​Under 15 East Region A championship Hurling Final.
Youghal 5-8 Mayfield 0-7
Our Under 15 Hurlers travelled to Killeagh on Saturday 29th November to take on Mayfield in the Final of the U15 East Region Hurling Championship.
In the opening half our lads play against the wind. The first 20 mins saw Mayfield pile on the pressure and led 0-4 to 0-0. But with a never die attitude the Youghal lads worked hard to contain the Mayfield attack. With Sean Farrell, Conor Hennessy, and Harry Oliphant in the full back line and Kash Ransom in goals Mayfield couldn’t get the all important goal. Up front Cormac O’Callaghan and Danny Walsh worked hard. When the half time whistle sounded the score was 0-6 to 0-2 in favour of the city side.
The second half saw the Youghal Boys play with pride and passion and in the 5th minute Ollie Dempsey rattled the back of the Mayfield net, two minutes later he scored another well taken goal. The remainder of the game, Youghal controlled the play. Our midfield pairing of Matthew Farrell and Andrew Joyce were on top, running at the Mayfield defence and both scored well taken goals. Our Half back line of Lenny Flynn, Chris Morrison, and Bill Mc Grath kept the Mayfield attack at bay. The 45th minute saw Rory Walsh finish to the net after great play by Darragh O’Connell and Tommy Kenefick. From the puck out Danny Walsh won a great ball to set up Ryan Coady for another point. The last score of the game came from Ollie Dempsey after good play from Chris Morrison and Matthew Farrell. The final whistle from ref Barry Day was greeted with delight from the large following from Youghal, with a final score line of Youghal 5-8 Mayfield 0-7.
Regina Abernethy on behalf of the East Region presented the Trophy to Captain Chris Morrison.
Team; Kash Ransom, Sean Farrell, Conor Hennessy, Harry Oliphant, Rory Walsh, Chris Morrison [Capt], Bill Mc Grath, Matthew Farrell, Andrew Joyce, Cormac O’Callaghan, Danny Walsh, Lenny Flynn, Darragh O’Connell, Ollie Dempsey, Ryan Coady. Subs Daniel Keane, Tommy Kenefick, Cathal Foley, Oisin Keniry, James Kelly. Andy Nelexrepie.

Youghal 2-12 Newcestown 2-7
YOUGHAL’S recent record in replays hasn’t been too impressive, but this Cork Premier IHC semi-final effort against Newcestown at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday certainly was.
Sharp, controlled and, at times, playing sweet hurling, they booked a final date with Courcey Rovers at the same venue next weekend.

Despite falling behind to an early Fionn Keane goal, quick strikes from Leigh Desmond and Bill Cooper, in the 12th and 13th minutes, gave them an edge they never really lost, a badly needed second Newcestown goal coming too late to make a difference.

Full marks to Youghal, they had their homework done as tremendous displays from Brendan and Damien Ring, Conor Spillane, Brett Moloney and Bill Cooper powered them home. They opened up the play well and often stretched a Newcestown side that failed to ignite.

Newcestown got a super start though, Hugh Curran sending Cathrach Keane racing through the middle just three minutes into the contest and he set up his brother Fionn for a cracking goal.

But Youghal, with Spillane and Damien Ring powerhouses in the half backline, soon hit back as points from Leigh Desmond, operating on the left wing with menace, and the razor sharp Brendan Ring settled them down. Adapting to the slippery conditions better- even though Cathrach Keane missed a glorious chance of a second Newcestown goal in the 10th minute – Youghal were looking lively, Cooper and Moloney calling the shots around midfield.

And they struck those two telling blows in the space of a minute, goals Newcestown never recovered from. The first came from Desmond in the 12th minute, after great approach work by Moloney and James O’Mahony. And a second quickly followed, this time Cooper getting a final touch despite Brendan Ring’s batted effort looking destined to beat goalkeeper Jim O’Sullivan.

And Youghal coach Peter Queally was quick to highlight the importance of the goals."Yeah they were two vital goals and came at a very important time for us after conceding that early goal. It gave us a huge lift, as did Brendan Ring’s free taking in the second-half when Newcestown were coming back at us strongly.

"There was nothing soft out there, we had to dig it out and at times it was a real battle, but we stood up to it well. We were much improved from the last night though and it should give the town a big lift next week before we play Courceys in the final."

Leading 2-3 to 1-0 after the opening quarter there was some excellent hurling in the next 15 minutes as both sides looked lively in the miserable conditions. Eoin Kelly got his first Newcestown point in the 17th minute, but as the play began to open up it was Youghal who looked the sharper side with Coleman’s 28th minute point the pick of the lot after great approach work by Spillane and Moloney as the seasiders led 2-6 to 1-4 at the break.

Three minutes into the second-half Newcestown were out of luck again. Cathrach Keane, on another mazy run, was taken down, referee David Copps awarding a penalty. However, Kelly’s low strike was brilliantly saved by Andrew Curtin for a 65 which Kelly did manage to convert to reduce the leeway. The momentum was with Newcestown now and they weren’t finished as two fabulous long range frees by Kelly left just two points between the sides after 40 minutes and it ws all to play for. But the Newcestown defence always looked vulnerable and, conceding too many frees, Ring, bar once, punished them hard by pushing his side 2-9 to 1-7 clear entering the final quarter

The tempo increased too, yellow cards aplenty with Coleman lucky to stay on the field. But it was Youghal who pushed on, the ice cool Ring firing over a super point from play after a great ball from Desmond.

In fairness to Newcestown they battled on, always looking for a goal that would breathe new life into their challenge. It did come, a cracker from Odhran Keane, but too late to halt Youghal’s march to a final date with Courceys next Sunday.

Scorers for Youghal: B Ring 0-7 (5fs), L Desmond 1-2, B. Cooper 1-0, B Coleman, B Moloney, J Ormonde 0-1 each.

Scorers for Newcestown: E Kelly 0-5 (3fs, 1 65), F Keane 1-1, O Keane 1-0, H Curran 0-1.

YOUGHAL: R Cunningham; B Ring, B O’Sullivan, K Walsh; B Goggin, C Spillane, D Ring; B Moloney, B Cooper; B Coleman, C O’Mahony, L Desmond; A Curtin, B Ring, J O’Mahony.

Subs: M Ó Cróinín for Goggin (42), K Dempsey for O’Mahony (49), J Ormonde for Coleman (49), S Twomey for Curtin (60).

NEWCESTOWN: J O’Sullivan; O Keane, J Crowley, K Long; B Horgan, N O’Sullivan, G O’Driscoll; D Twomey, G O’Rourke; H Curran, T Twomey, C Keane; E Kelly, F Keane, S Ryan.

Subs: M Bradfield for O’Rourke (44), B O’Donovan for Ryan (54).

Referee: D Copps (Ballyhea).

Evening Echo Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship
Semi Final Replay
Eochaill 2-12 Newcestown 2-07
YOUGHAL will play Courcey Rovers in the County Final on Sunday the 9th of October at Pairc Ui Rinn at 3.45pm after a fantastic performance where every player gave 100% for the cause and on a night that was very tough to play hurling on, weather wise.
The character of this Youghal side was tested severely in the first meeting of these sides and Peter Queally's men stood up to the test d passed with flying colours on that occasion and their metal would be tested early on last Saturday night when Newcestown got an early goal on the 3rd minute.
Youghal's response was magnificent. Belief, determination, skill and pure 100% passion shone throughout the side as Bill Cooper sent over a point from play, then Brendan Coleman powered over a score to leave one point between the sides.
Youghal then took the lead through Leigh Desmond, showing his power and strength to finish the ball into the Newcestown net.
Stunned Newcestown didn't know what hit them and within seconds Jim O'Sullivan would be picking the ball out of his net again as Youghal powered through to the oppositions goal, the ball sticking in the ground for a few seconds, before Bill Cooper struck the Sliotar home.
Brendan Ring pointed a free next and when the white flag was raised Youghal had struck 2-03 without reply.
Eoin Kelly got a score for Newcestown, but back came Youghal with Leigh Desmond getting a point from play, then Leigh Struck over a pointed free.
Kelly pointed for Newcestown, instantly Youghal replied with a Ring score. Fionn Keane pointed before the short whistle for Newcestown, but at the interval Youghal led by five points and were just 30 minutes away from a place in the County Final.
On the resumption Newcestown were throwing everything at the Youghal defence and on the 33rd minute the Referee awarded a dubious penealty and Youghal needed some inspirational defending.
Eoin Kelly struck the ball low and hard to the left, but like a wall Andrew Curtin flicked the ball to the right of the post for the '65' saving the penealty shot.
Kelly pointed the '65' and then put over two further free's in a ten minute spell of pressure to make it a two point match.
To their credit Youghal never panicked and started to take control of the game again.
Brendan Ring hit over three free's and a point from play and when Youghal led by 6 points on the 49th minute the writing on the wall for Newcestown.
The second half performance of Brett Moloney was emphasised by a super pointed score from play on the 53rd minute.
Jonathan Ormonde who came on with ten minutes to go, has proven to be a fantastic impact sub for this Youghal side and again he delivered for Youghal with a score on the 57th minute and Youghal led by a massive 8 points.
Newcestown got a last puck consolation goal, but the the job was done and the celebrations of reaching the County Final began.
There were outstanding performances all over the field, but a special mention must go to Youghal's goal keeper Richard Cunningham who repaid the faith in him to manager Peter Queally with interest, superb performance by the young man.

Scorers for Youghal: Leigh Desmond 1-02, Brendan Ring 0-5, Bill Cooper 1-01, Brett Moloney 0-2, Brendan Coleman 0-1, Jonathan Ormonde 0-1.

The Victorious Youghal Side
Richard Cunningham, Brendan O'Sullivan, Kenneth Walsh, Barry Ring, Andrew Curtin, Conor Spillane (Cpt) Barry Goggin, Damien Ring, Brett Moloney, James O'Mahony, Ciaran O'Mahony, Bill Cooper, Brendan Coleman, Leigh Desmond, Brendan Ring.

Subs used: Micheal Cronin for Barry Goggin, Jonathan Ormonde for Brendan Coleman, Ken Dempsey for Ciaran O'Mahony.

Youghal        3-08
Sarsfields      1-00
​YOUGHAL'S Camogie under 16 team are through to the last eight of the Cork County Under 16 Camogie Championship after a very convincing victory over Sarsfields in Riverstown on Sunday last.
Youghal took the lead through the full forward Shannon Bulman Joyce who struck over a '45' on the fifth minute.
But then out of the blue Sars broke out of defence on the 9th minute and a shot attempt for a point dipped over the Youghal goal keeper Niamh Kellly into the goal, but this was to be the only score from Sars in the match.
Youghal peppered the Sarsfields goal, but the Sars goal keeper was in fine form making save after save, but eventually something had to give.
A Free from Shannon followed by a fine point from the full forward levelled matters 7 minutes before half time.
Youghal were now buzzing and then Shannon Bulman Joyce gave Youghal the lead with three minutes to go to half time, then seconds later a pass from Aoife McCarthy found Ellie Budds on the left wing and the corner forward rained in towards the Sars goal and duly buried the ball into the net.
On the stroke of the short whistle Shannon popped over another pointed free and Youghal led by five points at the break.
The second half was dominated by Youghal with some brilliant performances especially from Chloe Landers, Leah Broderick and Amerah Hickey.
Just three minutes into the second half and Shannon Bulman Joyce pointed from play on the left wing off the right shoulder.
After five minutes and following a string of great saves from the Sarsfields keeper Shannon was on target again, this time from the right.
On the 47th minute the same combination for the first Youghal goal Aoife McCarthy and Ellie Budds linked up again.
Aoife again supplied the crucial pass and Ellie finished with another great goal and Youghal led by ten points with 13 minutes remaining.
Then the goal of the match three minutes later when Shannon Bulman Joyce picked up the ball on the right side and from 20 meters out she blasted the ball into the left corner of the Sarsfields net.
Youghal added another pointed free through Shannon and finished convincing winners and booked their place into the Cork County Quarter Final.

Scorers for Youghal: Shannon Bulman Joyce 1-08, Ellie Budds 2-00
​
Youghal Team
Niamh Kelly, Gemma O'Brien, Shannon Watson, Niamh Crowley, Chloe Landers, Michella Dalton, Amy Hennessy, Niamh Roche, Amerah Hickey, Aoife McCarthy, Leah Broderick, Sarah O'Brien, Ellie Budds, Shannon Bulman Joyce, Erin Galvin.
Subs Louise Dempsey for Sarah O'Brien (HT) Clodagh O'Keefe for Amy Hennessy (HT) Sophie Monaghan for Ellie Budds (51)