Cortoon was celebrating on Saturday night as three of our own, Paul & Adrian Varley and Cathal Mulryan, starred for Galway as they won the u21 All-Ireland Championship. In a scintillating game, Galway led from start to finish and won by three points, with all three Cortoon men getting on the scoresheet. Paul Varley was rock-solid in defense while his overlapping runs forward gave the Cork defenders a lot to be worried about and he was rewarded with a fine point from a tight angle in the second half. Adrian Varley was, yet again, employed as the target man up front and most of Galway's attacks came through him. A monster point in the first half was the least he deserved for his tireless and selfless efforts, while in the second half he brilliantly collected a low ball in from Mulryan and, while on his knees, managed to set up Damian Comer for the goal. Cathal Mulryan was a contender for the man of the match award as he covered every blade of grass on the pitch, making a number of vital blocks and interceptions while also scoring three magnificent points of his own. There was jubilant scenes at the final whistle as the supporters flooded onto the pitch and congratulate the players and management for a magnificent win.

Well done boys, you did us all proud!!

Cortoon welcomed the Clark Cup as Alan Flynn and the Galway u21 team visited the Cortoon Inn on Monday afternoon. A huge crowd turned out as the players graciously posed for photographs with all the supporters. It was a proud day for the Parish as we welcomed three more to the ever-growing list of All-Ireland winners from the Club.
Speaking on the day, Alan Flynn praised the Underage section of the Club and all the parents and supporters for the work and sacrifices necessary to produce players of that standard and asked that they be given the chance to enjoy their success and help them move on to the next level.
Captain, Fiontain O'Curraoin, thanked everyone for their support and for producing three players of the quality of Adrian, Paul and Cathal, who were a core part of the success, while he praised the support of the Galway fans in the final, saying it was that support that drove them on.
Adrian Varley said "I'd just like to say thanks very much for the support over the campaign because you've been brilliant all through it. When a lot of people didn't believe we could win, you always did and that was massive so I'd like to thank you all for the help and drive on again from here and just keep going forward."
Cathal Mulryan said "Red summed it up there. Thanks a million for everybody coming out here today and through the year following us and we're just delighted to have the silverware at the end of it."
Paul Varley said "Thanks a million for your support all year, it means an awful lot. Every game, there was great crowds there supporting us. I'd just like to thank you all for the best wishes cards, text messages, phone calls, everything over the last week. It's mental all week, so thanks a million. To all the young kids here, it's what you dream of as a footballer, to win an All-Ireland. Just keep working and doing what your coaches are telling you to do and one day you'll be up here too with an All-Ireland.
The players then stayed and chatted with supporters for a while and watched re-runs of the game while Mickey and Carmel Gilmore of the Cortoon Inn provided some refreshments before they boarded the bus to head off to Inverin, to the club of Captain, Fiontan O'Curraoin, Micheal Breathnachs, stopping in Claregalway and Moycullen en route.
Meanwhile, the Junior A team, still suffering from the effects of the weekend's celebrations, lost out to Caltra in their League game on Sunday afternoon. A first half penalty goal from Rory Maloney after Fergal Heverin was brought down in the box wasn't enough as Caltra won by 2-9 to 1-5. Team: Adrian Ansbro; Cathal Joyce, Enda Ansbro, Peter Higgins; Darragh Browne, Matthew Concannon, Niall Keane; Thomas Lee, Kieran Kelly; Adrian McDonnell (0-1), Rory Maloney (1-2), Gary Clarke; Gary Geoghegan (0-1), Fergal Heverin (0-1), Jim Gilmore. Subs used: Sean Keane, Brendan Walsh, Ciaran Walsh.
"Half a Parish - A Complete Club". The reaction to the book has been amazing and it has been getting great reviews from everybody. If you haven't got your copy yet, it is on sale in the following outlets, priced €19.99: The Cortoon Inn, O'Toole's Supervalu, Joyces Supermarket, Egan's Spar, Quinn's shop, Mannion's Mace, Corrib Oil, Easons, and Tuam Bookstore. Now also available from St. Jarlath's Credit Union, Tuam.
www.cortoonshamrocks.gaa.ie Cortoon Shamrocks new website is now live and includes match fixtures, results, & reports, club news, coaching tips, photographs and many more useful links. There is also a contact page where you can submit a query, comment or suggestion on how we could improve the website or indeed the club.
Parents and players are reminded to check the club website for the rota for helping out at training sessions. On the rota for this week are: Friday 10th - Andrew McWalter. Monday 13th - Norman Connolly and a parent of Joseph Donnellan.
Membership is now overdue and can be paid to Jason Gilmore, Registrar, or to Mickey Gilmore in the Cortoon Inn. Rates are as follows: Family membership is €50, Adult player & family is €85, Adult player is €60, Student player is €40, Non-playing adult membership is €25, and Youth player (Under 18 years) is €20. All players must have membership paid prior to league campaign starting. Membership will be taken at training sessions.
The winner of the Bonus Ball, run in conjunction with the Cortoon Inn, was Sean Keane.
Lotto results: Tweet

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