Intermediate Champs

Cill Eanna 1g 8

Inniskeen 10p

The year of the surprises

Well we had Brexit, the Irish Rugby stalwarts,  Trump, the Irish soccer Boys in Green on top of their league and then along comes Killanny Geraldines, the small fish in the strong Intermediate pond, lucky enough to make the semi finals. After an epic semi final with Tyholland and a point to the good at the finish the black and red flags  nervously started to appear in the wee parish, even the four black and red sheep looked on in disbelief . Our near and cherished neighbours were the opposition and had a comfortable win over arch rivals Donaghmoyne. Only a week to prepare and thanks to the Divine only a few bruises to report, the dye was cast and the selected venue for the clash was Corduff. Both sides rallied their troops for the final days, what to do and what not to do was explained time and time again by Andy and Paul. An hour before both sides slipped into the well appointed Corduff changing rooms. A strong cold breeze  with spitting rain blew in from the Shercock side of the park. The elements led to a game of errors and miss passing but always intense and heart stopping affair  and at half time Inniskeen led by six points to five. . At no stage did anymore than two points separate the sides. . Midway through the second half the favourites were ahead by two points and looked to be cruising but Gavin Traynor  climbed highest to a ball sent in by Peter Dooley and fist home past the keeper and turn the game on its head. Dare we dream, could we hold on, the last ten minutes were frantic with mistakes on both sides.  The Grattans  fought back with two points but it was Stephen McMahon that had the final say with two spectacular points to leave us in dreamland. Yes Stephie Wonder and a team of heroes led by a meticulous manager in Andy Callan and Paul Grimes who were not afraid to make the big  calls. There were euphoric scenes when Captain Ronan Duffy accepted the McAvinney Cup from County Board Chairman Pauric Sherry and even the misty Corduff air could not dampen the spirits of players and supporters. This team had come on a long journey that started several years back. A lot done, a lot more to do. This had been a tough battle but void of a nasty stroke and the Grattans have to complimented on the manner in which they took their defeat and we wish them well in the future,. When we last won the Hackett Cup in 1986 our stay at the top table was short lived and we hope that the return flight will be well out of date before its required. Match report elsewhere.

Agm

We are holding our AGM on Friday next 25th November and are hoping for a  long queue of people to get on this committee. Please get your forms back to Michael Crawley before the 23rd November.

Lotto

Week ending 13th November Jackpot 12,500. Numbers drawn 22, 4, 9 12. No winner, Lucky Dips Kathleen Duffy, David Kellett, Cillian Leegan, Kathleen Duffy, Andrew Crawley, Michael McMahon. Next week Jackpot 12,600 and on Duty Majella. Tickets 2 euro each or 3 for fiver.