Carrickshock G.A.A. News 9 Deireadh Fómhair 2017
Senior Championship
The seniors came up just short in the quarter-final replay in Callan on Saturday, on a scoreline James Stephens 2-23 Carrickshock 3-17. It was a game that swung strangely 10 minutes either side of half-time. After 20 minutes The Village led 1-9 to 0-6, but a purple patch saw Carrickshock lead at half-time 2-12 to 1-10, an 11 point turnaround. Mark O’Dwyer led the way, creating a goal from nothing, then a minute later Brian O’Donavan finished expertly after being set up by Richie Power. But the Village came out all guns blazing in the 2nd half and 10 minutes in they’d turned it around by 8 points, leading 2-17 to 2-14. Carrickshock fought bravely to stay in the game, just about, and when John Dalton bundled a rebound to the net to bring it back to a one-score game well into injury time, it brought back memories of last year’s Leinster final comeback. There was only time for one more attack, and James Stephens held out. The general feeling leaving John Locke’s Park was that this was one that got away the first day. But going back to an earlier visit to Callan, the opening round of last year’s Intermediate League, there certainly has been major progress since then. All Carrickshock supporters owe a huge debt of gratitude to all the players and management team of Tommy Shefflin, Larry O’Shea, Pat Fennelly and Jimmy O’Shea.
Minor Championship
The minors gave the club a little lift after Saturday’s disappointment with a Championship quarter-final win over Cloneen in Bennettsbridge on Sunday morning. This was a tough battle, and the greasy conditions didn’t help, but the boys fought fiercely against a physically much bigger team. After 20 minutes the Shocks looked to be cruising, leading 2-3 to 0-2, the 2nd goal finished with a beautiful chip over the goalie by Eoghan O’Neill . But for the next 20 minutes the backs, led superbly by Michael Murphy and Jamie Barron, had to be at their best to cling on to the lead. When Chris Grace pounced on a loose ball on the edge of the square it put a bit of daylight between them again, 3-5 to 1-5. Cloneen had it back to a 3-point game with 10 minutes left, but Jake O’Dwyer settled the nerves with a couple of frees before Eoghan popped over the closing point, 3-9 to 1-9. It puts them into a semi-final possibly on next weekend against either St. Patrick’s or James Stephens.
Photo Competition
A unique photo that was snapped during Feile 2017 is causing a bit of a stir around the country. It’s all thanks to Facebook competition entitled “Moments in Time”,.run by Eirgrid. One of our volunteers was in charge of the scoreboard and as the teams were visiting, didn’t have the appropriate signage. So he borrowed a Cillard (Kerry) Camogie jersey and donated his own to represent Donard the Glen (Co Wicklow) !! The end result was a special Gaa moment representing all that is unique about a rural Gaa club and the innovative thinking of children brought up in the Gaa. Now we need the help of all supporters in Kilkenny (and beyond!) to win the prize, an electronic scoreboard which will sadly take away this volunteer’s vantage point! Please go to Carrickshock GAA page on Facebook to Like and Share the photo.
