MUNSTER JUNIOR FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 1-7 Dromtarriffe 2-10. Our footballers put up a brave fight but sadly, were knocked out of the Munster Junior Championship by Cork champions, Dromtarriffe. Injury ruled out goalkeeper John Chawke and full-back Kevin O’Connell from our county final team, while centre-forward Shaun Barry was also unavailable for selection. It showed the depth of our panel that the likes of Jamie Hickey, Barry O’Connell, Kyle Hayes and Darren O’Connell were able to slot into the starting fifteen without much ado. Indeed, we started the game well, Peter Nash and Darren O’Connell hitting early scores to give us an early lead. But our opponents were a slick outfit, capable of transitioning the ball from back to front very quickly and although they missed a couple of early chances due to good pressure from our backs, they then kicked a few points in a row. Their sweeper was also proving very effective in choking out supply to our deadly inside forwards, Darragh Deegan and Peter Nash.

 

Dromtarriffe then did very well to work a goal and that swung the momentum in favour of the home side. In response, Kyle Hayes won the ball, took on his marker and fired over the bar with his right foot from out the field. But it was the Cork champions who would finish the first half the stronger and managed to pop over a couple more points on the trot. They then hit us with a sucker punch before the half-time break as they raised a second green flag. It had looked as if we had done enough to secure our kickout but a Dromtarriffe player stole in to spoil possession and they were able to recycle out the field before an excellent pass in behind the cover found the clever run of one of their forwards, and he made no mistake from close range. Darren O’Connell did manage to get another good score before the break but it we went in behind at the break on a scoreline of: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 0-4 Dromtarriffe 2-6.

 

We produced a rousing second half performance, and were the better side, outscoring our opponents but sadly, we couldn’t get quite enough scores to close the gap. Dromtarriffe did a good job at dropping deep and choking the space, making it difficult for us to create clearcut goalscoring opportunities. Bob McKeogh began to get on a lot of ball in the middle third, and he linked up with the likes of Kyle Hayes, Darren O’Connell and Tony McCarthy who began to puncture holes through the Dromtarriffe cover. Kyle and Darren both won five frees apiece as they used their pace and power to create opportunities. Tony was everywhere as a linkman and kicked an early score in the second half, selling his marker a dummy and firing over the bar.

 

When we raised a green flag, it really gave us hope for the fightback and we would dominate the final quarter. Conor Staff won the ball, popped it off to the onrushing Darren O’Connell who let loose with his left foot; the ball took a slight deflection and wound up in the back of the net. Darren had been a constant livewire in attack and when he was fouled again, Peter Nash stood over the free and unleashed a venomous shot towards goal. It had the men on the line worried, but it flew narrowly over the bar. It gave us hope of a fightback but Dromtarriffe stalled the momentum slightly by tagging on the next score.

 

We had opportunities in the closing stages, winning numerous frees around the 20-metre line but with the masses of bodies back in defence, it was impossible to break down. While the likes of Kyle Hayes and Lorcan O’Leary provided a viable threat around the edge of the square, the Cork side were simply not going to let us get a goal and were also able to stop driven shots from twenty metres. Time proved to be the enemy in the end, although we had got on top, we had to chase goals and didn’t have the option to pop over the easy points. One ball in particular bounced loose around the square, giving us a moment of opportunity but the fly-hacked shot flew over the bar instead of under and only raised a white flag. The lads gave it everything but over the course of the hour, Dromtarriffe were deserving winners. Best of luck to them in the rest of the Munster Championship!

 

It has been a hugely successful year on the pitch; to finally get over the hurdle of winning the County Junior Championship was a huge step forward for the club and we now have the chance to play Intermediate next season! To lose in Munster is certainly disappointing, the team probably feel that they could have had a real rattle off this Championship but it doesn’t put a blemish on what has been a fantastic season. Huge credit must go to the management team of Noel McCarthy, Killian O’Leary and Sean Cuddihy for their achievements and thanks also to Éanna McGarrigle on stats and Alan Fitzgerald for his continued involvement in driving the club forward. And, of course, many thanks to the players; it hasn’t been the easiest journey but they are worthy county champions and part of what is becoming the most successful era for this club!

 

Team: Jamie Hickey; Brian Howard, Robert McKeogh, Evan Carroll; Mossy Sheehan, Tony McCarthy (0-1), Barry Walsh; Keel Moloney, Kyle Hayes (0-1); Conor Staff, Barry O’Connell, Darren O’Connell (1-2); Darragh Deegan, Lorcan O’Leary, Peter Nash (0-2, 0-1 free)

 

Subs: Liam O’Sullivan for Keel Moloney (42 mins); Darragh Walsh for Evan Carroll (45 mins)

 

Panel: John Chawke, Kevin O’Connell, Shaun Barry, Eoin Cuddihy, Stephen Hodnett, James Pomeroy, Naoise McGarrigle, Kieran Bourke, Michéal Keating, Tommy O’Connor, Steven O’Brien, Brendan O’Shea, Jonathan McHale

 

ELECTRO QUIZ: Our Electro Quiz fundraiser in the Seven Sisters was a massive success, thanks to all who supported! There was an absolutely brilliant turnout and I must say, it was a most enjoyable evening. Thanks to all involved in the organisation, and to those who donated prizes. Thanks to John Griffin and the Seven Sisters for providing a brilliant venue; thanks to Sean Cuddihy, Pat McGarrigle and Tiernan Fitzgerald for running the quiz on the night! Finally, a massive thank you to our quizmaster, Chris Rowley, who ran the show brilliantly and made it a memorable night for all!

 

U-21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: A City Final against St. Patrick’s in the U-21 Football Championship awaits, and this is the last competition that we have a team in this year so it would be nice to round off what has been a fantastic year with some more silverware. 

 

PITCHSIDE SIGNAGE: Pitchside advertising for the 2018/2019 season is now available; with the chance to sponsor the club in either or both Kildimo and Pallaskenry GAA grounds. Cost includes professional 8x2ft steel sign in full colour; for more details, please contact Niall Kelly ([email protected]) or John Chawke ([email protected]).   

 

CLUB SHOP: Our online club shop has a number of new items including the new team jerseys, as well as a wide range of training gear. Please see the club website, Facebook page or Team App for the link to the online shop.   

 

TEAM APP: For all the up to date club news, fixtures, training schedules, club shop, club documents, log into the Club’s Team App, available to download to your smart phone on iPhone and Android.  

 

CLUB LIMERICK DRAW: Sadly, we had no winners in the October draw after some success in the first few draws of the year. However, there are still two draws to go for 2018, with a subscription costing €10 per month. The CLUB Limerick Draw is a vital factor in the success of our County teams, it raises much needed funds for all our clubs to the tune of €400,000.  

 

Kildimo/Pallaskenry GAA are very fortunate to have a great number of young and senior players represent our club on the intercounty scene. The CLUB Limerick Draw will also help the development of the Gaelic Grounds and Mick Neville Park, to make it a centre of excellence with four full-size pitches including synthetic pitch, flood lighting & ball alley. Each month there will be 30 Guaranteed Cash Prizes with a top prize of €12,000 & a star car prize in December worth €25,000. You can play online or contact any club member below, or call/e-mail Siobhan in the Limerick GAA Office 061-335516 / [email protected]. If you would like to take part, please contact Trish O’Dowd, Tom O’Connell, Tony O’Brien, Sean Cuddihy, Niall Kelly where you can pay upfront or pay monthly to be in with a chance to win!

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