St Kierans GAA Club Notes:

St. Kierans 0.10 Roanmore (Waterford)1.6

After Extra Time

Following their 2024 County Championship success the Junior footballers got their Munster Championship campaign underway on Sunday afternoon in Castletown / Ballyagran GAA grounds. Despite missing the services of Donie Nolan and Seamus Mangan through injury we fielded a strong side against the physically imposing Waterford champions. The opening half was closely contested between the two sides both of whom were taking to the field for the first time this campaign and it was evident early on that sides were rusty as passes went astray. Midfielder Jack O’ Sullivan opened the scoring on the seventh minute with an excellent score into the village end of the splendid Ballyagran venue. Roanmore replied soon after before two further points from ace marksman Anthony Molyneaux restored our lead. Roanmore were dealt a major blow as they received the first of their two red cards in the opening period following a heavy challenge and we now enjoyed a numerical advantage over the Deisé side. A late Roanmore free inside the closing minutes of he half reduced our advantage to a solitary point at the half time interval. Despite our numerical advantage it was the Waterford side who got off to a flying start to the second half when they capitalized on a breakdown of possession to find the back of the net to put themselves into the lead for the first time. There was a noticeable change in attitude from the Waterford side who by now began to grow in confidence. An Anthony Molyneaux pointed free halved our deficit before a fortuitous point from Roanmore restored their advantage. We received another boost as the away side were reduced to thirteen men following an off the ball altercation. By now the management team was beginning to introduce fresh legs into the side with John Doyle, Mike Upton and Shay Greaney all entering the field of play following good performances from Oisin Ryan, Luke Corrigan and Fionn Gleeson who each worked tirelessly throughout. Limerick Masters player John Doyle had a major impact around the middle third in support of team captain James O’ Connor and Jack O’ Sullivan and soon became a major source of possession. The away side continued to be dangerous on the counterattack and were it not for some wayward shooting could well have enjoyed a larger lead. goalkeeper Con Enright who once again put in an excellent shift throughout the eighty minutes now had the option of looking short on our kickouts ensuring we could easily secure primary possession. As the final whistle approached, we were reduced to fourteen following the dismissal of Shane Lynch. Alas we still had the luxury of an extra man which we tried to capitalize on. A late Anthony Molyneaux score tied up the game as the final whistle approached. We continued to push hard in search of a winner penetrating the Roanmore defence with strong runs from Johnny McCarthy, Jack Harnett and Cathal McEnery. Alas we couldn’t fashion the all important decisive score and at the final whistle there was no separating the two sides and extra time was to come. As neither side could return to the full compliment of fifteen for extra time we continued to enjoy the luxury of the spare man. The Waterford side got the first score of the half before Shane Fitzgerald who performed brilliantly throughout got on the end of a well worked move tie up the game once more. We led by a point at the half time break a lead which we would ultimately maintain until the final whistle thanks to hard work and honesty throughout the field as we stood firm against the physical onslaught. At the final whistle there was a great sense of relief and satisfaction from all concerned as we recorded another Munster Club Championship victory in our clubs history. As a result of Sunday’s win, we can now look forward to a Munster Semi-Final berth against Cork Champions, Goleen. The West Cork club defeated Ballyphehane in the 2024 Cork decider and will undoubtedly provide us with a huge step up in opposition. Well done to the players and management team on an excellent victory on Sunday. While the overall team performance was very positive there were several strong individual performances with Shane Fitzgerald, Ian Mackessy, James O’ Connor, Anthony Molyneaux and Jack O’ Sullivan in particular standing out. It was a huge ask for the players to play for eighty minutes at this time of the year and they deserve huge credit. Sunday’s game will undoubtedly stand to the players and with two more weeks of preparation in advance of the semi-final there is no doubt that the management team will have the team well prepared. The Munster Semi-Final is due to take place on Sunday February 23 in Ballyagran at 2pm.

Team vs Roanmore

Con Enright, Michael Murphy, Shane Lynch, Ian Mackessy, Fionn Gleeson, Johnny McCarthy, Shane Fitzgerald, Jack O’ Sullivan, James O’ Connor, Ray Cahill, Jack Harnett, Cathal McEnery, Luke Corrigan, Oisin Ryan, Anthony Molyneaux, John Doyle, Shay Greaney, Mike Upton, Cathal O’ Connor, Oisin Commane, Bryan Sheahan, Ben Cussen, Dan Duggan, Jack Mulqueen.

Best wishes to all the St. Kierans players who are part of the Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastlewest u19 hurling panel who take on St. Mary’s Newport this Saturday in the Munster U19 ‘C’ final. Saturday’s game takes place at 12pm in Kilmallock.

Sean Long

Shane O’ Mahony

Gavin Thompson

Jack O’ Sullivan

Conor McMahon

Eoghan Sheahan

David O’ Connell.

West Senior Football League:

St. Kierans

Fr. Caseys

Newcastle West

Adare

Kildimo / Pallaskenry

Rathkeale

St. Kierans

Monagea

Knockaderry

Feohanagh

Na Piarsaigh

Crecora/ Manister

St. Kierans

Castlemahon

Feenagh / Kilmeedy

Granagh / Ballingarry

St. Kierans

Adare

Croagh / Kilfinny

Granagh / Ballingarry

Knockaderry

Drom / Broadford.