St. Kierans GAA Club Notes:
Fixtures:
Wednesday August 13 – County Minor ‘B’ Football Championship – St. Kieran’s vs South Liberties / Crecora in Knockea at 7pm
Saturday August 17 – County Senior Football Championship Round 2 – St. Kieran’s vs Ballylanders in Ballyagran at 7pm
Sunday August 18 – County Junior ‘A’ Football Championship – St. Kieran’s vs Fedamore in Clarina at 12pm
Nick Greene Sportsground County Intermediate Hurling Championship – Group 2, Round 2:
St. Kieran’s 0-11 Na Piarsaigh 1-13
Our intermediate hurlers faced Na Piarsaigh in Round 2 of the County Intermediate Hurling Championship at Askeaton on Sunday afternoon last. Having drawn with Knockainey in Round 1 the previous weekend, our boys were hopeful of carrying that form into Sundays game against the Caherdavin outfit.
The game, overseen by referee Alan Kehoe, was played in warm August sunshine with only a slight breeze, which Na Piarsaigh had at their backs in the opening half. The city side started brightly, pointing twice inside the opening three minutes to put St. Kieran’s under early pressure. We slowly found our rhythm and started to get more up to the pace of the game.
In the sixth minute, Jack O’Sullivan slotted over a free to open St. Kieran’s account. Just three minutes later, Eoghan Sheehan made an intelligent run from midfield, collected possession, and fired a fine effort over the bar from play to level matters at 0-2 apiece. The contest was tight, with both sides working hard for possession. Na Piarsaigh found a purple patch midway through the half, their accuracy from placed balls, mostly through frees, proving decisive in nudging them into a 0-4 to 0-2 lead by the 15-minute mark.
St. Kieran’s were determined to stay in touch. A long-range free from Cillian Ambrose reduced the gap, before Conor McMahon, who was strong in the air throughout, landed a sweetly struck point from play. As the half entered its final minutes, Cathal McEnery capped off a strong individual first-half display with a score from play, keeping St. Kieran’s well in the hunt. Na Piarsaigh led at the break on a scoreline of 0-7 to 0-5.
The second half opened with Na Piarsaigh adding to their tally with four quick points from play. St. Kieran’s showed resilience by not allowing their opponents to get out of touch. We introduced fresh legs in the second half to add more energy to our play. Cormac Mann brought fresh physicality to the forward line, competing well for high ball and linking play.
Cillian Ambrose’s long range frees and a point from Cathal McEnery reduced the gap to a one point game, 0-12 to 0-11, with three minutes remaining. However, Na Piarsaigh finished the stronger with their composure in possession and ability to win frees under pressure helped them keep just enough daylight between the teams. Na Piarsaigh goaled on the stroke of full time leaving them ahead 1-13 to 0-11.
Our boys tried hard throughout and couldn’t be faulted for effort. The defensive unit, with Jack Ben Harnett outstanding at full back, worked tirelessly to repel attack after attack while Brendan McCarthy and Sean Long must also be commended for their efforts. In midfield, Eoghan Sheehan was influential throughout, linking defence and attack smartly, while Cathal McEnery took on a leadership role in the second half, driving forward repeatedly and chipping in with important scores. Cathal O’Connor, Eoin McEnery and Sean Ryan each made positive contributions when introduced in the closing stages as St. Kieran’s threw everything at the Na Piarsaigh defence. A disappointing defeat but plenty of positives to take leading into Round 3 against Pallasgreen in a few weeks. St. Kierans scorers Cillian Ambrose 0-4 (4f), Cathal McEnery 0-3, Jack O’Sullivan 0-1 (f), Eoghan Sheehan 0-1, Conor McMahon 0-1, Donie Nolan 0-1 (f). St. Kierans team Cillian Ambrose (Joint Capt.), Shay Greaney, Jack Ben Harnett, Mossie Shine, Sean Long, Brendan McCarthy, Fionn Gleeson, Eoghan Sheehan, Cathal McEnery (Joint Capt.), Ian Mackessy, Conor McMahon, Michael Long, Jack O’Sullivan, Dónal Nolan, Derry O’Connor. Subs introduced: Cormac Mann, Cathal O’Connor, Eoin McEnery, Sean Ryan.
County Junior ‘C’ Hurling Championship Round 1:
St. Kierans 2.10 Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcorman 1.18
The junior hurlers got their championship underway on Monday evening as they travelled to Askeaton to take on the home side. Dropping down a grade to Junior ‘C’ this season we started slowly and trailed by four points inside the opening quarter. With the huge gap between league and championship, our last league game was played in early May we lacked match sharpness in the opening stages but the longer the game went on we grew into it with scores coming from Jonathan Ruttle and a James O’ Connor goal to ensure that the two sides went in deadlocked at the interval. Despite our best efforts we found it difficult to take the lead in the second half as the home side began to up the ante. At the final whistle the home side would emerge victorious by a five-point margin to record their second win of the campaign. Next up in round 2 we welcome Adare’s 3rd team to Pairc Naomh Ciaráin, Ardagh on August 24th. Team vs Askeaton / Ballysteen/Kilcorman Mike Steele, James Woulfe, Mikey Breen, Dan Duggan, Bryan Sheehan, Edward Fitzgerald, Jack Flavin, James O’ Connor, Con Enright, Oisin Commane, Jonathan Ruttle, Charlie McMahon, Luke Corrigan, Tony Doyle, Oisin Ryan, Billy Breen.
Ardagh Development Association & St Kierans GAA Club Lottery Draw
Results for Monday 11th August 2025 as follows. Jackpot €8100.00, Numbers drawn 2, 6, 13, 25. No winner, Lucky dips winners
€40 Josephine McMahon Newcastle West
€40 Margaret Bridgeman c/o Timmy Madigan
€40 Paddy Downes Old Mill
€40 M Buston c/o Nearys
€40 Koran Carr Old Mill
Next Draw 18th August 2025 with a jackpot of €8200.00.