Newcastlewest weekly Notes
April 09, 2014
NEWCASTLE WEST G.A.A.
JUNIOR B HURLING CHALLENGE
Newcastle West 1-12
Feohanagh/Castlemahon 1-13
The field was the venue on Sunday last, conditions were excellent and Martin Doherty refereed.
We fielded a mix of 'vets' who were in full flight on the hurling fields 20 years or so ago (Seán Gleeson, Duane Blenkensop, Vincent Sheehan, Damian Garrihy) who no longer have the legs but have lost none of the touch that made them formidable in their heyday, two of the younger brigade Darragh McMahon, Liam McCar-tan, both minors this year and both of whom played very well and a contingent of inbetweeners who may or may not figure at inter-mediate this year. With the headcount yielding 14 and little hurling under their belts the team struggled initially. Liam McCartan's arrival brought our number to 15 and kick started an improvement that saw us level coming up to full time, but then pipped at the post by a single point. All in all an excellent, committed effort by each and every one of the 15, but further evidence that the small ball is struggling in Desmond town.
Team: Seán Gleeson, Duane Blenkensop, Pa Keane, Darragh McMahon, Tom Ryan, Tony O'Connor, Mike Mulcahy, Michael O'Keeffe, Michael O'Grady, Shane Kelly, Aaron McCarthy, Liam McCartan, Jonathan Carey, Vincent Sheehan, Damian Garrihy.
Training for all adult hurlers this week is on Tuesday and other days to be decided. Obviously a 100% turnout is essential if the slide to junior is to be arrested.
Intermediate Hurling Co. League
Newcastle West v Kilmallock
We were scheduled to open our campaign with a home game v Kilmallock's second team yesterday. However Kilmallock requested a postponement.
Training continues.
Senior football
Training is ongoing. The League Round 1 game v Galbally has been called off on successive Saturdays.
Junior football
Players interested in being involved will of course be training with the seniors.
U21 hurling and football
West A hurling joined up with Monagea due to lack of numbers by both clubs (the shape of things do come). We were pipped by Croagh/Kilfinny in round 1, made a good push v Allaughaun Gaels in round 2 (despite being under-strength) lost and exited. The footballers will probably be in premier county with no games until October or November. Many of the players will be with Senior/Junior A Football, Inter/Junior B Hurling.
Maurice Hurley leads St. Mary's/Seán Finns to West U21 hurling success
St. Mary's Seán Finns won their first West U21 Hurling Championship in 46 years at their own famous Bog Garden a week and a half ago. One of the mentors leading Rathkeale out of the wilderness was our own Maurice Hurley, one of our best ever hurlers throughout the 1990s and into the two thousands. He also played with the Limerick intermediate hurlers for a number of years and for a while was part of the Limerick senior panel. We congratulate Maurice and the Rathkeale team on their success, illustrating that where there's a will, there's a way.
Minor hurling/football
West A in hurling, Co. Premier in football will probably be our lot and will be Monagea/Newcastle West.
U16
Training is under way as are the various county competitions.
U14
As with the U16s training is under way as are the various hurling and football competitions.
U12/U10
The U12s and U10s are at the field on Saturdays from 10a.m.
U8
Training started on Saturday last 10a.m. - 11.15a.m. at An Páirc Amuigh and experienced and beginners alike are welcome. Hurleys, helmets, shinguards, mouth-guards are essential. A number of helmets and hurleys are available to borrow. Our players should bring their own if possible.
U16 Football
Championship Round 1 Newcastle West.........4-12
Fr. Casey's...................4-5
On Monday March 31st a good sized crowd watched as the latest chapter of this long running rivalry was played out in ideal weather and ground conditions at our field. It was good to see both teams with large panels togged out. Both teams knew the importance of getting a good start in a very competitive championship. Newcastle West started with the wind and sun at their backs playing into the town goal but Abbeyfeale settled faster and cut through the Newcastle West defence from the throw-in. They were rewarded with a quick goal by their full forward. Newcastle West responded well to this set back with the defence tightening up and moving the ball forward at pace to create scoring chances. A lack of patience in attack led to a lot of wasted chances with more wides than scores in the first half and too many shots dropped short to the Casey's goalkeeper. A quick-fire 1-1 from speedy corner forward Roman Creedon restored order and we added 0-3 before the break and limited Abbeyfeale to 0-2 with Ronan St. John dealing capably with any threat to our goal. A lead of 1-4 to 1-2 at half time was poor return for our dominance of possession. With the elements favouring our opponents in the second half a major effort would be required to secure victory as Fr. Casey's were unlikely to be as wasteful with their chances as we had been. As expected they attacked strongly from the start of the second half and quickly wiped out the lead after poor communication in our goalmouth when defending a 45 resulted in the ball breaking to a forward who quickly despatched it to our net. It was now game on and the next 20 minutes saw some great play from both teams as play moved from end to end at lightning. A super goal from Josh Griffin got us back in front but another Casey's goal from a long ball swung the balance again. The Magpies dug deep and strong running from midfield by Diarmuid Kelly, Cian Magner Flynn and Dylan Whelan created chances that were finished in much more clinical fashion than in the first half. Fr. Casey's too upped their scoring rate as the game was in the balance until the last couple of minutes when goals by Dylan and Diarmuid gave us a 7 point advantage at the end. Final score, Newcastle West 4-12, Fr. Casey's 4-5.
Highlights of this game were the dominance of the half back line of Brian Curtin, Seamus Hurley and Killian McMahon in the first half, the improved scoring efficiency in the second half (3-8 scored and just four wides), the good running from midfield mentioned above and finally the competition for starting places with all 20 who played, contributing well and another five players ready for the next day.
Panel: Ronan St. John, Joe Nash, Jack Downey, Lee Woulfe, Brian Curtin, Seamus Hurley, Killian McMahon, Diarmuid Kelly 1-1, Colm Foley 0-1, Niall McAuliffe 0-2, Dylan Whelan 1-5, Micheál Begley, Mykola Blashkev, Liam Dowling, Roman Creedon 1-1, Darragh Enright 0-1,Cian Magner Flynn, Josh Griffin 1-1, Thomas Griffin, Ben Finnegan, Jack Nash, Dwayne McCoy, Mikey Carroll, Darragh Fox.
Referee: Billy Phillips
Round 2
Claughaun v Newcastle West
Unfortunately this game was cancelled at short notice as Claughaun were unable to field a team.
U16 Hurling Round 1
Newcastle v Adare
This game is fixed for Monday, April 14th in Newcastle West at 6.30p.m.
U15 Football Round 1
Mungret v Newcastle West
This game is on today - Wednesday, April 9th - at 6.15p.m, in Mungret
Intercounty Football National League Division 3 Round 7
Limerick....................0-14
Cavan.........................0-18
With nothing but pride at stake (Cavan are promoted to Division 2, Limerick are safe in Division 3) Saturday's game was being billed as a damp squib. However the game was anything but and there was plenty of intensity and quality at the Gaelic Grounds. Manager John Brouder was in experimental mood and gave game time to a number of fringe players, Cian Sheehan and Jamie Lee among them. Cian started and played well, Jamie came on for him with about ten minutes to go. Regular Ian Corbett didn't line out and Declan Brouder is a selector… Next up is the Munster championship v Tipperary.
U14 Football Peil
Newcastle West ..........2-4
Ballybrown .................4-9
Our U14 footballers fell short in the Féile Peil semi final against Ballybrown on Sunday last in Mick Neville Park. Having lost the toss we played against the very strong breeze in the first half. We began reasonably, dominated possession with the breeze and went three points to one ahead mid way through the first half through points from Brian Foley, Dylan Singh and Luke Gleeson. In the space of 5 minutes Ballybrown scored two goals against the run of play. We rallied again adding two goals through Dylan O Connell and another point from Luke Gleeson. At half time we were 2-4 to 2-1 ahead, a lead many felt would not be enough. This proved to be correct as we had to withstand constant pressure from the Ballybrown boys in the second half. The half remained scoreless for ten minutes but then fatigue set in and we conceded 2-8 without reply. In truth it could have been more but for the excellent defending from our full back line of Michael Cremin, Todd Donovan and particularly our best player on the day full back Cormac Nash. At the full time whistle we had no complaints, having been beaten on the day by a stronger team.
We now need to regroup for the championship and put in some serious time on the training ground.
Team and scorers: Ethan Hurley, Michael Cremin, Cormac Nash, Todd Donovan, Dara Collins, Oisin Brennan, Jody Woulfe, Dylan O'Connell (2-0), Sean Walton, Dylan Singh (0-1), Conor Finucane, Luke Gleeson (0-2), Daniel Normoyle, Ross Donovan, Brian Foley (0-1). Subs: Cian Daly, Evan McMahon.
Under 14 Hurling Féile
On Sunday next 13th April we take on Naomh Bríd in Newcastle West at 5pm in the quarter final of the Féile B. We will need to up our performance considerably from our previous outing against Glantine to make the semi finals against the combination of Ballybricken and Kilteely/Dromkeen.
U10 Football Blitz
An U10 Regional Football Blitz will take place either Friday or Saturday on the weekend of April 11th. Parents will receive a text closer to the time with the details.
Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Puppy Stake 2014
The quarter finals take place on Saturday night April 11th at the Limerick Greyhound Stadium. After racing there will be a parade which Limerick City of Culture and Eva International are organising. They have extended an invitation to the GAA clubs in Limerick to be involved in the event. You are invited to attend the parade that will take place after racing 10.30pm so wear your club colours and bring your flags and banners. The event will be over at 11.15pm and it promises to be something very different with TV cameras recording the event to be shown on RTE on the night of the final. Please come along and support.
Advertising on Newcastlewest GAA Club Website
There are currently a number of slots available on the Newcastlewest GAA website to advertise your business. If you are interested in taking one of these slots, please send an email to
[email protected].
There are also advertising slots available in the GAA field through the advertising boards that may be displayed on the fencing, any person/business that would like to take an advertising board, please contact
[email protected]. Looking forward to hearing from you to help promote local business in Newcastle west.
Limerick Munster Minor Hurling Fixture Details
Following the qualification of Cork and Tipperary for the Cadbury Munster Under 21 Football Championship Final on Wednesday April 9th, the following changes have been agreed to previously scheduled fixtures:
The Electric Ireland Minor Hurling Championship quarter-final between Tipperary and Limerick will be put back from Wednesday, April 9th to the following night, Thursday, April 10th at 7.30pm in the fixed venue, Páirc na nGael, Luimneach.
Club Lottery
Last Monday's draw took place at Beckett's. The numbers drawn were 6, 17, 19, 20. The jackpot of €16,600 was not won. The 5 x €40 lucky dip winners were Orla, P and C Hannon, c/o Margaret Hannon, Mary O'Mahony, c/o Kay McCoy, Oliver Cunningham, c/o Martin Sheehan, Pat Mulvihill, c/o Seán Roche, Carol Williamson, c/o Declan O'Connor. This week's jackpot is €16,800. The draw takes place at the silver Dollar on Monday next, April 14th at 11p.m. the club thank all who are supporting, promoting and hosting the lottery.
Lottery Online
The Newcastle West GAA Club lottery is now online. The lottery can be accessed through the Newcastlewest GAA website www.ncwgaa.com. It could never be easier to support your local GAA club.
Website
For all the latest news please visit our website www.ncwgaa.com.
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