St. Kieran’s GAA

 

County Senior Football League Final

St. Kieran’s 1.13

Newcastlewest 0.16

The Bog Garden, Rathkeale was the venue on Monday evening last for the 2019 County Senior Football League final against our near neighbours and fiercest of rivals Newcastlewest. Both sides had met twice so far this campaign, in league and championship and on both occasions it was Newcastlewest who took the spoils so there was huge determination from players and management alike to buck the trend and bring our first county league title back to the club in over 20 years and prevent Newcastlewest from doing four in a row in this competition. We got off to the worse possible start with Newcastlewest dominating the early exchanges and soon built up a three point lead. This could have been doubled were it not for the help of our crossbar keeping a fine effort out inside the opening ten minutes. Following some early upheaval we soon got ourselves on the board thanks to a fine effort from Seamus Mangan, operating at full forward who took on his man to slot over a fine effort off his right leg. We settled into the game from here and further scores came from Sean McSweeney, who had a good night from both play and from frees and Darragh Treacy. Throughout the game Newcastlewest always seemed to be able to maintain a three point lead which was undoubtedly going to need a goal to reduce. We began to take control of proceedings in the middle third with Donie Nolan and Liam Kennedy growing into the game as it developed. With ten minutes to go and two points between the sides following a turnover of possession we carved an opening in the Newcastlewest defence and Noel Callanan was on hand to get the elusive touch into the back of the net, much like Michael Darragh McCauley for the Dubs against Cork on Saturday. For the first time in the game as it drew to a conclusion we led and it was now a case of protect our lead. Alas, Newcastlewest were awarded a dubious late free which dropped short and made its way out for a 45 which there goalkeeper, Mike Quilligan, introduced at half time stepped up to take and coolly slotted over the bar to tie up the game and send it into extra time. With no separating the two sides we headed for two ten minute periods of extra time and we began the game the brighter of the two sides and took the lead into the interval, 1.12 to 0.14. The most encouraging aspect of our play was the willingness to use the ball and let it into our forwards when the opportunity arose as it was evident that they had the beating of their men. Once again as the game drew to conclusion Newcastlewest salvaged a 45 and their keeper showed great composure under pressure to tie up the game and send it to a replay. The manner of the performance was extremely pleasing, to come back from a bad start and almost come away with the win shows that improvements are being made all the time from this group which is very encouraging. The game will undoubtedly stand to the players ahead of next week’s County Senior Football Championship round 3 game with Drom/Broadford. As of now there is no fixture for the County league final replay. Our next county championship game with Drom/Broadford takes place on Thursday July 25 in Newcastlewest at 7pm.

Team vs Newcastlewest

Rob Bradley, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Kevin Meade, Paudie McCarthy, Liam Kennedy, Brendan McCarthy, Mossie Shine, Donie Nolan, Johnny McCarthy, Ray Cahill, Sean McSweeney, Anthony Molyneaux, Noel Callanan, Seamus Mangan, Darragh Treacy, Diarmuid Crowley, John Hayes, Niall O’ Shea, Killian Enright, John Doyle, Ray Noonan, James O’ Connor, Liam Upton

 

West Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship

St. Kieran’s 1.14

Feenagh/Kilmeedy 0.22

Templeglantine played host to last Saturday evening’s round three encounter between two sides whom over the years there has been very little to separate. We began the game the brighter of the two sides, playing some excellent hurling and quickly establishing a five-point lead at the interval. Unfortunately, as the second half ensued, we were unable to maintain the same level of performance as the opening half as Feenagh upped the ante and soon reduced their deficit. Scores were now hard to come by and despite some great effort from the players once Feenagh took the lead we were unable to respond. At the final whistle there was a lot of disappointment following the loss in a game we had performed well in. We have two games left in the championship, beginning this weekend against newcomers to the championship Castletown/Ballagran and Kilmallock. If we are to stand any chance of progression to the West Quarter final, then we must get results in both games. Saturday evening’s game takes place in Quaid Park, Colyroe with a 7pm throw in.

Team vs Feenagh/Kilmeedy

John Greaney, Killian Enright, Paudie McCarthy, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Mossie Shine, Brendan McCarthy, Danny Collum, John Buckley, Sean McSweeney, Anthony Mullins, Johnny McCarthy, Anthony Molyneaux, Eoin McEnery, Donie Nolan, Darragh Treacy, Mike Windle, John O’ Connor, Edward Fitzgerald, Mike Breen, Billy Breen, Cillian Ambrose

 

Minor Hurling:

Congratulations to our minor hurlers who had a fastastic victory over the Kileedy / Tournafulla amalgamation last Friday evening in the West Minor Hurling Championship. With this win they have now advanced to the West Minor ‘A’ Championship semi final where they will meet Adare. Due to Limerick minors upcoming All Ireland semi final and Adare have a number of members of that player the semi final will most likely take place following Limerick’s involvement in the championship. The manner of last Friday’s victory was very pleasing with the players putting in an excellent performance, such has been the trend this campaign with two wins, two draws and only one loss. This has been the first year in a long time we have had a minor hurling team on our own and it is over twenty years since we have qualified for a West Minor ‘A’ Semi final.

Minor Football:

The minor footballers are back in action this Friday evening when they welcome Monaleen to Coolcappagh. Following excellent wins over St. Patrick’s and Ballylanders in their opening two games a win on Friday night would all but secure qualification to the knockout stages of the championship. Friday’s game throws in at 7.30

All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi Final:

Tickets for Sunday week’s All Ireland semi final between Limerick and Kilkenny are currently available to purchase online from www.gaa.ie and also participating Centra and SuperValue stores. Alternatively any club members / Club Limerick draw members are also asked to provide an order to club secretary Ivan Neary no later than today.

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