PREMIER INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP: Kildimo/Pallaskenry 1-18 Garryspillane 0-17. Our Premier Intermediate hurlers, sponsored by Champion Sliotars/Team Car Flag Ireland, had a superb victory over Garryspillane in Caherconlish. It was a really hard-fought match, both sides went at tooth and nail but our lads just had enough to get over the line. It means that we go into a 3-month break in Championship still unbeaten, and now having got a serious confidence boost. This is a very strong Garryspillane team; a side who were only beaten after a replay in last year's final and have added a number of players from last year's Premier Minor champions. They are a serious outfit and this is a victory that shows that we are not just at this grade to make up the numbers, we mean business!

 

But it was by no means easy, it was not all plain sailing, we had to work for it. Garryspillane were the better team in the first half, and led for long periods throughout the game. We did open the scoring, with a '65 converted by Liam Griffin. Liam was deadly accurate all evening, finishing with a 100% conversion rate from placed balls. The opening stages were hard-fought but quite low-scoring. Garryspillane levelled, but the score was still just a point apiece after ten minutes. During this time, Luke O'Keeffe and Kevin O'Connell both laid a marker for the game ahead, putting in some great tackles and clearing plenty of ball. But at this point, we weren't making much inroads against the stern Garryspillane defence and they landed a couple of points to open up a lead. After we had hit a number of wides from out the field, we just needed a score to settle us down and Liam showed some great leadership to land our first score from open play. But Garryspillane were on top, and managed to open their lead out to three points on a scoreline of 0-5 to 0-2.

 

It hadn't been the best of starts but there was no reason for the heads to drop; we came back strongly at that point. We managed to win a couple of frees inside their '45, which Liam duly converted and then the game was levelled by the excellent Ruairí Maher, who put in a fine display of sharpshooting from both in the full-forward line and at centre-forward. Garryspillane restored their lead with the next score of the day before it was responded to by a man making his first Championship start, Adam Butler. He stepped inside his man and struck a beautiful score straight over the black spot. This was followed up with another pointed free for Liam, which meant that we were back in the lead for the first time since the opening minutes. The game was always nip-and-tuck and a couple of points in a row for the Bouncers, including a free, put them back into the lead before we had what was arguably the score of the game. A long puck-out from John Chawke was sent down on top of Cían Hayes, who plucked it from the sky brilliantly before showing fantastic awareness to pick out Ruairí Maher in space on the left wing, and he made no mistake to level matters once more. It was a wonderful score, from the puckout to the aerial prowess to the finish but another free before the break saw Garryspillane take in a slender lead at the break on a scoreline of Kildimo/Pallaskenry 0-8 Garryspillane 0-9.

 

The lads knew that they had wasted some opportunities in the first half, and were infinitely more economical in the second half, only hitting two wides in the second period. We had matters level early in that half, with Ruairí Maher again on the scoresheet as he found a bit of space at centre-forward. But a couple of scores in a row from Garryspillane meant we had to respond, and Liam Griffin was again the man to do so, landing two more sweetly struck frees. It was a real battle at this stage, the likes of Kyle Hayes and Peter Nash were doing Trojan work while Lorcan O'Leary was having an absolute stormer at centre-back. Particular mention must also go to Kevin O'Connell; puckout after puckout was rained down upon his man but Kevin stood strong and didn't let his opponent win a single one. Two more frees for Garryspillane again opened up a two-time advantage and while some of us spectating were getting nervous, the players never once panicked. A powerful run from Kyle Hayes right through the middle resulted in him being fouled, with Liam converting another free before Ruairí was on target yet again, with his fourth point from open play, an absolute beauty from the sideline. However, Garryspillane did manage to edge their noses back in front before we really roared into life.

 

Robert McKeogh was starting to get on more ball and deliver excellent ball to the men inside, while Darren O'Connell had won a free in the first half, and was dangerous whenever the ball did make its way to him. He managed to win a good ball before being half-fouled by a back. He continued his run before he was taken out en route to goal. He took some heavy blows but Liam was able to convert the resulting free to level the game once more. The next ball that came Darren's way resulted in a point from play; Darren sprinted past his marker down the right wing before sending the ball over the bar, to the delight of the crowd behind him. We hadn't been in the lead in the second half and now with less than 15 minutes to go, we were in front. But the key score of the game was the next one, and luckily it did come our way. Barry O'Connell, who created a lot of chances in the second half, was fouled on the right wing about 80 yards from goal. Up came John Chawke from goals, our long free specialist, and he landed the ball in around the square which caused utter mayhem in the Garryspillane backline. In the confusion, it took an awkward bounce off the ground and found its way into the back of the net. A goal in a tight game like this was always going to be crucial and John was more than happy to deliver.

 

Garryspillane did respond with a free of their own (that went over the bar), before Conor Staff was hauled to ground as he ran through on goal. Liam, unerring as ever, restored that crucial four-point advantage. Conor was very prominent in the closing minutes and we managed to open it out to five when he popped a point over the bar, set up by a clever handpass from Ruairí Maher. Garryspillane would hammer at our goal, but the full-back line stood up very well under pressure. Luke O'Keeffe took a couple of blows but battled in, showing great maturity for a player so young; Tony McCarthy was safe as house all afternoon and made a couple of key interventions when needed while Peter Nash won a huge amount of dirty ball in those closing minutes. Garryspillane did create some goal chances in an effort to close the deficit, but John Chawke is not only capable of raising green flags at one end, he's able to keep them out at the other. He made some superb stops, showing fantastic reflexes and just good decision-making, standing strong when he needed too.

 

Our opponents did cut the gap to just that goal with a couple of points in a row, but thanks to the efforts of John and the full-back line in front of him, that goal did not come. We have always said that we need to have a panel at this level, and Jack O'Keeffe made a big impact from the bench today. The first ball that came his way, he took on the defence and he cleverly carried it into a scoring position, stepped outside a defender before sending the ball between the posts. It was a fantastic score, and it was the insurance one, which really closed out the game. Into injury time, Garryspillane did go for goal again but again John made the saves and it was fitting that the game finished with Lorcan O'Leary claiming the ball, as he had all evening long, a fine performance from the Ballymartin man at centre-back.

 

We had seven different scorers, but we had contributions from every single player on the pitch. The work rate was top notch, but players played unselfishly: setting up chances for each other, taking hits to win frees, making runs to open space for others. It was a really good team performance, particularly in the second half, against what is a very strong Garryspillane side. It's fantastic to be heading into the break with 3 points from a possible 4. We now have a number of players involved with various county teams, and we'd like to wish the best of luck to all of them. We've got even more players doing the Leaving Cert in June, so we'd also like to wish them the best of luck. And we have a number of players out injured who are currently rehabbing and will hopefully be back involved by the next time we line out in Championship. As for now, it's great to get our first win at this grade and thanks to Chris Sexton and his backroom team of Damien Gillane, Pat Enright, Jim Maher, Paudie Daly, Éanna McGarrigle, John Sheehan, Gary Murphy and of course, Alan Fitzgerald for all their efforts and we know there's plenty more to come in 2018.

 

Team: John Chawke (1-0, free); Kevin O'Connell, Tony McCarthy, Luke O'Keeffe; Peter Nash, Lorcan O'Leary, Robert McKeogh; Kyle Hayes, Liam Griffin (0-10, 0-9 frees); Barry O'Connell, Ruairí Maher (0-4), Conor Staff (0-1); Darren O'Connell (0-1), Cían Hayes, Adam Butler (0-1)

 

Subs: Jack O'Keeffe (0-1) for Adam Butler (55 mins)

 

JUNIOR B HURLING: Our junior B hurlers are set for their first outings of the year next week. We face Mungret on bank holiday Monday, May 7 in Mungret at 12 noon. This will be followed up with a match in Kildimo on Thursday, May 10 against Claughaun. With plenty of intermediate panellists having yet to play a Championship match; combined with some promising younger players from this year's minors and U-21 teams as well as some older, experienced heads; there should be a good panel of players available and we would ask that those who are interested in playing hurling for the club come along.

 

Any players wishing to play must be registered in advance, so please contact club registrar, Pat Culloo, to ensure you are registered before this game at 086 2224653.

 

LIMERICK U-21 HURLERS: The Limerick U-21 hurlers are out to defend their All-Ireland throne also on bank holiday Monday, May 7 against Clare in Cusack Park, Ennis at 6.45pm. Best of luck to Kyle Hayes, who captains the Limerick U-21s, and to Darren O'Connell, who is also on the team, ahead of this first round clash!

 

U-16 HURLERS: Our U-16 hurlers were out again last Monday, April 23 and despite a battling performance, ended up on the wrong side of the result against what were a strong Hospital/Herbertstown side. This week's game is against Na Piarsaigh.

 

GUMSHIELDS: Please remember that all footballers, from U-6 up to adult level, require gumshields for both training and matches. Can parents please ensure that their children have gumshield for training. These can be purchased locally in Mace Kildimo and Champion Hurleys, Pallaskenry.

 

CLUB LOTTO RESULTS: Monday April 23 2018.

JACKPOT: €11,000

Winning Numbers: 1, 21, 22, 26.

 

There was no winner of the overall jackpot.

 

Lucky Dip Winners: 1. Joan Howard; 2. M McCormack; 3. F Healy; 4. G Warner

 

Next draw- Monday April 30 and the jackpot has now risen to €11,100! For anyone who would like to join the club lotto, please contact any club committee member, any of our lotto committee or email [email protected]. An annual subscription is €100 and weekly tickets are on sale locally in shops and pubs across the parish.

 

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION: Congratulations to all our club members in Kildimo who made their first Holy Communion last Saturday!

 

CLUB SHOP: Our online club shop has a number of new items including the new team jerseys, as well as a wide range of training gear. Please see the club website, Facebook page or Team App for the link to the online shop.

 

REGISTRATION: The deadline for registration has passed and anybody who is not registered is not insured and not eligible to play or train with the club. Any player who wishes to play with the club this season must register as a matter of urgency. Registration forms can be downloaded from the Club Documents section of the Team App; or contact registrar Pat Culloo.

 

TEAM APP: It is the club's intention that this will be the only communication platform this year once all up and running. If any assistance is needed on how to download the Team App, please ask any of the coanches.

 

BÓRD NA NÓG: Training schedules for underage teams from U-6 up to U-16 can be found on the Team App; all teams have now re-commenced. Any new members are more than welcome. Parents, please ensure that your children have the correct-sized hurleys, helmets, mouthguards, shin guards and drink at trainings. Hurley's and mouthguards can be purchased locally from Champion Hurley's. We also are on the lookout for more parents to get involved in helping out with coaching our younger members, please contact Ger Mc Mahon 086 8108916. We really do need as much help as possible, so please get involved with your children's teams and help make the club the strong, vibrant unit it can be!

 

CLUB LIMERICK DRAW: The second CLUB Limerick Draw of the year took place last Saturday, April 28 and the club had a second winner in a row with Karen O'Brien winning €100. There are eight further draws to take place this year, with a subscription costing €10 per month.

The CLUB Limerick Draw is a vital factor in the success of our County teams, it raises much needed funds for all our clubs to the tune of €400,000. Kildimo Pallaskenry GAA are very fortunate to have a great number of young and senior players represent our club on the intercounty scene. The CLUB Limerick Draw will also help the development of the Gaelic Grounds and Mick Neville Park, to make it a centre of excellence with four full-size pitches including synthetic pitch, flood lighting & ball alley. Remember each month there will be 30 guaranteed cash prizes with a top prize of €12,000 & a star car prize in December worth €25,000.

 

You can play online http://limerickgaa.ie/clublimerick-draw-signup/, or contact any club member or call/e-mail Siobhan in the Limerick GAA Office 061-335516 / [email protected]. If you would like to take part, follow the links above or pay monthly to any club members: Trish O'Dowd, Tom O'Connell, Tony O'Brien, Sean Cuddihy or Niall Kelly.

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