Rathkeale GAA Club
Newcastlewest Crowned 2nd Annual Limerick Big Ball Club 7's Champions
After many months of preparation the highly anticipated 2nd annual Limerick Big Ball Club 7's tournament returned. As early as 7.00am on Saturday, July 15th, there was an air of optimism amongst the many volunteers who had turned up at Mick Neville to assist with the final tweaks as the sunshine made gallant attempts to breakout through the clouds. The four months of hard graft had been completed, the weather conditions were decent, the pitches looked outstanding, it was now time to simply enjoy the feast of football and celebrate the life of local GAA stalwart, Shane Hourigan. After a smooth registration period, followed by the management and referee briefing, the pulsating action swiftly followed after the national anthem was played throughout the grounds.
To say the competition was fierce was an understatement, with Newcastlewest, St Kierans and Claughaun indicating to be the early 'bookie favourites' winning all their respective matches in the early group games. Other teams showing early form were Rathkeale, Adare, Cappamore and of course Kildimo\Pallaskenry who would go on to win the hearts of the neutrals. Lunch time followed the competitive Group stages, when players and supporters took some time out to enjoy the various sustenance on offer catered by Rathkeale House Hotel and the vibrant tunes belted out by DJ Ray.
With everyone refreshed it was now down to the business end of the competition, the Preliminary knock outs were now to kick off. With everything now at stake there was no quarter given or spared, this was now championship 7's knock out football. The players duly responded, Adare edged out Ballysteen by 2 points, Kildimo\Pallaskenry overcame Oola in a thriller on a scoreline of 4-07 to 4-04. Over on pitch 3, Gerald Griffins has two points to spare over Cappamore and on Pitch 4 Fr Caseys put 3 goals past Monaleen to advance.
Only 8 teams now left, who was going to win the 2nd Annual Limerick Big Ball Club 7's, only time would tell? In the opening quarter final, Newcastlewest overpowered Adare by 2-08 to 1-05. Kildimo\Pallaskenry continued their good run and beat Claughaun by 2-07 to 2-05. St Kierans knocked out Gerald Griffins in an entertaining game on 3-11 to 2-10 while Rathkeale put 5 goals past Fr Caseys which aided them to a comfortable win.
Only three games now remaining. In the first semi-final, Rathkeale the hosts, were paired against local rivals Newcastlewest, the men in black and white would however prove too strong on the day and won on a scoreline of 5-08 to 2-08 to advance to the final. In the other semi-final Kildimo\Pallaskenry continued their remarkable run and they accounted for St Kierans with 3 points to spare. So down to the final, Kildimo\Pallaskenry versus Newcastlewest, the latter winning all their games to date. After a tight opening 5 minutes when Kildimo\Pallaskenry missed a few chances which seemed to hand the initiative to Newcastlewest who then went onto finish strongly finding the goals and points at the crucial stages to close out the game comfortably. Worthy winners they were, they were the only team to win 100% of their games and nobody can argue with their commitment and dominance on the day. Kildimo\Pallaskenry can take great pride in mixing it with the "Big Boys" and did themselves proud on the day, in what was their Limerick Big Ball Club 7's debut.
It was a fantastic day, a day that both players and supporters enjoyed and amidst all the fantastic colour, the feast of football on offer and the celebrations, Shane Hourigan would have been smiling down at Mick Neville Park. Special thanks to all the clubs and teams who made this a great occasion, without you we simply would not have had a competition. Also special thanks to our caterers, Rathkeale House Hotel, DJ Ray, Edmund Dollery for his wonderful photography. Special thanks to Downes Eurospar and our match program sponsors for your generous sponsorships. Also thanks must go to our organizing committee, volunteers, pitch-coordinators and of course all the referees, linesmen and umpires who gave up their day to be with us. Finally, the heartiest of congratulations to Newcastlewest who were crowned 2017 Limerick Big Ball Club 7's champions and picked up the Shane Hourigan memorial cup and an impressive Azzurri voucher to the value of 500 Euro. Roll on 2018!
Newcastlewest GAA Club - Presented with the Shane Hourigan Memorial Cup in the Limerick Big Ball Club 7's tournament hosted by Rathkeale GAA Club
Crucial Group Standings at a glance!
Next Senior Football Championship Outing - Rathkeale V Na Piarsaigh on Weekend of August 6th.
All County Football League Result - Monday July 17th - St Patricks 1-19 Rathkeale 1-16
Upcoming fixtures.
Tuesday 18th July at 7.30pm.
Co Premier Minor Football Championship.
Galbally V Rathkeale in Galbally.
Friday 21st July at 7.30pm.
West Junior B Football Championship.
Rathkeale V Ballysteen in Croagh.
Sunday 23rd July 7pm.
West Junior B Football Championship.
Adare V Rathkeale in Croagh.
Tuesday 25th July at 7.30pm.
West Minor-A Hurling Championship
Croagh/Kilfinny-Rathkeale V Clan Na Gael in The Bog Garden.
Club Limerick Draw -
Club members were delighted to visit the McEnery household recently to present Jim (Blondie) and Bernie McEnery with their €3000 2nd prize from the June edition of Club Limerick Draw. A lovely hour spent reminiscing about days of old. Jim, a renowned skilful hurler in his day, was more than happy to show us his medals that he won with Rathkeale and Western Gaels in the early sixties. Some highlights from Jim's career included his captaining St Marys Rathkeale in 1961 to win the West Junior hurling championship. Also Jim's two county senior hurling medals that he won with Western Gaels in 1961 and 1962 were on prominent display. All in all, a wonderful evening enjoyed by club members Pat Sheahan, James O'Connor and Anthony Frawley in the company of Jim and Bernie and their daughter Marguerite. Congrats to both Jim and Bernie. Enjoy the winnings.
Anthony Frawley present the Club Limerick Draw 2nd Prize to Jim & Bernie McEnerny
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