VALLEY ROVERS

Feile Peil na nOg Corcaigh 2011 Report

• Jul 05,2011

Feile Peil na nOg Corcaigh 2011 was a resounding success all round. The efforts and dedication of the many people involved insured a great sporting occasion. It required huge logistical organisation. The co-ordinators, club officials, volunteers, referees, clubs and host families worked together to make the 30th Feile Peil na nOg festival a memorable occasion for all players, mentors, parents, supporters, communities and clubs involved. It was undoubtedly a fun-filled, memorable festival. 

 

On Wednesday night 29th June, the host families, U14 players, selectors, and club officers gathered at the Parish Hall to welcome the St. Enda's team from Glengormley, Co. Antrim. After some light refreshments the Valleys players and the St. Enda's players enjoyed a friendly kick about on the pitch. The quests were then taken to their appointed host families homes.

The Inniscarra GAA Club hosted the very successful event. On Thursday 30th June, Valleys played St. Enda's (Glengormley) in their opening group match. St. Enda's dominated the game from the start and quickly took the lead thanks to some fine points from their centre forward Odhran Eastwood. Aaron Lyons scored Valleys opening point with a well taken shot from 25 metres out. After Lyons' point Valleys missed two goal chances which could have greatly reduced St. Enda's lead. Eoin Burke was effective from free kicks for Valleys. St. Enda's went in at half time leading by 9 points. St. Enda's began the second half just as they had finished the first, with Eastwood kicking another point. Valleys missed a penalty halfway through the second half. St. Enda's continued to increase their lead, while playing some beautiful football and ran out winners on a score line of St. Enda's 4-9 Valley Rovers 0-3.

At 2 pm, Valleys played St. Vincents from Offaly. It was a tense and closely contested game. Valleys were impressive in spells with Tomas Sweetnam scoring a superb goal midway through the first half. After Sweetnam's goal St. Vincents began to get on top and kicked some fine scores. St. Vincents corner forward Shane Tierney was a constant danger to the Valleys full back line. Andrew O'Callaghan was impressive for Valleys in defence. St. Vincents began to pull further ahead in the second half. St. Vincents passing movement caused Valleys constant problems. The game ended with St. Vincents beating a determined Valley Rovers 3-7 to 2-4.

On Thursday night, the Feile parade was held in Cork City. The route of the Feile parade, which kicked off at the Maradyke at 7:30 pm, ending up in Grande Parade, was lined with GAA supporters and families of those taking part in the matches.  Each team was easily distinguishable by the large team flag they carried at the front of their ranks. More than 160 teams, including London, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Warwickshire, Yorkshire, Scotland, New York  and Philadelphia took part in the parade. 

At 10 am on Friday morning, Valleys played Inniscarra in their third group game. Valleys had a great start with Tomas Sweetnam scoring a great goal inside the opening ten minutes.  Sweetnam's goal was followed by a classy Colm Butler point. Butler worked tirelessly all day at corner forward to create space for the other Valleys forwards. Valleys kicked another fine score and were leading 1-2 to no score before Inniscarra  registered their opening score. After Valleys scoring spree Inniscarra began to dominate and quickly took the lead. Halfway through the second period Michael Crowley scored a goal following a lovely attacking move. Gary Jones also scored a fine point after cutting in from the left to pop the ball over the bar. The goal reduced Inniscarra's lead and brought Valleys back into the game. Dan Sweetnam was impressive for Valleys in the full back line. Captain Stephen Lordan also performed well in midfield. Valleys kept on attacking the Inniscarra defence but Inniscarra managed to hold out and win the game. Valleys were extremely unlucky not to win. Valley Rovers 2-3 to Inniscarra's 3-3.

Valleys played their final group game at 11 am against local rivals Bandon. This was a game in which Valleys were desperate to win. Valleys developed an early lead with James Rice scoring two goals. This was followed by a Chris O'Leary. Valleys were excellent from the start with Bill Casey commanding the half back line. Oisin O'Driscoll chipped in with a point for Valleys. Paul O'Brien made two excellent saves from the penalty spot to prevent Bandon from getting back into the game. Cathal Dart O'Flynn scored three great points from wing forward. Scott and Gary Deane were impressive, along with Aidan Sheehan, Shane O'Leary, Ben Murphy and Peter O'Callaghan. Vallleys won the game on a score line of 0-2 to 4-10 to finish the competition on a high. St. Enda's (Glengormley ) topped the group and advanced to the semi finals.

Cathal Dart O'Flynn represented Valleys in the Feile skills and came second to St. Enda's Odhran Eastwood.

St. Enda's played New York in the semi final at 5 pm on Friday in The Glen Fields. St. Enda's won the game 0-1 to 0-7 to qualify for the final.

On Friday night the Juvenile club and the ladies football club held a disco for the Valleys boys and girls teams aswell as the two host teams from Antrim and Westmeath. The disco was very enjoyable and the club would like to thank all those that helped.

St. Enda's played Newcastlewest from Limerick in the final at 1 pm in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. They won the match  2-4 to 0-4. Valleys would like to congratulate St. Enda's on their great victory.

Valley Rovers would like to thank everyone who helped make the Feile Peil na Nog Corcaigh 2011 a great success.