MONALEEN GAA CLUB NOTES
JUVENILE AGM: THE juvenile AGM of Monaleen GAA club was held on Wednesday last, November 27. The new 2020 committee will comprise of John Noonan (Chairperson), Bernard O’Carroll (vice chair) Ciara Lanigan (Treasurer) Mike Griffin (Secretary), Mick Higgins (Registrar) and PRO Colm Kinsella.
TOUR: On Sunday last, December 1 the Wanderers AFL touring party from close to Sydney in Australia visited Monaleen GAA Club. This is the sixth visit of the Wanderers to play the Monaleen boys in compromise rules challenge matches. The Wanderers brought 41 boys and 43 supporters on this visit.
This year, boys aged from 14 to 17 took part in the challenge games, on a very cold evening in UL’s Maguires pitch the spectators were treated to a fantastic display with both the round and oval ball.
The skills from both teams were brilliant to see especially considering the transition to the compromise rules and the unfamiliar ball which was changed alternated during each quarter. Monaleen GAA club would like to wish the Aussies a safe trip and we hope to see them again in the near future. We would also like to thank Camile Thai for their support of the event.
CHRISTMAS PARTY: Monaleen GAA Club kids Christmas party will take place in the clubhouse on this Sunday evening, December 8 from 4.30pm. An action-packed evening of entertainment will include a kids’ disco, face painting and a chance to meet Santa Claus himself. So why not get into the swing of Christmas and come along and join in the fun this Sunday. The bar will be open for parents.
SARSFIELD CUP: Congratulations to Monaleen GAA Club players Fionnan Hession, Harry McDermott, Marcus Southern, Conor Gavin, Shane Dolan and Cillian Clifford who were members of the Limerick City primary schools side side which defeated West Limerick 1-13 to 2-6 in the Sarsfield Cup final at the Gaelic Grounds last week.
LOTTO RESULTS: The latest Lotto draw took place on November 28, with the jackpot standing at €19,000. The numbers drawn were 6, 11, 13 and 33. Winners of the €50 lucky dips were P Moran, Kylemore; F. Melody, Glanntan; J O’Mahoney, Kilbane; L O’Loughlin, c/o Club. Tickets can be purchased on a weekly basis from local shops and pubs and the draw is held every Thursday night in the club at 10pm.
LADIES FOOTBALL
MINOR TEAM: The Groody Gaels ladies minor team played Dromcollogher/Broadford in the final of the county minor championship in the UL Maguires pitches on Sunday afternoon last, December 1. Despite a strong team performance by the entire panel, Groody Gaels unfortunately came up short on this occasion against a stronger and more experienced Dromcollogher/Broadford side on the score-line of 3-7 to 0-6.
Dromcollogher/Broadford started the game the better of the two sides with two early points followed by two well taken goals heading into the second quarter of the game. With some superb shot stopping from goal keeper Laura Donaghy and excellent cover defence from defenders Amy Kavanagh, Claire Kiely, Nessa Kelly, Jemma Duhig and Aoife Neville, Groody Gaels worked their way back into the game with 4 excellent points. First on the scoreboard was wing forward Saoirse Fitzgerald who linked expertly with Emily O’Halloran and Ella Doyle to kick Groody’s first point of the game. Next up was wing forward Claire Flavin who made a great run into the full forward line to kick Groodys second point of the game. In the 5 minutes before half time, sustained pressure on the Dromcollagher/Broadford goal yielded two close range frees which were expertly converted by midfielder and captain Rachel O’Dell. At the start of the second half, Dromcollogher/Broadford took control of the game to extend their lead on the scoreboard.
However, Groody Gaels never allowed their work-rate or support play to drop and continued to defend with great skill and attack at pace. Full forward Ciara Hodges was rewarded for her industrious play with an expertly taken point from play before centre forward Emily O’Halloran finished off a super team move involving Aoife Nelligan, Grainne Cronin, Aoibh Hayes and Niamh Moloney to kick a fine point. In the last few minutes of the game as Groody attacked at pace through half backs Aoife Neville and Jemma Duhig and midfielders Rachel O’Dell and Aoife Nelligan, the team were unlucky not to convert two goal chances with one coming back of the crossbar and one just flashing past the left-hand post.
Overall it has been a brilliant season for this team of talented young footballers with three super wins from their four championship matches. A season defined by super score taking and brilliant defending by the entire squad along with a willingness to battle for every possession. Congratulations to all the players, parents and management and the future is bright for this team as all players will be eligible to play in the minor grade again next season. Roll on 2020!!
Groody Gaels Team: Laura Donaghy, Clare Kiely, Amy Kavanagh, Nessa Kelly, Jemma Duhig, Aoife Neville, Rachel O’Dell (Captain), Aoife Nelligan, Claire Flavin, Emily O’Halloran, Saoirse Fitzgerald, Ciara Hodges, Ella Doyle, Aoibh Hayes, Grainne Cronin, Niamh Moloney, Lauren O’Shaughnessey.
CONGRATS: Congrats to Monaleen’s Rachel O’Dell who has been selected to be part of the Limerick Ladies Gaelic football squad for next season.
PHOTOGRAPH : Monaleen and Wanderers AFL players after their second compromise rules game at UL’s Maguires Field on Sunday
