On Sunday 14th Aug last St Itas played Castlemartyr in the quarter final of  the 2011 Junior A Hurling Championship. Having beaten Carrightwohill in the first round they now faced tough opisition in Castlemartyr who were going for a three in a row.

Report by Declan Barron of the East Cork Journal

The splendid Youghal venue housed the meeting of holders  Castlemartyr and St Itas in the quarter Final of the East Cork Oil sponsonsored Junior A hurling Championship on last Sunday afternoon. the fine crowd was treated to a good contest, with St Itas surprising many with the strenght of their challange.

Castlemartyr, since losing their opening game to Dungourney, have slowly fought their way back into contention and on Sunday last they took another step on the way to the years final. Just one ore hurdle has to be surmounted as they renew rivalry with Dungourney next Saturday in Aughavine.

On Sunday last Castlemartyr were made to work hard for victory,especially in the first half, with St Itas forcing the pace as Seamus Harnedy converted thre 65′s,had two pointed frees and added a goal for good measureas St Itas playing with the breeze, led aby 1-7 to 1-5 at the interval

The sides were level on two occasions in the opening quarter and again when Evan O Keeffe cancelled out the goal from Harnedy, with a first green flag for Castlemartyr. the holders were looking the better side, but poor shooting saw them trail at the break.

On the resumption Castlemartyr got on top at midfield with Adrian Bowens and Brian Lawton driving them on. It came as no surprise that the pressure would pay off, with Brian O Tuama getting a second goal for the winners. Once they got in front Castlemartyr pushed on, with Jimmy Smiddy and Lawton adding points as St Itas Scoring power dried up. Alan Loughlin and Harnedy did manage points while goalkeeper Padraig O Brien had two attempts from 20 metre frees deflected over the crossbar.

By that time however, Castlemartyr were safely through with Jimmy Smiddy addding a third goal as the champions are now just one game away from reaching this years final. The semi finalists are all now known with Castlemartyr meeting Dungourney and Sarsfields meeting Carrignavar.

St Itas Scorers
S. Harnedy 1-6, Alan Loughlin 0-2, P O Brien 0-2 and D O Rourke 0-1

St Itas
Padraig O Brien, Finbar  Foley, Martin O Brien, Neilus Foley, Michael Cunningham, Micheal O Brien, Warren terry, Ciarian O Brien, Michael Cronin, Don O Rouorke, Sean Supple, Ed Coleman, Gerry McCarthy, Seamus Harnedy, Alan Loughlin, Paddy Ahern,  Brian Gaynor, James O Hallorhan, Kevin Cotter,  Luke O Brien, Robert Griffen, David Gleeson.

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