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Ballinhassig 2-9, Shamrocks 2-7

A second defeat in a row for the footballers but as the scoreline suggests, the lads came close to making up for the defeat 2 weeks ago

There is no doubt that the better team were Ballinhassig; they had more in them especially in attack where the scores came about much easier than the Shamrocks lads. In that respect, the Shamrocks backs did very well overall considering the pressure they were under.

Ballinhassig led at HT by 3 points, 1-5 to 0-5 with Cian Lynch the main Shamrocks scorer. Ballinhassig struck for a goal straight after HT to move into a commanding position. Shamrocks had other ideas and their never say die attitude was rewarded with 2 goals in the space of 3 minutes midway through the second half, scored by Coby O’Grady and Josh Bartlett. However, in the final 10 minutes they couldnt draw level and Ballinhassig closed out the game to win by 2.

Once again, a very encouraging display from all the players in the green jersey and these young players are only going to get better with games.

Team: C. Corkery, G. Ronayne, D. Barry, K. Maye, R. Barrett, C. Kidney, N. Hayes, D. Herlihy, A. O’Grady, C. O’Grady, S. Collins, J. Bartlett, C. O’Donovan, B. O’Mahony, C. Lynch. Sub – Jack Wilson.

JAFL V Ballinhassig, 16/3/25. Back Row, l to r: D. Barry, C. Corkery, S. Collins, G. Ronayne, J. Bartlett, C. Kidney, C. Lynch, D. Herlihy, J. Wilson, B. O’Mahony. Front – R. Barrett, C. O’Donovan, A. O’Grady, C. O’Grady, N. Hayes, K. Maye

Barry O’Mahony

Cian Lynch kicks for goal

Cathal O’Donovan

Cian bottled up by Ballinhassig

Ó Murchús 2-15, Belgooly 1-5

The U21 FC panel verses Belgooly on March 1st in Crosshaven

NONAGENARIAN, PRESIDENT JERH. COVENEY, AN ICONIC FIGURE IN THE ANNALS OF
SHAMROCKS GAA

There are birthdays every day but when one hits the clock at 90, there is a different ring to the bell and this is the case for the esteemed President of The Shamrock Hurling & Football
Club, Jerh. Coveney from Loughbeg. February 20th is the magic day and let the 91st year roll on. Hearty and warm congratulations to a genial and benevolent Christian Gentleman.

HIS OWN PLACE
A true son of his own place skirting the Lee and Lower Harbour, School Road, The Tower, The Marsh, Tober Elli, Fila Crow, Luc, Post office Lane, Priest’s Avenue, The Village and
onwards past the Rock and onto Gobby and our beautiful Harbour, Loughbeg and Lough Mor too. The old Ringaskiddy NS 1898 and his beloved little Oratory 1923 with its Celtic Bell
all made up his unique and special world. His own place has given him longevity and a life with richness that money could not buy. The seasons, the land, the garden and vegetable
crops, the fruits of the sea, the shrimps, Mackrell, periwinkles and rich seaweed to nurture the soil.

PRESIDENT FOR LIFE
At the Annual general Meeting of the Shamrock Club held in 2022, Jerh. was elected President for life, an honour reserved for very special people who had rendered remarkable
and unmatched services to the Club. He was proposed by Pat O’Neill and seconded by Lorcan Aherne, two great admirers of this great man. Jerh. wore the green jersey for the
very first time in 1949 when he was part of the Shamrock Under 16 Hurling team taking part in the very first South-East Cork Championship. The final between Shamrocks and St.
Patricks of Upton took place in Ballygarvan. Shamrocks took the honours and a splendid new silver cup donated by Rev. Fr. P. O’Farrell C.C. Carrigaline and presented by Maurice
O’Donoghue Chairman of the South-East Board. Jerh is the only survivor of that winning team today. He went on to play with the Junior team and after many disappointments
loosing finals in the 1950’s he was a proud member of the ’59 team that won South-East honours defeating arch rivals Ballinhassig after a replay in Carrigaline. He would collect a
second medal in 1963 and on his day he was ranked among the best goal scoring forwards in the Junior game.

UNDERAGE REVOLUTION
In 1959 The Shamrock Club were making serious efforts at under age level but the appointment of someone to further this idea and ambition totally depended on finding the
right person to lead the implement the plan. Jerh. Coveney was coaxed and cajoled and little did the Club know that a golden era was being hatched. In 1960 Jerh. had his team in
fine shape and after defeating Passage and Carrigaline in two tough encounters his side would contest a final for the very first time. St. Patricks of Upton were the opponents and
after two games they took the spoils. Despite disappointment Jerh. pushed on and had great faith on the youngsters coming up. With patience and perseverance he made history
in 1962 winning the very first South-East title. He would go on and win five in a row. In 1963 he brough a first County to Shamrocks and South East Cork defeating Bandon at
Upton. He repeated the feat in 1964 defeating St. Patricks of Dillon’s Cross. He stayed with the players right through the upper under age ranks where they won Under 16 and Minor
finals in both codes and contested a County Minor Hurling Final against Midleton. He was rewarded and honoured later when some of his proteges won All Ireland Hurling and
Football Medals with North Mon, Criost Ri and Cork Minors. The man from Loughbeg had sewed a seed that fermented locally. Countywide and Nationally, from humble beginnings
to the steps of the Hogan Stand.

THANKS JERH
Go raibh maith agat Jerh and thanks for your unselfish and special contribution to your own Club and own place. Jerh. Coveney has over a lifetime won and commanded deep respect
from followers of Gaelic Games far and wide. His unique and natural skills enabled him to build a real trusting relationship with his charges and mentors. A trusted and caring Coach
he generated the very best out of his faithful and devoted players who showed great pride in the green jersey as he taught them to.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT JERH.

Below are a selection of photos from times past featuring Ger

New Gym Presentation; photo taken in new gym, vice-Presidents and others.

1969; Jerh makes presentation to Ger Hanley , Winner of Minor All Ireland Medals.

1968; Minor Hurling County Final at Cork Athletic Grounds, Shamrocks V Midleton. Ger was the trainer

1964; 2nd Under 14 Hurling Co Champions. Ger was the coach

1963; First Under 14 Hurling Co. Champions. Ger is back row, far right

Junior Hurling team of 1955

Celebration of centenary year of 1916 SH Final Midleton V Shamrocks. L to R Ger Coveney, Pat McCarthy, Chairman,. and Paddy Fitzgerald., President of Midleton GAA.

Ger received a presentation at the Club Dinner Dance in 1988 to mark the 25th anniversary of his under 14 team winning its first county title in 1963.