St. Kieran's GAA
County Senior Football Championship Round 3:
The senior footballers are back in action this coming Saturday evening when the make the journey to Clarina for round three of the county senior football championship against east Limerick side, Oola. Both sides have had contrasting fortunes so far in the 2018 campaign, following wins in our opening two games against Ballysteen and St. Patrick's we currently sit second in the group on scoring difference with four points behind Newcastlewest. Saturday's opponents Oola have had an indifferent start to their campaign with two defeats to Fr. Casey's in round 1 and Ballysteen in round 2. Following the long break before round there is no doubt that Oola will be far better prepared for Saturday evening's game and form from the first two games can be thrown out the window. Victories in the county league against Claughaun and reigning county champions Adare in recent weeks should bring a welcome boost of confidence to the east Limerick side who can count on the services of Limerick senior footballer Josh Ryan and hurler Darragh O' Donovan for Saturday's game. both sides met in round 2 of the 2017 county championship and after a hard-fought battle we emerged victorious with a three-point victory in heavy conditions in Bruff. Given the extended dry period we are experiencing at present conditions will hopefully be perfect for flowing football on Saturday evening as we go in search of another two points which should see us put one foot in the knockout stages of the championship. Saturday's game throws in at 7.30 in Clarina. Your support is greatly appreciated by all.
West Senior Football Championship Semi Final:
The senior footballers advanced to their third west senior football championship final in succession with a comprehensive victory over Ballysteen. Played in sun-drenched conditions in Ballyhahill we began the brighter of the two sides and quickly raced into a three-point lead with scores from Seamus Mangan, Noel Callanan and Sean McSweeney following some very positive play inside the opening ten minutes. Ballysteen withdrew a lot of bodies back into their defence in order to curb our attacking threat up front and with that we had to show composure and keep possession of the ball throughout the opening half of football. The game turned on its head midway through the opening half when Ballysteen got themselves back into the game as they hit us on the break and capitalized on a moment of indecision on our part at the back to put the ball past custodian Robert Bradley to square up the encounter. At the break there was little or nothing to separate the two sides, both sides had their periods of dominance and the game was there for the side that wanted it more. We began the second half slowly as Ballysteen continued to up the ante. Our fortunes took a major blow early in the second period when we were reduced to fourteen men following the dismissal of Jack Harnett and now our backs were too the walls. During times of adversity the real test of character is shown in how you respond, and the lads stood up to the Ballysteen challenge in particular some of our younger players really showed maturity beyond their years. We fought tooth and nail in the middle third with Liam Kennedy fielding several excellent balls while up front Noel Callanan and Killian Enright worked their socks off to secure primary possession and Seamus Mangan got on the end of a number of excellent moves to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Like the county championship encounter earlier in the year our extra yard of pace was vital in the blistering hot conditions as our younger players ran themselves into the ground. Despite their numerical advantage Ballysteen failed to capitalise on this as we worked hard without the ball trying to stop their running/possession orientated build up from the back. Two late goals sealed our faith as we advanced to another west final where we await the winners of the second semi final between Newcastlewest and Rathkeale.
Team vs Ballysteen:
Robert Bradley, Anthony Mullins, John Doyle, Johnny McCarthy, Diarmuid Crowley, Brendan McCarthy, Liam Kennedy, Jack Harnett, Darragh Treacy, Noel Callanan, Anthony Molyneaux, Sean McSweeney, Brian Crowley, Seamus Mangan, Killian Enright, Paudie McCarthy, Ian Mackessy, Eoin Burke, Liam Upton
Junior Football:
The junior footballers got their championship campaign underway during the past week with two contrasting fortunes. In round 1 we experienced a disappointing defeat at the hands of Mountcollins in Askeaton, despite putting some good passages of play together during the game Mountcollins were the hungrier side and were deserved six points winners. On Wednesday evening last we rebounded against one of the favourites for the west championship with a hard earned four-point victory over Granagh/Ballingarry in Colyroe. Missing a number of players from the previous game and only having the bare fifteen the team with a mix of youth an experience put in an excellent performance to come away with the win and get us back into contention for a place in the knockout stages of the championship with two group games remaining against Drom/Broadford and St. Senan's. Round 3 takes place this Sunday evening when we make the trip to Quaid Park, Colyroe to take on Drom/Broadford at 7pm
Team Vs Mountcollins:
Ray Noonan, John Byrnes, Gavin Hayes, Michael Murphy, Liam Upton, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Mike Upton, Shane Lynch, Seanie King, Ray Brouder, Niall O' Shea, Stephen Lyons, Owen Hayes, Darragh Breen, Aenghus Gannon, Daniel Power, Declan Greaney
Team vs Granagh/Ballingarry
James O' Connor. John Byrnes, Gavin Hayes, Eamon Ambrose, Liam Upton, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Mike Upton, Darragh Breen, Ray Brouder Seanie King, John Buckley, Aenghus Gannon, Owen Hayes, Tony Doyle, Declan Greaney
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