Cobh news update January 31st

Cobh Golf Club

It was great to welcome Cathal Rasmussen Deputy Mayor of County Cork, Johanna Murphy President Cobh Harbour Chamber @cobhchamber @johannamurphyauctioneer and Ann Daly Cobh Harbour Chamber to see our wonderful course and facilities this weekend.

ST Brigid's Cross

On Tuesday we celebrate St Brigid’s Day.

The distinctive St. Brigid’s Cross design, made from woven rushes, is thought to keep evil, fire and hunger from the homes in which it is displayed.

PIRATES

A massive achievement for Cobh Pirate Jack OSullivan, now playing AIL with UCC, being selected for the Irish U20 Six Nation squad.

Munster Cup

Cobh Pirates welcomed Young Munster to the Paddock in the latest round of the Munster 18.5s cup competition. Another dry Sunny day awaited the sides, the Cookies taking advantage of the strong NW breeze in the opening half playing towards the Newtown end. An early turnover for the visitors on Pirates 22 gave them a 7 point advantage with only minutes gone on the clock. 

From the restart, both sides were flexing muscles, with some big collisions being shared. On 11 minutes a Pirates line out set free no 8 Sean Edogbo on a strong run and carry, the quick recycle saw the ball moving through the hands to winger Dylan Corcoran, scoring in the Rushbrooke corner for Pirates opening score and try, bring it back to a 2-point deficit. 

For the next 15 minutes, an arm wrestle around the halfway area was evident, with both sides running hard at the opposing defence. Fly-half and captain Aaron Quirke used the newly introduced 50/22 rule to great effect applying more pressure on the visiting defence. A gliding solo run for said out-half soon after, covering 30m, set free the supporting no 8 to touch under the posts, giving Adam Lynch an easier target and brought Pirates into the lead with 5 points to spare. This was to be the last score of the opening half.

The second half opened in a similar fashion, a quick tap and go by Mark O’Rourke with the quick-thinking fly-half in support, to get the opening score of the second half, Lynch again adding the conversion. 15 minutes into the half, winger Casey Whelan got a sliver of space that he manipulated to the full, setting flight down the wing. The cover defence managed to bring him to a halt, the supporting back rowers of Ben Murphy and Tadgh McKeown secured a quick ball, that was flashed back out to the opposite wing for Dylan to touch down his 2nd try of the day, Lynch again on point with the conversion.

10 minutes later, prop (and birthday boy) Eoghan Doyle capitalized on a line out error by the visitors, to turn over and set the forward momentum going with a strong run. The resulting fastball saw fed Dylan Corcoran, with a lot of work to do crossed for his 3rd try of the day. Ben Murphy claimed the restart, making the hard yards and released Adam Lynch who ran a great support line on Ben's shoulder. Lynch made 40 m just shy of the 22m line, with newly introduced Sol Kahn and Rían McGrath managing to hold Lynch's heels in support, with Kahn feeding McGrath to cross the line. 

The Cookies were not going away and continued to play in great spirit, their reward a penalty try 2 minutes later. Another quick tap penalty allowed Quirke to stretch his legs, retrieving his own chip and chase to pop to Sol, who went over under the posts for Pirates final score. Again to their credit, Young Munster came back strong in attack and in doing so got the last score of the game in the last play. The scoreline doesn’t reflect the competitiveness and spirit the game was played in; Pirates wish the very best to Young Munster in the remainder of their season. 

Munster under-16 cup

Pirates welcomed Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne to the Paddocks Sunday, for the penultimate round of the Munster u16s Cup Group one phase. 

With Group 1 being fiercely contested, the encounter was anticipated to be a closely fought physical affair, and that is exactly what it delivered. 

From the k.o. the visitors from Sleigh Head came at Pirates, a superb tackle by winger Donnachadh ODonovan saving the Pirates line in the opening seconds. The visiting pressure did not relent and was awarded a try after only 4 minutes gone. 

On the resumption of play, the physical test continued between the 22s with both teams not taking a foot back when asked. Matthew Perryman stopped the visiting back row in their tracks, for Oskar Olszewski and Keelan Manley to take advantage of the spilt ball and make hard-earned ground up the middle of the pitch. The visiting defence was not to be broken at this stage and held firm.

A now trademark turnover by Evan Welham earned a penalty that was taken quickly. Bringing play into the Newtown corner for an attacking lineout for Pirates. The defence was again up to the task, disrupting the receive in the air and clearing their lines. 

Soon after, out half Brandon Joy was to find the smallest of space, cutting back inside from a well-fired pass by Odhran Burke, and cross the line for Pirates. His conversion just shaved the wrong side of the post, and the teams were level again. Minutes later, another attack was launched by Pirates, this time towards the entrance corner, with Oskar making hard yards, supported by Joy and Kian Kidney, only to fall just short of the scoreline. As play approached the HT mark and moved beyond it, both teams tested each other’s tackling ability constantly.

It was not until 10 minutes from the final whistle that the next scoring chance was to present itself, in the form of a penalty kick within 30m of the Pirates posts, which the visiting 10 slotted over perfectly. This was to be the final score of the game, with the home side pushing hard to retrieve the score advantage, but to no avail. 

Final score 8-5 in favour of the visiting Kerry side. A massive well done to Rugbaí Chorca Dhuibhne on the deserved win, and the very best of luck to them in the remainder of their season. The Pirates boys will not regather and prepare for next weeks final group game on the road v Ennis Rugby Club. 

Springfield Ramblers

U13 Premier

Springfield Ramblers 3 Mallow United 2

Great win for our U13s Saturday morning at home against Mallow United.

A highly competitive game from start to finish, Kyle O’Callaghan scored the winner with the last kick of the game to spark wild celebrations!

Brilliant performances from everyone in the squad, from Sean Leyden in goal to Cillian O’ Connell upfront.

Goals from Kyle O’ Callaghan (2) and Max Meade

Under 15 Girls premier league.

Riverstown FC 2-2 Springfield Ramblers

Nice day for a game of ball up in the GACA grounds yesterday. A highly competitive game for start to finish. The girls were well on top in the first half going two up with well-taken goals from Habeebat. Brilliant performances from everyone, battling for one another some great passing and individual play in the team. Second half unlucky to give a soft penalty away which was well taken, making the score 2-1. Had plenty of chances and the better team on the day. Mistake at the back made the game 2-2. Were unlucky not to score a few times in the last 10mins and it wasn’t for the lack of trying.

Goals from Habeebat Folami (2).

Big thanks to the two U13 girls who played up with us

Well done girls, keep it going!

Springfield Ramblers

The club would like to say a huge thank you to Mark and Sarah Orr of Moor (Piling and construction LTD) and Conor Spillane of DNG for their recent sponsorship of our boys and girls academy. This sponsorship allowed us to get new jerseys for all our academy teams.

The jerseys got their first run out at the U9 girl's blitz in Carrigtwohill where some fantastic football was on display by all our hugely talented girls. And didn't they just look great in their new jerseys.

Tidy Towns

Such a fabulous group and what a brilliant morning clean up on the northeastern shoreline of the Great Island. There were 30 ++ bags collected from a combined community effort with volunteers representing Cleancoast Cobh, Cobh Tidy Towns and Ballymore Community Association. This woodland has roosts of many diving birds and woodland birds so it was really great to rid the area of so many plastics washed up on the shore.

With sincere gratitude to one and all.

Joined Thinking

We need a bit of joined-up thinking on our roads on Great Island and roads around Ireland! When rubbish is thrown out windows it ends up washed into the sea around us. 

The road by IFI was only picked by one of our volunteers a few weeks ago and you can’t have missed how bad it looked recently. Our volunteer picked two full bags off it this morning- plenty of alcohol cans, water bottles, coffee cups and fast-food wrappers. This was only seen full circle when Cleancoast Cobh volunteers were out at the back of Great Island on the shore by Ashgrove and Ballyellane this morning too and cleaned up an incredible amount of washed-up plastic litter onto the shore. Wait until you see how much they cleared off the beaches and from under the trees overhanging the shore over on their page! Cleancoast Cobh.

Beavers working on their emergencies and fire lighting skills.

Cove Sailing Club's Dorgan in Top Form at Monkstown Bay's Laser League in Cork Harbour

Colaiste Muire Cobh TYs really enjoyed their Teen Speak workshop last week.

Through her short drama, Colette Forde created a safe environment for students to experience the emotional pain teenagers can feel and to understand how therapy can help to move forward. 

Tears, smiles and laughter were shared in the interactive workshop and a very moving and sincere experience for students and teachers alike. 

Thank you Colette.

Sally Daly RIP

Cobh (Great Island) Community Centre would like to acknowledge the passing of one of their long time valued Bingo Volunteers Mrs Sally Daly.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Sally’s family & her sister Ger at this sad time.

From the Board of Directors, Manager Gwen & Staff of Cobh (Great Island) Community Centre.