  Rúnaí   --  Secretary’s  Report

A Chairde

Tá sé de phribhléid agam imeachtaí na Rinne Cairbre le linn 2019 a léiriú daoibh sa tuarascáil seo. 

Tionóltar Cruinniú Ginearálta Bliantúil Chairbre sna háiseanna breátha seo de chuid Chumann Naomh Séamus, áiseanna a forbraíodh thar ceithre bliana déag agus a chosain a haon ponc a ceathair milliún euro. Ba mhaith linn ár mbuíochas a ghabháil le Naomh Séamus as ucht a n-áiseanna a chur ar fáil dúinn anocht. Is bliain stairiúil í do Naomh Séamus toisc gur rug a bpeiladóirí craobh Chairbre na sóisear A leo den chéad uair riamh ó bunaíodh an cumann céad fiche is a seacht bliain ó shin. Chuaigh an bailéad grúpa ar aghaidh chuig craobh na hÉireann sa Scór Sinsear i gCaisleán an Bharraigh freisin. Tugadh moladh don chumann i ngach áit agus is maith a bhí sé tuillte aige. 

Bhuaigh iománaithe Bhéal na Scairte craobh Chairbre na sóisear A i mbliana. D’fhan siad naoi mbliana déag leis an mbua seo agus fuair siad ardmholadh ó gach cearn freisin. Tréaslaímid a mbua leis an dá fhoireann. 

Ba mhaith linn comhghairdeas a dhéanamh le cumann Bhaile Niúis a bhuaigh craobh idirmheánach camógaíochta an chontae i mbliana. Tá áit mhór ag an gcumann seo i stair an CLG i gCorcaigh toisc go bhfuil foireann shinsear peile, iomána agus camógaíochta ann. 

Ag an leibhéal idirchontae molaimid agus gabhaimid buíochas le lucht bainistíochta agus imreoirí na bhfoirne peile fé seacht déag agus fé fiche a rug an chraobh leo. Thug an dá bhua seo misneach do lucht peile an chontae. Is cúis áthais dúinn go raibh ionadaíocht mhór ag Roinn Chairbre sa dá fhoireann seo. 

Cloíodh le clár na gcluichí a foilsíodh ag tús na bliana agus tugadh tacaíocht mhaith do na foirne. Bhí roinnt fadhbanna ann nuair a bhí imreoirí páirteach i bhfoireann shinsear peile Chorcaí nó i bhfoireann peile fé fiche. Cloíodh leis na spriocdhátaí go léir i gcraobhchomórtas an chontae. 

Rinne Scór Chairbre caoga bliain ar an bhfód a cheiliúradh le ceol, amhránaíocht agus rince i lár mhí an Mheithimh san óstan an Celtic Ross i Ros ó gCairbre. Thug cumainn na roinne tacaíocht mhaith don ócáid. 

Guím gach rath ar chumainn na roinne don bhliain seo chugainn 2020.

The A.G.M. of the South West (Carbery) Division will take place in The St.James G.A.A Club Ardfield on Friday 29th November commencing at 8pm. Again it is my privilege to report as Rúnaí to the A.G.M on the activities of the Association in the Carbery Division during 2019, which has been a very active and busy year. It is important that all 26 clubs are represented and have an imput into the A.G.M. so that we can plan ahead for the future of Cumann Lúthchleas Gael in the Carbery Division.

The Carbery clubs all though winning no County titles which represented the division at all grades performed very well. St.James who won their first ever Carbery Junior A Football Championship lost the County Junior A Football Championship Final to a very strong Killshannig team while Ballinascarty having won the Carbery Junior A Hurling Championship after a nineteen year lapse lost narrowly to Carrig na bhFear  in the County Junior A Hurling Championship Semi- Final. Gabriel Rangers lost narrowly to Knocknagree in the Intermediate Football Championship Final. Goleen lost to Grange narrowly in the Junior B County Championship also losing to St.Michael’s in  the Inter- Divisional County Final.

            The following Carbery referees Ian McCarthy Bandon and Alan Long Argideen Rangers refereed the Cork County Intermediate Hurling Final and the Cork County Premier Intermediate Football Final respectively and again this is a great recognition of the standard of refereeing in the Carbery Division. Other Carbery referees officiated at various County Board fixtures at the different grades.

             St.James,Ardfield qualified for the All Ireland Scór Sinsear Finals in Castlebar, Co Mayo having won the Carbery,Cork and Munster titles in the Ballad Group. The St.James Ballad Group consisted of Rachel O Sullivan,Áine Fitzgerald,Rachel Hodnett, Ashlie O Sullivan and Amy O Sullivanan and must be congratulated on their outstanding achievements in 2019. The St.James Club are to be coplimented fot their outstanding support of Scór competitions at all levels.  Scór Carbery celebrated Caoga Bliain in June 2019 with a very historic function which was very well supported by the Clubs. I would like  to  thank the Carbery Scór committee for organising this  and for all their hard work in promoting Irish culture. At the Scór Carbery A.G.M. it was fitting that a pepetual  memorial cup was presented by Joan Tobin and Family comemorating  P.J.Tobin who worked tiredlessly to promote Scór. The P.J.Tobin Memorial Cup will be presented on a yearly basis to the best participating  Club in Carbery Scór.    

        On a national level Cork Football teams had great success in 2019. Having been relegated from Division 2 to Division 3 in the Senior National Football League after some very poor displays, the outlook for Cork Football did not look good. The success of the Cork Under 20 Team and Under 17 Football teams winning All- Ireland titles in 2019 gave a welcome lift to football in Cork. Carbery player’s involved wih those teams are as follows,the Under 20 Team was captained by Peter O Driscoll from Ilen Rovers with Rory Maguire (Castlehaven) Fionn Herlihy (Dohenys) Maurice Shanley (Clonakilty) Mark Hodnett (Carbery Rangers) Ian Jennings (Kilmacabea) Gearoid O Donovan (Newcestown) Damien Gore (Kilmacabea) David Buckley(Newcestown) 

The following are the Carbery  player’s who represented their Clubs on the winning Cork Under 17 Team Jack Cahalane (Castlehaven) Dan Peet (Clonakilty) Jack Lawton (Argideen Rangers) Ryan O Donovan (Barryroe) Barry Kerr (Carbery Rangers) Sean Bohane (Castlehaven) James O Regan (Gabriel Rangers) Kelan Scannell (Carbery Rangers) and Keith O Driscoll (Gabriel Rangers) 

 The Cork Under 21 hurlers were defeated by Tipperary in the Munster and All Ireland Under 21 Hurling Finals.  The Cork minor camogie team comepleted a back to back All Ireland win in 2019   and the following from the Carbery Division represesented their clubs on the winning Cork team Hannah Sexton Kilbrittain/Timoleague, Claire Kingston (Ballinascarty) Sinead Hurley (Enniskeane) Ciara O Sullivan (Newcestown) and Tara Sheehan (Enniskeane).

Mark White and Liam O Donovan (Clonakilty) won Sigerson Cup medals with U.C.C. when they defeated  St.Mary’s of Ulster in the Final  and  David Lowney (Clonakilty) was a member of the U.C.C. team that won the Fitzgibbon Cup by defeating Mary I in the final.This was a unique achievement as these player’s came up through the Clonakilty club.

 I would like to congratulate all players from our clubs in the Carbery Division who were selected on Cork teams during 2019 and look forward to similar representation in the coming year. I would also like to congratulate the selectors and management of all Cork teams.

The playing of Cork and Kerry in the John Kerins Under 20 Football League and Cork v Waterford in Round 1 of the Munster Under 20 Football Championship was to be welcomed. It is important that our Cork Teams are seen to be playing in West Cork. In July there was a Fele na nGael Hurling launch in Clonakilty which was very successfull.  

The past year was in general another successful   one in most respects. The C.C.C. brought out a championship plan and stuck rigidly to it thus allowing us to finish all our championships in order to meet Cork County Board deadlines. 

In 2019 our C.C.C.  consisted   of five officers, one executive member and a referees administrator who dealt  with disciplinary matters and  any  other  issues  related  to  the  running  of  our  competitions. Early in the year problems developed as regards the number of player’s submitted by the Clubs to the C.C.C. for grading purposes. It is important to reiterate that only player’s who are submitted by the Clubs can be played in the Under 21C Championships. Donal Shorten St.Mary’s was appointed Carbery Referee’s Administrator  for 2019 and he worked very well in proposing referees for our championship games which were then ratified by the C.C.C.  Both the C.C.C. and Executive   worked  very  well  during  the  year  and  I  would  like  to  thank  members  of  both  committees  for  their  efforts  and  help  during  the  year.

 A total of 108 teams entered our various championships and 114 games were played.  The following table indicates the number of games played in our championships (2018 in brackets)

Comórtas    Iomáint    Peil

Junior A    18(18)    33 (33)

Junior B     11 (11)      7 (6)

Junior C     2 (4)    6 (7)

Junior D        -    7 (4)

Under 21A      7 (4)    5 (9)

Under 21B     1 (3)    10 (8)

Under 21C     0 (1)    6 (8)

Iomlán     40 (41)             74 (75)

RCM Tarmacadam   Junior A Hurling Championship

Eleven teams entered this championship and the format had a back door system. 3 preliminary rounds were played with the losers playing off in Round 2. 18 games were played in this competition which included a replay in the Quarter Final between Kilbree and Dohenys where Kilbree prevailed. Ballinascarty beat neighbours Clonakilty in one semi-final on the score of 2-15 to 1-12. Kilbree accounted for  Newcestown  in the other semi-final on the score of 3-19 to 3-10. For the second year in a row we had Kilbree and Ballinascarty  competing   in the final. Ballinascarty were appearing in their third consecutive Final not having won the Flyer Nyhan since the year 2000 while Kilbree were going for the double. The game was played on a well-prepared St.Mary’s pitch in Enniskeane where arrangements were excelllent. 

After an entertaing game of Hurling the Ballinascarty men who showed more hunger to win came out on top on the score of 2-18 to 1-11 and the nineteen year wait was over. Amist great celebration and jubilation the cup was presented to the Ballinascarty captain Cillain Cullinane by Cathaoirleach  Iar-Dheiscirt Chorcaí Tómas ÓLaighin in the presence of Flyer Nyhan’s nephew Barry Crowley and R.C.M Tarmacadam Sponsor J.J.Mc Carthy.  Ballinascarty and Kilbree went forward in the County and both clubs aquitted themselves very well.Ballinascarty had a comprehensive wn over Whitechurch on the score of 0-17 to 0-8 in Round 1 while Kilbree defeated  Avoundhu Champions Clyda Rovers on the score of 1-18 to 1-10. In the quarter-final  Kilbree lost to a very strong Russell Rovers team while Ballinascarty who received a bye to the Semi-Final were  defeated by  Carrig na bhFear on the score of 1-17 to 16 points. Russell Rovers defeated Carrig na bhFear in the County Final.

 At half time in the RCM Tarmacadam Junior A Hurling Championship the  Barryroe  Team and selectors  who won their first Flyer Nyhan Cup in 1994 were introduced to the attendance. A big thank you to the Barryroe Club for their great turnout on the day.

 The Man Of the Match Award, sponsored for the first time this year by Tim O Sullivan Clashawards provider of medals and trophies to the Carbery Board was presented to Jeremy Ryan,Ballinascarty. 

RCM Tarmacadam Junior B Hurling Championship

The Junior B Hurling Championship had 8 teams, a back door system with the Final being played as a curtain raiser to the Junior A Hurling Final in Enniskeane. Kilbree entered the Junior B hurling Championship in 2019 with their second Team. In all 11 games were played in this competition. Bantry Blues narrowly defeated Randal Óg in one semi-final on the score of 1-12 to 0-11 while Kilbrittain and O Donovan Rossa served up some fabulous Hurling in Ballinacarriga in the other Semi-Final where Kilbrittain came out on top on the score of 4-10 to 2-17. Kilbrittain  were defeated by  Bantry Blues  who played some excellent Hurling in the Final which was played in great conditions in Enniskeane on the score of 2-19 to 1-12. 

Four Junior B hurling clubs (Bantry Blues, Gabriel Rangers, Randal Óg and O Donovan Rossa) took part in the County Junior B Hurling Championship. Bantry Blues defeated Gleann na Laoi in round 1 but lost to Araglen in the Quarter-Final, Randal Óg  defeated Rathpecon in round 1 but lost to Castletownroche  in the Quarter-Final. Gabriel Rangers lost to Gleann na Laoi in round 2 and to Lough Rovers in round 3. O Donovan Rossa defeated Belgooly in Round1 but lost to Freemount in the Quarter-Final. 

RCM Tarmacadam Junior  C Hurling  Championship

Four teams consisting of Ballinascarty, Kilbree ,Argideen Rangers and Clonakilty entered this championship which was played on a knock out basis. Argideen Rangers defeated Kilbrittain on the score of 2-14 to 1-11 in the Semi-Final while Clonakilty conceded to Ballinascarty in the other Semi-Final. The Final between Argideen Rangers and Ballinascarty was played in Timoleague and produced some great hurling. Victory went to Ballinascarty who had suffered defeat in last year’s final. The fulltime score was 0-14 to 0-11.

Bandon Co-op Junior A  Football  Championship

Twenty one teams took part in this championship and each team was guaranteed at least two games. There were 33 games played in the Junior A Football championship which included a replay between Castlehaven and Dohenys. The Board had great difficulty in playing this game due to player involvement with Cork Senior and Under 20 footballers. There was one Preliminary Round game. St James defeated last year finalists Tadgh Mac Carthaigh in the Quarter-Final andArgideen Rangers in the Semi-Final to book their place in the Final for the very first time in the club’s history.Likewasise Ballinascarty defeated the last back to back winners 2017/2018 Kilmacabea in the Quarter-Final.They defeated Carbery Rangers in the Semi-Final, their first Final since l993.

 The Bandon Co-Op Carbery Junior A Football Final which was hosted by the Argideen Rangers Club in a well manacured pitch in Timoleague was a unique pairing St.James v Ballinascarty. St.James were bidding to win their first Junior A Title while Ballinascarty were seeking the double having allready captured the Carbery Junior A Hurling title.The facilities and the stewarding in Timoleague was excellent with a large crowd attending.

Amist great excitement in a very tight sporting Game refereed well by Andrew Whelton Clonakilty St. James Ardfield emerged as winner’s on the score of 0-11 to 0-9.

  The Mick McCarthy Cup was presented to the St.James  captain Joseph O Sullivan  for the very first time in their Club history  by Cathaoirleach  Iar-Dheiscirt Chorcaí  Tomás Ó Laighin, also present was Michael O Driscoll from Bandon Co-Op. Great scenes of jubilation by player’s and supporter’s young and old was witnessed in the Timoleague  pitch  after the cup was presented.

The Man of the Match sponsored by Tim O Sullivan, Clashawards,  Innishannon  was presented to Alan O Shea, player manager of  St.James for his great free taking and outstanding display.

At Half-Time the Argideen Rangers Team and panel captained by Barry Harte who won the Carbery Junior A Football Championship in 1994 were introduced to the crowd amid great applause. Again the Argideen Club are to be commended for their great turnout of player’s and selectors.

 St.James and Ballinascarty went through to the County Junior A Football Championship series. Ballinascarty had a one point win over Erins Own in round 1 but were defeated by Iveleary in the Quarter-Final.Ballinascarty played nine weekends in a row which took its toll on the panel of player’s most of whom were involved in the Junior A hurling team as well. 

St.James had a comprehensive over Cobh in Round 1 and then narrowly defeated a fancied Boherbue team in the Quarter-Final on the score of 1-11 to 0-12 to book a meeting with St.Michaels in the Semi-Final in who they defeated  on the score of 1-12 to 0-9 to book a final place.

In the County Final St.James were defeated by a very strong  Killshannig team who last  year  had success at Premier 2 Minor Football against St.Finbarrs and  recently they defeated Douglas in the Cork County Under 21A Football Championship. St. James who conceded no goal in the complete championship campaign are to be congratulated for their huge efforts in the Cork County Junior A Football Championship.  

It was decided that there would be no relegation in the Junior A Championship for 2019 due to the new Championship system been introduced in 2021 

Bandon Co-op  Junior B Football Championship

The two Junior B graded football clubs were joined by Newcestown and Bantry Blues second team’s in this competition. The championship was played in a round robin system which was decided by the Clubs at the Carbery A.G.M. with all Clubs suppose to get three games. There were seven games played in this competition but unfortunetely Bantry Blues conceded to Randal Óg in Round three of the round robin series. Newcestown and  Goleen qualifed for the Final with victory going to Goleen on the score of 18 to 0-9 after a very competitive which was played in Castlehaven. In the County Inter-Divisional Series Goleen receive a walkover from Beara representatives Urhan in the Quarter- Final. Goleen defeated Bride Rovers in the Semi-Final on the score of 2-7 to 0-11 and qualified for the County inter-Divisional Junior B Football Final against a verystrong St.Michaels team in which they lost. 

Two of the Junior B football clubs (Goleen, & Randal Óg) took part in the County Junior B Football Championship. Randal Óg defeated Lough Rovers in round 2 but lost to Grange in the Quarter-Final. Goleen defeated Lough Rovers comprehensively in round 1. In the quarter-final Goleen defeated Abbey Rovers and qualified for the Cork County Junior B Football Championship Final by defeating Deel Rovers in the Semi-Final but narrowly lost to Grange in the County Final on the score of 2-4 to 0-7.

Bandon C-op Junior C Football Championship

 Seven teams entered this championship. In the semi-finals Clonakilty had a narrow win over Tadgh Mac Carthaigh while Kilmacabea defeated Kilmeen after a replay. In the final played in Ardfield on Saturday 16th November in great conditions Kilmacabea defeated Clonakilty in a very close game on the score of Kilmacabea 0-14 Clonakilty 1-10.  This Final was refereed by Shane Scanlon Newcestown one of our new Referees in the Carbery Division and he had a fine game.

Bandon Co-op Junior D Football Championship

8 teams entered this championship. In the Semi-Finals Carbery Rangers defeated Ilen Rovers on the score of 3-7 to 2-4 while  Clann na nGael were vitorious over Muintir Bhaire in a high scoring game which ended 3-15 to 1-16.  In the final played in Skibbereen Clann na nGael and Carbery Rangers ended level after a exciting good game of football on the score of 2-12 to 3-9.The replay  which also included the Carbery/Beara  Division 5 Football League Final was won by Carbery Rangers on the score of 0-11 to 1-4.It was fitting that a tribute was paid in the programme to the late Vince Collins Clann na nGael who passed to his eternal reward earlier this year.

                                                    CLONA  MILK  U21  CHAMPIONSHIPS

Under 21A Hurling Championship: 

 Eight teams took part in this championship.This Championship has to be looked at as regards when we can play it. Owen Gaels defeated Ahan Gaels in a Quarter-Final game on the 29th July but we could not play the other Quarter-Finals due to player’s been involved with their adult Teams in Championships and Relegation games at County and Divisional level.In the remaining Quarter-Finals Kilbrittain defeated Bandon. Ibane Gaels defeated Dohenys while Clonakilty fielding a understrength team proved no match for Newcestown.  In the Semi-Finals Newcestown defeated Ibane Gaels on the score of 0-21 to 1-11 while Kilbrittain had a 2-15 to 2-7 victory over Owen Gaels. The Final which was a thriller played in Enniskeane between Kilbrittain and Newcestown was one of the best hurling games played in the Carbery Division in recent years. This final had skill, technique, great scores,fantastic defending and level on a number of occasions before entering extra time. In extra time it was score for score before Newcestown emmerged as winners on the score of 1-25 to 2-19. Thanks is due to the selectors of both clubs for the skill they have imparted and coached to these  player’s.

                     .                                                            

Under 21B Hurling Championship: 

Two teams entered this championship. Randal Óg having won the C grade in 2018 played Kilbree in the Final. In the first half Randal Óg accounted for themselves very well but the experience of Kilbree prevailed in the second half to emerge as  winner’s on the score of 1-20 to 0-11. Kilbree are fixed to play Castlemartry  who are nominated  from  the Imokilly  Division on Sunday 24h November in Pairc Ui Caoimh’s 4G  pitch.

Under 21C Hurling Championship:  

Three teams entered this championship namely St.Patricks, Gabriel Rangers and St.James. St.James withdrew from the competition due to lack of player’s which needs to be addressed by the Carbery Board and Cork County Board as a matter of  urgency. Rural decline is one of the most serious issues facing the Association in the fielding of teams. Gabiel Rangers received a walkover from St.Patricks in the final.

Under  21A  Football  Championship:  

Six teams participated in this championship.In the semi-finals Doheny’s accounted for Carbery Rangers on the score of 0-20 to 1-13 while O Donovan Rossa defeated Castlehaven on the score of 1-12 to 1-8. The final between Dohenys  and O Donovan Rossa was played in Castlehaven with O Donovan Rossa emerging as winners on the score of 1-9 to  0-10.  O Donovan Rossa, Doheny’s, Carbery Rangers, and Castlehaven, competed in the County Championship.In round 1 Carbery Rangers lost to St.Michael, Doheny’s lost to Charleville, O Donovan Rossa lost to St.Finbarrs after a replay while Castlehaven were  defeated by Douglas. 

Under 21B  Football  Championship: 

Eleven teams took part in this competition.This includes three teams which have been regraded from Under 21A namely Bantry Blues, Ahan Gaels and Ibane Gaels. Urhan from the Beara Division requested again to enter a team into this grade which was accepted by the C.C.C.  Bandon defeated Owen Gaels in one semi-final while Newcestown defeated Urhan in the other. In the Final which had great rivalry and excitement played in Enniskeane Newcestown had a one point win over Bandon on the score of 0-16 to 1-12. This final was played on Sunday 28th April despite having games postponed due to extreme bad weather and a player being involved with the Cork Senior Footballer’s in the National Football League Competition. Newcestown defeated Na Piarsaigh in the Cork County Quarter-Final on the score of 1-14 to 0-11 which was played on the 26th October. They also defeated Duarigle Gaels on the score of 2-11 to 0-13 to qualify for the county final.

Under 21C  Football  Championship:

 Six teams took part in this championship which was organised with a Plate Competition for the losers in an effort to give teams as many competitive games as possible and create more interest in the     competition. This competition in the cup had to be delayed after Round 1 was played and  a  investigation was taken out by the C.C.C. into the number of player’s composition of teams that were submitted for grading purposes. In the cup semi-finals Randal Óg had a one point win over Tadgh Mac Carthaigh on a score of 2-10 to 0-15 while Goleen defeated Clann na nGael on the score of  0-14 to 2-4. In the final played in a fantastic surface in Church Cross Randal Óg defeated on the score of 1-12 to 1-7. Randal Óg  were defeated by  Whitechuch after a replay because the first game was abandoned due to a serious injury to a Randal Óg player on the score of 3-10 to 2- 4

LEAGUES

The football & hurling leagues were organised with promotion and relegation between all divisions. The football leagues had five divisions while the hurling leagues had three divisions. The leagues were arranged by a league committee comprising of five Carbery officers and one Béara officer. The majority of the games were arranged and scheduled by the committee. There was a vast improvement in the number of games played.  The Carbery/Béara Division 1&2 football leagues and the Division 1 & 2 Carrbey Hurling League ran off very well with a cutoff point of the 30th June with extension given until the 14th July. The Divisions 3 and 4 Football cut off date was 30th September and the Division 5 Football cut off date was 31st October as was any outstanding League games from any division to save the fine. The Carbery Division 1 hurling league was very successful with only 3 fixtures not played and one conceded. In the Division 2 hurling league 2 games were conceded with 2 games were unplayed. Both the league co-ordinator for football P.R.O. Martina Burns and for hurling, Vice-Chairperson Aidan O Rourke have a comprehensive report on the leagues. I would like to thank Martina and Aidan for their huge effort in organising the leagues and referees.   

 The leagues and the regulations will be reviewed for the year ahead and the regulations for the leagues will have to be enforced more vigorously especially where there are games called off and the League Co-Ordinator/ Runaí are not notified by email of why the fixture is called off and a agreed refixture date by both clubs .

Outlined below is a brief synopsis of the Leagues 2019:

Carbery/Beara JFL Division 1: 

10 teams took part in the league. 43 of the 47 games were played and 4 games were not played. Kilmacabea and  Balinascarty qualified for the Final played in Rosscarbery with Ballinascarty winning on the score of 2-10 to 1-9 which ended  a great year  for the Ballinascarty club in both hurling and football. 

Carbery/Beara JFL Division 2: 

9 teams took part in the league. 34 of the 37 games were played with 2 games conceded and 2 games unplayed. Urhan defeated Muintir Bhaire in the final on the score 0-13 to 1-6 played in Durrus in their new pitch development. Urhan  and Muintir Bhaire are promoted. Both St. Mary’s and Ilen Rovers are relegated

 Carbery/Beara JFL Division 3: 

9 teams took part in the league. 30 of the 36 games were played with 2 games conceded and four games not played. Kilbrittain defeated Kilmacabea in the final which was played in Clonakilty in  mid   July. Kilbrittain and Kilmacabea are promoted to Division 2.

Carbery/Beara JFL Division 4

7 teams entered this league. 15 of the 21 games were played. 3 games conceded and 3 unplayed games.A vast improvement in this League in the amount of  games played this year. Castletownbere defeated St.Colums in the Final on the score of 1-11to 1-3 played on the 24th November in Kealkil.

Carbery/Beara JFL Division 5: 

This league consisted of 4 teams with 11 games. 5 played and 6 unplayed games. This league was extended to the 31st October with only one extra game being played. There is a proposal in from the St.James Club as regards the regulations in the Division 5 Carbery/Beara Football League and the incoming League Sub-Committee will arrange to organise this  League in conjunction with the teams entered in this League. Carbery Rangers defeated Clann na nGael in the League Final played in conjunction with the Bandon Co-Op sponored Junior D Football Championship Final Replay on the score of 0-11to 1-4.

Carbery JHL Division 1: 

7 teams teams took part in this league. 17 out of 221 games were played while 12 game were unplayed and 2 games were conceded.  The final between Kilbree and St. James in fixed for Saturday 30th November. St. Colums  were relegated to Division 2. 

Carbery JHL Division 2: 

7 teams took part in this League with 19 games played. 1 game conceded, 1game unplayed  Newcestown defeated  Bandon  in  the final.

Carbery J.H.L.  Division 3:

6 teams entered this league with 9 games played. 6 games were unplayed. Kilbree and Bantry Blues  have qualified  for the final. 

                                                               MICHAEL  HOLLAND  CUP

This year the three intermediate clubs of the division and the Carbery senior hurling team took part in the Michael Holland Cup. In the semi-finals Argideen Rangers defeated Kilbrittain and Carbery received a w/o from Barryroe.The final between Argideen  Rangers and Carbery is not yet  played . The Michael Holland Cup needs to be seriously addressed by the incoming Carbery Executive Cmmittee.

Dr. MICHAEL HERLIHY CUP

The Board again organised a football cup competition for 1st Years of the secondary schools in the division. The new system was introduced last year with competitions for a plate, shield and cup was continued. The following schools competed for the Dr. Michael Herlihy Cup: Hamilton High A, Skibbereen A, Bantry A and Clonakilty A .

CUP FINAL

Scoil Phobail Beanntraí defeated  Hamilton High in a cracker of a game in Castlehaven before A u21 final. This was the first time that Bantry had won it. It was one of the best games of football played all year.

SHIELD FINAL

This was played in Dunmanway with 4 schools competing in a round robin with each school getting 3 games.

Schull CC and MICC Dunmanway were the two top teams and they played a very close game in the final with Schull CC winning by 2pts.

PLATE FINAL

Hamilton High School Bandon won the Plate, this is for schools second teams , it is brillant as it gives more players in first yr games and keeps them intrested in playing.

Ove all there was 15 games played in Dr Herlihy Cup with over 180 players taken part. 

Thanks to all PPS for their co-operation in the running of the Dr Michael Herlihy competitions, thanks to the referees who refereed the games and thanks also to GDA James McCarthy and G.PO. Paudie Crowley for their organisation of the competition.

CARBERY TEAMS

This year sees the end of the format for the senior championships which was agreed for two years. The divisional teams plus the colleges would play off in March with the top 2 teams going through to the knockout championship round 3. 

Going forward in 2020 Carbery Senior Footballers are losing player’s from the Bantry Blues and Bandon Club who have been both promoted to the Senior A Grade Football Championship. I would like to congratulate and thank the Bantry Blues and Bandon Clubs for their huge contribution to Carbery Senior Football teams over a long number of years. Again I believe this is a move to deminish the Divisional Teams which have served Cork Football and Hurling very well over a long number of years. Playing the Divisional/Colleges Championships in March is doing nothing to improve the standard of hurling and football in Cork and now by introducing a Senior A Grade Championship you are now denying the player’s partaking in this Championship the right to play and mayby win the Andy Scannell or Sean Og Murphy Cups. We have to wait and see but I believe that introducing this two tier system will not improve the standard of football and hurling in Cork.  One Divisional/ College  team qualifying for the playoff  stages of the Senior Hurling and Football Championship is again a deterrent to player’s from Junior Clubs to improving and developing their skill level.we need a level playing pitch where all player’s are treated the same for Cork hurling and football to progess. 

FOOTBALL: 

 On 18th March 2019 the Carbery Senior Footballers were beaten by 2-11 to 0-19 points  by  Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) at Brinny ,Innishannon, in a very  enteraining   and  competitive game which resulted in the team exiting this years Cork County Senior Football Championship at the first  hurdle.Below is a report from  Team Manager Tim Buckley and the selectors.To the Carbery Manager and Football Selectors on behalf of the Carbery Board I would like to thank you for the huge contribution  you made during the year

 SYNOPSIS

 We first  gathered on the 2nd of November 2018 and between then and March set about constructing a panel of players that we deemed capable of mounting  a challenge in this years Senior Football Championship,over the next 3 months we invited over 60 players into our group, arriving at a panel of 37 players representing 15 clubs in the Division .

 During the months of November/December/January/and February we trained on 18 occasions, played 8 matches and had the group together regularly , travelling to Kerry frequently as well as playing games here in West Cork and the City.

 Our budget included 

·         E1000 Physiotherapy for players on match days and training

·         E700 Strength and Conditioning

·         E200 Match videos and referees

·         E1100 post  match food (players got hot food after every game and training session)

I wish to publicly acknowledge the unrelenting support, attention to detail and dedication of the Senior Football Management team, Sean O Donovan (Kilmeen/ Kilbree) Gene O Donovan( Goleen) Finbarr McCarthy (St James) Gavin Kiely (Bandon) and Alan O Shea (St James)

 Appreciation also goes to Board members Donal McCarthy, Runai (Liason Officer),Pat O Flynn (Hon Treasurer),Tom Lyons (Cathhoirleach),Aidan O Rourke( County Board Delegate) Martina Burns ( PRO)and David Whyte (Liason Officer Carbery Senior Hurlers) for the amazing support received throughout our preparations

 I wish to sincerely thank the Randal Og Club for the use of facilities in the winter months,as well as the Kilmeen/Kilbree and St James Clubs for the use of bibs,cones and training equipment.

 A huge depth of gratitude is also owed to Donal Shorten who travelled to every fixture providing First Aid cover free of charge and at his own expense,thus reducing our budget significantly.

I wish to publicly acknowledge the foresight of the players,who displayed great feats of selflessness and commitment to Carbery Senior Football and surely deserved more,and also to the Clubs who very quickly saw the benefit of their players competing at Senior Football level with Carbery.

And finally a huge thank you to the Carbery Board for providing a fine meal for the players and management after the CIT match, and for also contributing to the players purchase of Carbery Gear.

HURLING:

  Carbery began their preparation for this years Championship in early January this year being the 25th Anniversary of Carbery defeating Midleton in the Senior  County Hurling Championship in 1994.

 The selectors Charlie Vaughan, Kevin Mc Carthy,Tom Scannell, Fergal Keohane, Dermot Hayes ,Vincent Dullea, coach John Paul O Callaghan along with liaison officer, David Whyte  and the  players must be thanked for their efforts.

Carbery Hurler’s trained in the Astro pitch in Clonakilty for the month of January and early February. The Clonakilty Club must be thanked for the use of their facilities.

Two challenge games were played, one against Muskerry which ended in a draw and the second against C.I.T. which Carbery won.Other challenge games were organised against Duhallow and Carrigdouhn but had to be cancelled due to inclement weather.

In round 1 of the Championship Carbery had a fantastic win over Avoundhu on a score of 2-16 to 0-18 with a panel of  31 player’s.

Next up were County Champions Imokilly in Pairc Ui Rinn. Carbery were going point for point with Imokilly in the first 20 minutes but unfortunatly Carbery were reduced to  14 player’s after a very harsh sending off. Imokilly with numerical advantage went on to win on the score of 0-24 to 0-10. 

Minor Hurling:

This year Carbery again were not allowed to enter a team in the Premier 1 County Hurling Championship in spite of the Carbery Board requesting it. This was very disappointing for the players from clubs within the division who would like to play hurling at a high standard. What is this doing to broaden and develop hurling? 

I believe all players should be afforded the same chance to develop their skills whether it is hurling or football. Players from Carbery are not getting that chance in hurling.

CARBERY SENIOR HURLING TEAM 25TH ANNIVERSARY 

The Carbery Board hosted a function in the Munster Arms Hotel Bandon on Saturday 26th October to mark and celebrate the Carbery Senior Hurling team winning the Cork County Senior Hurling Championship in 1994.There was a great turnout of players with all the clubs involved represented.

 A framed certificate was presented to the players and the relatives of deceased player  by the Carbery Board President Sean De Barra who was Rúnaí of the Carbery Board in 1994. Also present was Monica Mc Carthy wife of the late Chairman Denis Mc Carthy (Kilmeen/Kilbree) and Maria Ahern wife of the late Cisteoir John Ahern (Bandon)

The Carbery 1994 County Champions were also honoured by the Cork County Board on the day of the Cork County Hurling Final in Pairc Ui Rinn 

REFEREES

I wish to place on record our deep appreciation of the indispensable and outstanding service rendered by our referees throughout the year in championship and league competitions. It is important that our players and members realise the dedicated and quality service that our referees provide. Instances of abuse are unacceptable and should be severely penalised.

Two Referees In-Service Courses for existing referees were held in Bantry and Clonakilty during February. A total of 38 referee’s attended.  

 We still have clubs in the Carbery Division that do not provide referees for our championship programme. At times this year the availibility of referees for our Championship games was a serious problem. Thanks to the  referee’s who officiated at very short notice. Clubs will have to face reality and provide new referees to officiate at   championship fixtures, otherwise we will have to call off thse fixtures. Also  Clubs must be prepared to support their referee’s doing championship games by providing umpires and linesmen. 

The referees from the clubs who provide referees must be thanked for helping us to play all our championship programme in 2019.

 We also congratulate all the referees who officiated at County Board championship games during the year. It is great to see our Carbery referees gaining recognition at county  board level.

I would like to thank Donal Shorten Carbery Referee’s Administrator for his great support in nominating Referees for championship games which were ratified by the Carbery C.C.C,  thanks also to Gerard Harrington county referees administrator for his help

CLUBS

We’re most indebted to all the clubs of the division for making their venues available for  for our championship games sometimes at short notice, especially the clubs that made their pitches available for our U21 Football Championships. Special thanks to the Castlehaven Club for the use of Union Hall in the spring when there was a lot of inclement weather. Clubs are now becoming so protective of their pitches, and understandably so, considering the monetary and voluntary investment it has taken to provide the facilities. I must compliment the clubs of the division who have completed new developments. 

Muintir Bhaire (New playing pitch completed with dressingrooms to be built)

Bantry Blues (Refurbishment of existing playing pitch completed).

St Oliver Plunketts (Development of a second playing pitch completed)

GAMES  DEVELOPMENT 

School coaching is as important as ever, all club school coaches were invited to a workshop in Ahamilla in October, this is an effort to gain consistency across the division though networking and upskilling. I would like to thank the clubs for continuing to invest in their schools, our local schools are the heartbeat of our communities and will continue to feed our clubs in the future.

It is important to acknowledge the backing of the Carbery Clubs and Chairde Chorcaí  coming on board with the finances to part fund a full time coach in the Carbery Division for two years. The Carbery Board are paying €15,000.00 per year over the next two years towards this project which I believe is money well spent and will develop coaching in Carbery in the clubs where it should be.

The Carbery Executive Committee decided that it would take up the offer from Cairde Chorcaí  and avail of the full time coach for 2 years with a review then.

Again I would like to thank Cathaoirleach Tómas Ó Laighin, G.D.A .James Mc Carthy and Coaching Officer Mark O’ Donovan for the work they put in in order that Carbery  could get this coaching officer.

Coaching officer, Mark O’ Donovan had a meeting with all the clubs in the division to determine their coaching needs to get all club coaches trained to coach players the skills of hurling and football.

The 1st Year football competition for the secondary schools of the division which proved to be very popular among the schools was again organised with the help of GDA James McCarthy. This was played as a shield, plate and cup competition this year. 

All the Clubs who gave their pitches and facilities are to be thanked. 

CARBERY ACADEMY  2018

We had in total 120 players who came in to us for training and games.

We had three centres , Bantry , Skibbereen, Clonakilty. These we call Pods. They played each other during the year and against Pods in other regions of Cork. Every player got a chance to play games in Pairc  Ui Chaoimh 4g during the year.

85 players finished out the year with us and were presented with their Carbery academy top at a function in the Parkway Hotel Dunmanway,

50 of these players went on to play for the 2 Cork West U14 football teams and one Hurling team. The Cork South West team won the Regional County final playing some great football in the final. This team was made up of Players from Clubs from Carbery Rangers west. This all started with the Carbery Academy.

 The Carbery U13 Academy which was launched in December 2013 has continued in 2019 with some changes to the running structures. Certs and tops will be presented to the Carbery Academy Under 13 boys on Saturday 14th December at 5pm. I would like to thank Tim Lowney of the The West Cork Hotel Skibbereen for sponsoring the hall and the food and also Laide & O’ Brien Ltd. for sponsoring the tops.

Mark O’ Donovan’s report as Carbery Coaching Officer is enclosed and I would like to thank Mark for his outstanding work during the past three year’s as Coaching Officer.

CARBERY G.A.A. MONTHLY AWARDS:

 The Carbery G.A.A. Monthly Awards Banquet 2018 which was held in the Westlodge Hotel Bantry on Saturday 8th December was very successful with a large attendance. John Cleary,Castlehaven manager of the Cork minor ladies team was the special guest on the night with Paudie Palmer C103 Sport  acting as M.C. Clubs, colleges and individuals were recognised for their achievements during the year at all levels in football, hurling, camogie, ladies’ football and Scór. The 2019 Monthly Gala Awards Banquet took place on Friday 15th November at 8pm in The West Cork Hotel Skibbereen who this year are the main sponsor of this event.  Development Officer Don Desmond will include the monthly winners for 2019 in his report.

SCÓR

Carbery Scór celebrated 50 years of Scór on Friday night, June 14th in the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery. The function involved a sit down meal for adults and children followed by music, song recitation and dance with participants from every club. The event received generous sponsorship from the Carbery Board. While Scor na bPáistí is well supported, Scor na nÓg and in particular, Scór  Sinsear are not as widely supported by our clubs.  It is important to compliment and to thank the members of the Carbery Scór Sub-Committee, all the clubs, the various club Scór committees, the participants, the adjudicators and the audiences who promote Scór in the Division.

2019 was a great year for Scór with the St James Club winning the Munster Scór Sinsear in the Ballad Group and went on to represent Cork at Scór Sinsear All-Ireland Finals in Castlebar. Tadgh Mac Carthaigh  won the Leiriú in the County at Scór na nÓg with the St .James Club runners up in the Ballad Group and Kilbrittain in ceol uisle. During the past year a few additional clubs participated in the cultural side of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Regrettably many of our clubs in the division fail to participate. I would appeal to the clubs in the towns of the Division to make an extra effort to participate. From a club viewpoint, they would not merely be promoting an element of Irish culture but also providing social and fundraising events in their localities. 

SPONSORS I like to thank all our sponsors for their continued support, which is very helpful in the development and coaching of our games. This year Bandon Co-Op came on board to sponsor the Carbery Junior Football Championships and The West Cork Hotel Skibbereen are sponsoring The Monthly Carbery Awards. 

•    RCM Tarmacadam Ltd. sponsors of the Junior Hurling Championships

•    Bandon Co-Op # TogetherStrongerWestCork sponsors of the Junior Football Championships.

•    Clona Milk sponsors of U21 Football & Hurling Championships 

•    Carbery Group Ballineen Dubliner Cheese sponsors of The Carbery Senior Hurling and Football Teams 

•     Dubliner Cheese sponsors of the Carbery Football and Hurling teams also the Carbery Hurling Leagues and the Carbery/Béara Football Leagues

•     Biggs Oil sponsor of the Carbery Directory

•    The West Cork Hotel Skibbereen sponsors of the Carbery G.A,A. Monthly Awards 

•    Laide & O’ Brien Ltd. sponsors of tops for the Carbery Academy.

COMMUNICATIONS

The GAA e-mail system continues to be the main mode of communication within the association and while all club secretaries within the division are using the e-mail system, some other club officers  seem to be unwilling to embrace this new technology. I encourage all club officers to embrace this new technology. Delegates, whose email addresses have been provided are on the email list for fixtures and board meetings. I urge all clubs to ensure that all email accounts are kept active. A survey of all email accounts has been carried out by Croke Park and any account deemed to be inactive may be allocated to another user.

A course was organised in the West Cork Education Centre in Dunmanway  on the Office 365 Training Module.  There was very short notice for this and only 8 participants availed of the opportunity to attend this course. Thanks to County Boards IT Officer Terry Brady, County P.R.O. Joe Blake and the West Cork Education Centre for making this possible.A Club Officer’s Training  Course also took  place in the Education Centre in Dunmanway in February and there was a good attendance  of Club Officer’s.

 Our web-site ( www.carberygaa.ie ) is again proving very successful. Our games, (fixtures & results) are now available online to anyone throughout the world and this has proved most beneficial to all Gaels, particularly those who have moved away or emigrated. All our leagues are being constantly updated once the results come in and are available to view for anyone who wishes to do so. 

Twitter is proving to be very popular among clubs with the majority of clubs within the division having a twitter account. Some clubs are using twitter to update their members of the happenings of the clubs, along with following other clubs’ progress in championship competitions etc. Follower on Carbery Twitter has increased enormously during 2019

The text service for results is proving very successful with most results being returned on time but I would appeal to all clubs to ensure their results’ official stays on top of the job and ensure that results are returned immediately after a game as required.  A GAA Club Website solution is now available from Croke Park for clubs to use. It is a website template that offers clubs a user-friendly, simple and very affordable way to develop a club site. For further information visit www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/administrators/club-website-solution

OBITUARIES

It is with great sympathy that we remember the many Gaels who have gone to their eternal reward in the last twelve months. We especially remember Denis Bernard (Dohenys) and Cork footballer of 1956 who died in America, Brian Desmond (Bandon) who won 2 County medals with Carbery in 1968 and 1971, Dr.Denis Cotter, Bantry Blues who was a player, manager and doctor to the famous Bantry Blues club,former Kerry great Pa Griffin (Clonakilty) who not only coached Clonakilty but also coached a number of Junior Clubs in the Carbery Divison with the skills of Gaelic Football. We also remember Denis (D.D) Lyons bother of Cathaoirleach Cairbre Tommy who captained Dohenys to County Junior Football victory in 1966 and former Clann na nGael player and Under Age coach Vincie Collins.                                 

Sadly  many other outstanding clubmen and women who rendered sterling service locally passed away during the year. We express our sympathy to all their families. 

Ar  dheis  Dé go  raibh  siad.  To all the bereaved sincere sympathy is expressed

CONCLUSION

Finally, I wish to thank my fellow officers, Executive Committee members, County Board delegates, County Board officers, Caoimhín Ó Donnabháin (Cork County Board  administrator) Rebel Óg West Rúnaí Joe Kelly  and Mairéad, Aoife and Barbara from the County Board Office for their help during the year. 

Míle buíochas to the Club Rúnaithe and the delegates of the board.

2019 sees the departure of three Board officers who have served their terms. Oifigeach Caidrereamh Poiblíochta Mairtina Uí Bhroinn (Clann na nGael), Oifigeach Forbartha Dónal Ó Deasúna (Droihead na Banndan) agus Oifigeach Oillúna Marc Ó Donnabháin (Gorma Beanntraí). I would like to thank Martina, Don and Marc for the outstanding contribution they have made to the  Carbery Board in  the roles they have performed so well.

I would also like to thank Outgoing President Sean de Barra (Barryroe) for attending all the various Carbery functions over the past three years and representing the Carbery Division very well at all events.

We welcome David Whyte (St. Mary’s) who is taking over the role of Development Officer for 2020 and I would like to wish David every success in the busy role of Development Officer helping all the clubs who are planing to develop their grounds and facilities..

As we are assembled here tonight in the St. James Club I want to congratulate the St.James Rúnaí Liam Evans on winning the County Cork volunteer in sport award  for his service to the G.A.A. for over 30 years. This was well deserved for the work Liam has put in over the years in the St.James Club.

 Let us go away from this A.G.M. with the message that the G.A.A. at National Level cannot forget the volunteers at all levels within our Clubs who are doing fantastic work. Let us go away from this A.G.M. with a message that we need more volunteers to be encouraged into the clubs and divisions to help us to carry on the work Cumann Luchleas Gael are doing in all communities urban and rural across the country. I would ask the question? At national level are we organising the proper meaningfull courses for vouluntary people to get involved in our Association or are we putting obstacles in their way.

Buíochas, freisin, to the Dohenys, Clonakilty, St.Mary’s and the Randal Og clubs for making their facilities available to the Board for CCC and Executive meetings during the year. 

May I express appreciation, too to the members of the media, the Print, TV and Radio sectors – for their fantastic coverage and promotion of our games throughout the year.

Guím Beannachtaí na Nollag agus Ath-bhliain fé shéan is fé mhaise ar na baill  go léir.

Mise  le  meas

Dónal Mac Cárthaigh

Rúnaí Chairbre