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Mark Collins in action for Castlehaven this summer. Laszlo Geczo/INPHO

'You couldn't look forward to a better match than a county final. We'll wait as long as we have to'

Cork footballer Mark Collins and former county team-mate Daniel Goulding on the postponement of county senior finals next Sunday.

WINNING A COUNTY semi-final after a penalty shootout that concluded an epic encounter should mean widespread celebrations.

For Castlehaven there was that initial outbreak of euphoria in Páirc Uí Rinn last night when their footballers booked a place in this year’s Cork senior decider.

Yet it was tempered later when word filtered through to them that NPHET had recommended the entire country enter Level 5 – the highest of the Covid-19 restrictions – during their riveting semi-final.

This morning came the news that the GAA was suspending all club activity with immediate effect until further notice. After defeating St Finbarr’s in a pulsating game, Castlehaven were due to take on Nemo Rangers next Sunday in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, one of seven county senior finals that were planned to take place around the country.

There’s uncertainty now over when that game will be held, a strange situation for players to face.

“Obviously the announcement has come as a bit of a shock,” admits Castlehaven captain and Cork footballer Mark Collins.

“But look we will just have to see over the next few days what is going to happen. All we can do now is get the bodies right and prepare as well as we can, and be ready when the day comes. It’s crazy, I know the numbers are going sky high every day. I suppose we were expecting the worst.

“It’s been a long year and to be fair to us we worked hard in lockdown ourselves, sessions on our own and stuff. If we’ve to do that again, by God we’ll do it. You couldn’t look forward to a better match than a county final. We’ll wait as long as we have to.”

Collins was immersed in the drama last night. A marathon encounter featured over 90 minutes of action and the 30-year-old was Castlehaven’s scoring hero. He converted the free at the close of extra-time to draw the teams and ensure penalties were required. Then he nailed the spot kick that put Castlehaven ahead 1-0 and later kept his nerve once more to fire to the net in sudden death to clinch victory for his side.

Penalties are not a scenario Collins is accustomed to.

“Would you believe we didn’t get a penalty all year I’d say. We were out early in training last week one night. Bernie Collins, who’s kind of doing a bit of the coaching with us, he came up to us while we were waiting around before training.

“He said to take a few penalties and we started laughing at him. Honest to God. We couldn’t believe it happened. It’s absolutely crazy, it was amazing. I think I only took one in championship ever. Just as captain of the team, I felt I had to stand up and thank God they went in.

“Anthony Seymour has bided his chance, he’s waited and waited and to be fair to him he stood up when we really needed him tonight and made three fantastic saves for us.

“I said coming off after extra-time finished, I said to Cathal Maguire, ‘Jesus we would have taken penalties with two minutes left.’

“I thought it was all over to be honest with you. Lucky probably to get out of it and thank God we did. The bodies are out on their feet at the end. I’ve never seen so much cramp but that’s what it meant to both teams. To be fair to the Barrs, we knew they’re such a spirited club. They only played Wednesday night and to go to extra-time tonight, how they kept going was unbelievable. We’re just delighted to get out of it.”

Collins and Castlehaven must now play the waiting game. His former Cork team-mate Daniel Goulding can relate to that.

daniel-goulding-dejected Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Yesterday he kicked 0-6, four of those registered in open play, to help his club Éire Óg triumph against O’Donovan Rossa and reach a final in the second tier of senior football in Cork. That was set to take place next Sunday and they have also qualified for an intermediate hurling final with the details of that game yet to be finalised prior to today’s announcement.

“It was very disappointing to hear. I totally understand the GAA’s decision but it was very exciting for our club to be preparing for county finals over the next few weeks.

These are crazy times and hopefully the GAA and county board can provide updates regarding provisional timelines for the completion of the championships. That way teams can refocus and enjoy the build up and preparations the finals.”

Despite the setback of the postponement of the final, 2010 All-Ireland winner Goulding savoured the semi-final success that propels his side to a final against Mallow, their first at senior football level.

The juggling act between both codes has been enjoyable despite the busy schedule of late.

“We were delighted to come out of the game with a win. Conditions were very bad and it was a huge battle. Playing a semi-final in a senior grade is a totally new experience for our group and it is great to have a final to prepare for.

“Our group have had a very busy and enjoyable few months. During lockdown it was unlikely that any games would be played in 2020 so there is great credit due to Cork county board for getting the championships to this stage.”

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Feb 18th 2018, 11:57 AM

    There was bound to be a blip or two somewhere in the season. Some of the players from yesterday need to have a good look at themselves. Not the end of the world though. We are still in a good place considering the mid season change of coach.

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    Mute Scott Crossfield
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    Feb 18th 2018, 7:37 PM

    @Jim Demps: 9 wins and 6 defeats isn’t exactly glittering form. Running into a pivotal part of the league with some tough fixtures coming, good thing is the results of other teams in pool A means even the worst implosion will still see Munster get a playoff birth. But which is better Edinburgh/Ulster at Home and Leinster/Scarlett’s away semi or finish 3rd get away to Leinster/Scarlett’s and away to Glasgow semi.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Feb 18th 2018, 8:24 PM

    @Scott Crossfield: not glittering but it’ll do. Doesn’t matter who we play in the knockouts, we are capable of beating all of them.

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    Mute Scott Crossfield
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    Feb 18th 2018, 9:25 PM

    @Jim Demps: when full sides in action Munster need second place as they will not beat Scarlets and possibly. It Leinster away yet alone away semi. But ah sure we can beat anyone aside the next few weeks will show where they’re at and ways needed

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    Gary
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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:24 PM

    The heading should be “best team in conference A”. They are top of conference A. Leinster are top of conference B and Llanelli are the reigning champions.

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    Mute Hardly Normal
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:34 PM

    @Gary: it was Johann who said it not the author, take off your blue tinted glasses he’s not wrong..

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    Mute Conor Alexander Lynott
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:36 PM

    @Gary: Well considering that Glasgow have amassed more points than any otherPro14 team in either conference this season (65 points), having won 13 out of 15 games, they are statistically the best team of the Pro14 on form.

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    Gary
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    Mute Gary
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:44 PM

    @Hardly Normal: So saying Llanelli are reigning champions and saying Leinster are top of conference B means I’ve blue tinted glasses? OKayyyyy. So stating facts is wrong then. Hmm.

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    Mute Jim Demps
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:45 PM

    @Gary: he’s not wrong. Glasgow have the most points out of both conferences.

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    Mute Marcodub
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:51 PM

    @Gary: spot on Gary

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Feb 18th 2018, 1:09 PM

    @Gary: Llanelli play in the Welsh Premiership and are not even the reigning champions, Merthyr RFC are. Think you mean the Scarlets?

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    Mute Hardly Normal
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    Feb 18th 2018, 1:23 PM

    @Martin Quinn: Haha , I should change that , I’m in league country now, (new south wales). About the pools , I’d have thought they were fairly even to be honest, can’t see much between the two.

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    Mute Bob Joe
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    Feb 18th 2018, 1:44 PM

    @Conor Alexander Lynott: well seeing that Glasgow are out of Europe they are not the best team but they do have the most points

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    Mute Conor Alexander Lynott
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    Feb 18th 2018, 2:04 PM

    @Bob Joe: This article refers to the best team in the Pro14, not Europe. Europe and Pro14 are different worlds intensity-wise. Stay on topic, fella.

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    Mute Chris Tobin
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:44 PM

    Here we go again.” Keatley is useless” brigade are back. The same people who were praising him a few weeks ago. My oh my how fickle the keyboard warriors are

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    Mute Daniel Casey
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    Feb 18th 2018, 4:32 PM

    @Chris Tobin: I’ve been saying from the start of the season that he’s improved a lot but he still makes poor decisions in the opposition 22 and is good for an error or two in a game! Was terrible yesterday but in fairness going on form this season that’s out of the ordinary for him. Shouldn’t be in the 6 Nations squad. Byrne at Leinster offers more and Carbury could be a world beater if he was getting game time at 10!

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    Mute thesaltyurchin
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    Feb 19th 2018, 8:51 AM

    @Chris Tobin: There’s been so many seasons of it… in all that time nothing much has changed. He’s a great player on his day, in terms of winning the Pro 14, maybe, winning Europe, maybe not, (Munsters’ heart has always been firmly set on Europe). It’s a professional game and even when it wasn’t the pre-internet chatter has always been super critical, those who are involved know it. Add todays ‘chatroom factor’ and honestly it could be a whole lot worse.

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    Mute Peter Brophy
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:22 PM

    They all seemed asleep. I remember Rhys Marshall standing by a ruck with his hands on his hips when he should have been blocking and that was quickly followed by a try

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    Mute Marcodub
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:50 PM

    @Peter Brophy: should hammer Glasgow as most of their team in Scotland squad

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    Mute Tommy Greene
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    Feb 18th 2018, 1:13 PM

    Pretty basic errors by the coaching staff who allowed some underperforming players remain on the pitch for too long . Allied to An inability to change tactics contributed to a very poor night -

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    Mute Garrett Mccolgan
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    Feb 18th 2018, 2:24 PM

    Why are Munster turning their attention to Leinster when they are playing Glasgow next?

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    Mute Brian Valès
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    Feb 18th 2018, 3:56 PM

    Munster have no future with Keatley at 10. His performance in the first half was the worst I’ve seen at professional level in a very very long time. He simply killed the team.

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    Mute James Buckley
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    Feb 19th 2018, 11:14 PM

    @Brian Valès: Brian, I don’t where your loyalties lie but I doubt if you are a Munster supporter. Anyone watching Ian Keatley this season cannot but be impressed by how well he has played, but you know it only took one game for the knives to come out. I do not see anyone looking for Carbery’s head in the his 10 minute malfunction against Italy or the defence weaknesses by his colleagues. God help us against Wales if we have George North running against some our new apprentices.

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    Mute David OfBrien
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:29 PM

    Keatley and Williams were terrible yesterday. Some of keatleys kicks were absolute rubbish.

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    Mute Chris Tobin
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:41 PM

    @David OfBrien: in fairness the whole team were dire on the night

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    Mute Marcodub
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    Feb 18th 2018, 12:52 PM

    @David OfBrien: and yet some folk think Keats should be backup to Sexton

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    Mute Chris Tobin
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    Feb 18th 2018, 2:09 PM

    @Marcodub: #keatleyhaters

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    Mute Wedger
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    Feb 19th 2018, 10:31 AM

    Yet another example of Munster not showing up for the first half of a game. We done it several times already this season, most notably Home and Away to Leinster. Can see no excuse for not being mentally ready for a game of rugby and to me it usually happens when a certain 4/5 players are selected together. Johann has said it now at least 3 times that these performances are not acceptable but yet they continue to happen. How many times does Duncan Williams need to have a kick blocked before he or a coach address the issue???? He is not good enough to back up Murray, never will be, play Hart or give young Poland a real chance.

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    Mute thesaltyurchin
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    Feb 19th 2018, 8:53 AM

    No leaders on the field, would have had Holland as captain.

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    Mute Padraic Courtney
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    Feb 19th 2018, 11:07 AM

    @thesaltyurchin: Holland needed a break, he’s played in almost every game in Europe and the Pro 14 so far this season.

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    Mute James Buckley
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    Feb 19th 2018, 10:58 PM

    The Cardiff Blues game was a total malfunction by the whole team on Saturday evening.
    Let no blame hang on any one individual, just suck it for what it was and get over it.If ever we needed a response , let us see it Friday night.

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    Mute Con Cussed
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    Feb 18th 2018, 10:59 PM

    The whole team were off. Can’t blame a few players only. We’ve seen some great plays from Keatley and Williams this season. Williams needs more consistency but he also needs players ready to provide support and watching the game.

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