U16 Hurling County Final 13 a side.
Crecora Manister vs Templeglantine
12pm Saturday 11th October 2014 in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.

This group of lads did their club proud by getting to a County Final and although not their best performance of the season still gave a good account of themselves against a very determined Templeglantine team.

It was an uphill battle for Crecora from the start as we lost one of our key players in John Blake with an injury he picked up in our football shield win the previous Saturday. So we only had 14 players to pick from and one of those, Shane O’Connor showed his determination to make himself available for the team when only just back from injury himself.

We got off to a great start when Donnacha Connolly and Richard Murphy battled and won a ball when surrounded by 4 Templeglantine players.

The ball was delivered to Edwin Wixted who started a solo and ended it with a super goal in top right hand corner of the goal. He followed up with a point and scored a few frees for good measure it was all going well but Templeglantine stayed in touch with points of their own and managed to prevent us getting any type of quality ball to our forwards.

However we scored 2 long range points from Shane O’Connell and our team captain Cian Leahy to leave the halftime score:
Crecora Manister 1 – 6  Templeglantine 0 – 6

In the second half the hard working Michael Bateman scored a great long range point but sadly that was the end of our scoring and we missed a number of frees.

We battled hard but it wasn’t to be, the hungrier team crept back into the game scoring a goal and other points to leave the fulltime score:
Crecora Manister 1 – 7 Templeglantine 1 – 11

This team should be so proud of themselves and it was a pleasure to work with them and as the old saying goes you have to lose a final before winning one. 

If this team stick together it should mean a super minor team perhaps competing at 15 aside division 1 in the next few years.

Many Congrats to Templeglantine worthy winners.

Team:  Ian de Captani,  Cian Leahy, Paraic O’Neill, Evan Keogh, Tomas Connolly, Mark Shanahan,Edwin Wixted, Karl Moloney , Shane O’Connell,  Michael Bateman, Donnacha Connolly ,  Conor Kirby, Richard Murphy  and Shane O’Connor.

On the positive we got to a County Hurling final and also won a football Shield County Title. Crecora Manister abu

Many thanks to our Trainers Gerry McDermott, John McCarty, Tom Connolly and Leo Kirby and to the supporters who cheered us on the day.

Our U16 Footballers competed in the 13 a side County Shield Final against St. Senans  on Saturday 4^th October  2014 in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale.

Team: Paraic O’Neill , Evan Keogh, Tomas  Connolly,  Cian Leahy, Mark Shanahan, Donnacha Connolly ,  Karl Moloney,   Jay Mccilligan,   Shane O’Connell, Mi chael Bateman, Paul Collins, John Blake,   Conor Kirby, Robert Greer, Peter Boohan, Shane O’Conor and Edwin Wixted.

This final was played at a sunny but windy Mick Neville Park and it was brilliant to witness our team lifting the U16 County Shield title after putting in such an effort all season.

Team Manager Mike Sweeney had a big call to make prior to the game as to whether or not to play Edwin Wixted who was available but on a strong antibiotic for a chest infection.

The management team decided not to and some changes had to be made but it did not affect the team who as a unit from No. 1 to 17 gave a battling performance. Cian Leahy made a welcome return after been laid off with an injured hand for some time.

We got off to a flyer of a start in the game with a super goal scored by Conor Kirby after a good pass from John Blake.

However we allowed St. Senans back in with a soft goal soon after.

We were playing against the wind which was difficult and required our backs to win as much ball as possible. This they did especially Evan Keogh, Mark Shanahan and Tomas Connolly who burst through on solo runs  several  times. His brother Donnacha for such a young age gave a master class in back play with his diehard approach.

Then Paul Collins knocked over a great point again assisted by John and soon after this was followed by a brilliant solo run and goal from the always lively Shane O’Connell.  Another point was scored by Michael Bateman from a solo run.

Conor Kirby then scored his 2^nd goal like any good forward by being in the right place at the right time and Shane put over another point to leave the Half time score Crecora Manister 3 – 3   St. Senans 1 – 3 

In the 2^nd half we took our foot off the gas somewhat and allowed St. Senans back into the game to within 4 points.

It was thanks to Paraic O’Neill that the gap wasn’t closed when he rushed off his goal line to clear a ball that one of their forwards was bearing down on.

Then a well taken goal from John Blake after receiving a fine pass from Shane who also scored 3 more points for us settled the team and Michael scored another great point to make sure we finished strong.  Robert Greer and Peter Boohan came on and played well.

Our captain on the day was Tomas Connolly who received the trophy for us.

Final score was Crecora Manister 4 – 7 St. Senans 2 – 6

Our next outing is in the U16 County Hurling 13 aside Final on Saturday 11th October V  Templeglantine  in Mick Neville Park.

All support welcome.

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Great times ahead and hopefully success to follow!

We are entering a very busy period in the Club’s calendar and our Teams will be contesting a number of County Finals over the coming weeks which is a huge testament to all Players, Coaches and Parents across all the age-groups.

Support for the players at these finals is always a great boost to them so below is the list of upcoming Finals that have confirmed dates and venues set and your Support is very welcome.

U16 Football vs Senan’s
Saturday  4th October at 1:15pm
Mick Neville Park Rathkeale

U16 Hurling V’s Templeglantine
Saturday 11th October at 12:00pm
Mick Neville Park Rathkeale

Minor Premier Football Final vs Fr. Casey’s
Sunday 12th October at 1:30pm
Newcastlewest
(We are planning to run a bus to this Final for our young players so they can cheer on their Club mates)

U14 Football Final vs Ahane
Saturday 18th October at 2pm
Claughan

Best of luck to all Players and Coaches from all in Crecora Manister GAA Club and hopefully we will have some good support and bring home some Silverware!