MONALEEN GAA CLUB NOTES

INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALLERS: Well done to the Monaleen intermediate footballers and management team who defeated Mountcollins in their relegation play-off on Sunday last to retain their intermediate status for 2021. Three second half goals proved crucial in Monaleen’s 3-10 to 2-10 victory in Rathkeale. Monaleen were promoted to the intermediate grade 12 months ago as county junior champions.

COVID-19: Due to the recent increase in COVID 19 cases around the country, Monaleen GAA Club would like to remind players and parents of the process involved in dealing with a suspected or confirmed case. Anyone who develops symptoms should self-isolate and contact their GP for advice. They should not attend any GAA activities while they await the results of the test. If the test is negative, no further action is required. The player in question can return to GAA activity once symptom free for 48 hours. If the test is positive, then public health officials will do an assessment and identify close and casual contact. Close contacts must not attend any GAA activity until cleared to do so by medical professionals. Casual contacts should monitor symptoms closely and are free to attend GAA activity, unless symptomatic. It is very important that all team personnel complete the GAA health questionnaire and adhere to all guidelines, including a home temperature check, before coming to training or matches. We would ask all members to be vigilant of symptoms and, if they do develop, to self-isolate and seek medical advice. If anyone has any questions please contact the club’s Covid Officer, Daniel Power at 085 8389170. We thank you all for your co-operation in these challenging times.

LOTTO: The latest Lotto draw took place on Thursday, September 24 with the jackpot standing at €20,000. The numbers drawn were 17, 21, 22 and 36. Winners of the €50 lucky dips were R. Corcoran, Monaleen Park; T. McNamara, Evanwood; J O’Donoghue, Monaleen Park; Leo Morrison jnr, @ Leos. Thank you for your continued support.

CLUBHOUSE BAR: Monaleen GAA Club reopened the completely redecorated bar on Thursday night last. A massive thanks to the massive efforts of a dedicated team of club members, led by Alan Kitson. There have been so many who have freely given their time and energy over the last six months to produce what we have today – a clubhouse bar to be proud of! A warm, cosy, inviting place for for us all to relax and enjoy ourselves.

STREET LEAGUE: Our Camille Thai Hurling street league proved to be a big success. The boys had great fun and there was some fine, tough and competitive hurling played. Thanks to those who helped organise it. Thanks to our senior stars for presenting the medals, the u16 boys for reffing, and to Paul Flannery and Elise for sponsoring the treats!

U16 HURLERS: Best of luck to Monaleen U16 hurlers and management team who face Doon in the Division 1 county smei-final this Saturday in Cappamore at 4pm.

CAMOGIE

COUNTY FINAL: A big week ahead for Monaleen Camogie with our Junior A Team in County Final on Sunday October 4th, playing Galbally in South Liberties. Our U16A team meet Newcastle West in County Final on Thursday, October 1 at 5:45pm in Rathkeale.

U16A CHAMPIONSHIP: U16A Semi-final. Monaleen 8-13; Na Piarsaigh 2-5. Our U16’s have reached the County A Cup Final after a convincing win over Na Piarsaigh last Thursday. Monaleen girls started well and took an early lead 0-5 to 0-1, but Na Piarsaigh got themselves right back into the game with a goal just before the first water break. Monaleen led 0-5 to 1-1 after 15 minutes. Monaleen improved in the 2nd quarter, started to push forward, taking their opportunities to score and they reached the half time break leading 3-7 to 1-2. Monaleen made a number of substitutions and the girls continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over and reached the 2nd water break with the score Monaleen 5-10 to 1-3. Several changes made for the final quarter and some end to end hurling with both teams attacking, Monaleen defence held out, and forwards took their chances with the final score 8-13 to 2-5. Faye Coffey, Caitlin Power, Laura Brennan, Kim Ivory, Ciara Buckley, Abi Houlihan Saoirse Fallon, Saoirse Fitzgerald, Emily O’Halloran, Laura Southern, Amy Burke, Amie O’Brien, Ella McCarthy, Aoife Sheehan, Ellie Madden, Aisling O’Driscoll, Claire Moloney, Eve McCarthy, Eimear O’Driscoll, Katie Sheehan. The U16A County Final against Newcastlewest will be played on Thursday, October 1.

U13 CHALLENGE: Monaleen played away to Blackrock Effin on Sunday last, this game from start to finish was a tightly contested game affair. No more than a point or two separated the sides at any stage, with both teams going in level at half time. A tough challenge for 2nd half with both teams giving their all, with a draw the end result. Team Erika McCarthy, Carrie McCormack, Emma O’Leary, Andrea Costello, Emily O’Riordan, Emma McGrath, Grace Hegarty, Millie Reen, Rebecca Bromell, Lucy Power, Lily Reid, Robyn D’Arcy, Ella Rock, Aoife Real Dawson & Rachel Widger.

U12 CHALLENGE: Monaleen and Bruff played a challenge U12s camogie game on Sunday morning at Bruff GAA pitch. The first half was a very competitive affair with Bruff going in ahead at the break. Bruff came out very strongly in the second half to pull away and win the match. Next up is a game against Granagh Ballingarry. Squad on the day was Amy Murphy, Hazel Noonan, Alicia Sheehan, Éabha Cregan, Megan Love, Méabh Walters, Orlaith Purcell, Isabelle Bromell, Charlotte Liston, Katie O’Gorman, Sarah Sullivan, Louise Burke, Emelia Stokes, Ashling O’Leary, Aoibhinn Gardiner, Grace Webster, Emily Murphy and Derartu McDonnell.

LADIES FOOTBALL

JUNIOR TEAM: The Groody Gaels ladies junior team played Adare in the semi-final of the county Junior championship in sunny Ballybrown on Sunday afternoon last (27th September). In a very close contest, where there were super performances all over the pitch, there was very little between the teams right up until the end of the game. Unfortunately, Groody Gaels lost out on this occasion on a scoreline of 0-09 to 01-11.

Groody Gaels made a very impressive start to the game with some early scoring chances before wing forward Claire Tierney registered the first score of the day with an expertly converted point from well out on the right-hand side of the pitch.

Following some super defending from the Groody team, forwards Rachel O’Dell and Caoimhe Lyons scored a point each from play to continues Groody’s strong start to the game.

Sustained pressure from Adare yielded some point and goal scoring opportunities but thanks to some heroic defending and blocking by the Groody defence, scores were kept to a minimum. Just before the half time whistle, corner forward Rachel O’Dell expertly converted a well worked Groody free following a strong run from centre forward Caoimhe Lyons.

That left the half time score as Groody Gaels 0-04, Adare 0-05.

Adare started the second half the better of the two sides and scored some early points before Groody full forward Ashling Duhig, who worked tirelessly for her team all through the match, earned a free which was expertly converted by corner forward Rachel O’Dell. As the final water break of the match approached, Rachel again converted a well worked Groody free to leave 3 points between the teams with 15 minutes left.

In the final quarter, Groody showed the determination and team work that we have seen all season from this team and fought their way back into contention with two further pointed frees from corner forward Rachel O’Dell and a super point from play from full forward Ashling Duhig. Despite sustained pressure on the Adare goal, the all-important equalising score wasn’t to be and with a last-minute goal from Adare, the final score was Groody Gaels 0-09, Adare 1-11.

While a disappointing result for this talented bunch of players, the future is bright for Groody Gaels.

The management team would like to thank each of the players for their super commitment this season which started back in UL in February. Players regularly travelled from outside the county to attend training and family holidays were interrupted for Groody matches time and again.

A big thank you also to all of our younger players and their parents who made a huge contribution to the team this season.

A special thank you to our captain Sammi Chang and Vice-Captain Alie Lacey who worked tirelessly for the team both on and off the pitch all season long. No request was too much for this dynamic duo and they both deserve huge credit for the success of the team this year.

Next up for Groody Gaels will be the County Minor championship which is due to kick off in the coming weeks. Best of luck girls!

Groody Gaels Team: Laura Donaghy, Clare Kiely, Sammi Chang (Captain), Anna Burke, Breda Donehy, Ciara Hodges, Jemma Duhig, Annie Russell, Aoife Neville, Aoife Nelligan, Laura O’Mahony, Maeve Higgins, Mikayla Curran Leahy, Saoirse Fitzgerald, Emily O’Halloran, Caoimhe Lyons, Claire Tierney, Aisling Doyle, Rachel O’Dell, Ashling Duhig, Alie Lacey, Marlon Carey, Chloe Tobin, Aoibh Hayes, Caroline Leahy, Aideen McCauley, Molly Walsh, Lauren O’Shaughnessy, Chloe Organ

PHOTOGRAPHS

Monaleen U10 hurlers with Limerick star Aaron Gillane

A participating team in the Camille Thai Street League