FR CASEY’S GAA CLUB NOTES

Spin & Win Draw

Fr. Caseys GAA Spin & Win draw continues each Monday night. Tickets cost just €2, or 3 for €5 with a Jackpot of €5,000 up for grabs. Tickets can now be purchased from Sheehys Hardware, Moss Harnetts, Cryle Dry Cleaners, Dick Dalton, Ann Lyons, Abbey Tiles & Paint, Rock Hair Scissors, Upper Cuts or any committee member. Alternatively you can also purchase a yearly ticket for a once off €100 payment or you can also setup a direct debit of €8.33 a month. We really appreciate your support for our local draw. Results of the draw will also be posted each Monday to Facebook and Twitter.

Results of Spin & Win Draw for Monday September 14th:

Kevin O’Connor – €60

Helen O’Donnell – €50

John Donoran – €50

The jackpot is now €5,000. The next draw takes place at the clubhouse on Monday September 21st at 9:15pm. The spinners are as follows:

Maura Lane

Sandra O’Donovan (NCW)

Sarah Collins

Upcoming Fixtures

Minor County Championship

Fr. Caseys Vs Mungret – Sunday September 27th in Abbeyfeale at 12 noon

Senior County Quarter-Final

Fr. Caseys 0-08 Ballysteen 0-14

Fr. Caseys headed into last Saturdays quarter final in Newcastle West expecting a fierce battle with Ballysteen but also with an air of confidence after a very positive group campaign. Inside the opening ten minutes both teams traded points with David Ward first on target from play then Cormac Roche from a long range placed ball. David Ward and Adrian Enright looked menacing on Fr. Caseys early attacks while at the other end Ballysteen have a great chance for goal only for Shane O’Connell to pull off a great save. Ballysteen then gave themselves some breathing space with three unanswered points before Cormac Roche stepped up to convert another long range free to reduce the margin. One more point from Ballysteen before the break would leave the half time score Fr. Caseys 0-03, Ballysteen 0-06. Fr. Caseys had struggled to breach a strong Ballysteen defence and were also wasteful on scoring opportunities. Ballysteen in contrast we very clinical with their chances and at times looked to have an extra gear.

A big second half reply was needed and two early Cormac Roche points, one from a free reduced the margin to a single point. Ballysteen would register the next point against the run of play as Fr. Caseys were finally starting to show some dominance. A brilliant point from wing back Michael Roche once more reduced the deficit to one as we headed for the final water break. This game was now up for the taking but it was Ballysteen who grabbed the initiative with three points in a five minute spell. Two more Cormac Roche frees were matched by Ballysteen to maintain the four point gap as we headed for the end of normal time. Fr. Caseys threw everything forward in search of a lifeline but Ballysteen stood firm and countered with two more injury time points to leave the margin at six when the final whistle went. After a gallant campaign it would be a quarter final exit for Fr. Caseys once more as that extra step continues to evade us. The full time score was Fr. Caseys 0-08, Ballysteen 0-14

Well done to all the players and management for all their commitment and entertainment throughout the year. The high numbers in training, the powerful second half displays against Adare and Na Piarsaigh, the introduction of a high number of underage players and the continued effort from our

veterans was just some of the highlights in what has been a testing year for everyone. Hopefully success at minor, under 21 or junior level still awaits the club.

Junior A County Championship

Fr. Caseys 0-07 Castlemahon 0-07

Fr. Caseys Junior A Footballers travelled to Mick Neville Park last Thursday to face Castlemahon in their final group game. A win or draw would send Fr. Caseys to the county quarter finals while Castlemahon needing to capture maximum points to take the final knockout place. There was nothing to separate both sides in the opening quarter with both sides trading point for point. Paudie Smith was first on target for Fr. Caseys, then DJ Stack converted well under pressure before Ethan Sweeney registered from a placed ball. The sides were tied at 0-03 each until a brace of Fr. Caseys points gave them some breathing space. Castlemahon however reduced the margin to a single point before the half time whistle. In a fast paced opening half neither team was gaining dominance with Fr. Caseys proving to be more clinical in front of goal. The half time score was Fr. Caseys 0-05, Castlemahon 0-04

A well struck Jack Breen free early in the second half stretched the margin to two points. Castlemahon hanging on to their championship lifeline threw everything at the Fr. Caseys defence to get back into the game and while the Abbeyfeale men held firm for a period, slowly Castlemahon cut into the deficit, drawing level with ten minutes remaining and then taking a one point lead. Heading close to stoppage time Fr. Caseys were now looking at the exit door but Kevin O’Connor had the last say, capturing a high ball at full forward before slotting over the bar to draw the game. Into injury time and the Fr. Caseys defence stood firm to secure a vital draw that was enough to send them through to the county quarter finals and a date with Monagea. The full time score was Fr. Caseys 0-07, Castlemahon 0-07

Junior A County Quarter-Final

Fr. Caseys 1-10 Monagea 4-15

Having made the quarter finals thanks to a last gasp point on Thursday night, our Juniors had a short turn around when they faced Monagea on Sunday evening in Mick Neville. Fr. Caseys went into the game as underdogs and that tag was justified in the opening quarter with Monagea racing into an early lead. Having finally contained the menacing Monagea attack, Fr. Caseys strengthened their attacking threat by moving Kevin O’Connor forward and this move paid dividends when he struck for goal on 20 minutes. Having been on the backfoot until this point, Fr. Caseys finished the half the strongest albeit thankful to a great save by Sean Scannell to deny Monagea a second goal. With the margin reduced to three points there was still hope of an upset. The halt time score was Fr. Caseys 1-05, Monagea 1-08.

The second half was one to forget as Monagea stepped up a gear and the youthful Fr. Caseys team had no answer. Adding two more goals and another seven points to the scoreboard compared to just five Fr. Caseys points, Monagea marched home with an impressive fourteen points to spare. The scoreline did no justice to the Fr. Caseys team would had battled gamely throughout. This year will hopefully serve as a learning curve for this young team, many getting their first taste of junior football and fingers crossed they will return next year with more threat. The full time score was Fr. Caseys 1-10, Moneagea 4-15.

Minor County Championship

Fr. Caseys 2-06 Galbally 1-10

With three wins from three and their place in the knockout stages confirmed, Fr. Caseys Minor footballers made the long trek to Galbally last Sunday morning for their penultimate group game against the team they defeated in last year’s county final. Fr. Caseys got out of the blocks early and lead by 1-03 to 0-02 at the first water break on 15 minutes. Galbally regrouped at this point however and went on to kick 1-04 without reply before the half time break to lead by 1-06 to 1-03.

A second Fr. Caseys goal put them right back in contention and the sides were level 2-05 to 1-08 with 15 minutes to go. Galbally who needed the victory to stay in the championship dug deepest in the final quarter however to claim victory by a single point after a fierce battle. The defeat stops our unbeaten run but the team will be the first to admit they were not at their best. Involvement of key players in seniors and junior knockout games in the lead to this match was not ideal preparation. The team now have a week to regroup and get back to winning ways in the final group game at home to Mungret on Sunday the 27th. The final score was Fr. Caseys 2-06, Galbally 1-10

Club Limerick Draw

The next Club Limerick Draw will take place on Saturday September 26th with another €10,000 jackpot and an Exclusive Star Prize of Afternoon Tea for five people in the Minstrels Gallery at Adare Manor and Gourmet Dinner for five people in the Carriage House Restaurant at Adare Manor up for grabs.

Many thanks to all the club members who have joined the draw to date. The cost is only €10 per draw with €5 going directly back to your local nominated club. For those who still wish to join, you can sign up online @ limerickgaa.ie/club-limerick-draw. Previous draw results can also be viewed on this site

Friends of Fr. Casey’s Fundraiser

Fr. Caseys GAA Club are currently embarking on a unique fundraiser to raise vital funds for the continued development of our club grounds. Given the current climate all volunteer organisations need the support of its members now more than ever. We are calling on all club members both past and present, those overseas and within the locality to dig deep and support this fundraiser. We appreciate your help spreading the word to family & friends.

A free standing sign will be erected in front of our clubhouse containing the names of all club supporters who have generously supported this fundraising initiative. This sign will be attractively constructed to complement our existing club grounds and will stand as a long term indication to future generations of your generosity to support and improve the club.

Placing your name on the sign will cost €100 for a once off payment. We are also willing to facilitate staged payments by direct debit (either 2 x €50 or 5 x €20). The related IBAN for this is ie11aibk93501800012325. To submit your name please contact any committee member or email the club secretary at secretary.frcaseys.limerick@gaa.ie. There has been a fantastic response to date so if interested please do not delay to make contact.

The money raised from this fundraiser will be used to enhance the development of our club grounds. A list of upcoming and recently completed upgrade projects within the club can be viewed below. Pictures of the proposed concept and a similar venture recently undertaken by Templeglantine GAA Club can be viewed on our club website www.frcaseysgaa.ie.

List of Upcoming Projects:

* Upgrade of Existing Sand Area including installation on New Fencing

* Installation of New Fencing along River Walkway

* Installation of New Fencing along perimeter of Main Pitch

* Resurfacing of Existing Car Park

* Upgrade of Clubhouse Doors & Windows

List of Completed Projects

* Installation of Sand Based all-weather Training Pitch with automated Drainage System

* Installation of Lighting on all-weather Training Pitch

* All Lighting on Club Grounds upgraded to LED standard

* Upgrade of Heating System in both Clubhouse & Sports Complex

* Upgrade of Showering system in Sports Complex

* Clubhouse Fully Insulated

* Clubhouse and Sports Complex newly Painted and Varnished

* Disabled Access Toilet placed in Clubhouse

* Upgrade of Roofing in Sports Complex

* Upgrade of Windows & Doors in Sports Complex