ST KIERAN’S GAA
County Senior Football Championship Quarter Final
St. Kieran’s 0.6 Monaleen 0.9
Bruff provided the venue on Saturday afternoon for the eagerly anticipated championship quarter final encounter between ourselves and Limerick city club Monaleen. Considering the deluge of rainfall that had fallen the previous day pitch conditions were excellent as Monaleen played with the assistance of a stiff breeze in the opening half and were soon on the board with the opening two scores of the game before points from the ever-impressive John Hayes and Liam Kennedy opened our account. The opening period was a tense and hard-hitting affair. Monaleen looked threatening up front inside the opening quarter but to our backs credit they did well to keep the Limerick intercounty duo of Brian Donovan and Ger Collins at bay where possible. Donovan’s shot attempt in the opening half was the main goal threat by the Castletroy side in the half and was excellent dealt with by Anthony Molyneaux who once again deputised for the injured Ian Mackessy in goal. At the interval we trailed by the slightest of margins and now held the numerical advantage following the dismissal of a Monaleen half forward as the first half concluded. Hoping for a bright start to the period we failed to get ourselves back into the game as Monaleen despite their numerical disadvantage managed to keep possession excellently and filter bodies back into defence to cut out what few attacks we put together. As the final ten minutes approached, we began to push forward with intent. Two further scores from John Hayes reduced our deficit to a point and now possession was vital. Monaleen who have vast experience operating at this level showed their knowhow and managed to keep possession of the ball and punished some indiscretions on our part. To our lad’s credit they fought to the bitter end with Mike Shanahan’s late effort almost catching Limerick goalkeeper off guard which would have given us a dramatic lead for the first time. At the final whistle there was a major sense of disappointment for all concerned as we made our exit from the championship for 2022. While bowing out at the quarter final stage is disappointing a lot of positives can be taken from the 2022 championship campaign, following two successive seaso ns in the relegation playoffs during the covid effective championships it was great to once again be back in the knockout stages of the championship. For many of our younger players it was there first taste of championship action and the experience gained from six high level championship games is invaluable and should no doubt stand to them in the future. With a very young panel of players at present there is plenty of potential for this group to progress in the future. Well done to the players and management for all their efforts throughout the campaign which saw the team qualify for the West and County League finals as well as make the county championship quarter final while still await clarification on the status of the West Final against Newcastlewest which has yet to be played.
Pitch Development:
On Friday evening last we unveiled our new pitch development project which will see us develop a new playing facility in Ardagh adjacent to the current ADRSC Astroturf pitch and Community field. Our new develop promises to be a vital resource for the club and one which will benefit the entire community for many years to come. With our playing numbers
increasing and demand for space at our existing playing facilities at a premium the new pitch will provide the club with an invaluable facility. Over the coming weekend each household in the community will be provided with an information booklet outlining the scale of our project.
West Junior ‘B’ Football Championship Final:
Following their excellent victory Ballysteen last Sunday evening our Junior ‘B’ Footballers take on Knockaderry this Saturday evening in the West Junior ‘B’ Football Championship Final. This will be the team’s second final of the 2022 season having narrowly lost out to Granagh/Ballingarry in the West League final earlier this year in what was a highly entertaining encounter in Mick Neville Park. Both sides go into Saturday’s game off the back of excellent semi final victories. We put in an excellent second half performance against Ballysteen in what was the third meeting between the two clubs at this level in 2022, with both sides tied on one victory apiece we played some excellent football to come away with the win and set up a mouth-watering final encounter with Knockaderry who will no doubt be formidable opponents given that it is their first team and were very impressive in their semi final victory over Drom/Broadford Sunday evening last. Both clubs met in the opening round of this season’s West Championship in Newcastlewest. On that occasion it was the Knockaderry men who emerged victorious by the slightest of margins but hopefully on Saturday evening our lads can put in another strong performance and add some silverware to our trophy cabinet. Saturday’s game throws in at 5pm in the Bog Garden, Rathkeale your support is greatly appreciated.
County Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship:
Next Tuesday evening our Junior ‘A’ Hurlers make the journey to Doon in east Limerick for the quarter final of the County Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship where Kilteely/Dromkeen will be our opponents. Having performed excellently to date with a perfect record of five wins from five in group three we will no doubt face a huge step up in opposition against a Kilteely/Dromkeen side who staged a massive comeback in their final round game against one of the championship favourites Tournafulla to come away victorious and assure themselves of a place in the knockout stages. Both sides met in round 1 of the 2021 County Championship and on that occasion, we came up against a well-drilled side inspired by the performance of current Limerick senior hurlers Brian O’ Grady who is currently recovering
from a cruciate ligament injury sustained earlier this season. Having performed well in the group stages proving potent in front of goal as well as being rock solid at the back which was the foundation of our run to the county final in 2021, we will be hopeful of another strong performance on Tuesday night. Tuesday’s game throws in at 7.30. We will have live updates on twitter and our WhatsApp updates throughout for those who can’t attend. Your continued support is greatly appreciated by all concerned.
Paths to the Quarter Final:
St. Kieran’s
Round 1: St. Kieran’s 2.18 Askeaton 1.13
Round 2: St. Kieran’s 2.17 Feenagh/Kilmeedy 0.14
Round 3: St. Kieran’s 3.17 Ballybrown 2.7
Round 4: St. Kieran’s 2.15 Doon 0.13
Round 5: St. Kieran’s 2.13 Mungret / St. Pauls 0.13
Kilteely/Dromkeen
Round 1: Kilteely/Dromkeen 5.10 Garryspillane 2.8
Round 2: Kilteely/Dromkeen 3.16 Patrickswell 2.21
Round 3: Kilteely/Dromkeen 1.9 Old Christians 3.6
Round 4: Kilteely/Dromkeen 0.22 Rathkeale 0.14
Round 5: Kilteely/Dromkeen 2.15 Tournafulla 1.16
Ardagh Development Association & St Kierans GAA Club Lottery Draw Results for Monday 3rd October 2022 as follows. Jackpot €9700.00 Numbers Drawn 3, 8, 29, 30 NO WINNER Lucky Dips €40 Peter Buston Reens c/o Nearys €40 Sean Ryan Coolacokera €40 Patricia McCarthy Askeaton €40 Cormac Behan (Online)
€40 Jack Flaherty c/o Moores Next Draw Monday 10th October 2022 with a jackpot of €9800.00 Thank you for playing and for supporting our lotto. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.