Newcastle West Weekly Notes 16/5/2012

INTERMEDIATE HURLING CO. CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1
NEWCASTLE WEST 0-9
KNOCKADERRY 0-9
We could have won it and we could have lost it is probably an accurate assessment of last Friday's game at Dromcollogher. For the neutral there wasn't a lot in terms of quality to rejoice in with scores from play very scarce, poor first touch leading to a lot of bunching and scrimmages and a lot of spoiling and scrappiness going on.
The truth is that two well matched teams cancelled each other out and the skills that are in the players' repertoires undoubtedly didn't blossom. Anyway we had the upper-hand in the first half when we had the support of the wind and led 0-8 to 0-3 at half time (Mike McMahon 0-5 from frees, Mike Quilligan, Michael Martin and Shane Kelly 0-1 each from play). The second half was a twin of the first except it was Knockaderry in the ascendancy. We were mainly backs-to-the-wall and defended resolutely but Knockaderry kept chipping away and the teams were level 0-8 each at 56 minutes. We then moved 0-9 to 0-8 ahead, were pulled back to parity, and glad of a few bad Knockaderry wides, had a free to possibly win the game, lost it due to indiscipline and were, in the heel of the hunt, satisfied and relieved to settle for a draw (as were Knockaderry no doubt). As you would expect there was good effort and commitment by all the players with James Kelly and Stephen Nix doing very well to curtail the threat of county players Tom Condon (Limerick senior corner back) and corner forward Liam O'Sullivan who scored the winner for the Limerick minors v Cork the previous week.
Team: Ollie McCoy, Michael Dowling, Pa Keane, James Kelly, Seán Browne, Martin Hennessy, Niall Enright, Timmy Nix, Paul Hannon, Shane Kelly 0-1, Stephen Nix, Michael Martin 0-1, Michael Quilligan 0-1, Michael McMahon 0-6, Kieran McMahon. Subs: Seán Neville, Mike Mulcahy, Evan Egan, Brian O'Doherty, Ray Massey, Damian Garrihy, Tommy Kelleher, Aaron McCarthy, Maurice Murphy, Mark Kelly.
With Monaleen having a big win over Ballybricken/Bohermore and estab-lishing themselves as favourites to top the group, it looks like a 3 way tie for the runner-up spot and the second qualifying position. The situation will be clearer after round 2, ourselves v Bally, Knockderry v Monaleen in three weeks time approx-imately.
In the meantime training continues and the committed will be there.

Senior Football Co. League Round 4
Newcastle West v Fr. Casey's
The field is the venue on Thursday and there's a 7.30p.m. throw-in. Whether the approach will be laid back/lackadaisical or edge of the seat, no quarter asked or given is the question! Both teams are championship focused but progress and success in the league is a prize not to be sneezed at and like Brian Cody's Kilkenny every game is there to be won!. Expect a down to the wire.

Junior B Football West League Round 4
Newcastle West ........0-10
St. Kieran's ................1-7
The field was the venue on Sunday evening and Mike Mann refereed on a wintry evening. We were dire in the first half (to quote one of "the hurlers on the ditch") and deservedly 0-4 to 1-4 behind at half time. The same hurler-on-the-ditch was more pleased with our second half display which saw us go 0-2 ahead with about ten minutes remaining only to be caught with the two late points that earned our neighbours a draw, a fair enough result.
Team: Tony Kelly, Eoin Normoyle, Mike Culhane, Michael O'Leary, Tony Aherne, Karl Linehan 0-1, Tommy Kelleher, John Lydon, Cian Sheehan 0-2, Conor Whelan, Declan Brouder 0-3, Kevin O'Shea 0-2, Jonathan Carey, Conor Fitzgerald, Seán Gleeson 0-1. Subs: Ronan Kelleher, Karl Hayes, Chris Neville.
We are now into the semi-final.

Minor
Many of the players have the Leaving Cert on their minds, football gear is parked for six weeks or so and there are no games until the end of June. Under the banner of St. David's the combination is doing well enough in Premier Football, but struggling in West A Hurling. An interesting post exam campaign awaits!

U16 hurling
We got our home field hurling off to a winning start this year with a tough game against St Pat's of the city.
After a good win in the U15 football yesterday, most of the lads' moral was on a high and it showed with a strong start. After our first point (a long range free) from William Hurley, we quickly added 1 from AJ O'Connor and a gem from Declan O'Connor. Liam McCartan hit a long ball in and it deceived everyone and ended in the net. Shortly after Brian Hurley stuck a piledriver in the corner of the net. We were hurling at our best now and 7 more points followed courtesy of Shane Stack, Cormac Long, AJ, Sean Murphy, William. Shane Lee and Brian before the half time whistle went. With some injuries and Shane Stack after a 10K during the day, Cormac Long, national boxing and U15 Sunday, we emptied the bench. This changed the momentum a bit but the lads stuck to their job and a goal from Conor Barry (penalty) Adam Harrington 1-1, Brian Hurley 0-1, gave us enough to win with a late come back from St Pat's scoring 2-3 (could have been more only that Conor O'Sullivan was excellent) to leave the final score 4-12 to 3-8 in favour of Newcastlewest. Well done lads .
Training on Mondays at 7pm until after the exams.
Panel: Conor O'Sullivan, Caleb O'Shea, Conor Barry, Conor Walton, Thomas Darcy, William Hurley, Ryan Sheehan, Cormac Long, Liam McCartan, Shane Stack, AJ O'Connor, Brian Hurley, Shane Lee, Sean Murphy, Declan O'Connor, Adam Harrington, Darren O'Doherty, Adam Corbett, Cian Cremin, Sheamus Hurley, Darragh O'Shea, Diarmuid Moran Kelly.

U15 Football Development Blitz Division 1 Final
Newcastle West ..........3-7
Monaleen ....................3-1
It was windy, sunny and cold at Mick Neville Park on Sunday for the final and Pat Carroll refereed. Generally we dominated for the first half, spent a lot of time in front of the Monaleen goal but had a mere 1-3 to show for monopoly of possession. Why so few scores? overplaying the ball, inaccuracy, trying to walk the ball into the net, complacency are matters that will be reflected on by mentors Willie Hurley and Vincent Sheehan? Of course we were punished by two Monaleen goals, quick long balls from defence finding their strikes in space. The classic counter attack! In the second half we were far less wasteful and we were rewarded with a handy 2-4, while limiting Monaleen to 0-1 until their late goal. Liam McCartan scored 1-2 of the 2-4, Eoin Sheridan, freed from his full back duties, scored a mighty final goal on 19 minutes, Brian Hurley put his name to 0-2 and in general we played very good football moving the ball quickly, defending well, aggressive in the tackle, attacking the ball etc. Peil of a very high quality indeed! So a deserved win for a very good team against quality opposition with each and every player putting in the effort without which no titles are won.
Panel: Conor O'Sullivan, Caleb O'Shea, Eoin Sheridan 1-0, Seamus Hurley, Shane Lee, Seán Ivess, Thomas Darcy, Seán Murphy, Cormac Long, Liam McCartan 1-3, William Hurley, Brian Hurley 1-4, Ryan Sheehan, Gerald Griffin, Adam Harrington, Darragh Morrissey, Aidan O'Con-nor, Darra O'Shea.

U14 Football Co. Championship Round 1
Newcastle West v South Liberties
Saturday May 26th
13 Football Blitz, Newcastle West v Fr. Casey's and v Mungret.

U12 Hurling
Newcastle West v Killeedy
We had a good win over a gallant Killeedy at the field last Thursday evening. Captained by Daniel Normoyle, we played into the dressing room goals in the first half. Though on top in general play, we found it hard to break down a resolute Killeedy defence. We led 1-1 to nil after 10 minutes, both scores coming from the stick of Brian Nix. Further goals from Brian and Blayne Aherne and an excellent point from play from Seán Walton put us in a commanding position at half time. An early second half goal from midfielder Luke Gleeson settled us and we played some fine hurling for the rest of the game.
Warren Coughlan in his new position of goalkeeper didn't put a foot wrong. Charlie Doherty, Oisín Brennan and Darragh Collins were a rock-like full back line.
Brian Foley and Dylan O'Connell excelled in the half back line, while Gavin Lane at number 7 was probably our most consistent performer on the night. Caolan Dooley and Cian Searles both had very good second halves and we got some fine long range points from Luke Barrett, Brian Foley and Ross Donovan to close out the game.
Mikey O'Connor at full forward led the line very well, while Conor Finucane, Dylan Singh, Cian Daly and Cillian Collins all made very good contributions to a good team effort.
Team/scorers: Warren Coughlan, Charlie Doherty, Oisín Brennan, Darragh Collins, Brian Foley 0-1, Dylan O'Connell, Gavin Lane, Seán Walton 0-1, Luke Gleeson 1-0, Ross Donovan 0-1, Caolan Dooley, Cian Searles, Daniel Normoyle captain, Mikey O'Connor, Brian Nix 4-1, Conor Finucane, Blayne Aherne 1-0, Dylan Singh, Cillian Collins, Cian Daly, Luke Barrett 0-1.
Next up for this group is football v Fr. Casey's in Abbeyfeale this Thursday, May 17th.

U10 Football Blitz
The U10s travelled to Abbeyfeale for a blitz on Friday evening.
Training is on Saturdays at 10a.m.

U8s
Training is on Saturdays from 10a.m. to 11.15a.m. at the all weather.

U7s
Training on Saturdays from 10a.m. to 11a.m. at the all weather with the focus on hurling and improvement steady and constant, but numbers smaller than desirable! We hope to introduce a second session anon.

Intercounty football Senior and Junior Munster championship Quarter-final
Limerick v Waterford
The Gaelic Grounds is the venue this Sunday. Stephen Kelly, if fit, will start as may Ian Corbett. Also on the panel are Michael O'Keeffe and Stephen Nix with Joe Lee, selector and Pa Keane, backroom also involved. Little separate the teams both in Division 4; it should be a very competitive game and of course support is appreciated.

Club Lottery
Last Monday's draw took place at the Shamrock. The numbers drawn were 2, 3, 14, 21. The jackpot of €5,400 was not won. The 5 €40 lucky dip winners were Mike Roche, c/o Seán Roche, Anna Brouder, c/o Declan Brouder, The Sheehy family, Castleview, Eamon Roche, c/o Seán Roche, Tom Brouder, c/o Seán Roche. This week's jackpot is €5,600. The draw takes place at the Central on Monday, May 21st at 11p.m. The club wish to thank all who are supporting, promoting and hosting the lottery. Tweet

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