August Review
Post date: Aug 27, 2012 6:42:41 PM
Although we have not quite reached the end of the month yet there have been a number of activities underway despite the close season around Race Week and the August Bank Holiday weekend.
On the playing field the most active group have been our U16 team who have progressed to a County Quarter Final. Congratulations to all the players and management who stayed together and followed right through from last year's U15 City League victory. For more on the win over Mellowes click here
Our Junior and Minor teams have been making progress too but unfortunately not on the playing field. Our Junior team have been left without games in their last two fixtures as first Annaghdown secured a postponement and then Craughwell conceded a walkover (although they have played and won since. This leaves the Junior team with full points (8 from 4 games) with further group games against strong Athenry and Ballinasloe teams and the refixed game against Annaghdown. On Friday last, some of the panel got some game time against Liam Mellowes in a challenge game. With the Minor players on both sides concentrating on the Moycullen/Oughterard football game and several others unavailable for the hastily arranged game, Mágh Cuilinn played with 14 until halftime and trailed 1-10 to 0-08 at halftime. Restored to 15 for the second half, CIMC scored some fine long range points with David Bohan, Michael Hurney and Frank Enright all contributing but could not troubl the net and fell just short 1-17 to 0-18. It was a useful exercise to blow away the cobwebs and with 8-10 regulars to return the team is in good shape. John Fox was on duty as referee and now that he, Chris Hurney, Tom McDermott and Morgan Darcy senior are qualified referees, it has made the business of organising challenges much easier at all levels. As reported previously the Minor team were to play Meelick Eyrecourt in a playoff for group winers and runners up but Meelick conceded the game due to heavy committments at U16 level that week, leaving Mágh Cuilinn group winners.
The U12 team kicked off their round of games on Thursday night last entertaining Mellowes (yet again) in the 11-a-side Go Games format that ensures everybody gets to participate. Each club was able to field two teams so their was plenty of game time for everyone. A win for either side meant everyone went away happy.
The Senior team have eased their way gently back into training in preparation for the Shield quarter final. By way of preparation, the Seniors will also be trying 11 a-side, as a club has entered a tournament of that format in Ratoath, Co. Meath on All Ireland Saturday. Each team is guaranteed 3 games and hopefully it will prove an entertaining start to a great weekend.
Speaking of the All Ireland, of course the big event in August was the All Ireland semi-final success of our County Senior hurlers against Cork. Mágh Cuilinn were well represented and 50 Adults and 20 odd juveniles availed of various group passes. A further 50 obtained group pases tickets through Cumann Peile Mágh Cuilinn while many more travelled on standard tickets. In fairness to our U16 panel they were part of the much more select group that witnessed the stunning Leinster final win.
There is of course now a great deal of apprehension in relation to All Ireland Final tickets. The club has already been allocated 60 (€80) stand tickets and 70 (€40) Hill 16 terrace tickets. For the first time ever, the Hurling Board has allocated tickets to Cathaoirleach, Runaí, Cisteoir and Delegate of each club. We are awaiting the possibility of a further allocation of 20 odd €10 juvenile pass type tickets before finally deciding the distribution mechanism, but this information will not be available until Tuesday August 28th . Needless to say, as with the Semi-Final, paid up club members have first priority in the allocation of tickets. The mechanism for distibution will be announced on Wednesday with the draws and distribution taking place on Friday 31st August in the clubhouse. Please have your membership card available.