Blackrock Juvenile section Review of the year 2004.

Review of the year 2004.

It has been a hectic year for the Blackrock Juvenile section with hurling activity lasting from March to December. All the teams and panels have been extremely competitive at all levels and satisfactory progress is being made.  Chairperson, Eamonn O’Donoghue, Hon.Secretary Bill Reidy and their team of coaches and administrators have worked hard all through the year to cater for the hundreds of young hurlers in the Blackrock club. The fact that the young hurlers themselves are extremely committed and dedicated to being the best they can be is a very positive sign for the future.

Under 12B panel.

Pride of place must go to our under 11 hurlers who competed in the under 12B league and championship. They reached the final of the County B championship after an amazing string of victories; unfortunately they had to give way in the final to a very good Millstreet team. Likewise they were defeated in the league final by Nemo Rangers, however for sheer determination and hurling ability against teams who were a year older; these under 11 youngsters were a joy to watch. The experience gained by these hurlers in the under 12 competitions should stand to them in the coming years.

They lads captured a highly competitive William Ahern Tournament victory in September against under 11 teams from Cork, Kilkenny, Waterford, Limerick and Tipperary.

Team mentors led by J.P.Devine, Richard Stokes, Jamie Harrington, Tim Ahern and James O’Brien did a fine job and all are looking forward to 2005.

Under 14 panel

The under 14s also had a good year. They bounced back from a Feile final defeat against Na Piarsaigh last May to capture the City Championship title in September against the same opposition after a cracking match. In the county section they lost out to Sarsfields. They reached the final of the City leagues with 5 straight victories; however a combination of injuries and other commitments saw the panel defeated by old foes Na Piarsaigh again a few weeks ago.

Blackrock captain Patrick Parfrey as well as goalkeeper Robert Creagh played on the Cork under 14 panel, while six of this panel play on the Seandun squads. With hurlers of the calibre of Kieran O’Herlihy, Richard Dineen, Simon Zebo, David Hill and Sean Long in the panel, this group of Rockies are raring to go again in 2005. Team mentors Pat Roche, Maurice Griffin, Bob Thornhill, Brian Roche, Seamus Hartnett, Tony Falvey and Gerard O’Mahony put in a lot of hard work over the past 12 months.

Under 15 panel.

This panel was defeated in the quarter final of the championship by Glen Rovers. After a good run in the league it also lost out in extra time to Na Piarsaigh in the semi-final of the league, a match which should have been won. Brian Ahern and Steven Guerin represented the club on the Cork under 15 team, which won the Munster championship competition. Eight of the panel have been active on the Seandun squads. There are some fine hurlers in this team such as Graham Howard, Declan Kelleher, David Carroll and Christy Bonus and all are looking forward to 2005. The mentors are John Long, Jamie Harrington and Ger O’Mahony.  

Under 16 Panel.

The panel reached the semi-final of the City Championship only to lose out to Glen Rovers. It also reached the league semi-final however an understrenght team lost out to Bishopstown. The 16B panel had two great victories over Nemo Rangers and Passage however it was defeated in the semi-final by a strong Mayfield team.

Over 40 players participated in regular games over the year, while the training sessions were very well attended. J.P. Carroll was selected on the Cork under 16 panel which was defeated in the All-Ireland Final recently.

The management team consisted of Liam Meaney, Barry Hennebry, Liam O’Brien, Jamie Harrington and Brother Patrick.

Under 13 panel

Training began in April and continued until October for this panel of about 25 players. While they started badly in the league a series of victories before the summer ensured they qualified for the playoff stages of the league where they lost out to Carrigaline by a point. After a fine victory against Ballincollig they lost out to Douglas in the championship.

The lads are continuing to train over the winter under the watchful eyes of David and Ronan Coakley, Brother Patrick Fitzgibbon along with Martin O’Farrell in the ursulines all-weather pitch. With fine players such as Patrick Deasy, Eoin O’Farrell, Paul Bennett and goal poacher supreme David Healy they will be interested in having a right go at the Feile competition which will be held in Cork in 2005.

Under 12 Panel.

This group of Rockies was probably the most improved panel of the year and the unluckiest within the club with the dedicated mentors and panel putting in a great effort. They defeated Douglas after an exciting opening qualifying match in the Championship however Na Piarsaigh ran out winners in the city final.

After a fine run in the league the lads qualified for the semi-final of the league where again Na Piarsaigh with a goal deep in injury time overcame a gallant effort from the Rockies.

The panel took part in the Bray hurling tournament and unfortunately again lost out to the home club after an excellent series of results. Michael Ahern was named player of the tournament by no other than Kilkenny’s Ger Henderson. They also reached the final of the Ger Dineen tournament where a classy team from Dicksboro (Kilkenny) ran out winners. They are a fine group of young fellows and when victory finally arrives as it surely will they will really appreciate it. Well done to Noel O’Keeffe, Kieran O’Sullivan,  Norman O’Leary, Paddy Hayes and Tim Ahern.

Saturday morning in Blackrock.

The institution that is Saturday morning coaching in Blackrock went from strength to strength with huge crowds, the excitement of the super leagues, the friendly matches with other hurling clubs, the wonder of young 4 and 5 year olds arriving for the first time to Joe Phibbs “ hurling crèche”. It is the section of the club where everyone has a smile on their face and where the joys and pleasures of hurling are evident amongst the children and adults.

The Blackrock club is indebted to the 30 or so hurling coaches who give up their Saturdays week after week to teach the art and skills and traditions of hurling to the next generation. Their contribution is incalculable, as the game would not survive without their efforts. Thanks also to all the backroom people who make the Saturday morning occasion at Blackrock such an enriching experience for everyone involved.

The Juvenile and primary sections A.G.M. will be held at Church Road on Friday 14^th January at 7.45. Everybody is welcome. We are especially looking for adults who feel they can make a contribution to the coaching of the youngsters.

The indoor hurling resumes on Saturday 15^th January 2005 at St.Anthony’s School Hall. Registration Day for all underage members is Saturday 12^th March, while outdoor hurling resumes on Saturday 9^th April.

Congratulations to Wayne Sherlock on his selection on the All-Star panel for 2004. A wonderful honour for a great sportsman.

Buiochas to gach einne a thug cabhair le na gniomhaiochta Cumann Iomanuiochta Naisiunta na Carraige Duibhe i 2004.

Le gach dea ghui i gcoir na Nollag and na hAthbhliana