County Intermediate Hurling Championship Round 1: St. Kierans 1.6 Bruff 1.17
We travelled to Ballingarry on Friday evening to make our step up to the intermediate ranks against one of the favourites for the championship in Bruff. Going into the game on the back of two promising performances against Newcastlewest in the county league and west intermediate championship hopes were high that we could give could on our performances from last year and give a good account of ourselves. The game began at a frantic pace and we soon found out that there wasn't the same amount of time on the ball at intermediate level as there was at junior. Bruff were extremely sharp in the opening ten minutes which definitely set the tempo for the game. Our full back line of Mike Windle, Paudie McCarthy and Brendan McCarthy had to deal with a lot of early pressure and to their credit held firm and provided John Greaney with excellent protection in the face of the Bruff onslaught. First half scores came from Jonathan Ruttle, Ray Cahill and Ian Mackessy from the placed ball. We found it extremely difficult to get our hands on the ball around the middle of the field and therefore possession going into the forward line was of a limited supply. To be fair to the forwards when they got on the ball they worked hard and put the defence under threat. Our hopes were dealt a major blow midway through the opening half when we lost Paudie McCarthy due to injury which had a huge impact on our chances. Going in at the break Bruff held a firm lead and it was always going to be an uphill battle from here. We needed the opening score of the half if we were to get back into the game but it was our opponents who got off the mark first. To the lads credit they battled hard through the second period and worked tirelessly to reduce the deficit. We showed some moments of promise with Johnny McCarthy coming more into the game in the second half but every time he ran at the defence he was bottled up by the Bruff defence. Second half scores came from Ian Mackessy from frees before firing into the back of the net for the opening goal of the game. As the game drew to a close we worked hard to tag on a few more scores. On the night we could have no excuses as we came up against a side in Bruff that will have a huge say on the outcome of this year's championship. We now have a five week break until our next championship game. In the other game in the group last year's defeated finalists Dromin/Athlacca saw off the challenge of Caherline. Undoubtedly we will have to be at the top of our game if we are to overcome both sides later on in the summer.
Team: John Greaney, Mike Windle, Paudie McCarthy, Brendan McCarthy, Mike Flynn, Patrick Windle, Sean Windle, Jack Harnett, Darragh Treacy, Danny Collum, Johnny McCarthy, Ray Cahill, Ian Mackessy, Jonathan Ruttle, Anthony Molyneaux, Mike Breen, Tony Doyle, Owen Hayes, Padraig Trant, Billy Breen, Chris Madigan, Sean O' Connor

Junior 'B' Hurling:
The junior hurlers continue their league campaign this Thursday evening when they take on Newcastlewest in round 4 of the west league. Having won our opening three games seeing off the challenges of Templeglantine, Croagh/Kilfinny and Granagh/Ballingarry victory on Thursday will all but guarantee a semi final place.


St Kierans Bord na nÓg
Fixtures
U8 Football Blitz originally fixed for Friday 17th May will now be played tonight Wednesday 15th May at 6.45pm in Abbeyfeale. Teams: Fr Casey's, Gerald Griffins, St Kierans, Athea & Monagea Players are asked to be in Abbeyfeale for 6.20pm
U10 football Blitz which was originally fixed for Friday 10th May will now take place this coming weekend either on Friday night or Saturday morning Teams: Feoghanagh/Castlemahon, St Kierans, Glin, Monagea & Askeaton/Ballysteen. No details finalised at time of writing. Details will be confirmed at Training this week.

U12 Football - Thursday 16th May St Kierans v Fr Casey's (Blue) at 6.45pm in Abbeyfeale. Players are asked to be in Abbeyfeale at 6.20pm.
U12 Hurling (Refixture for the 2nd time) - Monday 20th May St Kierans v Knockaderry at 6.45pm in Knockaderry. Players are asked to be in Knockaderry at 6.20pm.
U14 Football - Wednesday 22nd May St Kierans V Kileedy at 7.00pm in Raheenagh. Travel arrangements later
U14 Hurling - Wednesday 29th May St Kierans v Castletown/Ballyagran at 7.00pm in Coolcappagh.

Cancellations
The weather has been far from favourable over the last few weeks and pitches are in a bad state and very often unplayable. Unfortunately we have no control over the weather and we apologise if training and matches are cancelled often at short notice. We will do our best to inform all players as soon as we possibly can. Lets hope weather and conditions begin to improve fairly soon .

Féile na nGael 2013
Preparations are ongoing for Féile na nGael 2013 which will take place in Limerick from Friday 5th July to Sunday 7th July. St Kierans will host the James Stephens Club from Ballina in Co Mayo. We could do with one or 2 more host families so if there is anyone willing to host players or mentors during the Féile please contact Catherine Hayes (087) 2941098 or Deirdre Ambrose (087) 9509218. Players are asked to return birth certificates or copy of passport as well as a passport size photographs signed on the back. Féile na nGael 2013 will be officially launched at the Woodlands House Hotel on Thursday 23rd May at 8.00pm
Church gate collection

St Kierans Bord na nÓg will hold its annual Church gate collection in Ardagh, Coolcappagh & Kilcolman on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th May. All support greatly appreciated.  

Cúl Camp
The Cul Camp will take place in Coolcappagh from Monday 1st July to Friday 5th July. Booking forms will be available at a later date - however you can book online www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie from April 1st and save €5 with the code from promotional packs of Kellogg's Cornflakes and Rice Krispies .

Training
U8 Hurling training every Tuesday evening 6.30pm - 7.30pm in Ardagh.
U8 Football training every Thursday evening 6.30pm - 7.30pm in Ardagh
U10 Football training every Tuesday evening 6.30pm - 7.30pm in Ardagh
U10 hurling training every Thursday evening 6.30pm - 7.30pm in Ardagh
U12 Hurling training every Monday evening 6.30 to 7.15pm in Ardagh followed by football training until 8.00pm.
U14 Hurling & Football training every Wednesday evening 6.30- 8.00pm in Ardagh .
Any changes to training will be notified by text. If you are not receiving texts please notify Deirdre Ambrose 087 9509218
Mouthguards
Please note that it is mandatory to use a mouthguard in all Gaelic football matches and training sessions since January 1st 2013.

Membership
Membership for 2013 is now overdue. Membership is €5 per child and €30 per family. Players are asked to pay their membership immediately. If a player gets injured playing for St Kierans and has not paid their membership the Club will not be responsible for looking after their medical expenses. Membership can be paid to Deirdre Ambrose or any team mentor.

Training in Ardagh
Parents/Guardians of children playing/training in Ardagh we would ask you to respect the people living in the area and not to park directly in front of their houses or block access. Tweet

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