Mungret/St Pauls GAA Club Notes:
Limerick Players:
The Football academy were out in force on Saturday 3 August 2024 with the Limerick U-16 team playing Waterford in the O’Donovan Cup Semi Final. Limerick lead for majority of the game and won 0-7 to 1-8 to go through to the final in a few weeks. Well done to all the team and especially our Mungret St. Pauls players Amhlaoibh Bohane, Jack Dervan and Jamie Curtin.
The U-14 footballers travelled to Dr. Hyde Park on Saturday 3 August to take on Roscommon. Roscommon were very strong in the first half and led at half time. Limerick had a stronger second half scoring 1-3 but fell short at the full time whistle. Well done to Mungret St. Pauls players Adam Bennett who was on the panel with Cathal Sweeney out injured.
Great performances by our U-14 Limerick Footballers, with one team in Clonoulty Rossmore on Saturday 3 August. The boys lost their first game to North Cork 2-2 to 0-1. They bounced back to beat Waterford 0-5 to 0-1. They then lost 2-2 to 0-2 to Tipperary and defeated Clare in the last game with the best performance of the day 3-2 to 0-1. Great attitude on show. Well done to Mungret St. Pauls players Padraig Ahearne, Sean Casey and Sam Newman playing in Clonoulty Rossmore. The second team travelled to Carlow where Limerick won 2 games against Carlow and Wicklow and drew 1 against Wexford lost to Offaly. Well done to Mungret St. Pauls player Flynn Kelly who played well in all 4 games scoring in 2.
Ladies Football:
Last Monday, 22nd July, our Division 1 ladies football team travelled to Cappamore GAA club to contend for the title against St. Ailbes. This was an achievement in itself for our girls as reaching this final hasn’t been done in at least 15 years. The girls lead a fantastic league campaign heading into the final, with just one loss. Throw in was at 7pm and St. Ailbes started very strong and got two early goals and a couple of points which put them in the lead at half time with a score of 2-6 to 0-2. Mungret came out in force after half time showcasing some wonderful football skills and flawless passages of play, scoring an impressive 5 points and denying St. Ailbes more than 4 points in the second half. Full time score was 2-10 to 0-7 and both teams would agree the score line doesn’t reflect the fantastic display of football both teams played. Congratulations to St. Ailbes on winning the competition and wishing them all the best in championship. Hard luck to our girls, you did yourselves and club very proud. The girls are now preparing for the Intermediate championship commencing in 2 weeks time. Many thanks to the referee and Cappamore GAA club, management and coaching team John Horgan, Dave Foley, Liam O’ Connell and Peter O’ Donovan and a special mention to Siobhán Horgan for all her help and our fantastic supporters.
U-16 Hurling:
Mungret St. Pauls 4-14 Ballybrown 0-10
It was a warm evening on Monday, 29 July 2024 when our U-16 Division 1 Hurlers welcomed near neighbours, Ballybrown to Mungret Senior Pitch. This was a very good match with Mungret St. Pauls getting a great start going 3-3 up to Ballybrowns only point. The second half saw Ballybrown fight back but it was still Mungret St. Pauls that proved to be the stronger side as they kept the scoreboard ticking over while Ballybrown had intermittent points during the final thirty minutes.
This win leaves Mungret St. Pauls in second position on the table with one more game to play for us against Glenquin Gaels next week.
Premier Minor Football:
Mungret St. Pauls 2-12 Fr. Caseys 1-9
It was a warm evening on Wednesday, 31 July 2024 when our Premier Minor Footballers took on Fr. Caseys in the senior pitch. Fr. Caseys got in quick with scores as Mungret St. Pauls took a few minutes to settle into the game but once they did they started to produce scores, it was not until the dying minutes of the first half before Mungret St. Pauls pounced and within two minutes had scored their two goals, the second coming from a distant kick that poped over the goalies head. Mungret St. Pauls lead 2-3 to 0-6.
Fr. Caseys began strong again as they leveled the game in one shot with their own goal but with Mungret St. Pauls taking their scores when they got close enough to the goals they regained the lead and did not give it up, Mungret St. Pauls welcomed the much needed win on the night.
There is one final game to be played which will decide where we finish on the table as Mungret St. Pauls currently sit in second place and our next opponents, Monaleen in third. A win for Mungret St. Pauls would see them top the group but a win for Monaleen would leave Mungret St. Pauls in third place.
U-11 Hurling:
Mungret St. Pauls U11 hurlers who took part in a blitz in Pairic Ui Caoimh on Thursday 1 August 2024 where they played three clubs from the host county. They were given a tour of the dressing rooms and press room afterwards where they took part in a press conference with Cork senior hurler Shane Barrett. A big thank you to all parents who travelled to Cork on the day!
Sponsorship:
Mungret St. Pauls were delighted to have the Great National Southcourt Hotel sponsor our Premier Minor Hurlers jerseys. As the Deputy General Manager, Stefan Maidment says, “We cherish our relationship with local teams and are thrilled to support Mungret St Pauls. It’s fantastic to give back to the community and we can’t wait to cheer on the team this season!”
Mungret St. Pauls Breandan O hAnnaidh, Richie Burke and Sean Duff accepted the new jerseys from Deputy General Manager Stefan Maidment and Digital Marketing Specialist Ciaran Magnier of the South Court Hotel
Transplant Games:
The Olympics have taken over in most conversations but did you know that The British Transplant games took place over the weekend? They were held in Nottingham and Mungret St. Pauls had one of our own taking part. Very proud to see Liam Patterson taking part in the athletics soccer and 5km race among others.
It was a super weekend in Nottingham for Transplant Sport Ireland. With a team of 8 adults, 5 U18 athletes and 2 living donors there was plenty of activity with them collectively winning 23 medals in total, 9 Gold, 7 Silver and 7 Bronze medals.
On Saturday morning, 3 August 2024 in the Football Ireland had 3 athletes out, one of which was Liam.
Sunday, 4 August was a day on the track where Liam took part in the 800m race and won Bronze. Well done Liam a great win for you, your family and your doner.
Transplant Sport Ireland knows well that these Games are not about medals, instead the event allows athletes to honour their donor and all donor families, meet fellow transplant recipients and stay fit and healthy thus celebrating the great gift of life. They urge everyone to Have the conversation and say Yes to Organ Donation.
Senior Hurling:
Mungret St. Pauls 0-19 Ahane 1-17
The Senior Hurling Championship opening match for Mungret St. Pauls took place in Claughaun on Saturday 3 August 2024 against Ahane.
Ahane opened the scores with Mungret St. Pauls seeing their opening shots on the wrong side of the uprights before one crossed the black spot only for Ahane to hit back hard with five points and their only goal of the game. Mungret St. Pauls did not panic and kept their game going knowing scores will come and they did with four points in quick succession. Ahane kept tapping their points while Mungret St. Pauls saw their change to strike for a goal just before the end of the first half but the Ahane goalie was quick in his reaction and kept it away, Mungret St. Pauls were happy to get a point from the outcome, this was added to with another two before the break leaving Mungret St. Pauls 0-8 to Ahanes 1-9.
Ahane did not waste time as they returned to bridge the gap with another three points, Mungret St. Pauls replied with their own three points, an exchange of points before Mungret St. Pauls saw themselves in scoring form as they brought themselves to one point behind Ahane with four points to one from Ahane. The final six scores came mostly from frees with both side sharing the points as the race for Mungret St. Pauls to level the game was halted with the full time whistle.
While not the result Mungret St. Pauls wanted to start with in their first match in the Senior A hurling championship they gave a great account of themselves and will prepare for Kilmallock next weekend.
Intermediate Hurling:
Mungret St. Pauls 2-17 Bruree 1-20
The first round of the Intermediate Hurling saw Mungret St. Pauls play Bruree in a very breezy Croagh on Sunday 4 August 2024.
Mungret St. Pauls hit the net in the opening minutes of the game which saw them well through the first half. Bruree scored two early points but were against the breeze so struggled to gain a score while Mungret St. Pauls had added six points to the goal all by different players in the first ten minutes of the game. Bruree crept back into the game adding on five points to Mungret St. Pauls two before finishing out the half with an additional four points with goalie, Dec Browne saving Brurees attack on our goals. Half time score 1-12 to 0-7.
Back out and Bruree had the advantage of the breeze which they used to bring them back into the game as they added on six points to our one point in the first ten minutes. Mungret St. Pauls next point was very quickly followed by a goal at the opposite end for Bruree with a point for them following the game was level. It was point for point for the next four scores as both sides fought to get the lead. The sliotar was sent to the Bruree goals only to be deflected out but to a pouncing Mungret St. Pauls player who made sure to hit the net on this second attempt. Bruree had pointed either side of the goal score which left Mungret St. Pauls ahead by one point and with two minutes of normal time to go. It was edge of the seat going as it was hard to tell what would happen with the breeze as Mungret St. Pauls had to work the sliotar up the pitch, Bruree were using a long puck out to hit their forwards and get their scores. A great shot from play for Mungret St. Pauls to give a two point lead, Bruree got their next two scores from frees to finish the game on a draw, this was a good result for both sides as they all played hard, especially for this young Mungret St. Pauls team. They play Murroe Boher next weekend in the second round.
Premier Minor Football:
Mungret St. Pauls 1-9 Monaleen 1-13
On Sunday 4 August our Premier Minor Footballers played Monaleen in Peafield road in the last of the group games. The result from this match would still see both teams in the top four and into a Semi Final.
Mungret St. Pauls had the aid of a breeze in the first half and built up a nice lead of 1-7 to Monaleen 0-3 by the break. Mungret St. Pauls working the ball up the pitch and attacking well in the backs turning over the ball.
Monaleen had the breeze in the second half and an early goal from a penalty helped them come back into the game. Mungret St. Pauls got in scores when they could but they had a few wides which did not help. The Mungret St. Pauls goalie was kept busy with two great saves.
They now wait to see when the Semi Finals are to be played.