Mungret/St Pauls GAA Club Notes:
County Players:
Congratulations to the Limerick Senior Footballers who were named on the team of the week last week, Josh, Tony, Barry, Danny and especially our own Jason Hassett ( Hass ).
Community Games:
It was another successful weekend for the Community Games despite the change in weather. Well done to all our players who took part in the event and Thank you to all who helped out on both days.
U-16 Hurling:
Mungret/St. Pauls’ U-16 Division 3 hurlers made the journey to Ballingarry on Monday evening, 23 June 2025 for their first Division 3 clash against a strong Granagh Ballingarry side. In what proved to be a challenging encounter, the team battled hard from start to finish and showed plenty of determination throughout the game.
The first half saw Granagh Ballingarry start quickly, building up a strong lead as Mungret St. Pauls worked to find their rhythm. A well-taken goal provided a spark for the visitors, and while scores were hard to come by in the early stages, the team continued to press and look for openings. Defensively, Mungret St. Pauls were under sustained pressure, but there were encouraging signs in the way the players stood up to the challenge, with some fine blocks and clearances.
After the break, Mungret St. Pauls came out with renewed energy. The forwards began to find more space and create scoring chances, converting several excellent points to reward the team’s persistence. The work rate across the field improved significantly in the second half, with players chasing down every ball and showing strong support play.
Despite the result not going in Mungret St. Pauls favour, there was no shortage of effort or spirit on display. The experience will no doubt be a valuable one for this developing group, who continue to grow in confidence and ability with each outing. The players and coaches will take the positives from the performance and look ahead to the next fixture with determination to build on the progress shown. Well done to all involved for their commitment and heart.
U-11 Hurling:
What a day for Mungret St Paul’s U11 Hurlers.
Twenty-six young players had the incredible honour of stepping onto the hallowed turf of Croke Park – a truly unforgettable experience for all involved.
The boys put on a fantastic display, showcasing impressive skills and notching some brilliant scores throughout the day.
A massive thank you — Buíochas mór — to our juvenile chairman, Breandán Ó hAnnaidh, for organising the invitation.
This special day was part of an U11 blitz for schools and clubs, held trí mheán na teanga dúchais — through our native language.
Premier Minor Football:
Mungret St. Pauls 0-14, Oola 2-5
Mungret St. Pauls produced a composed and clinical performance on home turf on Wednesday evening, Wednesday, 25 June 2025, to overcome a strong Oola side in the premier minor football first championship match. In a game of contrasting styles, Mungret St. Pauls early dominance and accurate point-scoring ultimately proved decisive in claiming a hard-fought win.
From the throw-in, Mungret St. Pauls set the tone with relentless intensity and pinpoint accuracy in front of goal. The home side stormed into the game, racking up nine unanswered points in a blistering opening spell. With sharp movement and efficient support play, Mungret St. Pauls kept Oola pinned back for much of the first half.
Oola’s first score didn’t arrive until after Mungret St. Pauls’ ninth point — a well-taken goal that gave the visitors a much-needed lift. Another goal soon followed, allowing Oola to claw their way back into contention despite being outplayed for long stretches. At the break, Mungret St. Pauls held a narrow three-point lead: 0-10 to 2-1.
The second half started sluggishly for both teams. Mungret St. Pauls struggled to find their rhythm again, not registering a point until the 11th minute of the half. However, they remained composed and added two more points before Oola responded with their first point of the half just shy of the 20-minute mark.
The closing stages saw tensions rise, and both teams were reduced to 13 players for a period after each side was shown two black cards. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Mungret St. Pauls showed maturity and game management to see out the win.
The defensive unit stood firm when tested, while the forwards continued to pick off vital scores to maintain a cushion. With no goals on the board, Mungret St. Pauls total of 14 points underlined their accuracy and consistency across the pitch.
A strong all-around display ensures Mungret St. Pauls continue to build momentum in the championship. Their ability to control the tempo and convert chances without relying on goals bodes well for the championship ahead.
U-14 Football:
Mungret St. Pauls welcomed Ahane to the Senior pitch on Thursday, 26 June 2025 for their U-14 Division 3 Football Championship match. However, the game took on a different tone even before the ball was thrown in, as Ahane unfortunately found themselves short on numbers and unable to field a full team.
With the spirit of the game and player development in mind, several players from Mungret St. Pauls kindly volunteered to don the green and yellow of Ahane, ensuring that a competitive and enjoyable match could still take place. It was a great show of sportsmanship and camaraderie, with both teams embracing the occasion in good spirits.
While the result will go down as a win for Mungret St. Pauls by default, the real victory was the positive attitude displayed by everyone involved. The game that followed was well-contested and full of energy, with players from both sides showing great skill, determination, and teamwork.
Special credit goes to the Mungret St. Pauls volunteers who represented Ahane so admirably, giving their teammates a challenge while helping their opponents field a side and experience the match in full. The match served as a reminder that at this level, enjoyment and participation are just as important as the result.
Well done to all players, mentors, and supporters for creating a great atmosphere and a memorable evening of football.
Minor Hurling:
Mungret St. Pauls minor hurlers made the journey to Kilkenny on Sunday, 29 June 2025, to take part in the prestigious James Stephens Paddy Mullen Memorial Tournament. In glorious sunshine, the team faced stiff competition and showed great heart and determination throughout the day.
Match 1: Mungret St. Pauls 2-12 Danesfort 3-13
Our opening match saw us take on local side Danesfort in a highly competitive and entertaining encounter. Mungret St. Pauls got off to a strong start, going into the break with a 2-7 to 2-4 lead thanks to some sharp shooting and committed play. However, a strong second-half performance from Danesfort saw them edge the game despite our lads battling until the final whistle. The game finished 3-13 to 2-12 in favour of the Kilkenny outfit.
Match 2: Mungret St. Pauls 1-11 Blackrock 6-8
Needing a win to progress to the Shield Semi-Final, our second game was against Cork side Blackrock. A tough first half left Mungret chasing the game, as Blackrock struck early and often to lead 4-4 to 1-3 at the interval. Credit to our lads who never gave up, outscoring the opposition in the second half with a spirited fightback, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome. The match ended 6-8 to 1-11 in favour of Blackrock.
With two losses on the day, Mungret St. Pauls bow out of the tournament, but the players can take great pride in their performance, effort, and sportsmanship throughout.
A sincere thank you to James Stephens GAA for their warm hospitality and for hosting an excellently run tournament. It was a valuable experience for our young hurlers to test themselves against top-quality opposition in preparation of their Championship which starts on Wednesday.
Thank You:
We would like to acknowledge the generous donation of first aid bags for two of our juvenile teams, Thank you to Helena O’Neill of Oakleigh Kids Academy.