PATRICKSWELL GAA CLUB NOTES
SENIOR HURLERS: Patrickswell faced a stiff examination from Adare in the first match of the Senior Hurling Championship. Both sides registered two points apiece (Jack Kelleher and Jason Gillane) in the opening five minutes. The first goal of the contest was scored by Aaron Gillane, but Adare replied with two points. The scoreboard after eight minutes was 1-2 to 0-4 in favour of Patrickswell. The next seven minutes were keenly fought. Both teams added four points each, namely from Jack Kelleher, Kevin O’Brien, Aaron Gillane and Patrick Kirby. With one quarter of the match gone, the ‘Well led by 1-6 to 0-8. Adare’s confidence increased and they took advantage with three unanswered points. Diarmaid Byrnes reduced the arrears with his first point, however Adare surged with another three points. By the 25th minute, Ciaran Carey’s men were trailing by 0-14 to 1-7. Patrick Kirby’s point halted the onslaught, but Adare cancelled his point out. During injury time in the first half, Adare increased their tally by two points, while Patrickswell added one more point. The half-time score was 0-17 to 1-9.
The second half began poorly for the ‘Well when Adare cemented a seven-point lead with two quick scores. The game seemed to be slipping away from the champions, but Jack Kelleher and Aaron Gillane registered points to trim the deficit to 0-19 to 1-11. While Adare banked another point, Patrickswell retaliated with three straight points from John Flynn and Aaron Gillane (0-2). There was fresh confidence in the ‘Well camp now. Patrick Kirby and Jack Kelleher exchanged scores with Adare to make the scoreline 0-22 to 1-16 with fifteen minutes left. Captain Cian Lynch began to impose himself on the match and his first point was a precursor to Aaron Gillane’s critical second goal. The stadium clock displayed 50 minutes and Patrickswell had finally taken the lead by a single point at 2-17 to 0-22. Despite the pressure, Adare stemmed the tide with two rapid points to ease ahead again by 0-24 to 2-17. The old adage that “goals win games” was proven true when Kevin O’Brien’s decisive goal was followed up by more points from brothers Kevin and Thomas O’Brien. The champions were in command with a four-point buffer of 3-19 to 0-24 with five minutes left. Adare and Patrickswell swapped points before the match reached injury time. The holders finished strongly in the closing stages and produced another three points to Adare’s solitary point in injury time. The final whistle sounded with the result of 3-23 to 0-26. Patrickswell had overcome the first hurdle against a robust challenge from Adare.
JUNIOR A HURLERS: The Junior A hurlers started their County Championship campaign with a tough assignment against Croagh-Kilfinny. Our opponents exploded into the match by scoring a goal after one minute. Andrew Carroll responded with a free, however a second goal was conceded by the fifth minute. Patrickswell and Croagh-Kilfinny exchanged points to produce a scoreline of 2-1 to 0-2 after ten minutes. Shane Quinlan’s goal put the ‘Well back on track and his goal was supplemented by Peter Harty’s point. At the quarter mark, Pa Dundon’s men trailed by the minimum of 2-1 to 1-3. Croagh-Kilfinny tacked on two more points, but they were upset by a point by Peter Harty and a long-range free that bounced into their net. As the teams entered injury time, Patrickswell led by 2-4 to 2-3. There was an additional point accrued before the interval, making the advantage of 2-5 to 2-4.
The second half began with a salvo of three points in four minutes from Croagh-Kilfinny. The next five minutes were characterised by a stalemate of three points apiece. At the 40th minute milestone, our opponents led by 2-10 to 2-8. The decisive blow was struck by Croagh-Kilfinny with their third goal and another two points in rapid succession. Patrickswell were now seven points behind at 3-12 to 2-8. The scoring rate slowed down over the next ten minutes, but Andrew Carroll (0-2) and Darragh Ahern reduced the arrears to 3-13 to 2-11. Patrickswell pushed forward to get a goal, but Croagh -Kilfinny were well organised in defence. They emerged as 3-15 to 2-12 victors on the night. The next match is scheduled for Sunday August 1 at 7pm in Adare versus Askeaton.
CLUB LIMERICK DRAW: Patrickswell had two winners in July’s Club Limerick Draw. Timmy O’Neill scooped €1,000, while Michelle Bennis won €100.
CUL CAMP: Registration for Patrickswell’s Cul Camp on Monday August 10 to Friday August 14 is available at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie/booking/
CLUB LOTTO: The Club Lotto was not won on Monday July 20. The drawn numbers were 2, 8, 11 and 32. The Bonus Number was 31. The Lucky Dip winners were €100 for Evan Loftus Kennedy and €20 each for Margo Foster, Chloe Moore, Conor Shanahan, Una Ryan and William Moloney. The jackpot on Monday July 27 is €4,000.