Cork West U14 footballers impress in regional finals

TWO U14 football squads representing Cork West took on Cork North in outstanding regional finals at St Vincent’s grounds in Cork city, recording a win and a draw. 

Both West teams had beaten regional teams from Cork city to get to the finals. In the A final, the West’s goalscoring abilitiy was key as they found the net six times, ensuring a five-point win. The B team began very well, opening up a four-point half-time lead, but they were caught by a North goal at the death, with the game finishing in a draw. It was decided not to play extra time so the trophy was shared. 

West A: Rory Courtney, Jack Cahalane, Sean Bohane (all Castlehaven), Colm O’Donovan, Seamus O’Sullivan (both Newcestown), Tim Twohig, Cian Burke (both Bandon), Ted Wiseman (Bantry Blues), Alan Elphic, Ben O’Sullivan (both Urhan), Kalem Scannell (Carbery Rangers), Cian McCarthy (St Oliver Plunkett’s), Ciarán Dwyer (Ilen Rovers), Denis Collins (Glengarriff), Keith O’Driscoll, James O’Regan (both Gabriel Rangers), Ryan O’Donovan (Barryroe), Cullen Cullinane (Ballinascarthy).

West B: Aaron O’Brien, Evan Browne (both Ross), James Moloney, Con Dineen, Adam McSweeney (all Barryroe), Ronan O’Driscoll (Clann na nGael), Dan Pete (Clonakilty), Luke Connolly (O’Donovan Rossa), Conor Doody (St Colum’s), Joseph O’Shea, Evan O’Sullivan (Urhan), Sean O’Sullivan, Donagh Galvin (Kilbrittain), Denis O’Driscoll, Adrian O’Driscoll (Ilen Rovers), Charlie Long, Conor Twomey (Bandon), Eddie Kenneally (Newcestown), Richie Burchill, Donnacha O’Donovan (both Castlehaven), Padraig Healy (St Oliver Plunkett’s), Robbie Lucey (Ahán Gaels), David O’Regan (Gabriel Rangers), Liam O’Donovan (Tadhg MacCarthaigh).

The U14 squad is coached and managed by Daniel Cronin (St Mary’s) and, over the past 12 months, more than 120 players have come in for coaching and trials. A panel of players from these two squads played challenge games v Mid Cork last Sunday in Ballineen, with the West team winning by four points in a very close and entertaining game. In St Vincent’s last Tuesday, two panels of players picked from the Mid and West teams played, one against a Cork North/City team and the other playing Waterford. 

From this, a Cork squad will be picked to play in the Munster tournament in July. More coaching and games are planned for players who were not picked for these games in the coming months, but regional training has now stoped, with only Cork squads out on desiginated dates during the year.

This Friday, February 19th, across the county at different venues all club players born in 2003 are invited to coaching in both hurling and football. 

Clubs are asked to contact and send their players to this and any players who attend will be contacted directly for future coaching sessions. These coaching sessions are non-elite and open to all, one takes place at the O’Donovan Rossa astrotruf pitch from 11am-1pm and there is one at the Clonakilty GAA astroturf from 2-4pm. 

An Award One Course will be held in Clonakilty GAA on Monday, March 7th. With numbers limited, you are asked to contact your local GDA to reserve a place. If any club has new coaches who want to do the Foundation Course, one will be held in Dunmanway in the coming weeks and will be open to all club coaches. For more information on any coaching matters, you can contact James McCarthy GDA on 0877-799531 or [email protected]