U8 Play & Stay Blitz
This takes place in Robinstown at 10:30am this coming Saturday, May 8th. The play and stay blitz is a ground hurling tournament that takes place between all local hurling clubs. We'd ask all Under 8 players with their parents to assemble at St Oliver Plunketts pitch in Robinstown at 10:15am on Saturday morning. Any boys born in 2002 or after that may have been with Mark in the Nursery a few weeks ago should endeavour to come down to partake in the event. Also there are a few U8s that are also training with Ciaran at U10s training also to be present. Mark will send a text during the week regarding meeting up. Also, if there are any youngsters of this age living in Mullingar wishing to join the club, we'd be delighted to see you down there on the day!! Contact Mark Landy for more info - (086) 8197607

U10 & U12 Training:
U10 training has recommenced in Robinstown and takes place on Thursdays from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. (Contact Ciaran Donoghue 087 6421158) This week also, U12s are moving their training forward and will be from 6:30pm to 8pm every Thursday. (Contact Mark Landy 086 8197607)


U12 Match Reports
There were mixed fortunes for our U12 teams last Wed evening. The greens travelled to Delvin while the whites faced the visit of Southern Gaels in Robinstown. With a very young team out, the whites matched the Athlone boys all through the first half. With ground hurling being the priority, both sides had goal chances, but failed to take them and went into half time level. In the second half, the Gaels were superior in the air and the whites were unfortunate to lose out at the end. Best on the night for the whites were Killian White, Mark McCullagh-Crichton, Aaron Morrisey, Aaron Kelly, Brian Reidy, Cormac Donoghue, Jamie Kindregan & Seán Mahon. The U12 management was delighted with the effort put in by these youngsters. In Delvin meanwhile, the Greens produced another gutsy display to defeat the valley boys. Plunketts dominated both halves and were in no real danger at any stage, though as always and not surprisingly Delvin kept going to the very end. Any Delvin attacks were quickly suppressed by the tight full backs of Dylan Byrne and Robbie Kindregan, while Conor McKenna gave yet another assured display between the posts. Seán O'Brien's early point settled the visitors while Aidan Keenas well taken flick to the back of the net in the first half gave a good platform for the remainder of the game. Mark Whaley chipped in with 1-1 along with a superb point from Reece Coyne and another from Craig Reilly. Sean O'Brien made up the rest of the points from open play and placed balls. Best for Plunketts on the day were Conor McKenna, Reece Coyne, Robert Kindregan, Dylan Byrne and Andrew Connaughton while Dale Conlon, Jamie Fitzgerald and Conor Mount had some encouraging moments also. The match ended 0-3 to 2-6 to Plunketts. Both teams march on and look forward to the next adventure - the visit of Lough Lene Gaels for the greens, while the whites make the short trip to Cullion on Wed 5th May. Whites Squad - Brian Carter(C) , Killian White, Dara White, Nathan Woods, Dwayne McCullagh, Mark McCullagh Crichton, Seán Mahon, Jamie Kindregan, Aaron Morrisey, Aaron Kelly, Brian Reidy, Evan Donoher, Cormac Donoghue, Michael McDonnell and Padhraic McKenna. Greens squad: Conor McKenna, Robert Kindregan(C), Dylan Byrne, Conor Mount, Sean O Brien, Craig Reilly, Mark Whaley, Calem Crichton, Reece Coyne, Jamie Fitzgerald, Aidan Keena, Gary Greville, Ross Corroon, Andrew Connaughton, Callum Wilson & Dale Conlon.

OPHC Under 14
Our U14 Hurlers travelled to Delvin last Thursday evening in the first game of the League, where they achieved a comprehensive victory over the home team. The game was effectively won after the first seven minutes by which time corner forward Sean O'Brien had scored a 'hat trick' of goals. The dominance of Conor O'Brien and Luke Byrne in defence was matched by the clinical finishing of O'Brien Sean Lee and Niall Kevin in the forwards. Overall it was a highly efficient display by our boys with some great hurling from Ryan Purcell, Darren Carter, Luke Byrne, Danny Purcell, Sean Kelly, Patrick Lynam, Conor Bracken (Capt), Darragh Gray and the aforementioned O'Brien's, Lee and Kevin. Well done to all. Our next match is at home to Raharney on Tuesday evening at 7pm.

Successful Street League wraps up for 2010
Another successful street league finished last Saturday. The project was on a smaller scale to last year, but was just as effective in encouraging young people from around the town to try their hand at hurling. A lot of club hurlers were already back training with their respective clubs, and so didn't partake in this year's league. This worked out well as it left room for novices and starters from around the town to have the proper opportunity to play hurling with kids of their own grade. This made it all the more enjoyable for these kids and that was the whole objective of the street league, to bring the game to youngsters who had never played before. Also this year, teams were mixed up which led to further integration between different communities from different backgrounds. All in all, this tournament over the past two years has worked out well from a social and a sporting perspective with an increase in interest in hurling visible in the local schools and estates around Mullingar and more youngsters joining the local hurling clubs also.

Well Done
Well Done yet again to our minor club players - Aaron Craig, Davy Gavin, Patrick Laide & Neil "Shovels" Chevalier - over their recent deserved success against Laois in the minor hurling championship. Pat O'Brien will have his charges focused solely on their meeting with the Faithful County in a few weeks time to see who'll reach the semi-final. We wish them the best of luck!

Club Membership Fees 2010
Fees are now due for 2010. Everyone needs to be fully registered in order to play hurling for St Oliver Plunketts. The prices are: 1 Underage €25, 2 Underage €40 and family membership €50. Non playing member (social member) €20. There is a representative for each age group that will take in registration fees - U8/10s Ciaran Donoghue, U12s Mark Landy, U14s Gareth O'Brien and U16s/Minor Kieran Fitzgerald.

Robinstown Pitch Availability
With competitions and training now in full swing, various club teams (hurling and camogie) are requesting use of pitches and it is very important that they are booked through Bernard Bracken who can be contacted on 087 248984. Each team manager must book their time slot for their training sessions and challenge games. The lower pitch must be used for training sessions and challenge games.

Website
Don't forget to log on to the club web site for information on club affairs - www.stoliverplunketts.westmeath.gaa.ie

Club Notes
Anyone wishing to have notes included in our weekly column should contact myself at 086 8062103 before 9pm on Sunday evenings or send an e-mail to [email protected] Tweet

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