MONALEEN GAA CLUB NOTES

BEST OF LUCK: Best of luck to the Limerick senior hurlers and management team who face Cork in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park on Sunday next at 3.30pm. Monaleen clubman Paul Kinnerk is coach to the Limerick senior hurlers once again this year. Monaleen Clubhouse Bar will also be open on Sunday afternoon, so why not join us to watch the game! Luimneach Abú.
ALL-IRELAND FINAL TICKET UPDATE: Demand for All-Ireland final tickets was absolutely massive, reaching approximately three times our allocation. Despite our best efforts, we were unable to secure any more tickets. Only club members who had paid in full and on time (i.e prior to March 31st) were included in the draw. However, even then we were not in a position to meet the demands. It would be a huge task to respond to everyone who requested tickets. Those who were successful in the draw will receive an email from Ticketmaster early this week with a link to pay for and download your ticket.
SENIOR FOOTBALL: Best of luck to Monaleen senior footballers and management team in their opening fixture in this year’s Irish Wire Products county senior football championship against Ballylanders on this Saturday in Bruff at 1.30pm.
COMMISERATIONS: Commiserations to Monaleen’s five representatives on the Limerick minor football squad who produced an excellent display against Cork in last week’s Munster minor football final at Semple Stadium before ultimately losing out in the closing minutes of the game. The five Monaleen players involved in the squad are team captain Darragh Murray, Conall O’Duinn, Darragh Clifford, Stephen Kiely and Oisin O’Connor. It is a big honour for the club to have such a strong representation in the squad with Limerick reaching the Munster final for the first time since 1998. Monaleen’s Dermot Dineen is also goalkeeoing coach with the squad this year.
LOTTO: The latest Lotto draw took place on Thursday, August 12 with the jackpot standing at €20,000. The numbers drawn were 6, 10, 15 and 22. Winners of the €50 lucky dips were K. Brosnan, Killonan; C/N Deegan, Evanwood; D. Hornet, Riverbank. Thank you for your continued support.
CAMOGIE:
The Monaleen intermediate camogie squad
INTERMEDIATE: The intermediate plate League final v Croagh Kilfinny was played in Fedamore on Friday evening. This was the first final the club have played at this grade. With a number of players on holidays the Monaleen team included a majority of players from our minor panel so it was a big step up. Struggling to come to terms with the pace of the game Monaleen were 1-6 to 0-1 down at the first water break. From this point the girls fought back and in the period before the 2nd water break outscored Croagh Kilfinny by 6 point to nil. With less than 10 minutes to play a goal from Eve McCarthy put Monaleen in front for the first time in the game. However 3 late scores conceded left the final score Croagh Kilfinny 1-14 to Monaleen 1-11. Panel: Aimee O’Brien; Aisling O’Driscoll; Niamh Moloney, Saoirse Lane; Grainne Fullen; Niamh Doyle; Aoife Doyle; Ella Hession; Lucy D’Arcy; Mia O Halloran; Ruth Heavey; Emily O Brien; Aoife Nelligan; Clodagh Power; Amy Burke; Aine Doyle; Laura Southern; Grace Malone; Eve McCarthy; Katie Golden; Kim Ivory.
MINOR CHAMPIONSHIP: Our Minor girls open their championship with an away match v Blackrock Effin. It was a highly competitive encounter but the Monaleen girls took an early lead and held it throughout the game to win with a final Score: Blackrock Effin 3-7 Monaleen 4-11. The girls have a week break now before a home match against Doon on the Wednesday 25th. Panel: Ellie Madden; Aisling O’Driscoll; Niamh Moloney, Aoife Doyle; Ella Hession; Mia O Halloran; Emily O’Brien; Aoife Nelligan; Clodagh Power; Amy Burke; Laura Southern; Amy Kavanagh; Grace Malone; Eve McCarthy; Kim Ivory; Saoirse Fitzgerald; Ella McCarthy; Emily O’Halloran.
U14 CHAMPIONSHIP: Mackey group, 12th August. Monaleen U14 girls played their third and final group game of the championship. Their opponents this week were a strong Knockaderry team. Played in Peafield Road pitch, the conditions were ideal and a great game of hurling was witnessed by the supporting crowd.
The 2 teams gave it their all in a tough, physical battle. Monaleen’s defence was outstanding throughout and even though scores were hard to come by at times, Monaleen still went into the half time lead with a convincing lead. The second half was much tighter as Knockaderry really came into it. Monaleen however had enough done in the first half and ran out winners but credit to Knockaderry for a tough but sporting game. The girls now have 3 wins from 3 which sees them top their group and through to a home semi-final. Team: Erika McCarthy, Emma O’Leary, Carrie McCormack, Orlaith Purcell, Lily Reid, Emma McGrath, Kate Moloney, Rebecca Bromell (capt) Alice Sheedy, Ella Rock, Robyn d’Arcy, Rachel Widger, Millie Reen, Grace Hegarty, Lucy Power, Molly Morrissey, Andrea Costello, Charlotte Liston, Katie O’Gorman, Isabelle Bromell, Louise Burke, Aisling O’Leary, Hazel Noonan, Sarah O’Halloran, Sarah Sullivan.
U12 LEAGUE: Our U12s travelled out to Ahane on Tues 10th to play in the U12 League. A great evening of camogie, with tight competitive play. Well done to all the girls who travelled out.
U9: Our Monaleen U9 girls travelled to Murroe Boher in Harty Park for a late summer challenge game on Tuesday 10th August. As always Murroe Boher were great hosts and the 2 teams played a very exciting and close match. Our girls grew in confidence as the game went on and by the second half were flying it, rising the ball at every opportunity. Special mention to two of our U7 girls Alanna and Sadhbh who jumped in at the last moment. Despite their age they knew no fear, challenging for the ball and helping their team. The Monaleen team were assisted in the second half with Kate Laffan’s cousin Nancy from Murroe who jumped to make a guest appearance for the team.
The Monaleen team lined out as follows: Erin McInerney, Anna Burke, Kate Laffan, Robyn McAdam, Lucy Heffernan, Alanna Heffernan, Aishing Gavin, Liadh O’Shea & Sadhbh O’Shea.
BEST OF LUCK: All at Monaleen Camogie wish Amy Burke, Ella Hession and Limerick Minor team the very best of luck in the All Ireland Quarter FInal vs Kilkenny on Saturday August 21st.
WELL DONE: Well done to all Monaleen players who lined out for County U14 & U15 matches at the weekend. Special mention to our 4 players Lucy Power, Alice Sheedy, Ella Rock & Rebecca Bromell who were part of the Limerick U14 Football team that won the Munster C Final on Friday 13th.
U12S: U12s played Ahane last Tuesday and put in a great performance. Ahane were obviously up for the match too with 25 of their girls turning out for derby. The score was 10 points to 8. The girls got off to a great start and were really solid in defence and getting the ball up the pitch. WE were unfortunate with the amount of 45s and frees that Ahane secured but Monaleen outshone in play on the pitch and getting scores from most play that ended up near opposition goals.