FR CASEYS GAA CLUB NOTES
Upcoming Fixtures
County U21 Football Championship
Fr. Caseys Vs St. Kierans, Friday November 5th in Mountcollins at 8.00pm
County Junior A Football Final
Fr. Caseys 2-08 Newcastle West 1-07
Fr. Caseys GAA are the Junior A County Champions. It took an entire squad performance and plenty of help from the crowd and even though there was moments of doubt, a superb second half display has guided the men in blue to their first county junior title since 2007.
On a sunny day in Tournafulla, Fr. Caseys raced from the blocks with Jamie O’Connor clinical as ever with two pointed frees inside the first five minutes. Before any confidence could be built, Newcastle had the game turned on its head with 1-02 without reply as we passed the ten minute mark. Two more points from Jamie O’Connor one from play, the other from a placed ball and a Newcastle point in reply had the scores 0-04 to 1-03 as we went for the first water break. On resumption the sides traded points with another Jamie O’Connor free added to the register. Again the teams traded points and this time John Lane from play was the scorer. Deep in first half injury time John Lane struck again and there would just be a single point between the teams at the break. The half time score was Fr. Caseys 0-07, Newcastle West 1-05. Having weathered a ten minute storm prior to the first water break, Fr. Caseys had since dealt admirably with the Newcastle West threat and a fierce second half battle awaited.
Newcastle West may have shaded the opening half but Fr. Caseys emerged a different beast in the second half. A Jamie O’Connor free soon levelled the scores and then John Lane breached the defence and made no mistake to rattle the net. Newcastle West would reply with a point but on forty three minutes a great ball from Cathal Harnett found the ever green Kevin O’Connor in front of goal and Kevin calmly slotted home to raise the roof in Tournafulla and finally give the fealesiders some breathing space. Leading by five points, Fr. Caseys showed great maturity over the next ten minutes to keep ball and prevent Newcastle West from any real scoring chances. This was easier said than done with a heroic effort shown all over the field with Morgan Scannell and Diarmuid Bauckey in midfield, Cathal Harnett and Kieran Foley at wing back and the veterans Seamus Lenihan and James O’Mara putting their body on the line for the cause. The introduction of Donagh Kelly and Martin Coughlan also added fresh legs up front with Billy Quirke and John Lane running on reserves from their tireless efforts. Newcastle West reduced the margin to four points but as we entered injury time there would be no surrender from the Abbeyfeale men, Sean Scannell making sure with a vital high ball catch as the clock ticked away. When the final whistle went there was no doubt who the victors were, a brilliant second half display from Fr. Caseys had guided them to the county title and promotion to Intermediate for the 2022 season. The final score was Fr. Caseys 2-08, Newcastle West 1-07.
Well done to team captain Pa O’Connor and his band of warriors. Only twenty men could take to the field in Tournafulla but over the course of the year the whole squad has played a major part and each one should be proud of their achievement. Well done to management team of Seamus McNamara, Michael Harnett, Sean O’Donnell and JD Foley and not forgetting the great supporters who roared them all the way home.
County Minor Football Final
Fr. Caseys 5-07 Galbally 0-10
Fr. Caseys Minor Footballers made the long trek to Martinstown last Thursday evening bidding to create more history and capture a fourth county title in a row. Standing in their way were an unknown Galbally side who had toppled a fancied Monaleen team in the semi-final. The first quarter belonged to the Abbeyfeale men and they raced into an early 0-04 to 0-01 lead. Galbally narrowed the margin to a single point but on 22 minutes Fr. Caseys struck for their first goal. Galbally raised a white flag in reply to this setback but a pointed free from Fr. Caseys restored the four point lead. Late in the half Galbally kicked their fifth point from a free to leave the half time score, Fr. Caseys 1-05, Galbally 0-05.
A positive start to the second half by Galbally saw the lead reduced to a single point but then on eight minutes Fr. Caseys rattled their second goal of the night to move four points in front once more. The sides traded points but on seventeen minutes, Fr. Caseys dealt the clinical blow. Awarded a penalty, Fr. Caseys made no mistake to make the scores 3-07 to 0-09. Galbally now had an uphill battle and although reducing the deficit to six points this would be their last score of the night. Into injury time Fr. Caseys added two more goals to cap off a brilliant team performance. Well done to all players and management on another superb performance on the big day. The final score was Fr. Caseys 5-07, Galbally 0-10
Club Limerick Draw The eighth Club Limerick Draw of the year took place last Saturday October 30th. Well done to Liam Lynch, Adare claimed the €10,000 jackpot prize and John O’Shea, Hospital who claimed the Exclusive Star Prize. Well done also to William Horgan from Fr. Caseys who claimed a €100 cash prize. The next draw will take place on Saturday November 27th with another €10,000 jackpot up for grabs plus an Exclusive Star Prize and a host of cash prizes.
Our club is extremely thankful to all club members who support this draw. With 50% of the entrant fee returned to local club, the Club Limerick Draw provides us with vital funds to maintain and develop our club. Those still wishing to join for next month’s draw can register via the new Club Limerick website @ www.clublimerick.ie.
Club Lotto
Fr. Casey’s GAA Lotto Draw continues each week with the Jackpot as of November 1st standing at €20,200 and rising by €200 each week not won. Since its launch our new Lotto has been a great success and we are extremely grateful to all our supporters both near and far for their generosity.
How do you play? Simply select three numbers from 1 to 30 and one bonus number from 1 to 10. If all four chosen numbers appear the jackpot will be won or shared. A match three prize of €500 is also on offer and applies to the 1 to 30 number selection not including the bonus ball. In addition to this we also have a match 2 plus bonus and a host of lucky dip prizes up for grabs each week. The draw will run on a weekly basis, each Monday night (Tuesday on Bank Holidays) at 9pm sharp. All ticket sales must be completed prior to 8pm will the draw results shared from 9pm on our Club Facebook Page.
Where can you buy a ticket? Tickets cost €2.50 and are available in a host of local shops including Moss Harnett’s Spar, An Siopa Milseán, Kathleens Foodstore, Sheehy’s Hardware, Danny Scanlon’s & Lanes Foodstore. You can also play Online @ https://www.klubfunder.com/Clubs/FrCaseys/Lotto with the option of reoccurring draws, yearly tickets and Quick Pick function available.
Friday Night Card Game
The weekly Card Game continues each Friday night at Fr. Caseys GAA Clubhouse. Starting at 9pm sharp we guarantee a great night’s entertainment. Please help to spread the word, it is always great to see old and new faces. Please note proof of vaccination or recovery cert will be required from all attending.
GAA Clubhouse Facilities
If you are looking a suitable venue for meetings, parties, events etc., please note that our GAA Clubhouse might be the perfect fit. Offering a fully stocked bar & dance-floor, adequate parking and a newly renovated interior we are very proud of our existing facilities. If you wish to find out more please feel free to email our club secretary on secretary.frcaseys.limerick@gaa.ie.
Club Website Check out our club website at www.frcaseysgaa.ie for all the latest club news, fixtures, results and lots more. Our club website is updated regularly and is well worth a visit. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/frcaseysgaa and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/frcaseysgaa