1981-2009
In 1981 Catherines defeated Bride Rovers, Aghada and Watergrasshill to reach the East Cork Junior A Final which was played in Castlelyons in front of a crowd of over 3,300 paying spectators (a record crowd which stands to this day). The disappointments of '75, '77, '79 & '80 were firmly forgotten as Catherines bridged a 24 year gap by defeating a Dungourney team that included the 3 Boylans by 3-12 to 1-7. Click here for Cork Examiner report.
1981 East Cork Junior A Final team: Tom Walsh, Maurice Hartnett, John G. Barry, Batty O'Connell, Kevin Lane, Pat O'Sullivan, Seamus Neville, Dan Mangan, Denis O'Neill, John Sice, William Kearney, Mike Mellerick, John Mangan, Oliver Twomey, Christy Clancy. Sub: Mossie O'Neill for John Sice.
Catherines went on to defeat Aughabullogue by 4-11 to 3-8 and Shamrocks by 0-9 to 0-8, to qualify for the County final against Milford on Sunday, November 1st which was played in Castletownroche. Milford won by 1-10 to 0-11 in a match regarded as a classic. Milford went on to win the County Intermediate title the following year and were a huge force in Senior ranks for over a decade. The County final team had 1 change from the East Cork final team with 16 year old Denis Walsh replacing John Sice.
Catherines reached the East Cork Junior B final in '81 defeating White's Cross and St. Its's before losing to Cobh in the final. But the Minor hurlers won the championship final against St. Bartholemews.
1981 Minor B winning team: James Beecher, Neilus Murphy, Maurice Hartnett, Denis Buckner, Shane O'Connell, Pad Joe Lonergan, Andrew Mangan, Christy Clancy, Pat Clancy, Patsy O'Donoghue, Denis Walsh, Tom Griffin, Kevin Barry, Gerry Murphy, John McCarthy.
In 1982 Catherines lost the Junior A semi-final to Midleton at Dungourney. The U14 C & U16 B hurling championships were won. The U21 B hurlers captained by Pat Murphy defeated Fr. O'Neills in the East Cork final in a memorable final played at Youghal.
1982 U21 B winning team: James Beecher, Pad Joe Lonergan, Maurice Hartnett, Denis Buckner, Mike Mangan, Pat Murphy, Eppie Hartnett, Johnny Lonergan, Jim Kearney, Christy Clancy, Denis Walsh, Pat Clancy, Patsy O'Donoghue, Pad Leahy, Tom Griffin.
In 1983 Catherines were far from impressive in defeating Aghada after a replay, Lisgoold and Carrigtwohill's second team to qualify for the East Cork Junior A Final. Midleton were the opposition in a final played at Youghal on the evening of Sunday, August 28th. Catherines scored 2-1 in the first 3 minutes and went on to win by 4-14 to 3-7.
Catherines defeated Kilworth by 5-12 to 3-4 and Carrigaline by 2-12 to 3-6 to qualify for the County final against Aughabullogue in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on November 6th. Catherines led by 1-8 to 1-3 at half-time and went on to win by 1-13 to 1-8. Promotion to Intermediate Hurling had been achieved by a team captained by Batt O'Connell.
Catherines lost the Junior B final to Cobh in 83 at Shanagarry with the following team: Pat Murphy, Donal Hurley, Tom Hegarty, Pad Joe Lonergan, Billy Neville, Shane O'Connell, Mike Mangan, Mossie O'Neill, Joe Hartnett, Pat Clancy, Matt Hurpur, Patsy O'Donoghue, Pad Leahy, John D. Cotter, John Lane.
The U16 hurlers won the County (Country section) B title defeating Timoleague before losing to Brian Dillons in the County Final.
In 1984 Catherines lost the Intermediate 1st round to Mallow by 2-11 to 1-13 in Kilworth. But the Junior B double was won, defeating Cobh in the Football final at Midleton and St. Itas in the hurling final at Dungourney.
Football team: Pat Murphy, Denis Buckner, Liam Cassin, Maurice Hartnett, Seamus Neville, John G. Barry, Billy Neville, John Mangan, Ger Mulcahy, Joe Hartnett, Pat O'Sullivan, Billy Carr, Mike Mellerick, Matt Harpur (Captain), Cathal Casey.
Hurling team: Pat Murphy, Barry O'Regan, Tom Hegarty, Kevin Barry, Mike Mangan, Pad Joe Lonergan, Billy Neville (Captain), Mossie O'Neill, Dan Mangan, Joe Hartnett, Matt Harpur, Cathal Casey, John Lane, Oliver Twomey, William Kearney.
In 1985 Catherines lost the Intermediate 1st round to Bishopstown by 3-10 to 1-10. The U21 A hurlers reached the East Cork final losing to Sarsfields in a great game played at Rathcormac. The U12 footballers won the East Cork C championship defeating Castlelyons by 2-4 to 2-3. Cathal Casey won an All Ireland Minor Hurling medal with Cork playing at wing-back.
In 1986 Catherines defeated St. Finbarrs in the Intermediate 1st round by 1-13 to 3-4. This was followed by a draw with Castletownroche (1-20 to 5-8) winning the replay by 1-15 to 3-4. Cloghduv ended Catherines run in the quarter-final by 1-16 to 1-12. The U21 footballers defeated Cloyne in the East Cork B final played at Youghal on a scoreline of 1-12 to 2-4. 1986 will never be forgotten by Denis Walsh and Cathal Casey who won All Ireland Senior medals with Cork, who defeated Galway in the final. The U12 Hurlers won the C championship defeating Fr. O'Neills in the final.
In 1987 Catherines drew with Eire Og (0-16 to 3-7) before losing the replay by 1-13 to 1-11. Pat O'Sullivan won an All Ireland Junior Hurling medal with Cork. The U12 Hurlers won the East Cork and County B championships defeating Fr. O'Neills, Sarsfields (5-7 to 4-2), Newtownshandrum (4-3 to 4-1), Aughabullogue (4-10 to 3-5) and St. Vincents (8-16 to 1-0). The U12 footballers reached the County B final losing to Blarney.
In 1988 Catherines defeated Ballinhassig by 1-13 to 2-8, Cobh by 4-9 to 1-8 to qualify for the semi-final. A draw with Youghal (0-14 to 1-11) was followed by a heavy defeat in the replay by 1-9 to 0-2 at Lisgoold. Catherines Junior B hurlers were defeated by Cloyne in the East Cork final by 4-5 to 1-7. The U12s won the East Cork B double, defeating Carrigtwohill in the football final and Killeagh in the hurling final after a replay. The U13 hurlers defeated Midleton in the East Cork A final. The U14 footballers won the East Cork B championship defeating Glenville in the final and losing to Beara in the County after a win over Carbery Rangers. The U14 hurlers lost the B final to Killeagh.
In 1989 Catherines Intermediate hurlers lost to Mallow in the 1st round by 2-16 to 2-5. Denis Walsh won an All Ireland Senior football medal with Cork who defeated Mayo in the final. The Junior B hurlers defeated Carrigtwohill by 4-9 to 1-5 in a replay, Lisgoold by 1-11 to 0-4 and Youghal in the final by 2-10 to 2-3 at Castlemartyr. Team was captained by Eppie Hartnett. The U14 hurlers won the Feile B title defeating Ballyhea by 11-7 to 1-1 in Ballinlough, and lost the A League final to Youghal controversially in Castlemarthr.
In 1990 Catherines Intermediate hurlers lost to Kilbrittain in the 1st round by 6-7 to 1-13, with Christy Clancy scoring 0-11. The U16 hurlers won the B County defeating Fr. O'Neills in the East Cork final, Carrigaline in the Country final and Glen Rovers in the County final. Team was captained by Pat Fitzgerald.
In 1991 Catherines Intermediate hurlers defeated Delanys in the 1st round by 5-17 to 2-10 with Denis Walsh scoring 2-5 from full-forward. But Denis was injured for the next round against Midleton which was lost by 2-12 to 1-12. The U21 footballers reached the B final losing to Castlelyons by 0-11 to 1-1. The Junior A footballers reached the East Cork final for the 1st and only time with a memorable semi-final win over Erins Own at Watergrasshill. The East Cork final was lost to Castlemartyr by 1-11 to 0-7. The U16 B footballers defeated Carrigtwohill in the East Cork final and Millstreet in the County 1st round before losing to Carbery Rangers. Cathal Casey won a hurling All-Star picked in the half-back position.
In 1992 Catherines Intermediate hurlers defeated Cloghduv by 2-15 to 1-9, Douglas by 0-12 to 2-5 before losing to Ballymartle by 2-7 to 0-10. The Ballymartle game was played in torrential rain in Caherlag with the winning goal conceeded with 2 minutes to go. The Minor A hurlers lost the East Cork final to Erins Own again conceeding a late goal by 2-6 to 0-10 in a game also played in torrential rain. The U21 B hurlers lost the East Cork final to Youghal by 1-13 to 0-8 at Dungourney. But the Junior B hurlers won the league and championship double defeating Carrigtwohill in the championship final at Dungourney by 1-11 to 2-1. Billy Neville captained the winning team.
In 1993 Catherines Intermediate hurlers defeated Aughabullogue by 2-8 to 0-10 but lost to Ballymartle by 3-7 to 1-12. The Minor A hurlers, captained by David O'Connell won the East Cork championship defeating Watergrasshill by 1-22 to 2-5 but lost the County final to Eire Og by 2-8 to 1-7 in a very disappointing defeat. The U21 B hurlers won the East Cork championship, captained by Ger Morrison defeating Castlemartyr by 3-9 to 1-11, Fr. O'Neills by 2-11 to 2-10, Bride Rovers by 2-13 to 0-8 and Castlelyons in the final by 4-15 to 3-5.
In 1994 Catherines Intermediate hurlers used the serious knee injury suffered by Cathal Casey as extra motivation to win the championship for the first time in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday, September 11th. Glen Rovers by 5-10 to 1-9, Midleton by 3-9 to 2-6, Cobh by 2-18 to 4-10, Delanys by 3-16 to 2-15 and Cloghduv by 3-12 to 2-11 in the final were defeated in a 9 week period that will never be forgotten by Catherines followers. Particularly memorable was the semi-final which Delanys led by 2-15 to 2-11 with 8 minutes to go only for Catherines to score 1-5 without reply. The Intermediate League was won for the 1st and only time defeating Glen Rovers in the final by 1-12 to 1-9. The East Cork U21 A championship was won for the 1st and only time defeating Watergrasshill by 2-18 to 4-7 after extra-time, Midleton by 6-14 to 3-3 and Youghal in the final by 2-10 to 0-6. Kieran Morrison won an All Ireland Junior hurling medal with Cork. Echo report of County final.
1995 was a very disappointing year compared to the previous year with the Senior hurlers losing to Bishopstown in the 1st round by 1-20 to 2-9.
In 1996 Catherines Senior hurlers defeated Ballyhea in the 1st round by 1-16 to 2-12 in Fermoy in what was a huge shock as Ballyhea had contested the County Senior final the previous year. Avondhu were far too good in the quarter-final winning by 0-20 to 0-10 and they went on to win the County. It was a stunning year in the club's 50th anniversary. The U21 footballers won the East Cork B championship defeating Carrignavar by 1-9 to 2-3, Killeagh by 1-12 to 2-6, Fr. O'Neills by 1-5 to 0-5 and Cloyne in the final by 0-10 to 1-6. The Minor B hurlers won the County defeating Castlemartyr by 3-9 to 0-5, Fr. O'Neills by 4-4 to 2-6, Aghada by 2-19 to 1-3, Sam Maguires by 1-6 to 1-5 and Buttevant by 7-13 to 0-8. But pride of place had to go to the Junior B hurlers, the club's third team who won the East Cork championship, an achievement that may never be repeated by a rural club in East Cork. Sarsfields were defeated by 1-10 to 1-7, Wategrasshill by 3-13 to 3-7 in a replay, Bride Rovers by 1-14 to 1-4, Carrigtwohill by 4-5 to 1-2 and Castlelyons in the final by 2-6 to 0-4. Victorious captain was Paul Higgins.
In 1997 Catherines Senior hurlers defeated Carbery in the 1st round by 2-13 to 1-13 in Pairc Ui Chaoimh before losing to County Champions Avondhu by 2-16 to 3-11 in Watergrasshill in a cracking contest. The Junior A hurlers caused a huge shock by defeating Castlemartyr in Dungourney before losing to Bride Rovers in Castlelyons by 0-2. The U14 hurlers won the B County defeating Castlelyons in the East Cork final, Cloghduv in the Country section final and Brian Dillons in the County final. This team was brilliantly captained by Liam Kearney who signed a professional contract with Nottingham Forest the following year.
In 1998 Catherines senior hurlers defeated Ballyhea in the 1st round by 2-12 to 2-11 in Kildorrey in a great game. Next up was the quarter-final against Blackrock which was played in Carrigtwohill before a huge crowd. Blackrock won by 1-9 to 0-11 in a heartbreaking defeat for Catherines. The Junior A hurlers destroyed Lisgoold in the 1st round before losing to Fr. O'Neills in Youghal. The Junior B hurlers defeated Russell Rovers and Castlemartyr before losing to Carrigtwohill in Watergrasshill. The U16 hurlers won the East Cork B championship defeating Bride Rovers in the final before losing to Diarmuid O'Mathunas in the County 1st round. The U12s won the East Cork B double defeating Glenville in the football final and Cloyne in the hurling final.
In 1999 Catherines Senior hurlers defeated Ballyhea in Kildorrey by 1-14 to 2-7 before losing to St. Finbarrs in the quarter-final by 1-14 to 0-13 in Carrigtwohill. The Minor hurlers won the East Cork B championship defeating Dungourney in the final at Castlelyons before losing to Mill Rovers in the County semi-final.
In 2000 Catherines Senior hurlers defeated Na Piarsaigh by 0-12 to 0-11 after a 2-8 to 2-8 draw before losing to Carbery by 4-17 to 2-8 in Pairc Ui Rinn. The Abernethy Cup was won defeating Midleton, Erins Own and Cloyne in the final played in Midleton. Team was captained by Martin O'Keeffe. The U12 hurlers won the East Cork D championship.
In 2001 Catherines Senior hurlers were hit by a terrible run of injuries and lost all 3 championship matches to Glen Rovers, Blackrock and UCC. The Junior B footballers qualified for the County semi-final losing to Argideen Rangers after a replay. The U11 hurlers won the East Cork C championship defeating Russell Rovers in the final at Rostellan. The U15 footballers won the B championship defeating Fr. O'Neills and the U15 hurlers contested the A East Cork final losing to Midleton after a replay.
In 2002 Catherines Senior hurlers lost to St. Finbarrs by 4-10 to 0-13 and to Douglas in Midleton. The Junior B footballers won the East Cork defeating Erins Own, Castlemartyr, Glenville and Aghada in the final. The U11, U12 & U14 hurlers won the C championships with the U12s losing to Kinsale and the U14s losing to Kilworth in the County 1st rounds. The U15 hurlers won the B championship defeating Cloyne in the final in Gortroe. The U16 hurlers contested the A final losing to Midleton in Killeagh. But the U16 footballers covered themselves in glory winning the B County defeating Aghada in the East Cork final and Charleville in the County final played at Ballygiblin, team captain was Richard O'Connell.
In 2003 Catherines Senior hurlers lost to Sarsfields by 1-12 to 1-9 and to Avondhu by 2-18 to 1-6. Following a 3 year sequence of defeats a decision was made at the AGM to regrade to the newly created Premier Intermediate grade for 2004. The Minor A hurlers won the East Cork championship for the 1st time in 10 years defeating Killeagh in the final in Youghal, team captain was Brian Hogan. The U21 B hurlers lost the East Cork final to Killeagh. The U14 C hurlers won the East Cork championship defeating Cloyne in the final.
In 2004 Catherines defeated Carrigtwohill by 1-13 to 1-11, Mallow by 0-9 to 0-8, Blarney by 1-15 to 0-12 and Courcey Rovers by 1-11 to 1-8 in the final played in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on October 31st. Senior status and pride in the jersey had been restored by a team captained by Mike Fitzgerald. Mike was the official Man of the Match in the final. In the final Courceys led by 1-2 to 0-0 after 10 minutes only for Catherines to rattle 1-5 without reply to take a grip on the game. 39 year old Denis Walsh and 37 year old Cathal Casey were given a standing ovation by the 20,000 crowd as the lap of honour completed. The Junior A footballers won the 1st championship game in 10 years defeating Youghal in Killeagh, followed by defeat to Bride Rovers. The U11 C hurlers won the East Cork championship defeating Fr. O'Neills in Killeagh, team captain was Rory O'Connor.
In 2005 Catherines Senior hurlers defeated Glen Rovers in the 1st round after a replay by 1-15 to 0-15 for a famous win. Only to lose by 1-14 to 0-7 to County Champions Na Piarsaigh in Midleton. The U12 B hurlers won the East Cork championship defeating Fr. O'Neills, Cobh and Castlelyons in the final in Rathcormac by 4-10 to 2-5, team captain was Patrick Roche. And lost the County final to Ballinhassig after defeating Kanturk and St. Vincents. The U14 B hurlers won the East Cork championship defeating Youghal and Fr. O'Neills in the final, scoring 3 goals in injury time to win by 0-2. The U11 C hurlers defeated Cloyne in the East Cork final. Shane Kearney captained the Cork Intermediate hurlers who won the Munster championship.
In 2006 Catherines Senior hurlers lost to St. Finbarrs in the 1st round but recovered to defeat Killeagh in Youghal and Duhallow in Buttevant to qualify for the quarter-final for the 1st time since 1999 and for the 4th time ever. Sarsfields proved too good winning by 1-19 to 0-13. The Junior B footballers won the East Cork championship defeating Carrigtwohill in the final played at Castlelyons. The U16 C hurlers won the County championship defeating Aghada in the East Cork final and St. Marks in the County final played at Bishopstown, team captain was Seamus Kearney.
In 2008 Catherines lost Senior status as a result of defeats to Midleton, Castlelyons, Bishopstown and Carrigtwohill. The Junior B hurlers contested to East Cork final losing to Lisgoold but won the Division 3 League. The Junior footballers won the Division 3 League. The U21 hurlers won the East Cork B championship defeating Aghada, Cloyne and Bride Rovers in the final at Castlelyons, team captained by Edward Kenneally. The Minor hurlers won the B County defeating Sarsfields, Russell Rovers, Castlelyons, Na Piarsaigh, Kilshannig and Kilbree, team captain was Ronan Clancy.
In 2009 further disaster befell the Catherines hurlers who were relegated to Intermediate hurling following defeats to Carrigaline, Ballincollig, Aughabullogue and Mallow. The U14 hurlers won the C County championship defeating Bride Rovers in the East Cork final and Milford in the County final. The U16 B hurlers won the East Cork League title.
In 2010 Catherines Intermediate hurlers lost to Blackrock, Cobh & Kilworth. And then defeated St.Vincents after a replay to avoid relegation to Junior A hurling.
