St. Mary's/Sean Finn's GAA, (Rathkeale)

Munster Final beckons St. Mary's
Our Junior hurlers are set to continue their 2009 adventure into 2010. Last Sunday, in bright frosty conditions in Newtownshandrum, they qualified for the Munster Junior-B Final with an impressive win over Whitegate of Clare.
The opening score was a pointed free from Mark O'Sullivan of St. Mary's but Whitegate then got a great start with three points on the trot, two of Kenneth Doyle and one from a free from the camán of Niall Hayes. The first half continued with both teams displaying similar styles of play. Mark O'Sullivan and Hayes exchanged points from play and soon Mark pointed another free. The backs were kept busy throughout with Timmy O'Connor, Gary Enright and Gerard Frawley a major force along with our goalie William Coffey. The sides were level for the first time at 4 points each, when Eoghan O'Connor scored a great point from play, following outstanding work from Patrick Sheahan, Damien Quaid and Paul Hogan. Whitegate went in front again just before half-time when Hayes pointed another free. The half-time score read 0:4 for the boys in blue and 0:5 for Whitegate, who wore red and white.
Both teams returned after the break refreshed and determined, and with Mark O'Sullivan and Keith Hartnett exchanging positions. Within 5 minutes our captain Damien Quaid had levelled the scores with a pointed free, which had been won by Keith Hartnett. Jack Coleman was introduced as a blood-substitute for Keith who soon resumed his place after care from our first-aid team. A goal-opportunity for Eoghan O'Connor hit the crossbar following a magnificent pass from Sean Sheahan. Whitegate's side was also unlucky with a few chances that went astray. The youngest member of the Limerick side Sean Sheahan scored a brilliant point to put St. Mary's in front for the first time, and very soon Keith Hartnett raised another white flag. Michael Dooley from Whitegate kept his team in touch with a fine point from play but St. Mary's seemed to grow in stature as the clock ticked towards full-time. Damien Quaid combined well with Paul Hogan, Sean O'Shea and Patrick Sheahan and soon we had a glorious point from Brian Duggan and then another from his cousin Mark O'Sullivan. Whitegate's team had one last opportunity in injury-time and went for a goal, which was clinically dealt with by our defenders. Our last great rally was when Eoghan O'Connor passed to Johnny Enright, who passed to Mark O'Sullivan who found Shane Hourigan's waiting scoring hands and the last point of the game. The score read 0:10 for St. Mary's while Whitegate had 0:06, when the final whistle blew.
This was a great team performance from the panel and it was heartening to see that St. Mary's had seven different scorers. The following players made up the panel: William Coffey, Timmy O'Connor, Gary Enright, Gerard Frawley, Patrick Sheahan, Sean O'Shea, Paul Hogan, Damien Quaid,(Cap.) (0:1), Mark O'Sullivan, (0:4, 2 of them frees), Shane Hourigan, (0:1), Eoghan O'Connor, (0:1), Sean Sheahan (0:1), Brian Duggan (0:1), Keith Hartnett (0:1), Johnny Enright. Subs: Jack Coleman, Kevin O'Shea, Robert Byrnes, Michael O'Sullivan, Patrick Enright, James O'Connor, Stephen Noonan, Padraig Jones, Derry White, Robert White, John O'Connor and Brian Byrnes. Well done to the management comprising of Gerry Molyneaux, Pat O'Donnell and Pat Sheahan. Thanks a million to Mary Sheahan and Doctor Tom Curtin for their efficiency with first-aid, and to Anthony Frawley, Ber White and Thos O'Connor who looked after equipment.
The Whitegate panel was as follows: Enda Durack, Shane Kelly, Paul Kelly, Jason Mulvihill, Christy Jones, Thomas McNamara, Eoghan O'Leary, Gary McClarin, (Captain), Ronan O'Brien, Colin Bleach, Kenneth Doyle, (0:2), Alan Mulvihill, Niall Hayes, (0:3, 2 frees and 1 a 65), Martin Malone & Michael Dooley, (0:1). Subs: Brian Hayes, Niall Broderick, Padraig Hynes, Mark Treacy, Thomas Hanley, Jarleth Garvey, Declan Hynes, Brian Durack & John P. White. Johnny O'Brien and David Solon looked after the Whitegate team.
A "Man-of the Match" award was kindly sponsored by Davy Mann of Davy Mann's Hotel in Rathkeale and the recipient was the very popular Paul Hogan. Davy Mann's sponsorship also included some very tasty hot food for the players and mentors, which was most welcome on such a cold day having returned from Newtownshandrum.
The second semi-final of this competition will be between the Junior-B team of Ballinacurra of Co. Cork and Templederry of Co. Tipperary and it will take place on Sunday 10th January. The Munster Final will see St. Mary's meeting their opposition on Sunday 17th January in Raheenagh.

58th Annual Christmas Draw
The 58th Annual Christmas Draw will take place this Thursday night 17th December in Rathkeale Community Centre immediately after Bingo. Many thanks for your generous support once again and the organising committee look forward to distributing the prizes to the 50 lucky winners at the weekend. All Club members and supporters are invited to the draw after Bingo this Thursday night.

Hurling Helmets
In just over two weeks a new ruling will come into effect meaning that all hurlers of all ages will be obliged to wear a helmet complete with faceguard once they pick up a hurley whether in training or in a game. From January 2010 match officials will stop play in a situation where a player removes a helmet or attempts to enter the field of play without one. So the advise to players who currently don't have a helmet is to get Santa or one of your loved ones to put a helmet under the Christmas tree for you on Christmas morning.

Two GAA Books available
Both Limerick County Board and Limerick's West Board have published new Books with pictures and articles of interest to all GAA supporters and members in County Limerick. The West Board book may be purchased from the Club Secretary, Pat Sheahan while the County Yearbook is available from Padraig Feehan, (who may be contacted on 087 9297262). Both books are being sold at a cost of ten euro. Both books are fantastic publications and our local club are well represented in articles & photographs (both new& old). The books would make a great Christmas present or indeed would be a fantastic souvenir for anybody interested.

Club/School Coach/Liaison Officer
St. Mary's/Sean Finn's Club are looking to fill the role of club/school coach/Liaison Officer in St Joseph's Boys National School in the near future. This person must be available to coach both Hurling and Football for a minimum of three hours per week during school hours from January to June 2010. Anyone interested in applying for this position should contact Tom Keating, Bord na nOg Secretary no later than this Friday 18th Dec.
Sympathy
Club members extend our deepest sympathy to the Chawke and McEnery families on the death of Peggy Chawke, RIP last week. May she rest in peace.