FANTASTIC FÉ15s FIRST-TIME FÉILE CHAMPIONS
FANTASTIC FÉ15s FIRST-TIME FÉILE CHAMPIONS
April 12, 2023
Féile Peile na nÓg Division 1 (Féile 2) Finals at St. Michael’s GAA Club on Monday 10th April
Semi-Final: Carrigtwohill 0-05 St. Colum’s 0-03
Carrigtwohill made club history by being the first team since the formation of the juvenile club in 1979 to won a Féile competition. The team came into the finals of the second grade [Premier (Féile 1) being the top grade] of the competition on the back of wins against Ballygarvan, Passage West and Kinsale on Saturday, 8th April.
Playing with the aid of the breeze in the first half, Carrig went in at half-time with a one point (0-03 to 0-02) lead. Cathal Seymour squared the ball to Tom Walsh for the opening score. Ben Fitzgerald converted a free for the second score. Cathal Seymour fielded well from a St. Colum’s kick-out and passed to Sam Ring who directed a good ball in front of Rian Thornhill; Rian blasted the ball over the bar.
Two well taken Ben Fitzgerald frees in the second half got Carrig over the line in a very tight and competitive match. Ben’s first of those two efforts was from all of 35m on the right wing and into the diagonal breeze. Carrigtwohill held a lively St. Colum’s team to just one point from play with some great defending and super passing of the ball and intelligent retention of possession.
Scorers in semi-final: Ben Fitzgerald (0-3 f), Tom Walsh and Rian Thornhill 0-1 each.
Final: Carrigtwohill 2-06 Kiltha Óg 1-03 (AET)
Carrig came up agsint very familiar opponents in the final, with it being an all East Cork affair against the Castlemartyr-Dungourney combination.
The firat half was evenly contested with Carrig slightly edging it at half-time, 1-03 to 1-01. Ben Fitzgerald got the first score when he pointed beautifully rom a very acute angle. Rian Thornhill fielded Ben’s ‘45’ and struck for goal. His shot was blocked and Cillian Rooney reacted quickest, kicking on the ground to the net. Fitzgerald pointed a free and Tom Walsh sloted a nice solo effort over the bar with a trademark turn.
Carrigtwohill failed to score in the second half, despite putting in a huge effort in all areas of the field. Kiltha Óg converted two frees to make it a draw (1-03 to 1-03) and force two five minute periods of extra time.
Ben Fitzgerald blasted to the net early in the first period of extra time. Morgan Foley fed Rian Thornhill who kicked a good point to put Carrig four points clear (2-04 to 1-03) at half-time in extra time. A good angled Sam Ring point and a final Fitzgerald free in the second period secured the win for Carrigtwohill.
Joint captains, Jerry O’Sullivan and Jack Flanagan accepted the cup from Rebel Óg assistant treasurer, Martin O’Brien. Jack thanked Kiltha Óg for a tough game and thanked the coaches. The panel and coaches enjoyed pizzas in the clubhouse to celebrate the win. Míle buíochas to juvenile club chairperson, Dave Kelly and everybody who helped out in the clubhouse.
Massive congratulations to the panel of players and their coaches on making history and winning a first ever Féile for Carrigtwohill. This group are a fantastic bunch of players and we hope they continue to play, improve and realise their potential as adult players in a few years time.
Scorers in final: Ben Fitzgerald (1-3; 0-2 f), Cillian Rooney 1-0, Tom Walsh, Rian Thornhill & Sam Ring 0-1 each.
Panel: Christopher Cashell, Jarlath Cullimore, Ben Fitzgerald, Jack Flanagan, Morgan Foley, Cillian Galvin, Darragh Horgan, Kyle Kidney, Adam Lee, Seán Óg Madden, James Nolan, Sam O’Donovan, Roan O’Keeffe, John O’Connor, Jerry O’Sullivan, Sam Power, Sam Ring, Cillian Rooney, Cathal Seymour, Rian Thornhill, Peter Warren-Perry.
Management; Niall Walsh (manager), Tom Creagh, Aidan Flanagan, Brendan Foley, Pat Horgan.
Referee (for both games): Seán Forde (Lough Rovers).
