St. Mary's Notes 7th July 2008 http://stmarys.sligo.gaa.ie/ Bord na nÓg U-10 - Monday & Wednesday Training is now over until the City League Competitions. The Community Games U10 team face Castlebar in the Connacht Finals preliminary round on July 9th in Castlebar, if successful we will participate in the Connacht finals which are due to be held on July 19th . Saturday Morning Coaching continues for all U-10 players. U-14 Girls - Our Under 14 girls have been very busy over the past week. On Tuesday evening last they won the U-14 League with a fine win over Owenmore Gaels in a game played in Ballintogher. On Friday they headed off to Cavan to represent Sligo in the Féile na nÓg competition. A large crowd of parents and well wishers assembled at the Clubhouse early on Friday to wish the team good luck as they boarded a coach to take them to their host club Lavey GFC based about 5 miles outside Cavan Town. The team arrived at Lavey at 11:45am and had a light lunch before heading for Lavey's pitch for their first game scheduled for 2:30pm against their hosts for the week-end. 2:30pm arrived and our ladies took to the field, which despite the forecast was bathed in sunshine. We got off to a flying start with a goal in the first minute by Kasie O'Reilly, and with 6 minutes gone were 2-2 to no score infront, Feile games are 15 minutes a half and when have time arrived we were comfortably ahead and playing some lovely football. The half time score was 3-4 to no score. One minute into the second half and we increased our score with a brilliantly taken. This lead afforded the management a chance to bring on our substitutes and over the course of the second half a number of substitutes were introduced. Lavey scored a point in the 6 minute in a rare incursion into our half. Right throughout the field there were brilliant performances. The full time score was St. Mary's 3-9 Lavey 0-1. Scorers were Kasie O'Reilly (1-0), Hayley Kilgallon (0-1), Megan Walsh (1-1), Emma Hansberry (1-4), Melissa Gillen (0-1), Aoife Finan (0-2). We then returned to the Lavey Inn where our hosts club provided us with a beautiful meal before we departed for Breffni Park and the parade from the Stadium around Cavan town before returning to the stadium for a display by the Cavan arts group. It was approaching 10pm as we returned to Lavey and our girls were then collected by their host parents. Our Management Team, Club Officials, and travelling supporters were invited to the inaugural Lavey GFC draw which was held in the function room of a local bar and restaurant. Lavey were also hosting New York boys. Nicky Brennan GAA President and Geraldine Giles Ladies President were the guests of honour. We presented Lavey GFC with a Crystal Football in appreciation of hosting us over the weekend. They returned the compliment with a similar presentation to us. We also presented a gift to all host parents. It was an early start the following morning; we were on the bus and travelling to Killenkere, a neighbouring club where we were due to take the field at 9:30am against the local team. Unfortunately the beautiful sunshine of Friday had now departed and the weather was more like November than July. It was raining heavily and a strong wind made for difficult playing conditions. However our girls played brilliantly and the half time score was 3-3 to no score in our favour. Once again this afforded the management team of Kevin O'Grady and Fina Golden the opportunity to use some substitutions and save some players for the tougher games which were now looming. As the second half started the rain began to ease and this allowed for some finer football to be played. We ended up comfortable winners on a score line of 4-8 to no score. Scorers were Kasie O'Reilly (3-2), Emma O'Connell (0-2), Emma Hansberry (1-3), Melissa Gillen (0-1). Our final group game was now looming and our opponents St. Joseph's from Leitrim went into this game in a similar position to ourselves, 2 wins, so it was very much a winner takes all with progress to the competition semi final at stake. We had a 2 hour break and this afforded us the opportunity to get our players, management and supporters some nourishment, and a change of Jerseys. At this stage our support had grown greatly, with family members with flags and club colours discussing the upcoming fixture. The Skills competition was now looming and Niamh Banks was our representative in this event (the format of which changed from other years). Niamh performed the skills brilliantly and was unfortunate to be against a very strong player from St Josephs who went on to win. At 12:30pm our girls took to the field against St. Joseph's and we took an early lead with a goal in the 4th minute. This was soon cancelled by a St. Joseph's Goal in the 6th minute. Our travelling supporters were silenced in the 10th Minute by a second St. Joseph's goal. However they found their voices very quickly with a brilliantly taken goal in the 12th Minute. Half time was approaching and the ball was now travelling from end to end and almost on the stroke of half time St. Joseph's took the lead once again with a point. We took to the field for the second half aided by a strong breeze and the first few minutes continued the tempo of the first half. We took the lead almost immediately through a brilliant goal, only to surrender it a minute later to another St. Joseph's goal. Our girls dug deep at this stage and the determination which this team are famous for was evident as the moved into an extra gear with all players back and forwards playing brilliantly, and it would be unfair to single out any one individual. We added another 2-1 to end up winners on a score line of 5-3 to 3-1. Scorers Kasie O'Reilly (2-1), Emma Hansberry(3-2), There were great scenes of joy, and we were now Killnaleck bound for a 4:30pm semi-final with tournament favourites Geraldines of Arklow. The day was now improving and the sun had reappeared as we boarded bus and cars and travelled across the County of Cavan for our semi-final in Kilnaleck on the Cavan Longford border. The players, management and supporters were now anxious as time moved towards 4:30pm. The time arrived and both teams took to the field, Geraldines took an early lead and were to continue in this vain for the remainder of the match and try as we might, we were unable to score, although we came agonisingly close on a number of occasions. Geraldines ran out comfortable winners in the end and went on to win the Final in a similar fashion. The odyssey ended and our girls were crest fallen. After some emotional scenes, they were told how proud everybody was of them, and to head off and enjoy the evening's entertainment which was a youth disco jointly hosted by the Lavey and Killenkere clubs and the guests being ourselves and the New York boy's team. So it was now back off across County Cavan and into the host family homes to prepare for what was a great nights entertainment. Sunday Morning was departure time and having forged new friendships, we boarded our bus and headed off for home. A great crowd had gathered as the bus pulled into the St. Mary's car park and the team were applauded as they appeared from the bus. It was now into family cars and home for some rest and relaxation. U-16 - We had a bloodless victory over Owenmore Gaels in the second round of the Championship. Our next match is against Buninnadden on 7thAugust. Training continues on Friday at 6.30pm. We are due to have further Championship matches on 21st and 28th August and 11th September as long as we keep winning our matches. U-18 - Our league resumed on Monday last with a game against Enniscrone which was played in terrible conditions with a gale blowing. However it was the same conditions for both teams and we were very poor being 5 points up at half time despite having the advantage of this gale. In the second half we were more or less contained in our half with an occasional foray into their half. Enniscrone capitalised on the wind and ended up comfortable winners 1-13 to 1-7. We really need to improve if we are to progress in this group with remaining fixtures against Castleconner and Geevagh, both at home over the coming week. Camogie A welcome new dimension to the club is the commencement of Camogie in St. Mary's for the last few weeks after a lapse of over 20 years. Great credit goes to Mairin Laffey, Michael O'Broin and team of helpers. Over 20 girls have registered and are currently in training so hopefully we will see competitive matches for the team in the years ahead. Saturday Morning Coaching The Saturday Morning Coaching continues this weekend from 10.30am to 12.00pm. The John Kent Sport sponsored coaching continues to attract good numbers. The recent multinational day has helped us attract an international flavour and hopefully the numbers can be maintained over the coming weeks. Senior/Intermediate Our Senior team's promotion hopes disappeared with a 3 point defeat away to Castleconner on Saturday evening last in the Division 2 League. Despite playing into a strong wind in the first half, Mary's competed very well and were only one point in arrears at the half time whistle on a scoreline of Castleconner 0-6 St. Mary's 0-5. We started the second half brightly and went into the lead following well worked scores from Stephen Coen and Gary Melly. The home side upped their work rate and responded with four consecutive scores to go into a three points lead with 10 minutes remaining. Mary's weren't able to respond in the same fashion and their hopes were compounded by the loss of Mark Breheny through injury during this period. Final Score Castleconner 0-11 St. Mary's 0-8. The Seniors finish their Division 2 campaign with a home fixture against Drumcliffe in Kent Park at 11am on Sunday morning next. Our intermediate team beat a youthful Tourlestrane by 3 points in Kent Park on Sunday last in an entertaining and sporting contest. Tourlestrane were quickest out of the blocks and scored two excellent goals to put them into the lead after the first quarter. We managed to battle our way back into the game with excellent points from Glen Monaghan, Neil Smith and the returning Michael Bree. Michael returning after a hand injury sustained in the first game of the year proved a real handful for the Tourlestrane defence and gave a great display over the hour. Level at half time the second half was real end to end stuff with both team throwing caution to the wind in their attempt to win the game. Veteran David Cummins showed his predatory instincts scoring the decisive goal in the second half and despite sustained pressure from Tourlestrane we held out for a three point win. In defence Cian McKeon and the Carroll brothers were in top form, at midfield Neil Smith and Brian Collery gave us the edge over the hour while up front James Fox, Alan Collery and Glen Monaghan worked extremely hard and linked well together. Next up for the side is the final round of the Division 4 league at home against Ballisodare this Saturday evening at 7.30pm. Club Meeting Our monthly Club Meeting for July will take place on Tuesday 15th July at 9pm sharp in the clubhouse. Clean Up We are having a clean up around our grounds on Thursday 10th July from 8pm-9pm. Members are asked to come along for an hour and help tidy up around Kent Park. Flag Day We had our annual Flag Day last Saturday - thanks to all the public for your generous support. Thanks to all the Senior Panel who came out in such great numbers to support the Flag Day. Thanks to Paraic Hanley on doing an excellent job in coordinating the Flag Day. Condolences Sympathy is extended to the O Kelly family in Cuilbeg on the recent death of Dr Peadar O Kelly. Website The Club's new Website is now live at http://stmarys.sligo.gaa.ie/. The Club's email address is [email protected]. Tweet

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