MUNGRET ST.PAUL’S GAA CLUB NOTES
LAUNCH OF THE ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP
We were honored to be chosen as the Limerick club to host the launch the All Ireland Hurling Championship. It was a day of smiles as our young players got the chance of a lifetime to meet their county hero’s on a day a lot will not forget, Tuesday 9 July 2019.
You may have noticed the busy hands around the place painting and cleaning up the pitches and clubhouse. The juvenile pitches are looking fantastic with the painted goal posts and new nets. We would like to thank Ger Keane, John Moriarity and their crew that worked hard to get the place looking like a new pin.
On the pitches we had a display of all our codes with U-8 hurling, football, U-14 Camogie and U-12 Ladies Football which showcased how great our club is in all aspects to the GAA President, John Horan and his family. These matches were going on as the RTE cameras were working their way around the pitches and interviewing the GAA names that arrived on the day from Tipperary- Brendan Maher, Laois- Joe Phelan, Cork- Seamus Hardney, Wexford- Kevin Foley and a player who needed no introduction to the children was Limericks Aaron Gillane. Mungret St. Pauls players were photographed with the county players and the GAA president and had an opportunity to get photographs and autographs. The county players were brought inside where Sky Sports Damien Lawlor took charge and introduced the Mungret St. Pauls Chairman, Mike O’Connell to the press and invited guests. Mike talked about how winning the Liam MacCarthy last year made a difference to the people of Limerick. John Horan, the President of the GAA was introduced next and while being a Dublin man was saddened to see Laois take Dublin out of the running, he wished each team the best of luck and went on to talk highly about our clubs future plans, our ambition to achieve success and our involvement with the community.
Damien then proceeded to introduce each player as they took their seat on the stage and a questions and answers to each player followed. Each player gave a great account of themselves and their counties. Once this was over Damien thanked everyone and the press were then allowed to present their own interviews with each player in the lounge and on the pitch. The Woodlands supplied a fantastic feast for all who attended which was, as always a splendid dinner with very tempting deserts.
We would like to Thank and acknowledge John Cregan and Mike O’Riordan on the Limerick County board for considering Mungret St. Pauls for this prestigious event and allowing our players to be part of it. We wish Limerick Senior Hurlers the Best of Luck in their fight for the Liam MacCarthy.
All photos from the day are on our website.
JUNIOR A HURLING
Mungret St. Pauls 2-19 Ballybrown 2-8
On Tuesday 9 July in Kildimo Mungret St. Pauls Junior A hurlers played a strong game against neighbours Ballybrown. Ballybrowns poor shooting kept them at bay while Mungret St. Pauls were more accurate and built up a good score before half time.
Mungret St. Pauls opened the scoring with 2 points, Ballybrown had hit 2 wides before they split the uprights. Mungret St. Pauls added another point before they scored their first goal, a second chance on goal was denied when Ballybrown surrounded our player and sent the ball out the field. Mungret St. Pauls added on another 5 points until there was a lull in the game as both sides missed their shots with Mungret St. Pauls hitting a total of 4 wides by the end of the first half while Ballybrown missed 15 shots which could of made a difference to the score. Both sides finished on a good footing as they both pointed one more time.
After the break Mungret St. Pauls notched up another 2 points before Ballyborwn found their feet and went 2 points in a row, a point a piece and then both sides missed their targets twice. Mungret St. Pauls slotted the ball over the bar but Ballybrown put the pressure on our backs and in a shot close to the goal line was hard to save and Ballybrown started to see their chances were still there, especially as fortunes changed and Mungret St. Pauls missed 3 chances to score and Ballybrown drew closer with a point and their second goal, this left the two sides 5 points apart. Both sides shared the next 4 points, Mungret St. Pauls then found a second wind and went 2 points in a row quickly followed by their second goal which divided the sides by ten points. The game finished off with Ballybrown pointing their last score and Mungret St. Pauls finishing off with their last 2 points.
This was a great win for our players it was only their third Championship game, with one loss and 2 wins they currently sit in the middle of the table.
LIMERICK PLAYERS
Well done to all the players on the Limerick Football panels, Mungret St. Pauls are delighted to have a great stock of players throughout the teams.
Well done to;
U16 Panel; Cillian O Gorman, Colin Rochford, Darragh Bridgeman, Darragh O Connor, Frank Corcoran, James Killian, Oisin Moss
U15 Panel; Jack Somers
U14 Panel; Jake Foley, Tom Lloyd, Ben Gallagher, Muiris Ahern, Mark O’Brien, Luke Walsh
JUNIOR B FOOTBALL
Mungret St. Pauls 2-12 Knockaderry 2-6
In the Bog Garden in Rathkeale on Thursday 11 July the Junior B footballers went up against Knockaderry in the County Semi Final.
This was a great game for Mungret St. Pauls who lead from the start and kept the pressure on. There was a little lull in the play from Mungret St. Pauls as Knockaderry clawed themselves back to one point behind but a sure footed goal set Mungret st. Pauls up again. Well done to the players, onto the Final.
FINAL- Mungret St. Pauls 0-7 Banogue 1-24
Not Mungret St. Pauls’ day on Sunday 14 July in Croom as they were behind from the start and failed to catch up with only one point scored in the first half they left a lot of catching up to do in the second half. They finished strong scoring most of their points in the final 15 minutes, but it was too late at that stage. Well done to Banogue who out classed Mungret St. Pauls on the day.
MINOR HURLING
Mungret St. Pauls 1-11 Ballybrown 1-17
In Clarina on Friday 12 July 2019 the Minor hurlers after a long break from their first match took on near neighbours Ballybrown. Mungret St. Pauls started out very well but sat back and Ballybrown took the game.
Mungret St. Pauls kept Ballybrown scoreless and had a goal and 4 points scored in the first 8 minutes of the game. Mungret St. Pauls were on a great lead when Ballybrown eventually started to break through and score. By the 23rd minute, Mungret St. Pauls had 1-7 scored to Ballybrowns three points. In the next 7 minutes Ballybrown had stopped Mungret St. Pauls in their tracks and added on another 3 points to leave a gap of 4 points between them by half time.
The second half was a poor game for Mungret St. Pauls as Ballybrown had only taken 3 minutes to level the score with their own goal and a point. It was a slow scoring half for Mungret St. Pauls who were busy containing Ballybrown who took the lead and held it until the end of the game to take the win.
Mungret St. Pauls are still in forth position in the table but need to perform in the next match against Patrickswell on the 26 July who are placed above them at the moment.
PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING
Mungret St. Pauls 3.19 Garryspillane 0-12
In Mungret on Saturday 13 July 2019 our Limerick Motor Centre sponsored Premier Intermediate hurlers started off with a lead and held it throughout expanding their lead even more in the second half which was Mungret St. Pauls 1-10 Garryspillane 0-7. This was the first win for Mungret St. Pauls having drawn 2 game and losing 2 they are currently holding third place with 2 more games to go.
JUNIOR A HURLING
Mungret St. Pauls 0-16 Claughaun 2-14
A game of two halves in Rathbane on Saturday 13 July as our Junior A hurlers took on Claughaun in the County championship. Mungret St. Pauls started strong but let themselves down in the second half.
It was a very low scoring first half but Mungret st. Pauls had a marginal lead by the half time whistle, 7 points to Claughauns 4 points.
The second half was where Mungret St. Pauls struggled to take control and Claughaun got the better of them getting in 2 goals.
There are still three more games to go, with Mungret St. Pauls having won 2 and lost 2 their next game is against Old Christians on 20 July.