ST KIERAN’S GAA.
Munster Club Junior Hurling Championship Semi Final:
St. Kieran’s 0.17 The Banner, Ennis 0.16
Clare GAA Headquarters in Cusack Park Ennis was the venue on Saturday for the eagerly anticipated Munster Semi Final between St. Kieran’s and Clare representative Banner from Ennis. In our return to action following the heroic County Final victory over Drom/Broadford two weeks previously we came up against a Banner side who despite not winning the Clare County Championship and were chosen to represent Clare as the last remaining ‘A’ side and had put in an excellent performance over Kerry Intermediate Champions Kilgarvan in their quarter final encounter. Underfoot conditions were excellent in the famous Ennis venue which has so often proved to be a burial ground for Limerick teams in the past, but the unsavoury weather ensured that the game was never going to be a high scoring affair and the team which got a goal would undoubtedly put themselves into a commanding position to advance to the Munster final. We went into the game without the services of intercounty star Darragh Treacy, and he was ably replaced by Anthony Mullins making his first start since the County quarter final victory over Kilteely/Dromkeen and reverted into his familiar corner back slot but showed the skill of a potent attacker mid-way through the opening half firing over an excellent long-range point. The first half was a keenly contested affair. The focus of Banner’s attack was Clare senior hurler who was excellently marshalled by Aaron Heffernan who admirably stuck to his task throughout the eighty minutes of play but a player of such quality who came on in this years Munster Senior Hurling final is always going to have a major impact on any game despite a defence’s best efforts. First half scores came from the Mullins as well as points from play from cousins Cormac Mann and Cathal McEnery while Ian Mackessy contributed with three well struck frees while goalkeeper Cillian Ambrose maintained his rich vein of form with another long range free to give us a four-point lead at the interval, eight points to four. Two Ian Mackessy frees got us off the mark in the second half as the potent Meehan kept the Banner intact from placed balls. As the second half progressed, we began to lose our way as the Clare side worked hard to maintain their championship aspirations. With ten minutes to go two points separated the two sides and it was clear at this point that the Banner were growing in confidence and other players came into the game as we focused our attention on their leading light Meehan. We lead by the slightest of margins with a minute to go as the Ennis outfit pressed hard in the driving rain for the elusive equalising score to send the game to extra time. Disaster struck in injury time as the Banner were awarded a questionable free within thirty yards of the Ambrose’s goal and Meehan showed great composure to slot over the subsequent free to tie up the game and send us to extra time. Injury time now awaited both sides who gave everything for their respective clubs in pursuit of glory. We enjoyed a two-point lead at the interval thanks to points from James Muckell and Cillian Ambrose once again but there was a never say die attitude in our opponents and they upped the ante to their credit in the second period. With conditions growing worse and bodies growing weary from the exploits of battle possession and scores were now hard earned for both sides. With the final whistle and penalties approaching as both sides now remained dead locked at sixteen points apiece up stepped Donie Nolan to show unbelievable composure and accuracy in dreadful weather to coolly slot the ball over the crossbar and give us the lead and book our place in the Munster Final. At the final whistle there were scenes of emotion from all involved have ground out the victory. In the past two games this group of players has showed an unbelievable fighting spirit when the chips were down and games were going against us to dig deep and grind our results. All the players and
management team deserve great credit for their efforts in getting our great club back into a Munster final for the first time in ten years. There were many excellent performances on the day once again. Cillian Ambrose continues to excel in goals with three points from frees as well as showing great composure in dealing with a number of balls dropped in under the crossbar. Aaron Heffernan was charged with the challenging task of man-marking a top intercounty forward and went about his business in a professional manner putting in an excellent shift throughout the eighty minutes hurling. Sean Ryan operating in a new role of midfield was abrasive throughout and brought great physicality to the field of play in challenging conditions while James Muckell put in one of his best displays of the championship and was a great out ball up front constantly winning primary possession. Substitutes Mike Flynn and Donie Nolan both contributed to the scoreboard on their introduction with Flynn getting one point and Nolan standing up when the team needed him most contributing three points including the decisive winning score. Nolan deserves great credit for his hard work and dedication to get himself back into contention this season following his injury heartache suffering a third cruciate ligament tear last season. The hard work and dedication he has shown to return to fitness should be an inspiration to all younger players aspiring to play at adult level for our level. With our final place secured we now face off against defending Munster Champions Ballygiblin from Cork. The Cork side won this championship in 2021 but due to a restructuring in the Cork Championship there was no promotion from Junior ‘A’ to Intermediate this season. Instead, Cork created a new ‘Premier’ Junior Hurling Championship which replaced the divisional structure which has traditionally selected the Cork representative in the Munster Club Championship. As a result, Ballygiblin have the distinctive honour of having won the Cork Junior Hurling Championship for two years in succession and will finally make the step up to the intermediate ranks in 2023. The Avondhu club, based around Mitchelstown boast former Australian Rules and current Cork Senior Hurler Mark Keane as well as Cork Senior footballer Cathal O’ Mahony among their ranks were very impressive in their Semi-Final victory over Waterford County Champions Colligan on Sunday and will no doubt provide us with a stern test in the Munster Final on Sunday December 4. Well done to the players and management team on the excellent victory last Saturday and many thanks to all the excellent and vociferous Kieran’s fans who travelled in such large numbers to Ennis. Your support was vital in helping the lads getting over the line. We will have further details on the Munster final in the coming days and we will keep all club members updated on our social media accounts and WhatsApp updates group. Between now and then we would encourage you all to get your Kieran’s colours in advance of the Munster Final so we can create a sea of green and amber on the day.
County U21 B Hurling Championship Quarter Final:
St. Kieran’s 2.8 Ballybricken/Bohermore-Fedamore 3.10
Our u21 hurlers made the short journey to Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale on Sunday morning last for the County Quarter final against the east Limerick combination. Containing five players who started against Banner the previous afternoon including four who played all eighty minutes it was always going to be a tough ask to put in another strong performance to advance to the county semi final for the second year in a row. From early on it was clear that the east Limerick men were the fresher of the two sides, but our lads deserve great credit for the effort they showed throughout the hour, despite trailing by nine points midway through the second half the lads showed a great spirit in the final quarter to fight their way back into the game. At the final whistle it was disappointment as our involvement in the championship
concluded. Many thanks to all the players who made themselves available on Sunday, some travelling after playing soccer as well as intercounty training with Limerick.
Team vs Ballybricken/Bohermore-Fedamore:
Nathan Cahill, Darragh McMahon, Cillian Heffernan, William Steele, Cathal McEnery, Aaron Heffernan, Michael Long, Cormac Mann, Fionn Gleeson, John Hayes, Sean Ryan, Conor Woulfe, Liam Scanlon, Eoin McEnery, Conor Kelly, Jamie Baynham, Shane Fitzgerald, Cathal McCarthy, Conor Shanahan, Dan Duggan.
All Ireland Champions:
Congratulations to the Munster wheelchair hurling team that won the M Donnelly All Ireland title this past weekend
The team had strong west Limerick representation with local players Cormac Downey, Maurice Noonan, Ellie Sheehy (capt), Cian Horgan and Darren Dineen representing the side. Congratulations to all those involved on what is a fantastic achievement to see another All-Ireland title coming back to Limerick
AGM:
Our 2022 Annual General Meeting will take on Friday December 9 in Ardagh Hall where a variety of issues will be discussed. We would encourage all club members and all those who would like to contribute to the club in the upcoming twelve months to attend.
St Kieran’s GAA New Pitch Donation/fundraising fund.
Donations are continuing to come for the new pitch donation fund as can be seen from the donation barometer at the top cross In Ardagh. We sincerely thank all those who have contributed to date. Receipts will be issued in due course.
All donations will be acknowledged on a ‘donation wall’ in the later phases of the project.
Ní neart go cur lé chéile.
2022 Charity Road Hurling:
Our annual charity road hurling will once again take place on December 27 around our traditional 4km route in Ardagh starting and finishing at the Bottom Cross. This event has grown from strength to strength since its inception and the support and generosity of the entire community is greatly appreciate by all concerned. The event is open to participants of all ages. Teams of three. €10 per person. We will be announcing our chosen charities for the 2022 edition in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you all on December 27.
Ardagh Development Association & St Kierans GAA Club Lottery Draw
Results for Monday 21st November 2022 as follows.
Jackpot €10,400.00
Numbers Drawn 8, 12, 15, 29
NO WINNER
Lucky Dips
€40 May Gallagher (Online)
€40 John Doyle Carrigkerry (Online)
€40 John & Mary Buston Reens
€40 John O Flynn (Online)
€40 Conor Sheahan c/o Greaneys
Next Draw Monday 28th November 2022 with a jackpot of €10,500
Thank you for playing and for supporting our lotto. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.