St. Mary's /Sean Finns GAA Club (Rathkeale)
March 15, 2010All-Ireland Final replay on Sunday 21st
The All-Ireland Final played by our Junior Hurlers on Sunday 14th March against St. Martin's team of Kilkenny ended in a draw. We must do it all again on Sunday 21st March in Raheenagh at 2pm. The game was a close contest with highs and lows for both teams and was a most exciting spectacle for any neutral viewers. Killeedy GAA who host this competition, are to be complimented for the superb management of the event. The playing field was in great condition, stewarding was well organised and the tasty refreshments provided to the large crowd in attendance were most welcome after the final whistle blew. During the first half, St. Mary's were playing with the wind and were on level terms on two occasions, after 15 minutes at 2 points each and after 30 minutes at six points. St Mary's owned the sliotar for the rest of the first half and the score-board read 0:09 for St. Mary's while St. Martin's had 0:07 when Willie Barrett of Tipperary blew the referee's whistle at half-time.
The players were in no doubt but the second half would be a serious task. Gerry Molyneaux and Pat O'Donnell made some positional switches and the game continued at a lightning pace. The massive crowd of supporters wearing blue and white willed the boys of St. Mary's over the line. The lads played some super hurling but were up against a serious outfit. Tit-for-tat scores were notched up by both teams and the wind-assisted St. Martin's levelled at 20 minutes with 0:13 apiece. The Kilkenny outfit went a point up at 25 minutes, but the lads in blue held resolute and were thrilled to see Shane Hourigan pointing a vital free to bring the game on level terms for the fourth time. St. Martins had two more scoring chances before the referee blew the final whistle but the magnificent defenders warded off a certain goal and the final free of the game for St. Martin's went wide. The final score read 0:14 for each team and all spectators left the pitch, looking forward to another chance to claim the much sought-after "Killeedy Cup".
The panel and scorers were as follows: Willie Coffey, Timmy O'Connor, Gary Enright, Gerard Frawley. Patrick Sheahan, Sean O'Shea, Paul Hogan, Damien Quaid, (0:2), Mark O'Sullivan, (0:2 Frees), Sean Sheahan, Keith Hartnett, (0:1), Shane Hourigan, (0:7, 1 sideline and 4 frees), Johnny Enright, Eoghan O'Connor, (0:2), Brian Duggan Robert 'Blackie' Byrnes, Jack Coleman, Brian Byrnes, Patrick Enright, Kevin O'Shea, Mike O'Sullivan, James O'Connor, Stephen Noonan, Padraig Jones, Derry White, Robert White and John O'Connor.
Following the game and refreshments, a "Man of the Match"award was presented to our fantastic No 5, Patrick Sheahan by Chris and Audrey Madigan of Madigan's Pub in Raheenagh. On returning to Rathkeale, players and supporters were treated to some delicious hot food by David Mann of Mann's Hotel, (Joint Main Sponsor of St. Mary's Jun. Hurling Team). David Mann and his friendly staff have been most generous to St. Mary's/Sean Finn's GAA and we appreciate this very much.
The players and management were thrilled with the supporters who travelled to Raheenagh on Sunday from our own parish as well as from many neighbouring parishes. We hope to see you all there again on Sunday 21st to give the lads every support to help them to achieve the pinnacle of the Junior-B dream. We extend thanks to Dr. Tom Curtin and Mary Sheahan who dealt with 1st Aid with their usual efficiency. The backroom staff dealing with hurleys and water was also kept busy and has earned our thanks.
Best wishes to our heroes next Sunday and may Lady Luck smile on St. Mary's.
16 page Supplement to Last weeks Observer
A special thanks is extended to in excess of 80 businesses, sporting organisations and individuals who were part of the Well-wishers who placed adverts in the 16-page supplement to last week's Weekly Observer. Your good wishes are much appreciated and the supplement is a lovely keep-sake for any Rathkeale supporters. Thanks also to the people in the Observer Newspaper who put the supplement together.
Victory Social on 27th March
Keep this date free. We will be celebrating our recent successes in Rathkeale House Hotel on Saturday 27th March with a victory social. This promises to be a great night with dinner and dancing to "Keep in Touch". On the night we will be presenting West, County, Munster (and hopefully All-Ireland medals) to our junior hurlers. Our Minor Football team of 2009 will also be presented with their County medals. Tickets, which are almost sold-out, are priced at €25 each.
Club Membership.
Club membership must be paid before games commence for the 2010 season or before 28 March at the latest. Membership rates are Adult €20, Under-18 €10, and Family €50. All players, officials, managers, selectors and supporters are asked to ensure that membership is paid to the club registrar (Philip O'Donnell) or any club officer or your team manager as soon as possible. No player can be allowed to play or train unless his or her membership is paid.
Under 16 Football
Under 16 Footballers will begin their Football competition very soon. Their opening game will be on Monday 29th March at 6.45pm away to Askeaton/ Ballysteen. Their Round 2 game will be a week later on 5th April at home to Drom/Broadford also at 6.45pm. Players will be notified about training.
County Under 21 Football Team
Congratulations to Limerick Under 21 Football team who had a great win against Clare in the opening round of the Munster campaign on Wednesday 10th March. This game was switched from the Gaelic Grounds to Cooraclare due to frost on the pitch in the original venue. Sean Finn's Club is honoured to have three lads playing on this team, being Damien Quaid, Patrick Sheahan and Eoghan O'Connor. Each of the lads gave a great account of their football ability on 10th. The next round of this Cadbury's U21 Football Championship will take place in Thurles this Thursday 18th March when Maurice Horan's boys in Green will take on Tipperary at 7.30pm.
Special Olympics Volunteers needed
Many Special Olympic athletes really appreciated the opportunity to be Guard of Honour as the Limerick and Cork teams entered the playing pitch for their hurling game recently. These wonderful athletes have been busy training and preparing for a major event in their lives on 9th to 13th June when Limerick will host the Special Olympics. In preparation for June, an All-Ireland Collection Day will take place across the 32 counties on Friday 23rd April. Volunteer collectors are needed to collect on the day at various strategic locations throughout the country. More volunteers are required for helping out in June during the events. If you feel you can help in any way please get in touch with the Special Olympics CEO.
Fixtures
Thurs 18th Mar: Limerick U21 Football V Tipperary in Thurles at 7.30pm.
Sun 21st March: Junior-B All-Ireland Final Replay in Raheenagh at 2pm, St. Mary's V St. Martin's.
Mon. 29th March: U16 Football: Sean Finn's V Askeaton/Ballysteen away at 6.45pm.
Mon 5th Apr.:U16 Football: Sean Finn's V Drom/Broadford at Home at 6.45pm. Tweet
