U-21 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CITY FINAL: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 0-11 St. Patrick’s 1-5. Our U-21 footballers sealed another piece of silverware for this year’s collection, after winning the City Final away in Rhebogue against St. Pat’s. It means that we are in the hunt for yet another county title, as the victory also books our place in the county semi-final against the East champions, Ballybricken/Bohermore. This was a composed performance, one in which we were the dominant side for long periods and well-deserving winners in the end.

 

The first half was a low-scoring affair; although we dominated possession and had a strong breeze at our backs, we were unable to convert as many chances as we would like. Darren O’Connell scored an early point as he beat his marker. We were trying to create space in front of Evin Kelly and Darren in the full-forward line but St. Pat’s were funnelling extra man back to close off the space. We did look dangerous when we ran from deep also, and a strong run from Cathal Downes opened up space for Adam Butler to pop a point over the bar. Another strong run from Cathal led to a goal opportunity; he was unlucky to be put off just as he took on the shot and St. Pat’s were able to avert the chance. After missing a few chances from play, Liam Griffin got the score of the half as he burst forward from centre-back, linked up with James Pomeroy and Paudi Hartigan before striking a sweet shot straight over the black spot with his right foot.

 

That would be our last score of a low-scoring first half, but it took St. Pat’s 23 minutes to get their first score, a pointed free from straight in front of the posts. This was a testament to the strength of our defence, never exemplified better than by a brilliant piece of defending from Tadhg O’Shaughnessy, as he dispossessed a St. Pat’s forward with a strong right hand just as he looked to be breaching our rearguard. James Pomeroy was doing a fine man marking job, Shaun Barry was solid in around the house while Liam Griffin found himself as a spare man and was reading the game excellently. At the other end, Darren O’Connell was winning a lot of frees and Lorcan O’Leary was particularly dominant in the air at kickout time. But despite all the chances, we only led by two points at the break on a scoreline of: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 0-3 St. Patrick’s 0-1.

 

Despite playing against the wind in the second half, we were much more clinical, working the ball through the hands until we had clearcut scoring opportunities. We started like a train and reeled off the first four points of the half. James Pomeroy started one attack, linked up with Lorcan O’Leary and he found Darren O’Connell who fired over with his left foot. A few minutes later and he received the ball in space again and converted yet another point from play. We were looking dangerous in attack but St. Pat’s reminded us of their threat as they worked the ball in attack to create a goalscoring opportunity but Jamie Hickey did brilliantly to make the block and the ball was diverted away from danger. But we were able to create goal chances of our own; Conor Staff found Matthew Lucey with a pass, who then linked up with Paudi Hartigan who was desperately unlucky to see his shot go right across the face of goal and wide. Shortly after, we had another goal chance as Darren found the run of Adam Butler off the shoulder and his rasper of a shot rattled the crossbar but deflected over for a point.

 

A score from Paudi Hartigan opened up a 6-point lead and we looked to be in control, but there was a kick in the home side. They missed a good opportunity for goal, driving the ball wide from close range, before they did pop over two points from play in a row. With just four points between the teams, the home side worked another goalscoring opportunity but Jamie Hickey once again produced an excellent save to maintain our advantage. Although they would score a point from a free and reduce the gap to just a goal, this was the shift in momentum that we needed and we took control of the game again in the final quarter. Conor Staff converted a free, before the ball was worked inside to Darren, who was by now causing absolute havoc against tiring defenders. He scored two points in a row, bringing his tally for the day to five points from play.

 

Cathal Downes then scored a fine point to bring the gap back out to six points. Cathal, Lorcan and Conor really stood up in midfield when it mattered, winning some big aerial duels, while the likes of Paudi Hartigan and Matthew Lucey were getting through a lot of work up and down the flanks. The game was practically over when St. Pat’s did finally raise a green flag, a spectacular effort from a tight angle which brought the gap back to four. When they fired over a point early in stoppage time, there was now just three points between the teams again. But we saw the game out, some good defensive work from Kieran Bourke and Tadhg O’Shaughnessy and a powerful run from Conor Staff got us out of trouble and the referee blew the final whistle.

 

Well done to all the players and management on winning another trophy. After being unlucky to lose the U-21 City Hurling Final after extra-time, it was nice to take home at least one piece of silverware at this age grade and this team have their eyes on more!

 

Team: Jamie Hickey; Tadhg O’Shaughnessy, Shaun Barry, Mikey Hayes; Matthew Lucey, Liam Griffin (0-1), James Pomeroy; Lorcan O’Leary, Conor Staff (0-1, free); Adam Butler (0-2), Liam O’Sullivan, Paudi Hartigan (0-1); Darren O’Connell (0-5), Cathal Downes (0-1), Evin Kelly

 

Subs: JJ Mulcair for Mikey Hayes (35 mins); Naoise McGarrigle for Evin Kelly (44 mins); Kieran Bourke for Paudi Hartigan (55 mins)

 

FENWAY CLASSIC: Congratulations to Kyle Hayes and the Limerick senior hurlers on rounding off what has been a fantastic season by winning the Fenway Super 11 Hurling Classic in Boston, defeating Wexford and Cork on Sunday. The trip was a well-deserved break/reward for the All-Ireland champions but they also showed their quality and competitive spirit as a couple of late goals saw them come from behind to defeat Wexford, while they led against Cork from the start. It was something a bit different, but it’s always nice to win so well done to Kyle and the team!

 

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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