St. Kierans GAA Club Notes:

St. Kierans 0.12 Murroe/Boher 1.23

The Intermediate hurlers concluded their County Championship campaign on Sunday afternoon with a final round encounter against pre-championship favourites Murroe / Boher. Due to the inclement weather, there was a change of venue from Clarina to Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale. Both sides came into the game with contrasting fortunes. With four wins from their four outings the east Limerick club were assured of direct passage to the penultimate stage of the championship while our championship aspirations were dashed following two draws and two defeats from our four championship games. The men in blue & green played with the assistance of a strong wind in the opening period and soon raced onto a commanding lead as they looked the far sharper side in the opening exchanges. As has been the case throughout the championship we found it difficult to score from play once again and at the half time interval we trailed 0.15 to 0.3 with our scores coming the dead ball accuracy of Jack O’ Sullivan. Playing with the assistance of the elements in the second half we got off to a bright start with Jack O’ Sullivan adding to our tally as we began to grow in confidence against the slick Murroe / Boher side. We worked hard throughout the field putting the Murroe men under pressure. Further scores came from second half substitute Conor Woulfe and Donie Nolan before the east Limerick side found the back of the net for the games only three-point score. As the final whistle approached, we played the waiting game knowing that a draw or victory for Pallasgreen over Feohanagh. Alas Feohanagh would pull away in the dying moments and there was a sense of relief from all concerned that our faith was secured for another season. We bow out of the championship with two draws against Knockainey and Pallasgreen from our five group games while defeats to Na Piarsaigh, Feohanagh and Murroe / Boher scuppered our chances of advancing from the group. There were some good performances throughout the championship, in particular the opening round against Knockainey where we recuperated excellently despite a slow start to force our way back into the game and were desperately unlucky not come away with the win. We left Adare in round three against Pallasgreen bitterly disappointed. Having led by six points with ten minutes to go we were unable to sustain our lead and allowed the east Limerick side back into the game to secure a draw in the dying moments which was a major dent to our overall challenge. Several new players have been introduced to the panel this season and have coped well with the rigours of intermediate hurling while new players will be added to the ranks for the 2026 season which should add depth the squad. For the third year in succession since promotion from the Junior ‘A’ ranks we bow out of the championship at the group stage, and we will now enter the County Cup competition which will be contested between the four teams who finished fourth and fifth in their respective groups. In the semi-final we will play fellow west Limerick side Feenagh / Kilmeedy while Knockainey face off against Mungret / St. Pauls. Fixture details for this game are yet to be confirmed. Team v Murroe/Boher Cillian Ambrose, Shay Greaney, Aaron Heffernan, Sean Long, Eoin McEnery, Brendan McCarthy, Fionn Gleeson, Cathal McEnery, Eoghan Sheehan, Cathal O’ Connor, Ian Mackessy, Jack O’ Sullivan, Donie Nolan, Conor McMahon, Derry O’ Connor, Conor Woulfe, Cormac Mann, Michael Long, Sean Ryan, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Cillian Meade, James O’ Connor, Mikey Breen, Bryan Sheehan, Edward Fitzgerald.

St. Kierans 2.15 Crecora 2.9

The Junior hurlers welcomed Crecora to Pairc Naomh Ciaraín, Ardagh on Saturday evening for round 4 of the County Championship. Having lost to a strong Doon side in round 3 we fielded a strong side against the city division side who had won their opening two championship games and will have set their sights on joining their A side in the knockout stages of the championship. We began the game brightly with midfield duo Anthony Mullins and Conor Woulfe performing well in the heart of the field while Jonathan Ruttle led the attack scoring five opening half points as we led 0.9 to 0.4 at the interval. We sustained our lead into the opening quarter before two quickfire goals from Conor Woulfe and Darragh McMahon proved to be the catalyst for victory. At the final whistle we came away with a six-point win to pick up our second victory of the championship. this has proven to be an ultra-competitive group, and we currently sit in 5th place on four points alongside Drom/Broadford, Doon and Crecora. With two games remaining to play and three teams to emerge from the group two victories would almost certainly assure progression to the knockout stages. Next up in round five we travel to Kildimo to take on the home side before our final group game against Drom/Broadford. Team v Crecora Mike Steele, Mikey Breen, Billy Breen, Dan Duggan, Bryan Sheehan, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Edward Fitzgerald, Anthony Mullins, Conor Woulfe, Oisin Commane, Jonathan Ruttle, Cillian Meade, Anthony Molyneaux, Tony Doyle, Con Enright, Darragh McMahon, Conor Kelly, Liam Kennedy, Brian O’ Neill, James Woulfe

St. Kierans would like to express our condolences to the McCarthy family, Newcastlewest following the death of Mary and the Kelly family Ardagh following the death of Willie. May they rest in peace.

Tim Curtin from Churchtown, Newcastle West enjoyed a short but successful career with Ardagh hurlers during the middle 1980s, after his years playing with his home club Newcastle West. The standard of hurling was high in the village at the time after winning the West and County Junior titles in 1985 and a second team represented the club in the following years. Tim qualified to play as he served his time as a cabinet maker and worked at

Mc Cormack’s Joinery /Ardagh Traders entered a team in the Inter -Firm Championship and Tim was captain of the team who won the Inter Firm County and Munster junior hurling honours in 1986. They defeated Wang Laboratories in the Limerick final in June and in the match report it said that Tim Curtin the Ardagh captain was having a great game at right corner back. The Munster final was played at Kildimo in November and Mc Cormack’s Joinery /Ardagh Traders defeated the Clare champions Molex in the junior final by 2-6 to 0-7. They led by 2-2 to 0-2 at half time. Henry Cooney the Secretary of the Munster Council presented the cup to Tim Curtin captain of the Mc Cormack’s team. The captain paid special tribute to Sean Sullivan, and Tom Neary in what was a great team effort. TEAM:  Seamus O’Sullivan, Tom Hartnett, John Ahern, Tim Curtin, Liam O’Brien, Michael Mulcahy, John Flynn, Tim Crowley, Paul O’Connor, Francis O’Connor, John Danaher, Donnacha Dowling, John Enright, Michael O’Connor, Chris O’Connor. Sub Tom Neary for Donnacha Dowling. Other subs Mike Barrett, Dave Lenihan, Eddie Browne, Jimmy Duggan, Pa O’Connor, J Copse. The team was defeated in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Tim was a member of the Ardagh team that won West and County Junior B/Novice hurling titles also in 1986. They defeated Granagh in a replay by 5-6 to 0-8 in the West final and Camogue Rovers by 3-5 to 2-6 in the County final.  The West final team was Noel Hennessy, Tim Curtin, Tom Aherne, (Coolcappagh) Captain, John Shields, Tom Larkin, Donie Nolan, James O’Brien, David Lenihan 0-2, David Enright, Sean Bradley 1-0, Tommy Greaney 2-2, Pat Hennessy 1-0, Johnny Nash 0-1, Tom Neary 1-0, David Woulfe 0-1. Subs Jim O’Donnell, Mike Barrett, J Ahern, Seanie Hayes, M Hayes.  The Saint Kieran’s club members are saddened by Tim’s untimely passing and extend their deep sympathy to his wife Breda (Ardagh native) and family members. May he rest in Peace.

Timmy played junior hurling with Ardagh from 1956 to 1962, winning a West title in 1956 defeating Banogue but the team lost out on an objection. In 2017 the club held a night for to recognise the achievements of past club players in Ardagh and Timmy was present and addressed the gathering and recalled memories from those days. With a limited amount of football matches with Athea in those days he was delighted to come to Ardagh. He spoke fondly of the dedication of the players and club members with a special mention for John Joe Fitzgerald, Paddy Mc Cormack and Bill Enright.  He would cycle to Ardagh and then enjoyed the trips to matches with the locals. A lovely hurler he was a sub on the Western Gaels team that defeated Kilmallock by 4-5 to 4-3 in the County senior hurling championship final in 1962.

There was a lot of interaction between the club and Timmy over the years as he was Vice-Chairman of the West Limerick GAA Board from 1964 to 1969 and Chairman from 1970 to 1976. He was also involved in staging the Athea Carnival and football tournaments that attracted record crowds to the village by the Gale. He was the man in the middle for many of the finals that St Kieran’s contested over the years as well.  His association with the club might have been fractious at times over matters at West Board meetings, but his contribution was in the best interests of the Association. Timmy attended the two Céilí dances in Ardagh in support of the club in November 23, and 24 and he enjoyed himself and he was very complimentary with its staging. The passing of Timmy can be likened to the falling of a great oak tree, such was his contribution to all that was good in life. The club extend their deep sympathy to his wife Nancy) and family members. May he rest in Peace.

Results for Monday 15th September 2025 as follows.  Jackpot €5000.00

Numbers drawn 15, 22, 24, 25. Lucky dips winners were €40 Dan Ryan Coolacokera, €40 Patricia Mullins Ardagh, €40 James Woulfe Rathgonan, €40 Siobhan Collins, €40 Alma O Sullivan Skehanagh. Next Draw 22nd September 2025 with a jackpot of €5100.00.