FAST IMPROVING ST. KIERAN'S TO PUT IT UP TO THE COMBINATION

U21 Football Premier Co. Championship Semi-Final

Newcastle West/Monagea v St. Kieran's

Tournafulla is the venue on Sunday and there's a 2p.m. throw-in. Having looked dead and buried and gone after preliminary round defeats, St. Kieran's have rallied, took a major scalp in Grange to qualify for hte quarter final, and last weekend disposed of Fr. Casey's in the semi-final, a huge surprise.

Darragh Tracy is playing out of his skin, James Hough has settled at full back and has allowed Brendan McCarthy to move to a more involved and influential outfield role, and Seán McSweeney is almost un-markable at full forward. They are certainly the most improved team in the competition, are on a roll, and will be hard to beat. Hopefully we'll be able to field at full strength. Gavin Riedy and Joey Healy have been in the injured list. We topped our group, but didn't impress in our final round win over Grange. Al the evidence points to a down to the wire encounter.

In the second semi-final Feale Rangers the Athea/Mountcollins combination oppose Ballybrown. It's no surprise to find Feale involved, Gaelic football is their bread and butter, their heritage/culture, the game they have followed/supported/grew up with since they were in diapers. It's in their blood. They play it with Kingdom style. The same cannot be said of Ballybrown, better known for their exploits with sliothar and camán. They're the real surprise packets of the competition having amazingly topped their group.

There are precedents of course. Drom/Broadford were famous for their hurling years ago but now are a most decorated football stronghold, as ar Cratloe from Clare, Loughmore/Castleiney from Tipperary. All in all two intriguing semis on Sunday.

 

Co. Championship Draw 2015

The various draws took place at the County Convention on Sunday. We are grouped as follows.

Senior Football

We oppose Fr. Casey's, Ballysteen, Adare, St. Kieran's, Na Piarsaigh, similar to 2014 except for the presence of 2014 Co. Intermediate Champions Na Piarsaigh. Qualifications won't be easily achieved.

 

Intermediate Hurling

Glenroe, Kildimo-Pallaskenry Claughaun, Feohanagh and Hospital are the teams we'll compete with, with ourselves, Kil-Pallas, Claughaun and Hospital likely to be battling it out for the third qualifying place (based on 2014 results Glenroe and Feohanagh are streets ahead of us.

West Limerick GAA Board

We congratulate Gerry Molyneaux on his recent election of West Board Chairperson. He succeeds Pat O'Donnell who did sterling work during his term in office. Gerry has filled numerous roles in his career e.g. club and county coach/manager/mentor referee Division PRO, and fixtures secretary, photographer extraordinaire with the Weekly Observer. We wish him the best of luck in his new job. We also congratulate Gerard Murphy defeated candidate.

 

2ND Level Hurling Harty Cup

West Limerick Schools exited the Harty Cup competition as a result of Árd Scoil Rís win over St. Flannan's, a result that sees Árd Scoil leap frog the West and take the second qualifying place. The West gave a good account of themselves, won two, lost one, drawn 1. The three from the club are William Hurley and his cousins, brothers Brian and Seamus Hurley. William has been called up to the Limerick minor hurling panel which trains at UL on Fridays and Saturdays. Fingers crossed that he makes the final panel at least.

Camogie Co. Minor A Final

Newcastle West....1-8

Killeedy.....1-8

Two very competitive teams played an exciting draw at Ballyagran on Sunday. The replay is scheduled for Saturday next at 12 noon with no venue announced as we go to print. Naturally support is appreciated. Former Newcastle West hurlers William Hurley, John Peter Cremin, Tony O'Connor, Jim Dowling mentor,  and on board are many players with strong Newcastle West GAA connections e.g. Emily Upton (daughter of Mike), Sarah Corbett (Ian's sister), Karen O'Leary (sister of Michael), Yvonne Lee (Joe's daughter), Alice O'Connor (sister of Jack U12), Clodagh Kelly (sister of Paudie U12), Ailbhe O'Connor (sister of U12), Kiara Carroll (sister of Aid an), Rebecca Delee (sister of Robert).

The replay takes place on Saturday next at 12 noon; no venue announced as we go to print.

Sympathy

All in the club extend sympathy to the Larkin family, Cullinagh on the death of Joe. The late Joe's son Tony was an excellent underage player with the club for many years.

Sympathy is also extended to the Hennessy family, Knockaderry on the death of Jack and to the Magner family, Killeedy on the death of Johnny. The late Jack Hennessy and Johnny Magner were formidable hurlers in their playing days. May they all rest in peace.

Club Lottery

The annual Christmas bonanza draw and weekly lottery draw took place at the Ballintemple on Monday last. The numbers drawn were 10, 11, 26, 30. The jackpot of €20,000 was not won. The €100 special bonus prize was won by Carol Williamson, c/o Declan O'Connor. The 5 x €40 lucky dip winners were Marian Roche, c/o Kay McCoy, John Corbett, c/o Ed Lynch, Grace and Yvonne Lee, c/o Lee's, Francis Foley, c/o Tadhg O'Connor, Pauline, T.J. Ava O'Connor, c/o The Silver Dollar.

The  turkeys x 5 were won by Pat Corbett, c/o Ed Lynch, Joan and Wally, C/o Liam Keane, Tim Bourke, c/o Martin Sheehan, Lorraine Healy, c/o Sheehy Barbers, Bridie Danagher, c/o Kay McCoy.

The five hams went to Brian Ambrose, c/o Declan Brouder, Rita Lee, c/o Lee's Bar, Paul Lynch,, c/o Kay McCoy, Paddy Kennelly, c/o the Silver Dollar, Criona O'Sullivan, c/o Johnny Fitz's Bar.

The bottles of brandy x 5 were won by Killian and Clara O'Brien, c/o Kay McCoy, Nuala Butler, c/o Kay McCoy, Maria Mullane, c/o Noel O'Connor, William Keane, c/o Monagea GAA, Martina McAuliffe, c/o Maurice McAuliffe. This week's jackpot is €20,000. The draw takes place at Pat's Bar on Monday next, December 22nd at 11p.m.

The club wish to thank all who are supporting, promoting and hosting the lottery.

Tweet

Most Read Stories