The junior C footballers lined on the new pitch at Fr. O’Neill’s GAA Club in very difficult conditions for playing football.  The heavy rain and strong winds resulted in numerous low-scoring football games over the weekend; for example, Nemo Rangers got the better of Clonakilty in the premier senior championship quarter-final the previous day on a scoreline of 0-05 to 0-04.

Carrig opened the scoring with the wind to their backs; Trevor English found Mark O’Connor with a quick free and O’Connor split the posts.  Ballinacurra equalised before Ted O’Sullivan and Seán Ahern linked up well to supply Adrian Browne.  Browney kicked a fine effort from 35m and out on the right wing over the crossbar.  Again, Ballinacurra cancelled out Carrig’s score.  Midway through the half, Trevor English notched his first score with Mark O’Connor now the provider.  Frank Kierans kicked a brilliant point from a very acute angle in the right corner.  Luke Kelly O’Regan followed Frank’s lead from the same wing after a good run and diagonal ball from Adrian.  Trevor English curled a free between the posts from all of 50m out on the wing and Ballinacurra finished the first half scoring to make it 0-06 to 0-03 in favour of Carrigtwohill at the break.

Ballinacurra dominated the play with the wind advantage in the opening ten minutes of the second half, scoring an unanswered four points to take the lead.  Carrig were then reduced to 14 men and as the half wore on, the team tired on the heavy ground.  The workrate and effort could not be faulted but Carrigtwohill struggled to get the ball into the scoring zone against the strong wind.  Ballinacurra kept the scoreboard ticking, with a further four points to run out deserving winners.

This was a disappointing finish to the year for the junior C footballers.  They lined out for the semi-final on the back of three good wins against Bride Rovers, Lisgoold and Midleton.  Well done to the team on their efforts during the year.  Credit must go to Peter Hogan, Kieran Horgan and Dave Carroll for ensuring that Carrig’s second football team fielded and were competitive in 2023.

Carrigtwohill Team: Chris Keegan, Cormac Flynn, Tim O’Connor, Mairtín Neylon, Jack Scully, Liam Scriven, Seán Ahern, Trevor English (0-2; 0-1f), Adrian Browne (0-1), Seán O’Sullivan, Ted O’Sullivan, Ronan Browne, Mark O’Connor (0-1), Frank Kierans (0-1), Luke Kelly O’Regan (0-1).  Subs Used: Matthew Kidney.  Other Subs: Darren Burns, Daragh Hannigan, Ronan McCrave, Adam Walsh.

Management: Peter Hogan (manager), Kieran Horgan, Dave Carroll.

Referee: Anthony O’Regan (Youghal).