West Senior Football Final:
Having seen off the challenge of Adare in the West Semi final the senior footballers have advanced to a West final appearance this Saturday evening. St. Kieran's/Newcastlewest encounters are always hotly contested given the close proximity and fierce rivalry between the two sides. When the two sides met in the County Championship last year after a slow start we dug deep in the second half to overcome the odds and defeat a fancied Newcastlewest side. Saturday evening's game will no doubt be another titanic between the two sides in what will be the second of three clashes the two sides will face against each other this campaign as we meet later on summer in the County Championship. It has been a long time since we have won silverware at this level and victory on Saturday night would be a huge step forward for the club and highlight the significant progress that has been made at this level over the past three years. The game throws in at 7pm in Abbeyfeale.

West Senior Football Championship
St. Kierans 1-11
Adare 1-5
We made the journey to Knockaderry on Saturday evening last to take on Adare in a re-fixture of the West Senior Football championship semi final; the original fixture having been abandoned due to a leg injury sustained by an Adare player. Having already defeated Adare in the opening round of the County Championship, hopes were high that we could advance to the penultimate stage of the competition for the first time since 2004.
 The opening stages of the game were tight with both teams setting up their respective startegies for the battle ahead. We enjoyed the lionshare of possession in the opening quarter but found the Adare defence difficult to break down. After a number of wides on our part, Adare opened the scoring with a long range point. Sean McSweeney, who was dangerous throughout, opened our scoring with a pointed free. He raised two white flags shortly after, one from a placed ball and the other from open play. Adare were economical with their use of possesion early on, looking dangerous on the counter attack. They added two points leaving the teams level after the twenty minute mark on three points apiece. We then opened up a three point lead thanks to minors from Sean McSweeney (2 frees) and Anthony Molyneaux before the break. At the short whistle we led on a scoreline of 0-6 to 0-3. 
We started the second half brightly with a point from play from Sean McSweeny again. Our defence were starting to get on top of their men at this stage, which allowed for a greater supply of possession into our forward line. Our midfield partnership of Timmy Carroll and Johnny McCarthy were also starting to get their hands more and more on the ball by this stage. We enjoyed a purple patch midway through the second half when Sean McSweeney goaled following good work from Jack Ben Hartnett and John Doyle. From the resulting kickout we won possession again and Raymond Cahill pointed, opening up some day light between the teams. Sean McSweeny added two more points from play. Adare, to their credit, battled until the bitter end. They were rewarded for their efforts on the hour mark when they goaled from a penalty, leaving our custodian Patrick Histon wallowing on the ground. Patrick was unlucky on this occasion, having shown great honesty and ferocious intensity in his play prior to this. At the final whistle we led on a scoreline of 1-11 to 1-5.
While we can be pleased with the result, our boys will be aware that there is plenty of room for improvement for the upcoming tests that lie await in the West and County Senior football championships'. The win sets up a fixture with old rivals and near neighbours Newcastle West in a game in which we will hope to put our name on the West Championship Cup for the first time since 1993. The time, date and venue are yet to be decided in for what promises to be a lively affair against the magpies.
Team: Patrick Histon, Brendan McCarthy, Paudie McCarthy, Kevin Meade, Maurice Shine, Gavin Hayes, Diarmuid Crowley, Timmy Carroll, Johnny McCarthy, Jack Hartnett, John Doyle, Raymond Cahill, Diarmuid Carroll, Sean McSweeny, Anthony Molyneaux, Patrick Downes, Tommy Quinn, Michael Enright, James Windle, Seamus Mangan, Shane Lynch, Aengus Gannon, James O'Connor

Scrap-Metal Collection:
Many thanks to all those who have contributed to our scrap-metal collection over the past number of weeks, your hard-work and generosity is greatly appreciated by the club as the funds raised are an integral part in raising income to run the club. The collection is still taking place and anyone who has any scrap-metal this want to dispose of can still do so by contacting Ivan Neary (087-6577541)
U14 Ladies Football All Ireland
Congratulations to Rosin Ambrose and Cathy Ambrose both members of the victorious Old Mill Ladies football side that won all Ireland honors in recent weeks who added to their All Ireland medal tally on Sunday afternoon when they were part of the Limerick side that defeated Louth in the All Ireland final. It is a fantastic achievement to represent your county let alone win an All Ireland championship and it is testament to the hard work that has taken place by the Old Mill over the last number of years.

Fixtures
U12 Hurling : Thursday 24 July St Kierans V Askeaton/Ballysteen in Coolcappa at 6.45pm. Players are asked to be in Coolcappa at 6.20pm
U10 Hurling Blitz this weekend in Mick Neville Park Rathkeale . Time & date TBC
U16 Football: Monday 28th July - St Kierans V Deel Rangers at 7.15pm in Monagea.
U14 Football: Wednesday 30th July St Kierans V Galbally in Coolcappa at 7.15pm. Players are asked to be in Coolcappa at 6.45pm
U12 Football: Thursday 31th July - St Kierans V Fr Caseys(Blue) at 6.45pm in Coolcappa.
U16 Hurling: Monday 4th August - St Kierans V Templeglantine at 7.15pm in Coolcappa.
U14 Hurling: Wednesday 6th August - St Kierans v Granagh/Ballingarry at 7.15pm in Ballingarry.
It is important that players inform us if they are unavailable for matches.

Results
U16 Football: St Kierans 6-7 Granagh/Ballingarry 0-2
U12 Football: St Kierans 4-4 Adare 3-4
U16 Hurling: St Kierans 1-8 Croom 2-16

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 training on Monday evening from 6.30pm to 8.00pm in Ardagh. Football training from 6.30pm-7.15pm followed by Hurling training from 7.15pm to 8.00pm.
U14 hurling training this Wednesday night at 6.30pm in Ardagh Football at 7.15pm
Players will be notified of changes to training by text. If you are not receiving texts about training or if you have changed your phone number please contact Deirdre Ambrose 087 9509218
U12 Football Munster Activity Day
Our U12 footballers participated in the U12 Football Munster Activity Day which was held in Fitzgerald Stadium Killarney on Tuesday last. It was a very enjoyable experience and we hope to have a full report next week.
Cúl Camp 2014
We still have a number of items which were left in Coolcappa after the Cúl Camp. Contact Deirdre Ambrose. Also the Cúl Camp bags have arrived and will be given out at training or contact Deirdre Ambrose to arrange collection.

U12 Hurling Munster Activity Day
Our U12 Hurlers will take part in the Munster Activity day which will take place in Semple Stadium Thurles on Wednesday 6th August. More details later. Tweet

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