Club Notes 25th November 2013

U21 Football – City Champions

Our U21 footballers, Lough Na Garra Gaels ( Croom GAA Club & Crecora / Manister GAA Club) had a great win over Mungret last Saturday in the City U 21 B final.

After just missing out the previous week on making the A final, the lads took this opportunity to win some silverware in the first year of the 2 clubs amalgamating at this age group.

After a sluggish first half when we did not reflect our dominance on the scoreboard we went in at half time 1 – 4 to 0 -2 in front. Jamie Lynch getting an excellent goal in that half. After the half time chat we played much more direct and controlled football in the 2nd half and the scores came more freely. Kieran Larkin, David Macken and Jamie Shinnors gave us a dominance in the key middle area’s and the covering and work rate of Mark Reidy in the half-backline ensured that our full backline and goalkeeper had a quite 2nd half. Our forwards duly obliged and James Malone, Conor Burke, Dan Lucey and Dom O’Connor all kicked some splendid scores. Team Captain Garbhan Sheehan received the cup from Sean Burke City board treasurer. The team are now in the County Semi Final this Saturday at 2.00 in Neville park, Rathkeale.

We lined out: A Bourke, T Moloney, J Quirke, G Sheehan, P Byrnes, K Larkin, M Reidy, E Farrell, D Macken, C Burke, J Shinnors,, J Malone, P Byrnes, J Lynch, D Lucey, . Subs used. P Cregan, D O’Connor, L Quirke, S Vaughan.

Club Notes 18th November 2013

Amalgamation success
In these days of high unemployment and resulting immigration, where many GAA clubs are struggling to field teams, the amalgamation of Crecora/Manister with Fedamore under the team name Kilpeacon has proved to be an amazing success in it’s very first year. Their City final win over Cappamore at the weekend (see match report below), together with their double of City & County Football titles, brings their silverware to 3 cups for the season, which is an unprecedented result in the first season of an amalgamation. Great credit is due to the clubs, coaches and players of Crecora/Manister & Fedamore who worked tirelessly together to make this amalgamation such a success at Minor level. This should help to inspire other clubs who are struggling to field teams to consider what’s possible when smaller clubs come together with a common aim

Minor Hurling
On Sunday last, Kilpeacon Minors brought a historic season to a close by adding the City Hurling title to the football double completed earlier in the season. The first encounter against Cappamore had ended all square and Kilpeacon entered this encounter missing a few regulars but produced the performance of the year, leading from start to finish in an epic game. Early midfield dominance by Nicky Morrissey and Damian Kearney provided the ammunition that was gratefully accepted by free scoring Craig McNamara(0.4) and a wonderful Liam Quirke goal. Cappamore responded well and scored 1.4 in succession, however further scores by Craig McNamara(1.1) gave us a halftime advantage of 2.5 to 1.4.

Despite the setback of conceding an early goal at the start of the second half we settled well to the task and for the next quarter scores were exchanged with Cormac Flanagan and C. McNamara keeping us in front. During this phase of play our defense was outstanding. The full back line led by the dominant Sean Fitzgerald supported by Eoin Enright and Darragh Griffin did not yield an inch and half backs of Evan Moloney, Colm Carey and the inspirational Tim Moloney completely got on top of their opposite number. The move of Liam Carey to midfield helped us re-establish control in this area and as we entered the last quarter Cormac Flanagan produced a few moments of magic, first setting up C.McNamara for a sweet point and then driving through the Cappamore defense to score a matching winning goal. Cappamore continued to rally and stalwart Killian Rea was called upon to make two superb reflex saves. We added two further points when the hard working David Butler setup Gary O’Connell for a well taken point and Liam Carey rounded off the score with a point. The late introduction of Tom Keogh, Conor Griffin and Dean Fanning saw us achieve victory on the score line of 3.10 to 2.8.

Captain Nicky Morrissey accepted the trophy and thanked Mungret for the use of the great facilities, the referee, club coaches, supporters and a sporting Cappamore side. Panel : Killian Rea, Darragh Griffin, Sean Fitzgerald, Eoin Enright, Evan Moloney, Colm Carey, Tim Moloney, Damien Kearney & Nicky Morrissey, Craig McNamara,Cormac Flanagan,David Butler, Liam Quirke,Liam Carey,Gary O’Connell, Tom Keogh,Conor Griffin,Dean Fanning, Conor Burke, Michael O’Neill, Evan Keogh.

From a coaching perspective, we would like to thank every player for their commitment during the year and to achieve in both codes is a special feat. Some players are now finished at this grade but can look back with pride on their performances and achievements this year.

U21 Football
Our U21 footballers, Lough Na Garra Gaels ( Croom , Creocora / Manister ) put on a good display at home versus Kildimo / Pallaskenry last Saturday but didn’t quite do enough losing by 3 points in the end.

The saying that goals wins games held true in this case with Kildimo/Pallaskenry scoring one in each half which proved the difference on the day.

Scor Na nÓg
Scor Na nÓg is alive and well in Limerick City. That was the clear message from a packed hall on Friday night and all who attended left very impressed with the talent and performances that was on show. Crecora  Manister had 3 winners from our 5 entries for 2013.

The Rince Foirne, Solo singing and Musicians all won .

Our competitors on the night were:
Rince Foirne: Caoimhe Sheehan, Amy O Connor, Ashling Coughlan, Emer Mahon, Olive Wixted, Aoibhinn Leahy, Orla Byrnes, Emer Kennedy,
Solo singing: Sarah Gilmartin.
Music: Shane O Connor, Amy O Connor, Fiona Hogan, Aine Humphries and Olive Wixted,
Set dancing: Ruth Maher, Ella Maher, Megan Dillon, Isabel McNamara, Alison Murphy, Jane Moore, Muireann LeahyAnd Kate O’Keeffe.
Recitation: Thomas Keating.

Table Quiz
Crecora Manister GAA Club are holding a Table Quiz and Raffle on Friday 22nd November at 9.30pm in Yellowtown Pub.
It is always an enjoyable night and a great way to meet neighbours and club members.
Money received from this event will provide valuable funding to our GAA Club.

Club Notes 11th November 2013

U21 Football
Our U21 footballers, Lough Na Garra Gaels ( Croom , Creocora / Manister ) had a great win over Monaleen in very wet conditions last Saturday.

After losing to St Pats in round 1, we needed a win to stay in contention for honours. We went in 2 points down at half time, but some great 2nd half performances in getting crucial scores by K Larkin, Liam Quirke, Eoin Farrell and Jamie Shinnors saw us win on a score line of 3 – 10 to 5 – 3. Some great defending by John Quirke, Gar Sheehan and Bobby Reidy held the opposition at bay in that 2nd half. We play Kildimo / Pallaskenry this Saturday at 3.00 in Crecora.

We lined out : A Bourke, J Vaughan, J Quirke, G Sheehan, C Burke, K Larkin, B Reidy, E Farrell, J Byrnes, L Wolfe, D Macken, J Malone, D Lucey, D O’Connor and L Quirke. Sub used J Shinnors

Table Quiz
Crecora Manister GAA Club are holding a Table Quiz and Raffle on Friday 22nd November at 9.30pm in Yellowtown Pub.
It is always an enjoyable night and a great way to meet neighbours and club members.
Money received from this event will provide valuable funding to our GAA Club.

Club Notes 4th November 2013

Minor Football
After a very segmented season which saw four games played over a six month period our minor hurlers were back in action this week with two games in the space of five days. First up was the City Final versus Cappamore. In the group phase earlier in the season, the corresponding tie ended all square and lighting stroke again as this final also finished in a draw. Despite the early setback of conceding an early goal, we regained composure and well taken scores by Liam Carey (1.2) and points by Craig McNamara,Micheál O’Neill and man of the match Damien Kearney left the sides level at half time. The second half was a tit-for-tat battle where we had great points from Liam Quirke and L.Carey and a brace from both M.O’Neill and Cormac Flanagan. Conor Burke also contributed two well struck points with the last crucial one from a 50 m. free to tie the match at 1.13 apiece. Overall it was an excellent team performance especially from our defense who limited Cappamore to 3 points from play. The fixture also marked the welcomed return in goal of the reliable Killian Rea.

The county semi-final proved a step too far for our minors hurlers who suffered a four point defeat to Tournafoula. The exertions of the previous week took their toll as we understandably could not reach the heights seen in the football county final and city hurling final just days before. We started brightly with a Cormac Flanagan point from play and despite conceding points we had a prompt response when Craig McNamara goaled and further points were added by Liam Quirke and two from Conor Burke leaving us trailing by two at the interval 1.4 to 0.9. Despite adding a further 1.3 in the second half through C.Burke, Liam Carey, Michaél O’Neill and a Damien Kearney goal we could not regain the lead. Two late goal attempts by Gary O’Connell and D.Kearney were not to be and we bowed out of the county championship.

As captain Nicky Morrissey declared after the game it has been a fantastic season for the minors with two football titles and a city hurling final replay to come. It has taken great commitment from basically the same cohort of players to achieve this success. Well done and thank you to all players involved from the coaching staff.

Panel: Killian Rea, Eoin Enright, Darragh Griffin,Seán Fitzgerald,Evan Moloney, Nicky Morrissey,Colm Carey,Tim Moloney, Cormac Flanagan, Conor Burke, Liam Quirke,Liam Carey,Damean Kearney,Craig McNamara,Micheál O’Neill,David Butler, Conor Griffin,Gary O’Connell, Tom Keogh,Dean Fanning.