ST. KIERAN’S GAA CLUB NOTES
County Senior Football Championship:
St. Kieran’s 2.15 Na Piarsaigh 1.14
Croagh was the venue this past Saturday evening for the dramatic relegation play-off semi final with Na Piarsaigh. In what proved to be a titanic battle between two sides who couldn’t be seperated during normal time we managed to dig deep in extra time and grind out the victory to preserve our senior status. We began the game the brighter of the two sides with John Hayes putting us in front early on. Our chances were greatly improved with the return of a number of first team regulars who added great power and experience to the team. From here the Caherdavin men began to find their feet and sqeezed us in the middle third which proved to be their platform for attack up front as they persisted with an aerial assault into our full back line which was proving divident. We trailed by a point at the first water break having not played particularly well as the Na Piarsaigh defence held firm and cut out the majority of our scoring opportunities. Na Piarsaigh had doubled their lead at half time 6-4 with our first half scores coming from John Hayes and Dylan Moloney from a mark and frees. Na Piarsaigh register the opening score of the second half before we found our feet. Seamus Mangan opened his account before the game took a dramatic turn. We turned over Na Piarsaigh on their kickout and centre back Diarmuid Mulcahy pierced his way through the heart of the defence to coolly slot his way past the Na Piarsaigh keeper to put us in the lead for the first time since the opening five minutes. Increasing our lead to five at the second water break thank to a further free from John Hayes it looked as if the game was ours. To Na Piarsaigh’s credit they werent willing to surrender their senior status without a fight and gritted their teeth in the final quarter and whittled down their deficit as the game drew into the closing stages. As the game drew to a close we were reduced to 14 men following the dismissal of Kevin Meade to a black card. Na Piarsaigh were soon awarded a penalty when the impressive Kieran Daly was brought to the ground. With his side trailing by two points Eoin Hogan excellently struck into the back of the net to give Na Piarasigh the lead once again and it looked as if our race was run. Things got worse when Na Piarsaigh increased their lead to two points. Our lads character was really being tested now and to their credit they never lost faith with leaders stepping up when it mattered. Dylan Moloney earned a massive turnout late on, we worked the ball upfield and drew the foul. With our senior status hanging in the balance Dylan Moloney stood up and showed nerves of steel to equalize the game with a monster of a free from fifty yards and send the game to extra time. Both teams returned to their full compliment in extra time and we used the opportunity to get fresh legs onto the field. Na Piarsaigh got the opening score of extra time before Dylan Moloney capitalized on a mishap at the back for Na Piarsaigh to find the back of the net for our second goal which proved to be decisive. As the game progressed into the second period of extra time it was evident that the fresh legs we introduced were proving to be the diffence as Na Piarsaigh began to fade. Sean Ryan increased our lead to four points late on and from here it was key to maintain posession of the ball. At the final whistle there was a sense of delight and relief for all concerned as we dug out the win to secure our status for 2022. The 2021 has been a challenging campaign with a multitude of injuries in advance of the group stage of the championship having a major dent on our championship aspirations. On the positive note seven players gained county championship experience for the first time and it was evident on Saturday evening went into extra time that the experience that has been gained by the new players stood to them when required. Well done to the players and management team of Brian Nolan, Owen Hayes, Mike Windle, Donal McEnery and John O’ Connor for their efforts throughout the campaign. Also thanks to the backroom team and covid officers Aisling Hayes and Moira McEnery who gave up their time each night for training and games. We can look forward to the 2022 campaign with optimism, hopefully this group can stay together and with the addition of more fresh faces to the panel they can contend next season.
Team vs Na Piarsaigh
Ian Mackessy, Mike Shanahan, Brendan McCarthy, Aaron Heffernan, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Johnny McCarthy, Mossie Shine, Darragh Treacy, Liam Kennedy, Eoin McEnery, Dylan Moloney, Jack Harnett, Kevin Meade, Anthony Molyneaux, John Hayes, Donie Nolan, Seamus Mangan, Cormac Mann, Sean Ryan, Noel Callanan, Anthony Mullins, John Doyle, James O’ Connor, Cathal McEnery, Kevin Guina, Shane Fitzgerald, Patrick Liston, Eamon Ambrose, Conor Woulfe, Evan Donovan, Eoin Burke, Raymond Noonan, Stephen Lyons
County Junior A Hurling Championship Round 4:
The junior hurlers are back in championship action this Saturday when they travel to Knockaderry to take on fellow west Limerick club Monagea. Both sides go into the game with two victories from three outings to date, Monagea suffered an opening round defeat to St. Patricks following an excellent second half fight back but rebounded in style with a seven point victory over Ahane and five point victory over Kilteely/Dromkeen in round 3. For our part we have performed excellently in our last two games securing deserving wins against St. Patrick’s and Garryspillane. Saturday’s game promises to be a very close encounter between two sides who willing be giving their all to advance to the knockout stages of the championship. Throw in is at 4pm. The online portal to purchase tickets will be made available in the coming days.
Match Updates
Many people have found the match updates WhatsApp group very useful to keep up to date with weekly fixtures, team line outs, scorers, and regular score updates during matches, by someone nominated by the club, for a lot of matches when they can’t attend. Now that we’re at the ‘business end’ of the season, if anyone, or anyone you know, would like to be added to the group, text a member of the club committee and they will gladly add you to the group.
Friday 4k
St Kieran’s are promoting a 6-week walking programme, starting this Friday night September the 24th. It will be the same 4km walk that so many enjoyed pre Covid starting from the Astro turf car park at 7.30 pm sharp each Friday night. Everyone should have a high viz and a flash light. For those who would prefer a shorter walk are welcome along and can do a few circuits of the Astro turf itself. Looking forward to seeing everybody Friday evening.
Ardagh Development Association & St Kierans GAA Club Lottery Draw
Results for Monday 27th September 2021 as follows.
Jackpot €4600.00
Numbers Drawn: 6, 15, 18, 25
NO WINNER
Lucky Dips
€40 Ava Crowley Knockbewheen (Online)
€40 Caroline Donovan c/o Nora Dineen
€40 Tracy Ryan c/o Reens Bar
€40 M & E c/o Josie
€40 John O Mahony c/o Patrick Mullins
Next Draw Monday 4th October with a jackpot of €4700.00
Thank you for playing and for supporting our lotto. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir.