Jack 'Bett' Enright RIP
St. Kieran's GAA club would like to express our sympathies to the Enright family Ardagh on the bereavement of Jack 'Bett' Enright who passed away last week. An All Ireland Junior Hurling Championship medal winner with Limerick in 1957 Jack Bett was undoubtedly one of the finest players to ever grace the field of play for his native Ardagh and Kilcolman and will be sorely missed by everyone within the parish. We extend sympathy to his wife Breda, sons John, and David, daughters Deirdre, Aileen, Carmel, Ann Marie and Maeve, Sisters Nora, Kitty, Bridie, (and Peggy sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends. In particular we extend our sympathies to Deirdre who has done tremendous work over the past number of years as Secretary of Bord Na Nóg and were it not for this work the club would not be in the strong position it is today both on and off the field of play. His last match attending in support of Saint Kieran's was the Munster Junior Hurling Final in Mallow last December and it gave him great satisfaction to see his beloved St. Kieran's capture west and County Junior Hurling Championship honours in 2012. Ar dheis de go raibh a ainm.

Our Hero Jack 'Bett' by Tom Aherne
In our little corner of Limerick around Ardagh our hero was Jack Beth Enright, an All Ireland Junior medal winner with Limerick in 1957. We listened with childhood innocent enthusiasm to all the tales of heroic deeds associated with the legendary figure. He cut an imposing figure with his jet black hair, falling into his eyes, as he delivered another sweeping clearance out the field from his full back position. He came from Kilscannell (the Church of Scannal ) one mile from the village, and farming was his occupation. He grew up beside the Railway track, and grew accustomed to the sound of the whistle at a very young age. The passing trains took many of his friends, to fulfil their dreams in far off places, but Jack remained to create his own life of achievements. The club meant a lot to him and he stayed loyal to the cause in good and not so good times. With a stronger club and playing at a higher level he would no doubt have won far more honours, and gained county recognition far earlier. The Bett nickname was to discern the family from the other Enright's in the locality. Born in the early years of the thirties, he grew up in a country trying to move forward from it's troubled past, and onto a better future. Events during the decade included the following. The Eucharistic Congress was held in Dublin in 1932. The first Air Lingus flight between Dublin and Britain took place in 1936 and World War 2 was declared in 1939. Songs at the time included ''on the sunny side of the street'' ''Love is the sweetest thing'' and ''September in the rain'', and the thunder and lighting All Ireland Hurling final was played in Croke Park. In the Ardagh area, work and money was scarce, and Gaelic games, provided an outlet for the youth of the locality. It was in the local fields around Ardagh that Jack honed his skills that were to progress him to the top venues of the country.

He played his first game for his club in April 1947 aged fourteen years old, and it was against Tournafulla in the West Minor hurling Championship. They won the match by 6-9 to 0-6 and he lined out in goals, and he gave a brilliant performance. In the next round they lost to old rivals Newcastle West by 13-02 to 0-2. Thus began an illustrious career with the concession of thirteen goals. Playing with a small rural club can have more lowlights, than highlights, and one year a team could be strong and the next year weak due to emigration. In the Saint Kieran's G.A.A. Yearbook in 1992 Jack recalls the 1940 West Final meeting of Granagh and Ardagh played in Rathkeale. He remembers walking along the Railway line to watch those great players strive for the title. The match was a draw, and Ardagh lost the replay despite giving a good account of themselves, being short three of their strong players, Lee Stack, Denis Ryan, and Charlie Mullins. Jack remembers this game with great fondness, as his brother Michael was playing in goals, and was later killed in the War. It is worth recalling the team that day. Michael Enright, Jimmy Egan, Bill Barrett, Tim Naughton, Denis Kevin, Mick Sheahan, Martin Ambrose, John Magner, Mick Barrett, Kevin Magee, Joe Flynn, Bill Downes, Dan Sheahan, Martin Fitz, Jim Quinn, Absent due to religious obligations were Lee Stack, Denis Ryan, Charlie Mullins. He also recalls the saga of the Askeaton Hurling Tournament in 1939. Ardagh captained by his brother Michael won the semi-final after three games, helped by a ninety yard free scored by John Magner. The final was not played until 1958; nineteen years later, when Ardagh won, defeating Ballingarry and the team was captained by Jack himself.

The highlight of Jack's career came in 1957 when he helped Limerick to Munster and All Ireland Junior Hurling honors. He played full forward on the team, and scored in every match. They beat Waterford by 5-9 to 3-4 in the Munster semi-final, at Kilmallock on 5th May. Cork was defeated by 2-10 to 1-10 in the Munster final at Buttevant on 21ST July. They went on to defeat Wexford in the All Ireland semi final, by 6-8 to 7-7 at Limerick Gaelic Grounds. and Galway by 7-15 to 5-8 in the All Ireland Home final, at Croke Park. Limerick defeated London by 5-12 to 2-5 in the All Ireland Final at Limerick Gaelic Grounds on 12th October. The team was Gerry Casey, Tom O'Donnell, Paddy O'Connor, Tom O'Dwyer, Denny Mc Carthy, Johnny Dooley, John Nealon, Liam Hogan, Mick Savage, Mick O'Shea, Joe Shanahan, Micky Sheehan, Paddy Ryan, Jack Enright, John Barry, Reserves. R Mc Grath, J Sheehan, J Elliott, M O'Riordan, J Milea.

The Limerick Senior hurling team was the next step up for Jack, and the highlight here was reaching the National Hurling League in 1958. John D Hickey the Gaelic games correspondent with The Irish Independent Newspaper described it as the greatest ever hurling match he saw. A great Wexford team defeated a gallant Limerick by 5-7 to 4-8 and Jack played full back and held that great forward Tim Flood scoreless.
Jack won two County Senior Hurling Championship with Western Gaels in 1961, and 1962. He played left full back on the 1961 team that beat Treaty Sarsfield's by 7-4 to 0-9 on 8th October, at Pairc Na nGael. The team was Liam Scanlon, Tom Galvin,(Captain) Willie Sheahan, Jack Enright, Jim Mc Enery, Murt O 'Connor, Michael O'Brien, (Granagh) Georgie Shire, Owen Mc Auliffe, Jimmy Stapleton, Jim Begley. Michael O' Brien, (Feenagh) Gerry Fitzgerald, Rory Kiely, Paddy Sammon. He played at full- forward in 1962 when they defeated Kilmallock by 4-5 to 4-3 before a record crowd at Pairc Na nGael on 21st October. The team was Pa Clancy, Tom Galvin, Willie Sheahan, Tom Markham, (Captain) Kevin Long, Murt O'Connor, Michael O'Brien, (Granagh) Owen Mc Auliffe, Georgie Shire, Jimmy Stapleton, Jim Begley, Michael O'Brien, (Feenagh) Paddy Kiely, Jack Enright, Martin Geary. Subs. Paddy Sammon, Pierce Stapleton.

Jack also played with Saint Ciarans (Ardagh-Knockaderry-Rathkeale, combination) in the 1965 County Senior Hurling final. The team was defeated by Patrickswell by 2-16 to 0-4 at The Gaelic Grounds on 24th October. The team was Pa Clancy, Tom Mc Namara, Jack Enright, Tom Mackessy, Tom Markham, Sean Egan, Jimmy Mc Enery, Michael Sweeney, Johnny Doolan, Sean Moloney, Sean Mc Carthy, Mike Shiels, Dave Wall, Noel Wilmott, Jim Begley. He won a County Football medal with Western Gaels in 1960 but he did not line out in the final against Treaty Sarsfield. He played in all the matches up to the County semi final, but that day he went to the All Ireland final and he was not picked for the final. Jack played with Kilcolman-Ardagh in the 1957 County Junior Football Final, but the team lost to Galtee Gaels 2-3 to 0-1 at Kilmallock on 8th December.
In the Western Division he was a member of the Coolcappagh/Ardagh team that defeated Banogue in the 1956 Junior Hurling final. They celebrated in great style, only to lose the Championship later on following an objection, to players on the wrong side of the stream. He had better fortune in the West Football Championship winning three junior medals. Kilcolman/ Ardagh defeated Castlemahon in both 1957 and 1958 and with a little luck and less emigration more titles could have been won. The lean years were experienced in the sixties, due to emigration, injuries, and retirements, but Jack remained a loyal clubman. He brought the curtain down on a great career, in 1970 when Kilcolman won the West Junior Football Championship. He played full forward on the team that defeated Saint Mary's Rathkeale by 5 pts to 2 pts, at Newcastle West Gaelic Grounds on 18th October.
Jack Bett received further acclaim in 1989 when he was named on the Best West Limerick Hurling Team of the previous 25 years. He was picked at full back on the star studded team, and honored at their function. In 2001 he received the West Limerick G.A.A. Board Hall of Fame Award which was so richly deserved for a man who gained widespread recognition for his hurling exploits on the playing fields of Ireland. His golden years covered the fifties, and early sixties, when he graced the playing arena, with tremendous displays for Club, and County. He excelled in defense and attack showing grit and determination, and a will to win that rallied his team mates, when the need was greatest. He rates Billy Dwyer of Kilkenny Liam Dowling Cork, and Johnny Kiely of Waterford as the most difficult opponents he encountered at Inter County level. At local level Kevin Long from Feenagh, and Paddy Sammon from Newcastle West, were hard to subdue. Mick O'Shea from Treaty Sarsfield's was the best hurler he ever saw play. Only for a recurring knee injury he could have been another Mackey or Ring was his opinion. He would advise young players, to practice and to perfect the skills, of gaelic games, and to always enjoy the involvement of playing our native games. Jack never drank before a game, but three or four pints of Guinness the night before would be okey.
When he retired from the game, he became a great follower of Gaelic games, and he could be seen at most venues supporting club or County teams. His daughter Deirdre, and his grandchildren continue the family tradition in Gaelic games at present. There are so many stories told about his mischievous ways, and incidents from his playing days, which should be recorded in book form for posterity. The people of Ardagh and beyond are proud of Jack Bett Enright a great character, and a true hurling legend and long may he enjoy good health and happiness.

West Junior 'B' Football League Semi Final: St. Kieran's 1.8 Athea 1.5
The Junior Footballers qualified for the west league final for the third consecutive year with a hard earned but deserved victory over Athea on Friday evening last. Played in excellent conditions in Tournafulla where the surface was like a carpet we were slow to start as the physically stronger Athea side were dominant in the opening ten minutes as we struggled to find our feet. Athea's forwards were causing us a lot of problems at the back as they moved the ball quickly into open space. Fortunately for our part they failed to capitalize on their early possession due to wasteful shooting and some good defending in the full back line from Ivan Neary, John O' Connor and Chris Madigan. Once we got on the board we settled and got ourselves into the game and never looked back. up front Ian Mackessy was dangerous throughout while Tony Doyle operating at full forward was a source of major concern for the Athea full back line throughout the game. First half scores came from Brian Crowley and Anthony Liston before Tony Doyle got the major breakthrough when he got onto the end of a long range pass from midfield to fire past the helpless Athea goalkeeper. We received a major boost midway through the opening half when Athea were reduced to fourteen men when they had a man sent off for an off the ball offence. In truth we found it hard to operate with the extra man which is an area for improvement. The game was won in the opening ten minutes of the second half as we exerted our dominance. The full forward line was now beginning to win a lot of primary possession while Mark Collins, Padraig Trant and Pa Brouder in the half back line were now driving forward with determination at every opportunity. Scores continued to come from Brian Crowley, Sean O' Connor and Aengus Gannon which increased our lead. Athea to their credit kept battling and at times it appeared as if they had the extra man at their disposal. With ten minutes to go Athea piled on the pressure as we fought for our lives to maintain our lead. Athea were then awarded a dubious penalty in the closing five minutes which was coolly slotted away into the corner of the net. The lads defended with their lives in the closing stages as Athea came forward in droves but to no avail as time was on our side as we advanced to another league final. Glin will provide the opposition in the coming week having comprehensively seen off the challenge of St. Senan's in the other semi final. When both sides met earlier in the league they provided us with a stern challenge as we came away with a three point win.
Team: 1: Tommy Quinn, 2: Ivan Neary, 3: John O' Connor, 4: Chris Madigan, 5: Mark Collins, 6: Pa Brouder, 7: Padraig Trant, 8: Sean O' Connor, 9: Aengus Gannon, 10: Ian Mackessy, 11: Brian Crowley, 12: Mike Enright, 13: Anthony Liston, 14: Tony Doyle, 15: Owen Hayes, 16: Kevin Crowley, 17: Shane Lynch, 18: Nicky Kelly, 19: Declan Greaney, 20: Raymond Noonan, 21: Patrick Liston
County Senior Football League Round 3: St. Kieran's 2.9 Adare 1.14
The senior footballers travelled to Adare on Sunday evening for round 3 of the county league in the hope of building on their promising performance in the previous round and obtaining a further two points. We began the game slowly as Adare's pacey forward line put us under a lot of pressure. Once we got settled we played some excellent spells of football getting some fine scores along the way. In truth it was a game we should have won were it not for a number of dubious refereeing decisions which went against us. Despite this we played a good brand of direct football letting the ball go when the opportunities arose. In our next league game we play Monaleen next week as we continue our preparations for our next big goal for the season Round 2 of the County Championship against Newcastlewest next month.
Team vs. Adare: Team: 1: Tommy Quinn, 2: Mike Windle, 3: Patrick Windle, 4; John O' Connor, :, 5: Brendan McCarthy, 6: Mike Flynn, 7: Kevin Meade, 8: John Doyle, 9: Jack Harnett, 10: Diarmuid Crowley, 11: Anthony Molyneaux, 12:Ray Cahill, 13: Anthony Liston, 14: Chris Madigan, 15:Sean McSweeney, 16 Owen Hayes: 17: Kevin Crowley, 18: Mike Enright

Membership:
Club membership for the coming year is now due. Membership costs for the year are €5 for juvenile (all players u16), €10 for students, €20 for adults and €30 per family. The final date for payment for membership is June 1. It is absolutely essential that all players pay their membership fees as any player who has not paid their fees will not be allowed to take to the field of play in 2013 and the club will not be responsible for looking after an injured player if they do not pay their membership fees. All players can pay their membership feed to their respective management teams or any club officers. The Bord Na Nóg club will hold a registration evening in the coming weeks for all underage players.

Fixtures:
Thursday West Junior 'B' Hurling League vs. Knockaderry in Knockaderry at 7. 30
Monday June 3 West Junior 'B' Hurling League vs. Feohanagh/Castlemahon
Tuesday June 4 County Intermediate Hurling League vs. Claughaun in Coolcappagh
Wednesday June 5 County Senior Football League vs. Monaleen
Friday June 7 West Junior 'B' Football League Final vs. Glin
Sunday June 9 West Junior 'B' Football League vs. Sean Finns

St Kierans Bord na nÓg

Fixtures
U14 Hurling - Wednesday 29th May St Kierans V Castletown/Ballyagran at 7.00pm in Coolcappagh. Players are asked to be at the field for 6.30pm.
U12 Football - Phase 2 of the U12 Football league will start this Thursday 30th May - no fixtures at the time of writing - players will be notified by text
U14 Football - Wednesday 5th May St Kierans V Athea at 7.00pm in Coolcappagh.

Results
U12 Hurling St Kierans 1-3 Knockaderry 1-1
U12 Football St Kierans 1-2 Fr Casey's 0-5
U14 Football St Kierans 6-6 Kileedy 1-2

Cúl Camp
The Cul Camp will take place in Coolcappagh from Monday 1st July to Friday 5th July. Booking forms will be available at a later date - however you can book online www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie from April 1st and save €5 with the code from promotional packs of Kellogg's Cornflakes and Rice Krispies.

Best of luck
Best of luck to all our members who start Leaving & Junior Cert exams next week. Go n-éirí go geal libh go léir.

Training
U8 Hurling training every Tuesday evening 6.30pm - 7.30pm in Ardagh.
U8 Football training every Thursday evening 6.30pm - 7.30pm in Ardagh
U10 Football training every Tuesday evening 6.30pm - 7.30pm in Ardagh
U10 hurling training every Thursday evening 6.30pm - 7.30pm in Ardagh
U12 Hurling training every Monday evening 6.30 to 7.15pm in Ardagh followed by football training until 8.00pm.
U14 Hurling & Football training every Wednesday evening 6.30- 8.00pm in Ardagh .
Any changes to training will be notified by text. If you are not receiving texts please notify Deirdre Ambrose 087 9509218

Mouthguards
Please note that it is mandatory to use a mouthguard in all Gaelic football matches and training sessions since January 1st 2013.

Membership
Membership for 2013 is now overdue. Membership is €5 per child and €30 per family. Players are asked to pay their membership immediately. If a player gets injured playing for St Kierans and has not paid their membership the Club will not be responsible for looking after their medical expenses. Membership can be paid to Deirdre Ambrose or any team mentor.

Training in Ardagh
Parents/Guardians of children playing/training in Ardagh we would ask you to respect the people living in the area and not to park directly in front of their houses or block access.

U8 Football Blitz:
We participated in an under 8 blitz organized by Father Casey's in Abbeyfeale last Sunday morning. This was a very well attended event with St. Kieran's, Gerald Griffin's, Monagae, Athea and the host club Ft. Casey's all taking part. We had a large turnout and all the players benefited from a lot of game time as we played three matches. The panel was as follows: Sean Long, Eoghan Liston, Oisín Ryan, Sinéad Kelly, Luke Corrigan, Oisín Commane, Cathal Daly, Josh Daly, Molly Murphy, Tadhg Dinneen, Antonia Madigan, Gavin Moloney, Rebecca Moloney, Jack Flavin, Tadhg Heffernan, Cliona Heffernan. Tweet

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