​ Match report by Eoin Coyne Eochaill Óg 0-15 Bishopstown 0-9
 
A place in the under 16 Premier 2 County final was up for grabs on Sunday last, as the Youghal hurlers made their second trip of the week to Bishopstown 4G Astro pitch. Having dispatched of Araglen/Kilworth at the venue on Monday night on a scoreline of 3-17 to 2-10; it was Bishopstown themselves who played hosts for this semi-final contest.
 
It was the home side who registered the first score of the game in the opening minute, before a brace of pointed frees from Dylan Lyons got Youghal up and running.
 
Youghal quickly took control of the game in the early stages, and were it not for the difficult conditions, they could have been further in front. Jack Dineen and Cian Galvin dominating the midfield battle.
 
The chances continued to present themselves for the seasiders with Luke Lenane, Brian Lynch and Jamie Lenane all coming close.
 
Bishopstown drew level on 10 minutes and that was the closest they got to a Youghal team who, despite the elements, took scores through Jamie Lenane (2), another Lyons free & a long-range placed ball from Oisin Walsh.
 
Fionn Hill at left half back was strong in possession and launched attack after attack, while Ronan & Senan O’Brien snuffed out any opposition threat across the 45-metre line.
At the short whistle; it read Youghal 0-6 Bishopstown 0-4.
 
At the turn, the weather worsened and Youghal had the aid of the wind at their backs for the second half.
 
With the rain now bucketing, possession proved vital and Youghal started the livelier of the two teams. Up front, the pace of James Coyne & Brian Lynch caused problems and Dylan Lyons continued to be accurate with the placed ball.
 
Points from Luke Lenane & Lynch put them in the ascendancy and forced the opposition to go in search of goals as the clock ticked towards 60 minutes.
 
As they tried to manoeuvre opportunities, the fullback line proved equal to any chances. Marty Desmond at fullback, ably assisted by Gearoid Geary & Liam Durkin snuffed out the danger at source while Oisin Walsh was always comfortable under the high ball.
 
Youghal had a goal chance of their own in the last 15 minutes but a fantastic save from the Bishoptown goalkeeper denied Zack Skehan who did the right thing by pulling first time on as the ball moved across the large rectangle.
 
Youghal, who always looked in control, finished out the game with a monster score from Cian Galvin, and thus booked their place in the County Final on a scoreline of 0-15 to 0-9.
 
They now await the winners of Mallow and Shandrum with the final set for Saturday 26th of November.
 
Scorers: Dylan Lyons (0-9, 0-7frees), Jamie Lenane (0-2), Oisin Walsh (0-1 free), Luke Lenane, Brian Lynch, Cian Galvin (0-1 each).
 
Fioreann Eochaille: Oisin Walsh, Liam Durkin, Marty Desmond, Gearoid Geary, Fionn Hill, Ronan O’Brien(capt.), Senan O’Brien, Jack Dineen, Cian Galvin, James Coyne, Brian Lynch, Dylan Lyons, Zack Skehan, Luke Lenane , Jamie Lenane.
Fir Ionaid: Ewie McCarthy, Finn Coleman (on for Z Skehan 56), Ralph Cashman, Padraig Kennedy, Jayden Casey, Diego Trossero (on for J Lenane 56), Noah Hegarty, Paddy Nicholson, Dylan Hennessy, Tadgh Reilly, Cal Cashman, Eoin Kennedy.
 

We would like to congratulate our fantastic Junior Camogie squad on their achievements this year and in reaching the County Final. We are all so proud of you!
 
Thanks again to Mike O'Brien for the comprehensive report.
 
On Saturday morning 5th November, 24 brave young Camogie players made the short trip from Youghal to Pilmore to face Aghada in the SE Systems Junior B County final. This game was originally scheduled for the previous Monday in Castle Road but as had happened already in the Championship, poor weather conditions caused the game to be refixed.  With availability of playing fields being a huge problem across the Country, credit to St. Ita’s for making their field available for the occasion.  A combination of the good weather on Saturday morning, along with the hard work by Snoz all week to get the field in pristine condition, the recipe was there for an excellent game of Camogie.  And the occasion didn’t disappoint.  A huge crowd was in attendance, largely dominated by Youghal support and they were treated to a final that will live long in the memory.  Aghada were the victors on the day by 3 points, but the Youghal players can hold their heads high for the courage that was shown.
 
The journey for both teams to the final couldn’t have been more different.  It started with 15 teams organized into 3 groups of 5 teams.  Youghal’s group was termed the “group of death”, made up of Inniscarra (2020 finalists), Rockban (2021 finalists), Castelmartyr (recently promoted), along with a resolute Courcey Rovers team.  However, Youghal topped the group with 4 wins out of 4.  Aghada’s group appeared more routine and comfortably won all their group games.  The final group was topped by Bishopstown who were raging favourites at the outset to win out the competition.  With an uneven number of groups, Youghal’s reward for their 100% record was an extra quarter final game versus Kilbree, who were dispatched with clinical efficiency.  Next up for Youghal was Bishopstown whose draw meant that they avoided a quarter final game.  With the odds stacked in Bishopstown’s favour, Youghal pulled out a huge win by the narrowest of margins, having been behind by 8 points mid-way through the second half.  In contrast, Aghada also enjoyed a bye straight to the semi-final where they dispatched Inniscarra from the Championship with relative ease.
 
Coming into the game, Youghal were without Chloe Landers who recently travelled on a yearlong tour to Australia.  Also missing was Chloe Delaney who had an unfortunate injury in training.
 
Back to Saturday and a star-studded Aghada team were favourites.  However, Youghal had leaders on all corners of the field, many of whom are still in their teens – indeed a few the squad are still awaiting Junior Cert results!  Youghal elected to play with the wind in the first half and it became clear from the outset that Youghal had no interest in reputations.  Aghada missed an early free but for the next 15 minutes, the play was largely in Aghada’s half with the Youghal forwards applying huge pressure.  The game was only 3 minutes in when Youghal won a sideline on the ‘45.  Avril struck it sweetly.  This was followed up with hard work from Leah who struck the post.  Youghal weren’t giving up the move with Amy, Ciara, Jess and Hannah all putting in blocks, hooks and flicks.  A ball broke in a nice position and a well-timed run from Avril (who initiated the move) resulted in a goal from Youghal.  This was followed up with 2 more good goal chances from Youghal, but the tight margins agonizingly didn’t work in Youghal’s favour.  Aghada dusted themselves down and got two very good points from play.  Youghal returned to scoring ways in the 10th minute with an excellent point from Alex with her characteristic unorthodox strike.  Amy followed up with a ’45, but there was an immediate response from Aghada with a pointed free to leave 2 points between the sides.  Amy converted her second ’45 of the game and as the game approached half time, both teams again traded pointed frees to leave the game 1-04 v 0-4 in Youghal’s favour.  The scoreline didn’t reflect Youghal’s dominance.  The full forward line of Jess, Hannah and Leah were a constant menace to Aghada’s rear-guard.  The work ethic half-forward line of Ciara Aoibhe and Amy was commendable.  The dynamic at midfield was interesting with two sets of sisters marking each other, but it was the Cashman sisters of Youghal who largely dominated exchanges.  The backline were no slouches either.  Jenny played a captain’s role at centre-back and was capably flanked by Lesley and Ruby.  The Aghada full forward line were getting no change from Rion Louise or Shauna to the point where they had to deploy players out to midfield to gain any sort of meaningful possession.  Finally, Kate in goals looked assured in possession and quick off her line.
 
On the resumption, Aghada hit their purple patch getting two outstanding points from play within a minute to leave the minimum between the sides.  Credit to Aghada for sustaining this pressure for 10 minutes, but Youghal weren’t unnerved and only conceded another point from a free before swaying the game back in their own favour.  Having said that, Kate made one of her trademark point blank saves and a lapse in concentration resulted in Aghada missing a routine free.  The Youghal management felt that fresh legs were needed, but it was no easy task to pick which players were to be withdrawn.  Jess and Leah left the field with their heads held high and were replaced with Chloe and Eabha.  Both made an immediate impact, hard work from Jenny resulting in a point from play by Chloe within two minutes of her introduction.  The intensity of the game rose to a new level with neither side wanting to concede any ground.  Raina came on for Hannah in a tactical switch and again, Hannah can be very pleased with her outing.  Raina has been Youghal’s super-sub all year and tigerishly dug into proceeding immediately.  Avril received a blow to the head with Aghada inexplicably being awarded the free to the dismay of the large Youghal following.  Coming into the 50th minute, the records will show that Amy scored yet another ’45, but in truth it was much more than that.  Hard work from Rion, Lesley, Jenny and Avril resulted in a ball breaking to Eabha who won a free.  Amy struck the free which was won by the Aghada defence, but Ciara kept up the hard work of her teammates and forced the ’45.  Louise was called ashore having tirelessly done her bit for the cause, and it was Edel’s turn to come on in her typical combative style.  At this point, Youghal were leading by 2 points and it seemed like they might get over the line, with Kate making yet another excellent save.  But credit to Aghada, they were determined, and won a free with only 5 minutes of normal time remaining.  This free was ably converted leaving only the minimum was between the sides.  However, with only 2 minutes of normal time remaining, disaster struck as Aghada struck a 40-yard free straight to the net to give them a 2-point lead.  Youghal weren’t ready to give up the fight and pushed players forward to salvage something from the game.  However, it was Aghada who got the next score, another point from play with the game deep in injury time.  Youghal sought in vain for the equalizer, but alas it never came.  Final score was Aghada 1-9 v Youghal 1-6.
 
This Youghal team can be very proud of their year and have the look and feel of a group who will finish the job in 2023.  If this group of 24 warriors is the future of Youghal Camogie, then the future looks very bright.
 
Youghal scorers.  Amy O’Connell 0-4 (2 x frees, 2 x ‘45s), Avril Cashman 1-0, Alex Cashman 0-1, Chloe O’Connell 0-1
 
Team:  1.Kate McCarthy  2.Rion Walsh  3.Louise Dempsey 4.Shauna O’Connell 5.Lesley Cashman 6.Jenny Doyle (Capt) 7.Ruby Kennedy 8.Avril Cashman 9.Alex Cashman 10.Ciara Crowley 11.Aoibhe Daly 12.Amy O’Connell 13.Leah Broderick 14.Hannah O’Keeffe 15.Jess Swayne.
 
Subs.  Chloe O’Connell for Jess Swayne, Eabha Walsh for Leah Broderick, Rania Landers for Hannah O’Keeffe, Edel O’Connell for Louise Dempsey
 
Other panel members who made huge contributions throughout the year were Chloe Landers, Lauren Ryan, Chloe Delaney, Ciara Kennedy, Rachel Murray, Laura Buckner, Alice Flavin, Catriona O’Keeffe, Sophie Monaghan

Photos as as always by the fantastic Maurice Cronin ​https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0NdYesHDTjpKhUnRnE7jpbZjXXM1kMdVTeZwmFytQCSgAqkKEsq81KYEszWJg7vJgl&id=100057568986319

Match report (with our sincere thanks) by Eoin Coyne
 
Eochaill Óg 2-10 Kinsale 1-10
 
It had been 6 weeks since this Youghal team won the Rebel Óg East Cork Football Championship against Killeagh in Ballinacurra by a single point. That win provided a bye into the Division 1 County Final where a multitude of rounds and divisional fixtures had to be played on the other side of the draw before Youghal found out who their opponents would be.
While 6 weeks is a long time without playing competitive football, the vast majority of this panel were kept busy with winning the fé15 Prem2 Hurling County final and as many as 8 were also members of the victorious minor county champions from the week previous.
Following a series of games in the Mid-Cork division and a tense win against Carbery Rangers in the county semi-final; it was Kinsale who provided the opposition for the Youghal boys on this occasion.
It’s said that winning is a habit and there’s no doubt that these Youghal lads were well versed in victory over the previous couple of months. Kinsale too though, were chasing a double of their own having won the Division 2 County Hurling Championship just last week at the same Bishopstown 4G pitch.
It was Youghal who hit the (artificial) ground running as the ball was thrown in, as Jamie Lenane started and finished a well worked move within the first 20 seconds of play. His shot, following a link up with Dylan Lyons, blazed over the crossbar by a matter of inches – with the goalkeeper rooted to his spot, the ball could have very easily rippled the Kinsale net.
Kinsale quickly equalized but Lenane again linked with Lyons on the 10-minute mark and this time, he raised the green flag for Youghal who had got off to a dream start.
Wind-assisted; Kinsale began to settle and had the Youghal defense stretched on a couple of occasions.
The hard work of midfield duo James Coyne and Jack Dineen helped stem Kinsale’s purple patch and some great runs from deep from Gearoid Geary and Cian Galvin caused Kinsale a few problems of their own.
Dylan Lyons and Jamie Lenane registered just two more points for Youghal before half time as they trailed by 1-6 to 1-3 at half time.
While the wind never won match, it would play a big factor in the outcome of this contest and as Youghal turned to play with the aid of the stiff breeze in the second half, they upped their work-rate and took a firm foothold on this final.
A run from midfield saw Jack Dineen collect 25 yards out from goal, he absorbed a shoulder from the Kinsale number 6, steadied himself and guided the ball into the back of the Kinsale net to level the game.
Eoin Kennedy, Tadgh Reilly, and Finn Coleman looked comfortable in possession and James Coyne carried plenty of ball through the heart of the Kinsale defence to set up sharpshooters; Lyons & Lenane who took some great scores, though at times, were unlucky not to find the target.
Kinsale; to their credit, continued to battle and would not go down without a fight. They too had strong runners from midfield and kept the scoreboard ticking throughout the second half as both teams traded the lead in the run-in towards full time.
Dylan Lyons had a couple of goal chances denied by the Kinsale goalkeeper, while Youghal captain Dylan Hennessy pulled off two fine stops at the other end to ensure that his side could kick on in the last 10 minutes of the game.
And that, they did. With space beginning to open up; it was Lyons and Lenane once more who raised white flags, with Lyons slotting a 45 in the dying minutes to put the Youghal boys ahead by 3.
The Youghal defence of Zack Skehan, Jack Brennan & Diego Tresero cut out the last Kinsale attack just before the referee reached for his whistle to call time on proceedings.
The celebrations began in earnest for the Youghal boys who rounded off a famous Hurling & Football County Championship Double on the first and last Saturday’s in October. Couple that with the success of the minor hurlers and it really has been a month to remember for Eochaill Óg.
Youghal Panel: Dylan Hennessy (Capt.), Cal Cashman, Diego Tresero, Gearoid Geary, Jack Brennan, Cian Galvin, Tadgh Reilly, James Coyne, Jack Dineen (1-0), Paddy Nicholson, Jamie Lenane (1-4), Eoin Kennedy, Finn Coleman, Dylan Lyons (0-6, 0-4f), Zack Skehan. Substitutes: Keelan Ansbro for C. Cashman (40 mins), Darragh Smith for P. Nicholson (50 mins), Fionn Aherne for E. Kennedy (60 mins). Oisin Landers, Daniel Walsh, Conor O’Brien, Hugh Carson, Leo Murray, Conor Coffey, Noah Bates, Jimmy Nicholson.