ST KIERAN’S GAA:

County Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship Semi Final:
St. Kieran’s 2.17 Killeedy 1.13
The newly redeveloped grounds in Ballyagran provided the venue on a sun-drenched Saturday afternoon last for the County Junior ‘A’ Hurling Championship Semi Final between two of West Limerick’s last remaining clubs in the championship. Both sides came into the game with contrasting quarter final victories. We comfortably saw off the challenge of Kilteely/Dromkeen following some stubborn first half resistance from the east Limerick side before a strong third quarter saw us pull away to secure the win. Killeedy for their part were pushed to the pin of their collars in their quarter final encounter against a Cathal O’ Neill led Crecora side. With no separating the two sides after extra time the game was decided by a dramatic penalty shootout with Killeedy emerging victorious on sudden death. Saturday’s game promised to be a highly competitive encounter between two youthful sides. Playing against the elements in the opening half in excellent underfoot conditions you would have mistaken the day for a summers afternoon such was the quality of the pitch surface we got off to the brighter start with Sean Ryan opening our account in the opening moments. Killeedy soon replied and went into the ascendency in the opening quarter before the game took a major turn when Ian Mackessy found the back of the net from the penalty spot for the game’s opening goal and we now led 1.2 to 0.4. At the back despite some early challenges for the lively Killeedy forward line we soon began to find our way with Paudie McCarthy, Aaron Heffernan and Diarmuid Mulcahy in the full back line putting the shackles on their opponents while our half back line of Jack Harnett, Brendan McCarthy and Cathal McEnery really coming to the fore as the half progressed. As the first half progressed, we began to get a stranglehold of proceedings around the middle third, Johnny McCarthy at centre forward scored two excellent points while our midfield partnership of Mossie Shine and Cormac Mann worked tirelessly obtaining vital turnovers. At half time we led 1.9 to 0.9 having quelled the early storm and we were now in a strong position going into the second half with the wind at our backs. The game took a vital turn when Darragh Treacy left isolated in the full forward shrugged off the challenge of his marker and pulled on the ball finding the back of the Killeedy net with a bullet of a shot leaving us six points ahead and Killeedy with a mountain to climb. Killeedy battled hard to get themselves back into the game but the introduction of our second half substitutes Liam Kennedy, Donie Nolan and Anthony Molyneaux provided fresh impetus to our attack. With the final whistle fast approaching and leading by nine points Killeedy were awarded a twenty-one-yard free, unluckily for us the subsequent strike found the back of the net to take away our clean sheet. At the final whistle there were scenes of jubilation as we made our return to the County Final where we will face stiff opposition from a Drom/Broadford side who overcame a huge challenge from Patrickswell in the second semi-final in Croagh which also took place on Saturday afternoon. Drom are currently contending on both fronts having qualified for the County Intermediate football final this weekend where they face off against a Na Piarsaigh side who are looking to bounce back right back up to the senior ranks following relegation in 2021. The County Final is fixed for Saturday November 5 in Newcastlewest at 2pm. Congratulations to the players and management team for the excellent performance and victory on Saturday, hopefully we can go one step further this year and capture the County Championship, a decade since our last at this level.
Team vs Killeedy:
Cillian Ambrose, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Paudie McCarthy, Aaron Heffernan, Jack Harnett, Brendan McCarthy, Cathal McEnery, Mossie Shine, Cormac Mann, James Muckell, Johnny McCarthy, Sean Ryan, Ian Mackessy, Eoin McEnery, Darragh Treacy, Liam Kennedy, Anthony Molyneaux, Donie Nolan, Anthony Mullins, Mike Flynn, Evan Donovan, Michael Murphy, Darragh
McMahon, Michael Long, Conor Woulfe, Billy Breen, Mike Breen, Edward Fitzgerald, Shay Greaney, James O’ Connor, Danny Collum, Cathal O’ Connor, Padraig Balfe
Fixtures:
· Saturday October 29 – County Junior ‘B’ Football Championship Quarter Final: St. Kieran’s vs South Limerick Winners (Castletown/Ballyagran or Ballylanders) 3pm venue to be confirmed
· Sunday October 30 – County U21 ‘B’ Hurling Championship Round 3: St. Kieran’s vs Dromin/Athlacca in Coolcappagh at 12pm
Pitch Development:
St Kieran’s GAA are delighted to share with you our latest development plan. St Kieran’s is proud to have been an integral part of our communities for generations. Our club founded in 1972 is growing year on year catering for all ages. We are currently fielding teams from adult to 5-year-olds, from camogie to hurling, rounders to football. Our facilities are now struggling to meet the demands of our teams. To address this, we have developed this plan to put in place new facilities in Ardagh village.
The objective of our current plan is to provide the best facilities possible for our diverse community to ensure our teams continue to prosper in a fun environment and that we continue to develop all players to maintain our proud tradition of success in club and county. This objective is aligned with the GAA’s mission, vision & value statement – Where we all Belong
Development Plan Overview
The pitch will proceed in three phases subject to funding.
· Phase I Land Acquisition, Fencing, Subsoil movement, commence walkway and drainage This is planned to start quarter 4 2022.
· Phase II Top soiling, seeding, services and complete walkway commence works again in the spring 2023.
· Phase III Completion of car park and pitch settlement complete by the end of 2023 and pitch available for play early 2024.
The overall cost of the project is estimated at €350,000. The pitch will proceed in three phases subject to funding.
Our plan is to raise money through.
• Grant aid
• Club funds
• Fundraising events (e.g., Oscar’s night fundraiser on 11th Nov 2023)
• Donation schemes You can support this important development by donating by Options 1 or 2 as outlined next.
Option 1 Donation schemes
We have successfully applied for the club to be classed as an Approved Sports Body with Revenue. This entitles St Kieran’s to claim tax relief on donations over €250 in a calendar year.
Ways to Donate:
We have several ways in which you can donate
· Monthly instalments through our secure payment partner Clubforce
· A lump sum payment through Clubforce
· Directly to St Kierans bank account
· Contacting any of the Club Development Committee whose names are listed later If you have any question on Clubforce please contact Deirdre Ambrose on 087-9509218
Option 2 Business Sponsorship
We are offering companies the opportunity to support this development project and promote their business in the heart of our community.
Benefit Examples to your Business
• Pitch sign
• Promotion through the Clubs Social Media outlets
• Association to one of the St Kieran’s club teams
So, for example if your company donates €2,500 you would get these benefits for 3 years. Packages can be tailored to suit your budget and if you want to support the project, please contact Ian Mackessy at 087 6649706
Ardagh Development Association & St Kierans GAA Club Lottery Draw
Results for Monday 24th October 2022 as follows.
Jackpot €10000.00
Numbers Drawn 5, 12, 19, 23
NO WINNER
Lucky Dips
€40 C Mullins c/o Dinny Greaney
€40 Killian Enright (Online)
€40 Tom Moroney Coolcappa c/o Padge
€40 Angela Enright Ardagh
€40 John Dillane (Online)
Next Draw Monday 31st October 2022 with a jackpot of €10,100
Thank you for playing and for supporting our lotto. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.