Na Piarsaigh GAA Club Notes:

Under 15 Hurlers:
Na Piarsaigh travelled to Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale as underdogs for the U15 Division 1 hurling county final against Murroe Boher on Saturday 16th September 2023. Murroe Boher had won the county Féile competition in early April and when the sides met a few weeks later in the first round of the county championship Murroe Boher won a keenly contested match by three points. However, since that match Na Piarsaigh had gone undefeated in the county championship over the next four months and had progressed significantly as a team.
On a fine Autumn day in Rathkeale, the opening exchanges of the county final were tentative with Murroe Boher settling first. The first quarter was low scoring with both sides registering a point each, the cross-field wind made it difficult for point-taking for both sides. However, Na Piarsaigh soon got into their stride and by halftime were on top in most areas of the field and led by 0-6 to 0-4 at the short whistle. We should perhaps have been further ahead for our possession and dominance in the first half.
We pushed on in the second half and extended the lead with further excellent points. Alex Kearns was unerring from frees from all angles and distances. Moving into the third quarter the Na Piarsaigh backs were comfortable dealing with all Murroe Boher attacks and never allowing any threat to our goal. David O’Keeffe at centre back gave a captain’s display showing great anticipation of the next play and making numerous clearances from the backline. We worked hard all over the field, dominating in the air and on the ground, tackling with purpose and discipline exemplified by Danny Sheahan emerging from many rucks with the sliotar.
When referee Michael Browne blew the final whistle Na Piarsaigh had won by 0-15 to 0-6, holding Murroe to only two points in the second half. There were joyous scenes from the Na Piarsaigh players, back-room team, and supporters who celebrated a great team performance. Pat Davoren of Limerick GAA presented the cup to the Na Piarsaigh captain David O’Keeffe.
Na Piarsaigh: Bobby Collins, Conor Kelly, Marcus Murphy, Joe Kehoe, David Murphy, David O’Keeffe, Ferdia O’Brien, Danny Sheahan, Shane Waters, Cillian Chawke, Alex Kearns, Sean O’Brien, Alex Harris, Conor Bermingham, Sean Connolly, subs introduced: Charlie Ryan and Ferdia Minihane, subs: Fin Conlon, Eoin O’Sullivan, Odhran Gilroy, Edmund Hillary, James McGann, Ben Murray, Cian Maloney, Rian McHugh, Sean Hickey, Aodh Keating, Daragh McCarthy, Darragh Kirwan, Eric Patton.
Management/coaches: Cathal Minihane, Cathall King, Will Henn, Gearoid Synnott, Kevin Daly, Tom Murphy, Brian Kehoe, Hugh Kelly. First aid: Aonghus McGann

Senior Footballers:
Our senior footballers played their final game of the group stages of the Irish Wire Products County senior football championship when they travelled to Fedamore to face Ballylanders. With a quarter-final spot up for grabs it was imperative that we started well and drove on from there.
The good start we got for sure was with our inside line of Kieran Daly, Dylan Cronin and Evan Egan looking very sharp and making probing runs throughout the game.
In fact, it was Kieran Daly who shot our first two scores with some excellent kicking. The team were working hard with Cathal McMullen and Kevin Nolan to the fore with Gordon Brown and Ruaidhri o Connaill winning lots of possession for Dean, Kieran and co to distribute.
We led 0-3 to 0-2 on 14 minutes before Kieran Daly set up Dylan Cronin for a brilliant goal ,one which proved decisive in the end. The half-time score was 1-3 to 0-3 in our favour.
In the second half, we showed the strength of the panel with various substitutions coming on. Evan Sweeney opened our second-half account with a brilliant point and this was swiftly followed by Gordon Brown with another.
Some intricate play between backs and forwards led to further scores with 3 beauties from Dylan Cronin and a point from Ronan Houlihan to stretch our lead which we held to the finish.
Final score Na Piarsaigh 1-9 Ballylanders 0-6
Team: Eoghan Sherlock, Ralph Leonard, Shane Walsh, Jack Barry, Evan O Brien, Cathal McMullen, Ronan Houlihan, Gordon Brown, Ruaidhri O Connaill, Dean McLoughlin, Evan Sweeney, Kevin Nolan, Evan Egan, Dylan Cronin, Kieran Daly.
Scorers: Dylan Cronin 1-3, Kieran Daly 0-3, Evan Sweeney 0-1, Gordon Brown 0-1, Ronan Houlihan 0-1

Camogie:
A big day of celebrations was had on Saturday when our Camogie club celebrated 30 years in existence. It was a great occasion all day with the under 8s and 10s out training and later on the under 11 hosted St Ailbes followed by the under 13s against Grangh Ballingarry in what was a brilliant day of camogie.
Festivities were not over just yet and it was a gathering of all camogie folk to the clubhouse on Saturday night. It was great to see some of the folks who started camogie in the club alongside the current torchbearers. Here is to another 100 years of brilliant camogie and team involvement.
Congratulations to everyone who has made, and continues to make camogie such a vibrant sport in our community.

Lotto:
Last Monday’s lotto draw yielded the following results.
The numbers drawn were 13, 21, 22, 27. No overall jackpot winner but 3 lucky dip winners were Kim Lynch, Anne Buckley and Kathleen Daly.
The sellers prize went to Paddy Dowling and the house draw to Miriam Kearns.
Next Monday’s jackpot is now at €4800.
Get your ticket today at www.napiarsaighgaa.com or from any seller.
We thank everyone for their continued support of our draw.

Gaelic4Mothers & Others:
The ladies are also back each Wednesday at 8pm.
New members welcome. Contact 085 1564938 for further details

Senior & Intermediate Hurlers:
Next weekend sees the return of the hurlers.
Our Senior team play the last round of the Bon Secour Co Senior Hurling Championship when they travel to Doon on Saturday to take on unbeaten Kilmallock. With a semi-final spot on the line this is a big game for both sides so expect a real good close game.
Our Intermediate hurlers are also in action on Sunday in the Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship when they face Newcastlewest in Croagh at 5 p.m. The lads are still not out of the reckoning and a win on Sunday would propel them back into the mix with a game remaining against Dromin Athlacca the following weekend.

Club na nOg:
It is great to see all our underage teams back on the pitch after the summer break.
We welcome back all our old faces and extend a huge welcome to all the new arrivals this year.
It was great to have a visit from O Loughlin Gaels on Saturday for some challenge games. A great day was had by all and a big thank you to our Kilkenny friends for making the journey.
Huge thanks to all the parents who helped out with sandwiches etc. on the day, it was much appreciated.

News:
We would also like to wish Shane Dowling the very best wishes as the Limerick Minor Hurling manager for 2024. A great honour and one which he will no doubt thrive in, Well done Shane.
For any items which you may have for the weekly notes just email pro.napiarsaigh.limerick@gaa.ie and we will gladly include them.