KILDIMO/PALLASKENRY GAA CLUB NOTES
JUNIOR B HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 4-7 Garryspillane 3-15. Sadly, our Junior B hurlers’ stint in the County Championship ends at the semi-final stage after a five-point defeat in Caherelly against a strong Garryspillane side. For various reasons, we were missing four players who featured in our quarter-final victory over Granagh/Ballingarry and, although we fought until the very end, Garryspillane were deserving winners in the end.
We did open the scoring when, after James Mason found Jai Chaudri in space with a short puckout, Jai was able to pick out Brendan Meskell who drove through the heart of the Garryspillane defence and pop the ball over the bar. However, Garryspillane were intent on getting goals early doors and threatened our defence. The aerial prowess of their full-forward line, allied with some excellent off-the-ball movement saw them create overlaps and they rattled the back of the net in response to our opening score. Disappointingly, they were able to do the same only a couple of minutes later. This gave them an early advantage which we would chase for the entire match.
We did bounce back to the two goals when team captain, Brendan O’Shea, got on the ball and won a free which was converted by player/manager, Danny O’Sullivan. However, Garryspillane would get on top over the next few minutes to dominate at puckout time and keep us penned back. They would get three scores on the trot: firstly, their first point of the game, then a third goal before another point. This put them firmly in the driving seat midway through the first half but we would close the gap slightly before the half-time break.
Our players fought hard throughout and none moreso than James Pomeroy who showed his pace on the ball and linked up with his forwards on a number of occasions; when he powered up the left wing, he was able to find Chris McMahon in space who drove over a point from out the field! Garryspillane hit a point from play and the one from a free in response to that point before we rattled in a goal of our own. Naoise McGarrigle did very well running at the heart of the Garryspillane defence, powering past a couple of players before popping a handpass to Danny O’Sullivan. Naoise then retrieved the return ball before playing it to corner-forward, Matthew Lucey, who turned and rifled the ball into the roof of the net!
This was a boost going into the break following the early setbacks but Garryspillane would get two more points in a row to open the gap further, before we would finish the half’s scoring with another free. Matthew Lucey was causing a bit of bother inside with his pace; he was fouled and Danny O’Sullivan converted the free. This left the half-time score: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 1-4 Garryspillane 3-6.
We were now fighting for our future in the Championship, and to be fair to all the players, they worked their socks off in the second half and didn’t let Garryspillane get any further goals while we were the ones to score three goals in the second half! But chasing the game wasn’t ideal and Garryspillane were always able to keep the scoreboard ticking over enough to claim the win.
We did have a very bright start to the second half when Danny O’Sullivan hit an early free to reduce the deficit which struck the upright and bounced back out, and Naoise McGarrigle reacted quickest to whip the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. This was a big boost but we weren’t as clinical as we might have been with all our chances on what was
a warm day in Caherelly. Garyspillane would hit the next score from play and would follow up that with two pointed frees. Gerard McKeogh came off the bench in the second half, and made an impact showing some good aerial ability and direct running. He quickly set up Chris McMahon in space, who converted his second point of the afternoon.
But again, Garryspillane responded with scores of their own: one from a free and the one from play before they had another goal chance. Their forward was played through in space one-on-one with the goalkeeper but James Mason did brilliantly to divert the ball over the bar instead of into the back of the net. The likes of Evan Considine and Evan McCarthy grew into the game in defence, with Brendan O’Shea and Kieran O’Brien, as we began to get on top but at this point, we started to chase goals.
As mentioned previously, Gerard McKeogh was very lively and when he ran at the Garryspillane defence, they had no choice but to pull him down inside the square. Danny O’Sullivan stood over the penalty and buried it past the goalkeeper. Garryspillane did respond with a free, before centre-back Mikey Dillon played a nice ball into Matthew Lucey’s corner which Matthew fired over the bar to close the gap yet again. But Garryspillane came back with two more frees, which would be their last scores of the game.
We did put pressure on in the last five minutes as we finally took control of the game, dominating at puckout time but sadly, it was just too little, too late. Gerard McKeogh linked up with Brendan Meskell, who then found Kieran O’Brien in space; Kieran turned and fired over the bar. Gerard McKeogh then retrieved a ball out on the ring and then played a ball across the middle towards Naoise McGarrigle, who broke it and Danny O’Sullivan was alert to whip a ground shot into the back of the net for his second and our fourth goal! Shortly after, Evan Considine dropped a free into the dangerzone which came as far as Chris McMahon and his measured shot whistled agonisingly wide of the post.
Sadly, that was that, as referee, Eamonn Stapleton blew the final whistle. It was a disappointing end to our County Championship hopes but this team still have a City Championship final against Crecora/Manister to play for! Well done to all the players for their efforts during the year and best of luck in the City Final! Many thanks to the management team of Danny O’Sullivan, Brendan O’Shea, Gary Dillon, John Chawke and Mikey Dillon for all their hard work! Keep an eye on social media and the club website for details of the City Final.
Team: James Mason; Jai Chaudri, Evan Considine, Darragh O’Brien; Evan McCarthy, Mikey Dillon, James Pomeroy; Brendan O’Shea, Kieran O’Brien (0-1); Chris McMahon (0-2), Brendan Meskell (0-1), Naoise McGarrigle (1-0); Matthew Lucey (1-1), Danny O’Sullivan (2-2, 1-0 penalty, 0-2 frees), Jason Daly
Subs: Gerard McKeogh for Jason Daly
Panel: Jack Ryan, Richard Downes
MINOR B HURLING COUNTY SEMI-FINAL: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 4-4 Granagh/Ballingarry 3-13. A brilliant second half comeback which saw our minor hurlers hit four goals was not quite enough to pip a very strong Granagh/Ballingarry team from marching on to the final. We were slightly laboured in the first half and saw our opponents race into an early lead, hitting three first-half goals. But our lads showed great spirit and resolve to roar back into contention and make Granagh/Ballingarry really sweat for their victory. Momentum was with us, and our second half performance showed that we had the capability to get goals but they were just about able to hang on to their first-half advantage! Well done to the team for their efforts this year and many thanks to the management team of Keith Guinane, Sean Cuddihy and Anthony O’Donovan for all their hard work during the year! We must also thank the sponsors of the minor hurlers Champion Sliotars/Team Car Flag Ireland for their continued support!
PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING FINAL REPLAY: After a thrilling first encounter in the Premier Intermediate Hurling Final, the replay against Blackrock is set to take place on Saturday October 26 in the Gaelic Grounds at 3.30pm. We were brilliantly supported in the first game, and we would love to see you all there again in two weeks’ time! The countdown is on once more!
MEMORIAL DAY: Many thanks to Askeaton GAA for their invitation to take part in their Memorial Day underage competitions at the weekend. A fantastic day was had by all our teams; players and coaches included, not to mention supporters! Our U-12s played some brilliant football in the Estuary Cup and were unlucky to just miss out after extra-time, in a classic contest! Well done to all involved!
Our U-10s managed to win the Cois Sionna Cup and a huge congratulations must go to all players and mentors!
U-10 FOOTBALL BLITZ: On Saturday morning, we had two U-10 teams in action for the last of the all-county football blitzes for 2019 and had a number of highly-competitive and highly-entertaining games. They played teams from Adare, Bruff, Castletown/Ballyagran, Claughaun, Knockainey, Monaleen and St. Patrick’s. Well done to all involved and many thanks to all coaches and parents for their efforts this year on what has been a very enjoyable football season!
CLUB LIMERICK DRAW: Disappointingly, we had no winners in the September version of the Club Limerick draw, after having a winner earlier in the year! However, there is no better way to support our club and show our players that you are supporting them all the way! Kildimo Pallaskenry GAA is very fortunate to have a number of players involved with county teams in both hurling and football across a number of grades. Join the CLUB Limerick Draw online or with any club committee member. Support your club and county teams!
Our U-10s managed to win the Cois Sionna Cup and a huge congratulations must go to all players and mentors!
