PATRICKSWELL
SENIOR HURLERS: The Senior hurlers were defeated by a strong Na Piarsaigh team in the first match of the City League. Calvin Carroll struck the opening point, but the Caherdavin men responded with three unanswered point to take the lead. While Patrickswell narrowed the deficit to 0-4 to 0-3 after 15 minutes, Na Piarsaigh struck a goal to cement a four-point advantage. The next ten minutes were punctuated with three points apiece by both teams. Frees in quick succession from Calvin Carroll and Jason Gillane trimmed the deficit to 1-7 to 0-8. Unfortunately, the visitors dominated the closing stages of the first half to lead by 1-11 to 0-9 at the interval.
While Na Piarsaigh scored the first point of the second half, Darragh Ahern’s persistence paid off with a goal to close the gap to 1-12 to 1-9. The recovery was short-lived as Na Piarsaigh struck a goal and three points in a damaging four minute spell. By the 40th minute, the margin had grown to 2-15 to 1-9. Calvin Carroll stemmed the tide with a point, but his score was followed by a third Na Piarsaigh goal and a point. Two Patrickswell points slowed progress at 3-16 to 1-12, but the Light Blues did not ease up and they accrued another four points without reply. There was 50 minutes gone and the ‘Well trailed by 3-20 to 1-12. Patrickswell’s final point of the evening was nullified by Na Piarsaigh closing out with three points to secure a 3-23 to 1-13 win.
JUNIOR B HURLERS: Patrickswell welcomed neighbours Ballybrown for the City East League opener. The early pace of scoring was extremely slow and Ballybrown were ahead on 15th minutes by a mere 0-3 to 0-1. When Patrickswell moved to within a point, the rate of scoring accelerated. A second Ballybrown goal was followed by a point to give Ballybrown a 1-4 to 0-2 lead in the 20th minute. When Patrickswell again scored a point, Ballybrown swept forward and plundered a goal and four points in five minutes. The ‘Well were on the back foot as they trailed by 2-8 to 0-3. However, the home team burst into life to claim a point and two goals (Gavin Carey and Sam McNamara) in just three minutes. At the interval, Patrickswell only trailed Ballybrown by 2-8 to 2-4.
Patrickswell started the second half positively and managed to reduce the deficit to 2-10 to 2-7 by the 38th minute. When Josh Carey scored the ‘Well’s third goal to equalise at 3-7 to 2-10, the tables had been turned from an eleven-point deficit to parity. Within a minute, Patrickswell took the lead for the first time, but Ballybrown did not panic and they were rewarded with three points in four minutes. There were fifteen minutes left and the arrears were 2-13 to 3-8. The next five minutes saw both teams score three points each. With five minutes remaining, the ‘Well remained 2-16 to 3-11 behind and were searching for a late goal. Ballybrown were able to handle the offensive and notched the final point to win by 2-17 to 3-11.
MEMBERSHIP: Club membership is now due for 2022. Every player, both adult and youth, must be a registered member to train and play for the club. It is mandatory for insurance purposes. Non-playing members are also invited to renew. You can pay your membership fee online at foireann.ie or returntoplay.gaa.ie. The most common types are Adult €60, Juvenile €40 and Family €120. There will also be in-person membership clinics.
CLUB LOTTO: The Club Lotto draw on Monday March 28 was not won. The numbers drawn were 5, 6, 20 and 24. The bonus number was 2. The €100 Lucky Dip was won by Mary McKinley and the €20 prizes were claimed by Willie Hourigan, Geraldine Hall, Donie O’Gorman, John & Orla Clifford and Danny Quinn. This week’s jackpot is €13,600.