MUNGRET ST PAUL’S GAA CLUB NOTES

U-16 HURLING
Mungret St. Pauls 1-16 Na Piarsaigh 0-13
This was a great match with the score board being leveled a few times though the game it was Mungret St. Pauls that pulled ahead in the final minutes in Mungret on a cold but dry Monday night 15 April.
The first half started strong for Mungret St. Pauls but they sat back and Na Piarsaigh caught up to their score. This was a lively encounters with both teams displaying some great hurling thoughout. Both sides battled to the half time whistle with the score board stopped at a level 8 points each.
The second half Mungret St. Pauls kept punishing the Na Piarsaighs backs and were eventually rewarded for their determination with a goal. Na Piarsaigh knotched on 4 points to Mungret St. Pauls one todraw the game again. At this stage it was still anyones game. A quick point from Na Piarsaigh brought thenm into the lead but the turning
point of the game was a very well taken long range free for Mungret St. Pauls which drew the score again. This was then followed up by 4 points from frees and 2 from play to win the game for Mungret St Pauls.
The U-16s see them selves out against Newcastle West away on Monday 29 April.

JUNIOR B FOOTBALL
Mungret St. Pauls 7-6 Claughaun 0-5
On Monday 15 April our Junior B Footballers were out for the first time this year in Claughaun. It was a cold but dry day for the match and a great result to get. Mungret St. Pauls led all the way and came off the pitch convincing winners. .
Mungret St. Pauls 3-8 Na Piarsaigh 5-15
The weather was perfect for a football match in Mungret on Thursday 18 April 2019. Mungret St. Pauls had played their first match only 4 days earlier while this was Na Piarsaighs first match of the group. There
was constant action in the match even the ref got floored .
Na Piarsaigh took the first score and Mungret St. Pauls replied with a goal which turned out to be their only lead in the game as Na Piarsaigh replied with their first goal. Na Piarsaigh lead the way scoring with 4 points and a goal to Mungret St. Pauls point. Mungret St. Pauls did not give up and after a few failed attempts they hit the net for the second time to bring the gap to 4 points behind. While
Mungret St. Pauls were shooting wides, Na Piarsaighs shots were on target with another 3 points and their third goal. To finish off the first half Mungret St. Pauls stuck the ball into the net for their last goal. Half time score was Mungret St. Pauls 3-2 Na Piarsaigh 3-4
Having played the first match only 4 days earlier the biggest struggle for Mungret St. Pauls was to shake off the tired legs and push through the second half. Na Piarsiagh were more sprightly on their legs and scored 3 points and a goal on the trot. Mungret St. Pauls then hit a
power surge and scored 5 unanswered points bringing back the lead to 7 behind. A few off target passes saw Na Piarsaigh take advantage again and they brought their lead to 13 points ahead . Another point a piece
saw the whistle end the game and Na Piarsaigh with a well deserved win.
Mungret St. Pauls will play their third and last match in the group next Thursday 26 April to St. Patricks on their first match out in the group.

PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING
Mungret St. Pauls 4-14 Blackrock 2-18
This was a great game with two strong sides who gave it everything right up to the final whistle in Bruff on Friday 19 April 2019. The weather was perfect for a Premier Intermediate hurling match when our Limerick Motor Centre sponsored team went up against Blackrock.
Blackrock were straight out of the blocks and had a point up before the starting whistle had finished. Mungret St. Pauls had a quick reply. Blackrock edged forward with another 2 points. There was a free each both pointed and then a Mungret St. Pauls player was pulled down
in the square and Mungret St. Pauls got their chance to put themselves ahead in the game with a penalty which was scored with an expert shot.
Mungret St. Pauls followed the goal up with a tight angled point. Another free to Blackrock had them a point behind. Mungret St. Pauls started an attack on the goals but the strike was sent wide for a 45 which was added to the score board. Mungret St. Pauls and Blackrock
exchanged points three times. With only 10 minutes left of the clock
Blackrock struck 2 balls on target to draw the game.
The next play was exceptional, with a lot of hands up wanting the chance to get their hands on the ball the sideline was cut from the 25 marker and sent soaring through the air in the direction of the Blackrock goal it skimmed off a few bits of ash and nestled itself
into the bottom left corner of the goal. This boosted Mungret St. Pauls on, a pointed free was followed up with a dusty tussle in the Blackrock square with both the green and red jerseys rising the ball but Blackrock were the ones to free the ball. Mungret St. Pauls closed out the injury time of the first half with 2 pointed frees going in 2
goals in the lead.
At the restart Blackrock struck again pointing a free. A silly mistake for Mungret St. Pauls gave Blackrock another point from a free. A lucky touch to the ball by the Mungret St. Pauls goalie saved the ball to a 45 for Blackrock which was struck straight back to the goalies hands and out the field. A shot toward the Blackrock goal started to
drop , the Blackrock goalie got this foot to the ball and it went over the line to give Mungret St. Pauls their third goal and a 7 point lead. There was another placed ball each and then Blackrock struck as the ball came dangerously close to the Mungret St. Pauls goal, it
bounced off a Blackrock hurley and into the back of the net, Blackrock followed it up with another 2 points from frees leaving them only 2 points behind. Mungret St. Pauls took advantage of another free. The ball was aimed at the Mungret St. Pauls goal again but went to the far
side of the post. Both sides added on another 2 points each. The game started to heat up as Blackrock were only 3 points behind as the clock was ticking and Mungret St. Pauls were down to 14 men. Blackrock were
taking every shot they could to score with them not being successful. Having fresh legs on the pitch for Mungret St. Pauls saw their last goal being sent to the net. There was constant action on the pitch the ball was sent to both ends of the pitch and with Blackrock needing a goal, when one of their men broke loose and headed to the goal he was
taken down and awarded a penalty, this slipped passed the goalies hurley, Blackrock were 2 points behind, the last minute was played with another wild wide for Blackrock the whistle was blown, Mungret St. Pauls rejoiced as they just won their second game from 2 looking good on the top of the table at the moment. They return to the pitch again on Thursday 25 April in Claughaun at 7pm against Dromin Athlacca

FEILE HURLING
Sunday 21 April was another tough day for our U-14 players as they had an early start in Rathkeale in the Semi Final of the Féíle hurling against Na Piarsaigh. These sides meet each other in the U-13 final
last year with Na Piarsaigh taking the trophy. Mungret St. Pauls knew what to expect and did not disapoint in their performance on the day, they were up against a stronger side but they put everything they had into the game. Na Piarsaigh went on to win the A final. There is not
much of a break for the players as they prepare to start into the championship matches in May. We would like to thank them and their coaches for all the effort they have put into preparing for both the hurling and football féile’s and wish them the best of luck in the championship

LADIES FOOTBALL
On Saturday 20 April 2019 the ladies football had a past player return to the pitch, unfortunately not to play but to present the U-10 girls with their medals from playing in Croke Park. We were delighted to have Ireland Hockey player Roisin Upton return to visit our pitches.
After Roisin presented the girls with their medals, the Ladies Football chairman, Larry Mason presented Roisin with a token for her to remember the club with. We would like to thank Roisin for her time to come to training to see the girls.
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