All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final:

Best wishes to John Kiely and the Limerick senior hurling panel who look to make history this Sunday when they travel to Croke Park looking to dethrone the reigning All Ireland Champions Galway in the All Ireland final.

County Senior Football Championship Round 3:

St. Kieran's 0.11 Fr. Casey's 0.7

The senior footballers made it three wins from three on Thursday evening last with an excellent four-point victory over the Abbeyfeale side to put us in an excellent position and all but secure a place in the knockout stages of the county championship. It was the Abbeyfeale men who began the brighter taking an early three points to one lead. From here the lads upped the temp of the game as Fr. Casey's played a largely possession orientated game which our defence stood up well against and capitalized by hitting them on the break with bursts of pace from the back. Up front our forwards were making the most of the space inside and scoring chances came to Seamus Mangan, Killian Enright and Sean McSweeney which were duly capitalized on. The second half saw us put together some excellent passages of play together and it was evident that both the physical and tactical hard yards that have been put in on the training paddock were being put into fruition. As the game drew to a conclusion and with a handsome lead at our disposal the team grew with confidence and came away with an excellent four-point win on top of our first and second round wins over Ballysteen and St. Patrick's as we now sit second in the group on score difference behind Newcastlewest who also have three wins from three so far this campaign and look to be the early pace setters. The manner of the win was very pleasing, once again our younger players stepped up to the mark and showed maturity beyond their years to secure our first championship win over Fr. Casey's in well over a decade. With this win we now face into a very important period which will undoubtedly make or break our season with two county championship games remaining against Newcastlewest and Oola. Victory in both game would see us top the group and go directly into the county semi-final. Following the weeks action, we now know our opponents in the 2018 West Senior football championship with Newcastlewest easily seeing off the challenge of Rathkeale in their semi-final encounter also on Thursday evening. At this moment in time no date has been set for the West final, but it is hoped it will take place within the next ten days' ahead of the All Ireland senior hurling championship final.

Team vs Fr. Casey's: Robert Bradley, Diarmuid Mulcahy, Johnny McCarthy, Paudie McCarthy, Liam Kennedy, Brendan McCarthy, Anthony Mullins, Darragh Treacy, Jack Harnett, Ray Cahill, Anthony Molyneaux, Noel Callanan, Sean McSweeney, Seamus Mangan, Killian Enright, John Doyle, Diarmuid Crowley, Ian Mackessy, Ray Noonan, Kevin Meade, Michael Murphy, Shane Lynch, Eoin Burke, Liam Upton, Niall O' Shea, Daniel Power, Darragh O' Connor

Minor Football:

The minor footballer had two games in the county championship during the past week, firstly losing out to Rathkeale in their round three encounter by three points before rebounding against the defending county champions Mungret/St. Pauls on Friday evening last in Coolcappagh with a 2.11 to 3.4 victory. With three games remaining against Ahane, Monaleen and Claughaun victory is vital if we are to stand any chance of progression into the county semi-final. This Friday evening the minor footballers make the journey to Castletroy where 2016 county champions Monaleen will provide the opposition in round 5. The game throws in at 7pm.

 

Minor Hurling:

The St. Kieran's /Askeaton minor hurling combination finished off the group phase of the west championship on Thursday evening last when they came up against a formidable Croagh/Kilfinny/Rathkeale side who have been making light work of all comers so far during the 2018 campaign. On the evening we had no answer to our opponents and succumbed to a heavy defeat. Following the completion of this phase of the championship we now advance to the West B semi final where we will meet Kileedy/Tournafulla next Tuesday evening. When the two sides met earlier in the championship we emerged victorious and if the lads can put in the same kind of performance on Tuesday they have a wonderful opportunity of advancing to the west final.

West Junior B Football Championship Round 4:

St. Kieran's 1.19 St. Senan's 3.11

The junior footballers got their second win of the campaign on Friday evening last when they made the short journey to a sun-drenched Ballyhahill where our near neighbours and reigning west and county league champions St. Senan's provided the opposition. Containing a very youthful side with all bar three of the starting fifteen under twenty five we began the game the brighter with early scores coming from the energetic Shane Lynch from midfield to give us the early lead. St. Senan's responded in fine fashion soon finding the back of the net leaving our keeper Raymond Noonan with little or no chance. While the Kieran's side was brimming with youthful exuberance St. Senan's had a far more experienced side containing many players with years of senior county championship experience. We led by five points at the break in no small part thanks to the scoring exploits of Niall O' Shea, Raymond Brouder and Shane Lynch. It is fair to say we took the foot off the pedal in the opening ten minutes of the second half and were caught napping by a Senan's side who were hell bent on getting back into the game. following two sloppy goals we soon found ourselves five points in arrears and had a huge task on our hands if we were to get back into the game and save our championship aspirations. As the game drew closer to the final whistle it was evident that the Senan's side began to tire and our youthful side capitalized on this with our defence beginning to tighten up and break forward in numbers. Evan Donovan capitalised on a moment of misfortune by the Senan's keeper, turning him over inside the small square to fire the ball into the back of the net and reduce the deficit to a single score. Confidence was now sky high as we went in search of the elusive winning scores. Late points from Shane Lynch and Ray Brouder gave us the win to maintain our interest in the championship. The manner of the win was extremely pleasing given the inexperienced nature of the squad. It is great to see so many of our younger players making themselves available for selection as the junior side is a great stepping stone for players into adult football. With two wins and two defeats from our four games, we have a bye in round five. Following the round five games we will have a much clearer outlook of where we stand in relation to the knockout stages.

Ray Noonan, Dan Barrett, Míchael Murphy, John Byrnes, Mike Upton, Eoin Burke, Liam Upton, Daniel Power, Shane Lynch, Niall O'Shea, Ray Brouder, John Buckley, Owen Hayes, Darragh Breen, Aenghus Gannon, Evan Donovan, Padraig Trant, Eamon Ambrose

 

In advance of the All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final St. Kieran's GAA and Ardagh District Recreation and Sporting Company are holding a "Lucky First Goal" fundraiser. Tickets are currently in distribution from our players / committee members at 1 for €2 or 3 for €5. If any members have their allocation of tickets sold we would ask that they return them to any club officer, club mentor or leave them in Neary's bar. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Tweet

Most Read Stories