3rd January 2009 

Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh had reason to enjoy success at the Permanent TSB Cork County Scór na nÓg finals hosted in the presence of a capacity attendance in the Eire Og GAA pavilion, Ovens, last Sunday.

Qualifiers from Mizen to Kildorrery were amongst the 150 strong competitors from GAA clubs countywide searching for accolades in music, song, dance and novelty act in a full and comprehensive cultural programme.

Last season’s runners-up Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh swept to an impressive win in the question time category to better Dungourney in a playoff.

14th November 2009 LADIES’ FOOTBALL

The Tadhg Mac Carthaigh ladies played the final of the West Cork Junior C championship against Bantry Blues on Saturday 7th last. As this was the final game of the season, the ladies were hoping to finish this season on a high and they did so. After some horrendous weather conditions, there were question marks about the availability and suitability of pitches and, after long deliberations, this game went ahead in the Tadhg Mac Carthaigh home pitch at Aughaville. Recognition must be given to the members involved in maintaining the grounds; it is a magnificent pitch, which held up incredibly well and is a credit to the club. The Caheragh ladies got off to a perfect start with a goal within the first minute and they never really looked back. Bantry Blues are a talented young side, but Tadhg Mac Carthaigh’s experience showed in this encounter, when they were able to get scores at critical times. After an evenly-contested first half, the Caheragh ladies showcased their county champion credentials with a blitz of scores within the first ten minutes of the second half that put the game as a contest to bed. The Tadhg Mac Carthaigh ladies ran out convincing winners on a final score of 5-9 to 0-11. The Caheragh ladies have more reason to celebrate; they were awarded the Buckley Financial Team of the Month for October, 2009. They are one of the 12 teams going forward on January 16 next for team of the year. Thus concludes a long but successful playing season and the ladies thanked their trainers, Sean Flaherty, Patrick Murray and Colm O’Driscoll. Their time, effort and commitment to the squad this year was greatly appreciated. Also thanks went to Tim Buckley of Buckley Financial, sponsors Frank Hurley of Carbery Oils Ltd, The Coachman’s Inn, Ber Daly of Window Designs, Tim Shorten for putting up the flags. A special word of thanks was expressed to Finbarr Hourihane, Donal Leahy, Sean Collins and all at Tadgh Mac Carthaigh GAA Club for all their help and support during the year with the pitch and facilities, as well as all their supporters throughout the year, whom they greatly appreciate. It is hoped to continue their success and to grow the club more next year, new members are very welcome. Please contact Kate (086) 3101952 or Sheila (086) 1645598. The Tadhg Mac Carthaigh ladies are holding their AGM next Tuesday at 7.30pm in Aughaville hall and new members are welcome.

24th October 2009 LADIES’ FOOTBALL

The Tadhg Mac Carthaigh ladies played the final of the County Junior ‘C’ championship last Sunday against St. Colum’s. In terrible weather conditions, this was a predictably tight affair, played in front of a big crowd in Bantry. Due to the slippery conditions, both sides were guilty of some basic handling errors, with Tadhg Mac Carthaigh’s in particular finding it difficult. Tadgh Mac Carthaigh ladies were first to settle, racing into a three-point lead and looking comfortable. However, St. Colum’s are a good side and they eventually found their true form. At the interval, Tadhg Mac Carthaigh held the lead at 0-5 to 0-2 and were unlucky not be further ahead, as they spurned a number of scoring opportunities. St. Colum’s upped the intensity for the second half and very quickly began to eat into Tadgh Mac Carthaigh’s lead. It was nip and tuck for long periods of the second half. In a frantic last ten minutes, St. Colum’s threw everything at Tadhg MacCarthaigh but the Caheragh ladies held firm. Although, St. Colum’s managed to draw level, they never took the lead and Tadgh Mac Carthaigh kicked the winning point with time almost up. The Tadhg MacCarthaigh ladies clinched victory on a final score of 0-10 to 0-9. A magnificent win for the ladies and one hopes it is the first half of a historic double, as Tadhg Mac Carthaigh’s are also in the final of the West Cork Junior Championship.

16th May 2009 Tadhg MacCartháigh ace duo Colm and Kevin O’Driscoll are still coming to terms with the realisation of helping Cork win the All-Ireland under-21 football final in the most dramatic of circumstances against Down last Monday week in Portlaoise.

With the game deep into injury time and Cork trailing by two points, Colm reacted quickest to a breaking ball in the area to fire home the match-winning goal and secure a sensational last gasp victory which ensures Cork retain their proud distinction of being the most successful under-21 football team in the country. Kevin who played a significant role at midfield against the Mournesiders explains “It is only really sinking in now. It is an incredible feeling being All-Ireland champions. It really hits home to you how much it means to people when they stop you on the street and congratulate you. For the first couple of days I was in a haze but it is just about sinking in now. It is a great feeling to be part of something so special and it is something I will always cherish”.

GLITTERING

This is Colm’s second under-21 All-Ireland football title garnered in his three years competing at this grade, a fitting tribute for such an accomplished player who has achieved so much thus far in a glittering career. Colm was an unused substitute in the Leesiders’ victory over Laois in the 2007 final and, whilst understandably proud of that victory, feels this latest triumph eclipses that win, due to his telling contribution in propelling Cork to victory this year. “I suppose it means more this time around. I was an unused substitute two years ago. I came on in the semi-final that year but didn’t play any part in the final but actively playing and contributing this year means I felt much more involved and it is a great feeling. It is a nice honour to have two All-Ireland medals now”.

Cork stormed to success in the most extraordinary circumstances with Colm pouncing for a close range goal in the second minute of injury time to secure a thrilling one point victory for Cork who enjoyed a roller-coaster ride of an under-21 football campaign which was littered with spells of free-flowing football along with frequented bouts of luck as Colm elaborates’ “We never gave up hope of winning on the day, even when all looked lost with the game entering injury time. I know doubts might creep into your mind when you are two points down and in injury time but we kept going until the final whistle which shows the character in our squad. Fortunately we got a large slice of luck on the day to enable us to win and even after the goal when Down broke down the field in search of an equaliser, we kept our composure because you are at your most vulnerable when you have just scored, but that encapsulates the courage and bravery of our team”.

Colm is equally modest when describing the vital goal which secured the thrilling last gasp victory. “I just took a chance and followed in the shot, in the off chance that it might rebound off the post or crossbar, and luckily I was in the right place at the right time. The ball bounced awkwardly for the keeper and I just took a chance. I just put my head down and kicked it as hard as I could and fortunately it ended up in the back of the net. There wasn’t much time for placing the ball and I was just glad to see it land in the net. It was an incredible feeling”.

There has been a general feeling amongst supporters that Cork’s name was on the Clarke Cup all year having overcome Tipperary, Dublin and ultimately Down in the final in fortuitious circumstances so does Kevin subscribe to that theory? “Yes I think we got lucky along the way but I believe you reap what you sow. We had great self belief within our squad in our own ability and we always felt that we were the best team in the tournament. We accept we got lucky in a few games along the way, but I firmly believe you make your own luck in life and we never gave up believing in ourselves throughout the campaign but we deserved our success overall”.

With seven starters from this year’s title winning team and 15 members of the panel overall eligible for next year’s under-21 football championship campaign Cork under the guidance of manager John Cleary, can look forward to a lengthy championship run again next season with Kevin who has one more season at under-21 level certain to be an influential figure at centre field once more. “We’d be hopeful of mounting a strong bid to retain our under-21 crown next season but it will be hard as every team will target us now as defending champions but we have the nucleas of a very strong team once again”.

SPECIAL

Colm departs the under-21 scene with two All-Ireland medals in his back pocket “I can’t complain about my trophy haul from my under-21 days at all” but feels it is extra special having achieved this latest succes with his younger brother and great friend Kevin playing alongside him “It makes it extra special to have achieved this success playing alongside Kevin. It makes it even sweeter’ it is a very proud moment for the whole family to share in. It could be a once in a lifetime achievement achieving an All-Ireland victory with your brother and we will treasure this moment forever. It is an incredible feeling”.

Colm and Kevin are equally proud to have represented their club Tadhg Mac-Cárthaigh with pride throughout the under-21 campaign and feel it is just reward for everyone in the club who have helped them to reach this current pinnacle as Colm explains’ “It is fabulous for the parish to have two All-Ireland medals coming back to the village. All the local people were very supportive to us in the build up to the final which we really appreciate as it meant a lot to us. There was a massive Caheragh support in Portlaoise on the day and indeed supporters from throughout West Cork which we feel spurred on us to victory even more”.

There is no doubt that Colm’s man of the match exploits in the final will further help his bid to establish himself on the Cork senior football panel in the future. Indeed Colm has trained with the Cork senior footballers in the past and no doubt current Cork supremo Conor Counihan knows all about his match winning capabilities and will have plans for Colm firmly etched on this thoughts with regards to the Cork senior football team for the foreseeable future. “I’d be hoping to make the breakthrough alright but it is tough task with the amount of talent coming through at present. Cork football is currently riding high on the crest of a wave at the moment what with the CIT success in Sigerson, and the seniors winning the national league title and now the under-21s so it is a great time to be coming through. But all I can do is concentrate on playing good football for my club and division. I got a taste of it last year training with the senior team and it was a real eye-opener. It was a great experience and undoubtedly improved my skills and hunger to make the breakthrough. But if you are called up to train with the Cork seniors you have to be ready and grab the opportunity with both hands”.

Kevin also takes a pragmatic approach with regards to making his mark with the Cork senior football team in the future. “Hopefully, I can get an opportunity but I am still very young and it is a long way down the line. It is always an aim and objective of mine to make a breakthrough and test yourself against the best but for now I just want to play well for my club and hopefully establish a place on the Carbery team this year”.