St Kierans GAA Club Notes:

St. Kieran’s 2.7 Newcastle West 1.10

Athea provided the venue on Friday evening for the much-anticipated encounter between two of the fiercest rivals in Limerick. While games between the two sides are always hotly contested, in recent times our opponents have held the advantage at County Championship level so we knew we would have to improve drastically from our opening two victories to overcome a Newcastlewest side littered with county championship medals over the last decade. We would have hoped to get off to a good start and get on the scoreboard early, but it was the town side who got the first breakthrough of the game when they capitalized on  a moment of indecision on our part to find the back of Donie Nolan’s net inside the opening five minutes. Trailing by four points in times past we may well have struggled to get back into the contest, but much credit goes to the players on how they put the shoulder to the wheel and fought their way back into the game. Alan Daly returning to the side following injury in round 2 opened our account with a well struck free before he got on the end of a dropping ball into the square from Sean Ryan to find the back of the net. This would be Daly’s last act of the game before he had come ashore following injury. The game was played with fierce physicality especially around the middle third where the new rules have now guaranteed an aerial contest at midfield. John Hayes opened his account with a well struck score to reduce our deficit before midfielder got on the scoresheet for the third game in succession and we would go in at the interval trailing by two points at the half time break. With some words of encouragement and minor tactical changes at the break we began the second half brightly. Midfield duo and former intercounty players Liam Kennedy and Darragh Treacy really exerted their dominance around the middle third and were a great source of primary possession throughout the game. Kennedy would find Eoin McEnery, now operating at full forward with a pinpoint pass as he found the back of the net for our second goal of the game and we now led for the first time in the game. We now began to grow in and play with confidence putting the 2024 County Finalists under immense pressure throughout the field. Seamus Mangan would increase our lead to two with an exquisite point off his weaker right leg with ten minutes to play. As the game headed down the final straight, Newcastlewest were able to call upon the support of former Limerick players Bryan Nix and the returning Cian Sheehan from Australia who had an immediate impact on the game scoring two points and the game was all square. We owe a debt of gratitude to keeper Donie Nolan once again who’s kickouts were excellent throughout but also pulled off two sublime saves to sustain our challenge. With the final whistle approaching Newcastlewest would take the lead once again at it looked as if we would be heading home empty handed once again having done so well throughout. We were awarded a free late on just inside the two-point arc. Under ferocious pressure John Hayes stood up to coolly slot the ball over the bar before referee Alan Kehoe called a halt to what was a pulsating sixty minutes of football played in front of a large crowd in Athea. Much credit must go to both sides who served up a competitive and hard-hitting game of football. Well done to Athea GAA club who had their facilities in immaculate condition and ensured that there was sufficient parking and the event was well marshalled to deal with the large crowd. Both sides are now deadlocked on five points at the top of the group following the opening three rounds. Newcastlewest currently sit atop the group due to a superior score difference. Elsewhere in group 2 Mungret overcame Kildimo / Pallaskenry in an all-city derby while Galtee Gaels struck late defeat near neighbours Ballylanders to record their first win of the campaign.  Next up in round 4 we face off against Kildimo / Pallaskenry in three weeks’ time following the ¼ finals of the hurling championships.

Team v Newcastlewest: Donie Nolan, Mike Shanahan, Shane Fitzgerald, Aaron Heffernan, Mikey Long, Brendan McCarthy, Sean Long, Darragh Treacy, Liam Kennedy, Sean Ryan, John Hayes, Eoin McEnery, Alan Daly, Adam Lacey, Kevin Meade, Seamus Mangan, Lorcan Murphy, Conor McMahon, Cormac Mann, Jack O’ Sullivan, Anthony Mullins, James O’ Connor, Bryan Sheehan, Darragh Breen, Jack Mulqueen, Luke Corrigan.

St. Kierans 1.3 Monaleen 0.2

The junior footballers overcame the elements and city opponents Monaleen on Saturday afternoon to record their third victory of the championship campaign. The consistent deluge of rainfall and strong winds made the game extremely challenging for both sides who deserve great credit for their efforts throughout the hour. We played with the assistance of a strong breeze in the opening half, but this didn’t make life any easier for us against the physically imposing Castletroy based side. It was extremely difficult to play any type of positive football in the opening half and at the interval we led by a solitary point. The solitary point of the game at this point. Playing against the wind in the second half we knew we faced an uphill battle, and a goal could have a major impact on the game. Despite our difficulties in finding scores we battled tirelessly throughout the field with Shane Lynch, Shay Greaney, Oisin Ryan and midfield duo Fionn Gleeson and Jack Harnett impressing. As the final whistle approached Monaleen trailing by a point were reduced to fourteen men before Cathal McEnery found the back of the net to all but secure the win and the invaluable two points which now secures our safe passage to the knockout stages of the championship in our first season at this level. Well done to the players and management team who braved the elements on a wild Saturday evening. Next up in round 4 we face off against Hospital / Herbertstown who overcame the challenge of Camogue Rovers in round 3 and will undoubtedly provide us with a stern test. Team v Monaleen Con Enright, Eoghan Sheehan, Shane Lynch, Shay Greaney, Mike Upton, James O’ Connor, Mikey Kelly, Fionn Gleeson, Jack Harnett, Cathal McEnery (1.1), Darragh McMahon, Ray Cahill, Luke Corrigan (0.1), Oisin Ryan, Darragh Breen, Ben Cussen, Dan Duggan, Jack Mulqueen, Bryan Sheehan (0.1).

St. Kierans v Murroe/Boher Sunday September 14 Clarina – 1pm

The intermediate hurlers return to Ballybrown GAA grounds in Clarina on Sunday for their final group game of the County Championship. Our opponents currently sit atop of group 2 with four wins from their four wins to date and are already assured of topping the group and direct qualification for the County Semi-Final. We come into Sunday’s game with two points from our four games having drawn our opening round game against Knockainey as well as round 3 against Pallasgreen. Defeats to Na Piarsaigh and Feohanagh have scuppered our chances of progression to the knockout stages of the championship, but we are also not safe from a relegation play-off. Victory on Sunday would guarantee our safety and a place in the 2026 championship but if we fail to defeat our east Limerick opponents and Pallasgreen defeat Feohanagh then we face the daunting prospect of a return to the relegation play-off for the second year in succession. Sunday’s game throws in at 1pm. We will have score updates on our social media platforms.

The Junior hurlers resume their championship campaign on Saturday evening when they welcome Crecora to Pairc Naomh Ciaraín, Ardagh. Following defeat to Doon in round 3 victory is vital if we are to maintain our aspirations of advancing from the group. With several players to return to the fold following our last outing we will hopefully be in a stronger position to give ourselves a good opportunity to secure the win. Saturday’s game throws in at 5pm.

U20 ‘B’ Football Championship Group 1: St. Kieran’s / Hospital – Herbertstown / Camogue Rovers / Askeaton – Ballysteen – Kilcornan

U20 ‘B’ Hurling Championship Group 4: St. Kieran’s / Glenquin Gaels / Blackrock

Congratulations to Mike Barrett, Rathkeale who won our lottery jackpot of €8500 this week.

€40 – Lucky dip winners David Dillane, Rooska, Eoghan Sheehan, Ardagh, Pats Dave O’ Connor, Carrigkerry, Lorna Allen, Anne Marie Enright, Dublin.