St. Kierans GAA Club Notes:
County U20 ‘B’ Football Championship Final
St. Kierans 2.12 Naomh Eoin 0.12
For the first time since 2017 the u20 footballers are county champions following a six-point victory over the Hospital/Herbertstown/Knockainey combination on Saturday afternoon in a sun-drenched Mungret/St Pauls GAA grounds. Fresh off the disappointment of losing the ‘A’ hurling decider several weeks ago the south Limerick side played with great determination in the opening half as they put us under severe pressure, in particular their full forward line who looked extremely potent. A Jack O’ Sullivan score got us off the mark and helped us settle into the game. we trailed the south Limerick side for much of the opening half as they played with the assistance of a slight breeze in what was a cold and beautiful December afternoon. While there were many excellent performances throughout the hour the diamond around the middle of centre back Sean Long, midfielders Conor McMahon and Fionn Gleeson and centre forward each put in big performances showing off the wealth of experience they have gained this season playing at Senior and Junior ‘A’ level. As was the case in the 2024 decider against Galtee Gaels Mikey Kelly once again found himself in a goalscoring position to find the back of the net and was met with a rapturous ovation from the large crowd in attendance. An important goal from a player who will hopefully have a big future with the club at adult level. despite taking the lead following the goal we soon found ourselves trailing once more as a late flurry from Naomh Eoin put them back into the lead at the interval, 0.8 to 1.4. We began the second half brightly with quickfire points from Oisin Commane, Jack O’ Sullivan and Conor McMahon put us into the ascendency once again. From this point onwards having players who have played adult football at a higher level began to show as we began to manage the ball better. While Naomh Eoin’s shooting was beginning to let them down we received a stroke of good luck when Jack O’ Sullivan’s high ball into the square wasn’t adequately dealt with by the keeper as we raised our second green flag of the day. Naomh Eoin continued to push hard to get back into the game but couldn’t breach our defence despite their best-efforts thanks in no small part to goalkeeper Con Enright and full back line of David O’ Connell, Oisin Ryan and Derry O’ Connor who got to grips with their difficult opponents in the second period. Scores from Charlie McMahon, Cian Mulcahy and Jack Dowling put us into a six-point lead before Naomh Eoin were awarded a late penalty which could have brought the game back to three points. Despite guessing the right-side keeper Con Enright wasn’t called into action as the ball whisked past the right-hand post and wide. At the final whistle there was a great sense of delight having finished the season off with another county title to add to the West Junior ‘A’ and County League titles already won this season. For many of this group this is their first underage title. Undoubtedly the majority of the squad have benefited from exposure to Senior and Junior ‘A’ level over the past year and have grown in confidence with the more game time they have got. There is a possibility that the age grade will return to u21 in 2026 which means the full panel would once again be available for selection. If it were to remain at u20 level then only two panel members would be overage for selection. Success isn’t possible without a management team putting all of the pieces together. Well done to the management of Noel Broderick, Paudie McCarthy, James O’ Connor and Alan Daly who have worked with this group for the past two seasons contesting the county final last year to disappointing lose out to Galtee Gaels. In the 2025 championship we played five games defeating ABK Desmonds and Hospital in the group stages before overcoming Killacolla Gaels and Galbally in the semi and quarter finals. At the final whistle Wayne Fitzgerald of Limerick Football Board presented the trophy to team captain Fionn Gleeson who thanked the players and management team for their efforts throughout the campaign and thanked Mungret/St Pauls GAA club for having their pitch in fantastic condition at this time of the year. Saturday’s game marks the conclusion of the 2025 season a season that has seen the club move into our new grounds in Ardagh. We look forward to the 2026 season full of optimism for further success on and off the pitch.
St Kierans Con Enright; David O’Connell, Oisin Ryan, Derry O’Connor, Jack Dowling, Seán Lonh, Mikey Kelly, Fionn Gleeson (Capt), Conor McMahon, Oisin Commane, Jack O’Sullivan, Bryan Sheehan, Christopher Kelly, Charlie McMahon, Shane O’Mahony. Subs Cian Mulcahy, Luke Corrigan, Jake Lynch, Conor Sheehan, Conor Sheahan, Patrick Ahern.
St. Kierans GAA Ford Kuga Draw:
Tickets are selling fast for our car draw fundraiser with a Ford Kuga or €40000 cash up for grabs, Tickets are €50 each but we have put together two special Family/Group packages to give great value for those buying in bulk.
These packages are not just for families – friends, colleagues or neighbours can easily come together to buy a package.
Example: if 15 people team up to buy two €500 packages, each person contributes €67 and gets TWO tickets (which would normally cost €100 if bought separately)
If you are interested in purchasing a family/group package please contact David Woulfe 086 2205572 or Deirdre Ambrose 087 9509218. Your support for this important fundraiser is greatly appreciated.
Image 1 – St. Kieran’s captain Fionn Gleeson accepting the County U20 football trophy from Wayne Fitzgerald of Limerick Football Board
Image 2 – St. Kieran’s County U20 ‘B’ Football Champions 2025
Image 3 – Congratulations to Mary Kury, pictured receiving her Early bird draw prize of an overnight stay for 2, in the 4 star Heritage, Killenard Co. Laois with afternoon tea and dinner for 2 people, plus €500 spending money, in the Ford Kuga car draw. Paula O’Brien (St Kieran’s GAA, Healthy club officer) and Billy Mann of the car draw committee making the presentation. Also in the picture are some of Fridays chair exercise classes, Kathleen Cremin, Paul Kury, Daphne Casey and Marie Ruddle.