DETERMINED FOOTBALLERS RETAIN SENIOR STATUS
SENIOR FOOTBALL COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION PLAYOFF
NEWCASTLE WEST………………………..1-7
CLAUGHAUN…………..2-3
Kilmallock was the venue on Saturday last with Bruff’s Richard Moloney in charge of the whistle. The low scoring encounter, as you might expect, was not of the open, free flowing, expansive kind, but a dour keenly contested, competitive dogfight, with both teams fighting to avoid the drop to intermediate.
Nothing separated the teams in the first half at the end of which they were on level terms, Newcastle West 0-4, Claughaun 1-1, Claughaun’s goal coming from a penalty. Penalties were high on the agenda in the second half, also yielding two, but it was in the points stakes that we were superior, managing seven in total from a spread of five players. At the end we retained our senior status by the minimum with attacking half back Seán Barrett (not for the first time this year), goalie John Joe Sheehy (well in line for Newcastle West footballer of the year) and Seán Browne outstanding and Mike Quilligan kicking 1-3. Well done to all.
Team: John Joe Sheehy, Michael O’Keeffe, Seán Browne, Michael Dowling, Seán McAuliffe, Stephen Nix, Seán Barrett 0-1, Mike McMahon, Ian Corbett, Stephen Kelly 0-1, Shane Kelly 1-0, Donnacha Woods, Thomas Quilligan 0-1, Declan Brouder 0-1, Mike Quilligan 1-3. Subs: Noel Murphy, Jamie Lee, Mike Mulcahy, Darragh Woods, Paul Hannon, Jonathan Carey, Brian O’Doherty, Seán Neville, James Kelly, Conor Whelan.
Credit too to the backroom team led by manager Joe Lee and including Mike Mulcahy, Mike Downey, James Hennessey, John Collins, Pa Meehan, Senan Kelly, John Power, Brian Fitzgerald, Martin O’Sullivan, Brian McGuinness and Seán Roche, first aid, for their hard work throughout the year.
INTERMEDIATE HURLING
It will not have escaped the notice of our intermediate hurlers that Hospital/Herbertstown defeated Ballybrown in the Intermediate Championship semi-final at the weekend and we had Damien Reale and co. on the ropes in the quarter final but failed to deliver the coup de grace! Nevertheless it is encouraging to know that we’re there or thereabouts and if we can up the ante another 20% in 2011 we could be senior this time next year.
U21 FOOTBALL PREMIER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS 2/3
Newcastle West…………3-12
Passasgreen………………..0-9
Newcastle West v Naomh Bríd
The U21 footballers, winners over Mungret in Round 1 moved closer to the top group place and semi-final spot in this year’s newly structured County Championship when they got the better of determined Pallasgreen at Kilmallock on Tuesday September 14th. Having assembled from various locations within and outside the county, the lads took a while to settle in, achieving little of note in the opening quarter. Jet lag and rustiness worked out of the system, they hit Pallasgreen for quickfire goals in the second quarter and were 3-3 to 0-3 ahead at half time. They consolidated their position in the second half without troubling the scoreboard operator unduly, withstood a late flourish from Pallasgreen and finished deserving winners and group leaders on full points from two games. Overall, job done without hitting great heights and plenty of room for improvement.
Team: Jason Dowling, Conor Fanning, Brian O’Doherty 1-0, Mark Kelly, Brian O’Sullivan, Paul Hannon, Mike Mulcahy, Ian Corbett 0-1, Mark O’Sullivan, Ronan Kelleher, Seán Neville 1-2, Timmy Nix, Thomas Quilligan 0-3, Donnacha Woods 0-1, Seán McAuliffe 1-4. Subs: James Stack, James Kelly, Kieran McMahon, Shane Collins, Chris Neville 0-1.
In Round 3 we were scheduled to play Naomh Bríd under lights at the Staker Wallace pitch on Tuesday at 8p.m. Three teams qualify from each of the two groups. Group 2 includes Fr. Casey’s, Bruff, Mulcair Gaels, Seán Finn’s/St. Mary’s.
MINOR FOOTBALL
PREMIER COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL
Newcastle West
v Kilmallock
Ballyagran is the venue on Saturday next and there’s a 4p.m. start. The teams drew in the preliminary rounds and obviously there’s nothing between them. We were in up and down form in those rounds, but have gathered plenty of experience from senior and U21 appearances by many of the team in recent weeks. This should stand to us. However, Kilmallock, whose focus is mainly on hurling and who seldom bother with the peil once out of minor, excelled in minor and more often than not get the better of us. Hopefully on this occasion with county minor panellists Brian O’Doherty, Ian Corbett, Paul Hannon, Jamie Lee, Brian O’Sullivan, James Stack and Mike Mulcahy giving the lead, we can reverse the trend and qualify for a second successive county final (we won last year). Fingers crossed.
U15 HURLING COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 1
Askeaton…………………….0-6
Newcastle West…………..2-8
Two goals either side of half time set Newcastle West U15s up for a deserved victory in Askeaton last Wednesday evening. While both goals were of the lucky variety, the Newcastle West boys dominated possession and if they had taken their points in the second half instead of going for goals, they would have been further ahead at the break. Leading 1-6 to 0-3 at half time the Magpies added 1-1 in the first two minutes of the second half but then failed to score again until the final minute. However, the Newcastle West defence denied Askeaton any goal scoring opportunities. This team has the potential to do well in this competition if there is good commitment to training. Ballybrown are our next opponents and a win would qualify this team for the knockout stages.
Panel: William Hurley, Conor Relihan, Conor Barry, Andy Brouder, Gavin Riedy, Jack McCarthy, Eoin Hurley, A.J.O’Connor, Andrew Ruddle, Brian Sheehy, Eoin Murphy, Cian Sheehan, Daniel Copse, Martin Madden, Shane Stack, Peter Shanahan, Darragh Quilligan, Brian Hurley, Declan O’Connor, Liam McCartan.
U14 FOOTBALL
The adventure continues for this talented panel of players when they contest the County U14 Division 1 Football Final next Sunday, September 26th at Claughaun GAA Field. Childer’s Road, Limerick at 3.30p.m. Our opponents Mungret had a big win over much fancied Galbally in the semi-final and they will be favourites to win their third title in a row. However, as recent big match results have shown, all winning runs must end sometime. If this Newcastle West team continue their excellent recent form then an upset could be on the cards. Why not make the trip to Claughaun on Sunday afternoon to support this team who always give 100%.
U13 HURLING
We await details of a semi-final fixture, possibly on Sunday October 3rd.
U12 HURLING
The official 2010 season concluded on Saturday last with a series of games at the Gaelic Grounds. We were opposed by Old Christians and Monaleen, lost to the former and defeated the latter. We hope to have a full report next week.
U10
Training is on today (Wednesday September 22nd) at 6pm.
U8 HURLING
GO GAMES BLITZ
Coolcappa was the venue on Saturday morning last but our man on the spot has not submitted his report yet. We hope to rectify the omission in next week’s notes.
Training is as usual on Saturdays from 10a.m. to 11.30a.m.
U6
The ever improving U6s train on Saturdays from 10a.m. to 11.30a.m. Both hurling and football are on the agenda with the camán and sliothar enjoying dominance. All who are six years of age in 2010 are welcome.
A SWAGGER
IN THE STEP
Two weeks ago it was the U14 mentor, Tipperary and Killenaule native Jim Fanning, who was celebra-ting the Premier County’s success in the Senior Hurling Championship. This week it’s the turn of club secretary John Collins, inter hurling/U16 manager Vincent Sheehan and assistant treasurer/junior b hurling selector Donal Lynch to walk tall as they celebrate the Rebel County’s Senior Football Championship win on Sunday last. We congratulate the four lads but advise them that Limerick are gunning for both titles in 2011.
CLUB LOTTERY
Last Monday’s draw took place at Lee’s. The numbers drawn were 16, 20, 24, 29. The jackpot of €8,000 was not won. The 5 x €40 lucky dip winners were Michael Sheehy, the Barber, Bridge St., Eoin O’Sullivan, Castleview, c/o K. McCoy, Dolores Griffin, c/o Patsy Curtin, Mary McCartan, c/o the Juvenile club, Lisa Hurley, c/o Davy Hurley. This week’s jackpot is €8,200. The draw takes place at Cleary’s, The Draper’s Bar on next Monday, September 27nd. The club wish to thank all who are supporting, promoting and hosting the lottery.
CAMOGIE AND
PEIL NA mBAN
Congratulations to Newcastle West Camogie Club teams who won county titles in three championships at the weekend, senior b, U16A and U14A. Most of the players on the winning teams have brothers and fathers and uncles and cousins etc lining out with or involved with hurling and football teams and are avid followers of GAA and regular attendees at GAA games. Do the hurlers and footballers return the compliment and support the camogie teams? They certainly deserve support.
Best of luck to Limerick who contest the Peil Na mBan All Ireland Junior Championship Final at Croke Park next Sunday. The team is managed by Drom/Broadford’s Tommy Stack. They oppose Louth in the final and unfortunately stalwart of a decade Meadhbh Nash looks like missing out on the big day owing to injury