Na Piarsaigh GAA Club Notes:
Limerick Under 16 Camogie:
Massive Congratulations to Diarmuid Ryan, Limerick U16 Camogie Manager, who guided the Limerick girls to the All Ireland U16 Final on Sunday beating Kilkenny on a score line of 13 points to 12. He was greatly assisted by his daughter Caitlin who nailed some tricky frees including the winner. Ann-Rose Benson lined out at wing forward along with subs Kate Grant & Eileen Herbert also involved. We wish the Diarmuid and the girls all the best in their preparation for the final.
Minor Hurlers Serve Up a Belter:
We were served up a cracker in the opening round of the minor hurling championship on Wednesday night in a sunny Peafield. Playing with a slight breeze in the first half, blowing from the motorway end, the benefit of the elements didn’t do us any favours early on.
Our opponents, Monaleen hit the net within the first minute in a well worked move but you could say this focused the minds of our lads. The early setback was quickly remedied with Alex Kearns, who had an almost perfect day from the frees, pointed from a placed ball. This was followed by a brilliantly taken goal by Paul McDonagh, fast to pick up the rebound from an Eoin Brosnan shot, and dispatched to the net. Brosie (Eoin Brosnan) followed with a point from play. Monaleen hit back with 2 points, one from play and the other a free. On 11 minutes we were awarded a free just outside the 21 yard line. Quick thinking from Alex Kearns, who noticed our opponents only had 2 men on the line, struck low and hard to the net. A well taken goal from the Woodview man and we were 5 up. While Monaleen stayed in the game with a couple of points from play and a handful of frees, our lads kept the scoreboard ticking over with Brosie adding 2 more, along with Mark Hogan and Shane Waters. Alex added 2 monster frees from identical spots on his own 65, close to the sideline. Paulie Mc scored our third, and his second goal of the game just before half time. Another boomer of a puckout from young Marcus Murphy in goals, broken by his brother Louis, and falling to Paulie Mc to convert. Both Murphy brothers had standout performances in key positions with Marcus, deputising for Darragh Jordan who’s away on holidays, him pulling off an excellent save to deny Monaleen on the 25 minute mark. Louis was consistent throughout, winning puckouts and neutralising their centre back. Score at half time: Na Piarsaigh 3-08 Monaleen 1-07.
The opening minutes of the second half was almost a mirror image of the first with Monaleen striking to the net within the first 60 seconds. We swapped points with Alex converting 2 more frees before our opponents hit the net again. The score now stood at 3-11