Saltee Islands

Travelled to The Saltee Islands on Sunday 21st.





It was my first trip to the Islands, but it won't be my last.



The Saltees are located a few miles off of Kilmore Quay, Co.Wexford.Declan Bates ferries people back and forth throughout the summer months for a fee of €25.



The islands are privatly owned by the Neale family, but they allow full access to the public.All they ask in return is that you leave the islands as you find them.More info available at http://www.salteeislands.info/



The islands are a haven for all sorts of wildlife, but is probably most famous for it's bird population.Among the the many breeds to be seen are Gannets, Puffins, Guillemots, Razorbills etc.There are many seals in abundance around the island as well.



The Gannet Colony (pic below)has to be seen to be believed....








Puffins seem the be one of the most photographed birds on the island. I was lucky to see plenty of them during my visit.I've heard that they can be hard to find at times.

What really struck me on my visit is ,how close people can get the birds.They don't seem to perceive us as a danger.You can easly get to within 20 feet of most of the birds.The gannet colony is the only place I saw some people getting to close to the birds.Here the birds are nesting and trying to protect their chicks.Yet some people still want to get within 2 or 3 feet.Some of the birds actually made attempts to fend off the offending people.

The Saltees are a national treasure.Well worth a visit. We should count ourselves really lucky that they are so close and open to all.If you do pay a visit, just remember the rule......Leave the Island as you find it.

More pics at www.flickr.com/carrig

Carrig v Midleton

Carrigtwohills Senior hurlers put in a storming finish tonight,in there relegation match with Midleton.The match ended in a draw when Niall McCarthy pounced at the death to force the ball into the Midleton net.

It wasn't looking too good for Carrig when Midleton helped themselves to to early goals.Carrigs poor finishing in front of goal(7 wides in the first half)looked like it was going to cost them the game.They went into the break 7 points down.

On the resumption it was Midleton who seemed to come out if the blocks better, but Carrig weathered the storm, and it was carrig who upped the pace in the last 20 mins.

They whittled away at Midletons lead.Noel Furlong put Stephen Dineen in and he made no mistake with a blistering shot to the roof of the net.This was the break Carrig needed, and when Carrig won a 21 yard free,Niall McCarthy stepped up and blasted the ball to the Midleton net.This left Midleton with a slender 1 point lead.Midleton made a fine response and they tacked on 2 more points.Carrig continued to force the pace and were rewarded for their bravery right at the end when the Carrigs Robert White whipped a shot across goal, and Niall McCarthy pounced to force the ball into the net.

Carrig came close to snatching the match a minute later when Thomas Hogan narrowly missed from a free wide on the left.

The final whistle sounded soon after that and it would seem that Carrig were the happier of the 2 teams leaving Castlmartyr.If Carrig can find there range in front of goal,Then it will be Midleton heading into the Slan Lait Final.

Final Score Carrig 3-11 Midleton 2-14

Man of the Match for me...............................Niall Mac 2 goals and 5 points.

Carrig V Cloyne

Carrigtwohills Senior Hurlers were beaten by Cloyne on Sunday Night. An early goal from Diarmuid O'Sullivan set the tone for the match.Carrig clocked up a heap of wides which proved to be very costly.Cloyne went in at the break 8 pts up.

On the restart Cloyne added 2 quick points and as the match progressed Carrig just couldn't bridge the gap.

For the second year in a row ,Carrig now find themselves involved in the relegation Playoffs.They play Midleton next weekend,in what is surely the most important derby match between these two clubs.For the winner ,it's another year playing senior hurling.For the loser,it's an unwelcome visit to the Slan Lait Final.

Heres hoping that Carrig can dig deep and keep the flag flying for at least one more season.

Carrig lined up as follows....

Carrig team: 1 William McCarthy 2 Peter Furlong 3 J.P. O Riordan 4 Noel Furlong 5 Sean Flannery 6 Seamus O Farrell 7 Denis O Connor 8 Jason Barrett 9 Killian McCarthy 10 Stephen Dineen 11 Niall McCarthy 12 Rob White 13 Brian Lordan 14 Sean O Farrell 15 Daniel O Mahony. Sub Used Colm Cronin for Denis O Connor Scorers for Carrig, Niall McCarthy 0-9 Rob White 1-4 Jason Barrett, Killian McCarthy and Stephen Dineen 0-1 each

Pic above shows Diarmuid O'Sullivan taking the time to offer some words to Seamus O'Farrell,after the match in Midleton on Sunday last.