PATRICKSWELL GAA CLUB NOTES
SENIOR HURLERS: Patrickswell produced a late rally to stun Adare in the County Championship quarter-final. Diarmaid Byrnes started the match in excellent form and his three points created a 0-3 to 0-2 lead after eight minutes. Josh Considine and Diarmaid Byrnes extended the lead to 0-5 to 0-2 before Adare increased their tempo and struck three points in succession to equalise at 0-5 apiece in the 20th minute. Thomas O’Brien managed to restore the lead, but it was Patrickswell’s last score of the first half. Adare dominated the closing stages and fired over four straight points to create an 0-9 to 0-6 half-time lead.
The early stages of the second half were dominated by our Limerick inter-county forwards. After Brian Murray thwarted a certain Adare goal with a magnificent save, Cian Lynch helped himself to two points in three minutes. Shortly afterwards, Aaron Gillane’s point levelled the scoreline at 0-9 each. Both teams exchanged three points apiece over the next seven minutes (Aaron Gillane, Cian Lynch and Thomas O’Brien) to remain inseperable at 0-12 all. Our neighbours surged forward and rattled the ‘Well with a salvo of three points in two minutes. It took Jason Gillane’s point to stop the flow at the water break. As the clubs entered the final quarter, Adare were 0-15 to 0-13 ahead. Our opponents added two more points to cement a four-point lead with ten minutes left. Patrick Kirby and Diarmaid Byrnes narrowed the gap to 0-17 to 0-15 with eight minutes left, but Adare’s next point in the 57th minute gave them a strong position at 0-18 to 0-15 ahead. The scene was set for a dramatic Adare victory, but Jason Gillane had not read the script. With confidence in his long-range abilities, Jason Gillane stunned the West Men with a devastating spell of four points in three minutes. Patrickswell had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Cian Fitzgerald added an insurance point to wrap up an unlikely 0-20 to 0-18 triumph. The next match is a semi-final against holders Na Piarsaigh on Sunday October 10 at 4pm in the Gaelic Grounds.
JUNIOR A HURLERS: The Junior A hurlers produced a gritty display to defeat Feenagh-Kilmeedy in the County Championship. Our opponents made a positive start and were rewarded with two points after two minutes. Pa Mann registered Patrickswell’s opening point almost immediately; however Feenagh-Kilmeedy were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead by the tenth minute. Peter Harty reduced the deficit with a free, which was Patrickswell’s last score for almost twenty minutes. During this time, the ‘Well struggled to retain possession and found themselves on the back foot. Feenagh-Kilmeedy notched three consecutive points and built a 0-6 to 0-2 advantage. Just before the interval, Patrickswell regained their composure and produced two points (Gavin Carey and Peter Harty) and a goal from Shane Hannon. Feenagh-Kilmeedy struck the final point of the first half to equalise at 1-4 to 0-7.
The early stages of the second half were keenly contested as both teams scored two points apiece in eight minutes. The ‘Well scorers were Peter Harty and Jonathan McMahon. Finally, Patrickswell took control with four unanswered points in six minutes from Paul Buston, Sam McNamara and Peter Harty (0-2). Feenagh-Kilmeedy scored a point just before the last water break, but Peter Harty was on hand to build a 1-11 to 0-10 advantage. The final quarter of the match was a war of attrition. Feenagh-Kilmeedy scored two points to narrow the gap to two points with seven minutes left. Sam McNamara’s point gave the ‘Well the breathing space of one goal at 1-12 to 0-12. Feenagh-Kilmeedy struck a late point to set up a nervous finish, but their attempts to find scoring opportunities were frustrated by the Patrickswell defence. At the final whistle, Patrickswell had ground out a 1-12 to 0-13 victory. Our last group match is against Askeaton on Saturday October 9 at 5pm in Clarina.
JUNIOR B HURLERS: The Junior B hurlers face Na Piarsaigh in the City Championship semi-final on Wednesday October 6 at 8pm in Caherdavin.
UNDER 17 HURLERS: The U-17 Hurling team showed tremendous spirit and determination despite losing in the semi-final of the County championship against a strong Adare team. With all bar one player underage again next year, and 12 of the starting 15 underage for the next two years, there is hope for the future. The loss of Leon Kinsella to injury before the quarter-final was very significant also. Unfortunately a number of wides in the first half and the concession of two goals gave rise to a seven-point gap. The ‘Well however fought back magnificently in the second half, bringing the game back to two points in the final quarter with Dale McDonogh scoring a number of outstanding points in this period.
However, Adare ran out deserving winners in the end with a three-point win. This team has worked extremely hard since last January and there is great evidence of progress and improvement. Great credit is due to all the panel and the management who gave of their time with tremendous commitment. The team was Josh Mulcahy, Paddy McGrath, John Murray, Ross Ferguson, Christy Carroll, Billy Earls, Conor O’Brien, Harry McDonagh, Paddy Gardiner, Liam Fitzgerald, James Fitzgerald, Tyler McNamara, Hugh Maher, Jack McNamara and Dale McDonagh. The substitutes were Ryan Kennedy, Cathal Fitzgerald, Jack Foley and Leon Kinsella (injured). The team management was John O’Donnell (manager), Raymond Fitzgerald, Paul Foley, Kevin O’Brien and Charles O’Neill.
CLUB LOTTO: The Club Lotto draw on Monday September 27 was not won. The numbers drawn were 7, 10, 23 and 25. The bonus number was 3. The €100 Lucky Dip was won by Kathleen Fenton and the €20 prizes were claimed by Tristan Goodwin, Pat Gavin, Aidan O’Connor, Lucy & Sadie Normoyle and Helen Hayes. This week’s jackpot is €8,600.
CLUB LIMERICK DRAW: October’s draw will take place on Saturday October 30 during the Live 95FM Sports Programme between 10am and 11am. If you would like to renew or update your membership, please follow the link www.clublimerick.ie/draw and select “Patrickswell” as the club you wish to support and the number of draws that you wish to sign up for (there are three draws remaining). If you wish to renew through the club, please contact Seamus O’Riordan at 087-2869175.
October’s exclusive Star Prize is a two-night stay at the Fitzgerald Woodlands House Hotel & Spa, champagne in the room on arrival, dinner in Timmy Macs Bistro and monthly tempting treats for two people at Revas Spa. As always, there is the monthly cash top prize of €10,000 and 28 more cash prizes.