U13 Quarter-Final
Pearses 7-4; Annaghdown 1-4: Our U13’s put in a tour de force 2nd half performance against Annaghdown to secure a place in the U13 semi-final this evening in Ballymacward. Although the game was tit for tat in the first half, Annaghdown surged into a half time lead of 1-2 to 0-3. It was the visitors who took the early initiative with a goal from a ground pull but birthday boy Ronan Hynes’ quickly taken free set up Paddy Kenny who opened Pearses account with a great point from play after a good run down the side line.
Then Annaghdown tapped over from play while Conor Moran converted 2 frees before Annaghdown were back in the driving seat just before half time with another point from play. Half time score: Annaghdown 1-2; Pearses 0-3. The 2nd half totally belonged to the Pearses lads who hit a feast of goals; their first two in quick succession of the restart to take charge. Ronan Hynes finished a cross from Jonah Donnellan while Conall Flynn’s ground stroke also found the net. Conor Moran added another free after a foul on the hard working Anthony Feeney.
It took 8 mins into the 2nd half for Annaghdown to register their first point of the half but it was worth the wait given the strike from a difficult angle near the side line on the stand side of the field. The industrious Ronan Hynes set up Darragh Roche for goal No.3 as he displayed great gaelic skills, first shaking off a mount of tackles before he kicked to the net; a goal the Galway Senior footballers would have been proud of on Saturday.
Annaghdown responded through a crisp lift and strike over the bar after a clearance from Pearses defence went askew to leave the score at 3-4 to 1-4 mid-way through the 2nd half. Pearses held the edge until the finish with 4 more goals; Ronan Hynes finished well after he connected to a high ball sent into the danger area from Paddy Kenny. Immediately from the resultant puck out and Conor Moran who covered every inch of the pitch, found Anthony Feeney whose unstoppable rasper found the net.
Peter O’Neill turned the screw when his free lobbed the keeper after he himself was initially fouled. It was fitting that the last goal belonged to the birthday boy, Ronan Hynes who was set up by Conor Moran, but still with some work to do, he drove his effort to the right of the goalie to claim his hat-trick, the day after his 12th birthday and help finish a scoreline of Pearses 7-4; Annaghdown 1-4. A semi- final outing scheduled for this Friday was the prize for this evenings winners; opposition yet to be decided.
Scorers: Ronan Hynes 3-0; Conor Moran 0-3 (3f); Peter O’Neill 1-0; Darragh Roche 1-0; Anthony Feeney 1-0; Conall Flynn 1-0; Paddy Kenny 0-1.
Pearses: Harry Mitchell, Cormac Hillary, Mark Donnellan, Eanna Cunniffe, Conor Kelly, Oisin Donoghue, Jack Reilly, Conor Moran, Ronan Hynes, Paddy Kenny, Peter O’Neill, Darragh Roche, David Egan, Conal Flynn, Anthony Feeney, Jonah Donnellan, Dara Scarry, Dylan Roche, Patrick O’Neill, Conor Hillary.
Report: Martina Donnellan
U16A1 Final 2017
Castlegar 4-18 Pearses 1-13: After conceding an early goal in this U16A1 final played Friday evening in Loughrea, Pearses had to chase the game for the first quarter. However, with the wind, they battled gamely and by the 28th minute the game was level. A Cathal Kitt goal in first half injury time seen Pearses lead by two at the break. The second half followed a very different pattern, with Castlegar in control throughout as they ran out comfortable winners.
In a lively opening to the game the teams traded points before Cashel struck for the game’s first goal, Ethan Connolly finding the net at the town end, 1-3 to 0-3. After the goal the game followed the previous point-for-point routine. Dean Reilly and Oisin Flannery the Pearses’ scorers, with Mark Hennelly and Austin Delaney also grafting hard. Man of the Match Sean Neary was uneering from the placed ball for Castlegar.
After 23 minutes it was 1-9 to 0-9. From here until half-time was Pearses’ best spell of the game as they first pulled the game level, before the injury time goal sent them in leading by two at the break. Reilly from midfield finished with five points from play in the first half, while Oisin Flannery hit seven, two from play. Kitt’s goal was a well taken effort as he gained possession 30 yards from goal ran at the defence and finished low past the keeper from the right hand side. Half-time 1-12 to 1-10.
Drizzle arrived during half-time and fell throughout the second half, Castlegar also now with the wind advantage. Reilly landed his sixth point of the game just two minutes into the second period, but Pearses would not score again as Castlegar assumed control. They had drawn level after seven minutes, 1-13 apiece and lead by two at the end of the third quarter when Cashel struck for their second goal. This further reduced Pearses hopes of a revival and Castlegar went on to add 2-4 in the final quarter to take the title.
Pearses: D McCabe; B Kelly, E McCabe, N Moran; A Lally, S Hynes, C Kitt (1-0); J Barrett, D Reilly (0-6); M Hennelly, A Delaney, O Flannery (0-7, 5f); C Murphy, G Kenny, D Connolly. Subs: Ethan Lally, J Mitchell, R Hynes, E Lally, D Moran, L Mitchell, D Hillary.
Castlegar: L O’Reilly; J Keane, S Murphy, D O’Connell; K O’Boyle, P Coyne, L Fahy (1-0); H Kilgannon (0-1), D McNulty (0-1); E Connolly (2-0), A Walsh (1-3), J Kilgannon; S Neary (0-13, 8f, 2 65’), D Neary, C O’Callaghan. Subs: M Feeney, J Sweeney, C Gillespie, J Gorham, D Hynes, MJ Fahey, P Ryan, PJ Feeney, R Cullinane, F Conway, R Hickey, L Smith, K Grennan, P Fahy, J O’Dea.
Man of the Match: S Neary. Referee: N Quinn
Senior Cship Rd4
Gort 2-11 Pearses 2-10: This game at Duggan Park was a closely fought contest throughout, with the sides going blow-for-blow, Pearses going in 3 up at half time. After 14 minutes of the second half Gort had wrestled back a one point lead, with 1-1. The teams exchanged the lead twice more before the 30th minute, when Pearses led by 2. However a killer injury time goal gave Gort the victory.
Both teams were missing regular starters – Richie Cummins, Aidan Helebert, the Mullins Brothers and Cyril Donnellan among the list of absents from the lineups. Gort made a strong start and led by 0-3 to 0-0 after just 4 minutes. County player Aidan Harte with two of the scores. By the tenth minute Pearses were back on level terms, Ronan Bellew and Ronan O’Neill and Sean Hardiman with the points.
Gort pulled two clear again, before Jimmy Gelston drew Pearses level, 0-5 each after 18 minutes. Gort led 0-7 to 0-6 after 24 minutes, when a long range Shane Raftery free went all the way to the Gort net at the town end and Pearses led for the first time. A minute later and Ronan Bellew found a gap in the Gort backline to break through and expertly bat the ball to the Gort net, 2-6 to 0-7. Gort had the final two points of the half to see Pearses lead by 3 at the break.
Gort registered 1-1 in the third quarter to go back in front. Paul Killilea the goalscorer, as Pearses’ wide count was now building. 7 minutes passed without a score from either side before Cyril Donnellan entered the action as a substitute. Shortly afterwards, Tomas Flannery had drawn Pearses level with a pointed free. Cormac Ward earned another free which Flannery converted for Pearses to take the lead again on the 24th minute.
Gort levelled into the town end with a superbly struck sideline-cut. Soon after Cyril Donnellan picked up possession from a sideline ball and shot over to give Pearses a two point lead, 2-10 to 1-11 as the clock ticked into injury time. Disaster struck two minutes into the six additional minutes as Jack Grealish netted a second Gort goal. There was still time to salvage a draw, but try as they may Pearses could add to their tally.
Pearses: F Flannery; T Kenny, K Donnellan, R Lally; J Gelston (0-1), S Raftery (1-1), L Murphy; T Flannery (0-3), C Raftery; R O’Neill (0-1), K Hardiman, S Hardiman (0-1); E Cunniffe, C Ward, R Bellew (1-2). Subs used: C Fahey, C Donnellan (0-1), B Egan.
U13s in Knockout Stages
Pearses 1-11 Athenry 2-2: Pearses U13’s bounced back from their set back earlier in the week and set their stamp on their last group game against Athenry from the word go while there was no disputing who was the more superior team last Saturday morning in Athenry. Fielding a reshuffled team due to illness and holidays Conor Kelly with his new white helmet and non-strapped knee started in his new role of wing-back while his mother Rose was like a chick home to roost for a while in her native Carnaun/Castlelambert area.
Young Conor Hillary started in goal, David Egan at corner back with Cormac Hillary in the opposite corner while Eanna Cunniffe had a rare start at wing-forward from his usual corner back position. It took Pearses barely 30 seconds to open their account through Darragh Roche as Paddy Kenny & Jonah Donnellan tacked on points from play in quick succession for Pearses to take charge. Full back Oisin Donoghue then was called into action with a great block when a goal looked at his mercy for Athenry while soon afterwards Conor Hillary made a top class save to keep Athenry at bay.
Anthony Feeney originated the move on 2 occasions in which Paddy Kenny registered his 2nd & 3rd point of the morning to give Pearses a 5point cushion. Athenry were trying desperately to get back into the game but it was Pearses who were rewarded further when a 65’ from Conor Moran found the net and Pearses were firmly in the driving seat midway through the 1st half. Athenry responded with a free and a point from play and 3 mins before the break they clawed their way back into the game with a whopper of a goal as their striker ran through the heart of Pearses defence before unleashing an unstoppable shot.
However, this ignited the Pearses youngsters who scored two more points before the break courtesy of a Moran free when Dara Scarry & Eanna Cunniffe did the hard work and Jonah Donnellan again from play after Conor Moran fed him a stick pass into space to maintain the 5 point advantage at half time. Half time score: Pearses 1-07; Athenry 1-02.
It took 8mins after the restart for Pearses to register their first score of the 2nd half; a beauty from Conor Moran as he ran down the far side of the field. Oisin Donoghue made another vital interception when a goal looked ominous as the resultant play was cleared thanks to the combined efforts of David Egan, Conor Kelly, Cormac Hillary & Conal Flynn. Then the hosts were right back in the game as they scored another whopper of a goal leaving even the best U13 goalkeeper in the County with absolutely no chance.
Suddenly there was only a goal between the sides and Pearses had to show real character and they duly responded with Conor Moran to the fore as he hit 3 unanswered points; his first from a free after Peter O’Neill was fouled. Moran again caught the resultant puck out to put it straight over the crossbar from a good distance out and scored Pearses last point from out near the dugouts as he spilt the posts for a personal return of 1-05.
There looked to be no way back for Athenry as the clock ticked down. However, Conor Hillary showed great alertness as the Athenry striker found himself one-on-one with only the goalie to beat late in the game but Hillary was quick to advance off his line and save well. Athenry drove forward in search of goals but Mark Donnellan necessitated a vital block down & then they had one last chance to find the net with a close-in free which ricocheted off the crossbar and up into the air but Moran was on hand to clear the ball from danger.
It was a good game and certainly not completely one-way traffic and more importantly these lads are back on winning ways with an U13 quarter final looming. At least we hope by now Martin Scarry had a good days sleep as we all bid him ‘good night’ at 12.30pm on Saturday!
Scorers: Conor Moran 1-5; Paddy Kenny 0-3; Jonah Donnellan 0-2; Darragh Roche 0-1.
Panel: Conor Hillary, David Egan, Oisin Donoghue, Cormac Hillary, Conor Kelly, Mark Donnellan, Conal Flynn, Anthony Feeney, Conor Moran, Darragh Roche, Peter O’Neill, Eanna Cunniffe, Dara Scarry, Paddy Kenny, Jonah Donnellan, Dylan Roche, Patrick O’Neill.
U16s into County Final
Pearses 2-16 Turloughmore 1-12: Both teams played in alternative colours for this U16A1 Semi-Final played this evening in Loughrea. Pearses in white and Turloughmore switching from the hoops to maroon. Twice in the game it looked like Turlough could pull away, but both times Pearses got back on level terms. When Geordan Kenny goaled 18 minutes into the second half, Pearses never looked back and indeed outscored their opponents, 2-8 to 1-4 in the second half.
Turloughmore led 0-3 to 0-2 after 15 minutes. Oisin Flannery was the scorer for Pearses and was also unlucky when a goalbound shot from a 21 yard free was cleared off the line. Turloughmore controlled the next 10 minutes of the game and had pulled 0-8 to 0-3 clear by the 25th minute, with some good points from play as well as frees. However the final 10 minutes belonged to Pearses and particularly Dean Reilly with three points from play in this spell. The teams went in deadlocked at 0-8 each at the half time break.
Turloughmore again started well and pulled three clear after ten minutes, Pearses yet to score. First a Dean Reilly point and then Oisin Flannery repeated Reilly’s trick from the first half, with three points in-a-row to give Pearses the lead in the 47th minute, 0-12 to 0-11. A minute later and a good move down the right-hand side culminated with substitute Ethan Lally forcing a good save from the keeper. Geordan Kenny was on hand to finish the rebound to the net.
From this point on Pearses were always on top and a second goal arrived in the 56th minute, when a long delivery from the left wing by Mark Hennelly, who had been excellent all evening, ended up with Ethan Lally finishing to the net. Turloughmore did net a consolation goal in injury time, but too little too late. Pearses advance to a County Final, where they will meet the winners of Killimordaly and Castlegar in the other semi-final to be played on Monday July 10th in Loughrea (6.15pm).
Pearses: D McCabe; B Kelly, E McCabe, N Moran; A Lally, S Hynes, C Kitt; J Barrett, D Reilly (0-6); M Hennelly, A Delaney, G Kenny (1-0); J Mitchell, O Flannery (0-10), C Murphy. Subs used: Ethan Lally (1-0), R Hynes, E Lally. Ref: James A Lundon.
U13 Hurling Rd3
Pearses U13’s suffered their first set-back of the championship to a much stronger and physical Kilconieron outfit in rain-sodden Gurteen yesterday evening. Kilconieron were firmly in the driving seat by the end of the opening quarter and were 2-04 up before Conor Moran opened Pearses account with a brace of frees; his first almost from the side-line.
He tacked on another from play soon afterwards after Paddy Kenny spotted him unmarked and then scored a whopper of a goal; a dipping effort from a free after the hard working Darragh Roche was fouled. At this stage a Lazarus-like comeback looked promising as this young U13 team had clawed back the lead to 4 points.
But this was as near as Pearses would get as Kilconieron pushed on straight from the puck-out and registered 5 more points before Ronan Hynes scored Pearses 4th point, a lovely effort taken on the run. Kilconieron turned the screw just before half time with another goal to give them a comfortable half time lead.
The 2nd half was a complete roller-coaster for the visitors as they tacked on another 1-3 but despite the spirited 2nd half performance from Pearses, they could not drag themselves back into the game. I’m sure these youngsters felt the backlash on this occasion but they will dust themselves off and get back to winning ways. Remember: Stars can’t shine without darkness!
Panel: Jonah Donnellan, Eanna Cunniffe, Oisin Donoghue, Conor Kelly, Cormac Hillary, Mark Donnellan, Jack Reilly, Anthony Feeney, Conor Moran, Darragh Roche, Peter O’Neill, Paddy Kenny, Dara Scarry, Ronan Hynes, David Egan, Dylan Roche, Cathal Hynes.
Report: Martina Donnellan
U12 Pearses v Skehana
Pearses 3-7 Skehana 2-2: Local derbies always have a bit of a bite to them and this wasn't going to be any different as Skehana made the short trip to Ballymacward this morning to take on local rivals Pearses in the U12 championship. Pearses knew they had to up their performance from last years outing if they were to grind out a result today. There was a healthy rivalry between the two teams in a passionate game with some great block-downs from both teams.
Finian Murray kicked the ball to the net on 2 mins for a tonic Skehana start to put Pearses on the back foot. Paddy Kenny’s free then was batted out by the goalie which fell to Dylan Roche and his first touch was bulleted to the net to even up matters. Skehana went a point up 5 mins later from close range before Dara Scarry gave Pearses the advantage again with a great goal when Ronan Hynes found the unmarked Scarry who bulleted to the net.
Ronan Hynes then registered Pearses first score from play followed by Darragh Roche who scored a lovely effort over his shoulder. Skehana got back in the game through a goal from Liam Gormally – a difficult high lobbing ball which young Padraig Kelly, also playing U10, could do nothing about. Finian Murray restored parity for Skehana 2 mins before the break with a lovely pointed effort on the run. Half time: Pearses 2-2 Skehana 2-2.
Pearses held the edge for almost all the 2nd half assisted by a strong breeze as they scored 1-5 without reply to keep them in the driving seat. Paddy Kenny first converted a 65’ with plenty to spare and then his low hard drive was tipped over the crossbar after Ronan Hynes’ free found him out. Midway through the 2nd half Paddy Kenny put some daylight between the sides with a great goal from distance after Cormac Hillary and Ronan Hynes combined well in the build-up.
Young Padraig Kelly then made a massive point blank save for Pearses as Harry Mitchell required some ‘gas’ such was the intensity of the game. Pearses kicked on for the last few mins with 3 more points through Darragh Roche who tapped over after great hassling from Cormac Hillary, Anthony Feeney & Paddy Kenny in the middle of the park.
Roche, who was on fire at this stage scored another after Harry Mitchell from the sideline crossed in to open space for Roche to run on to & then scored his 3rd successive point from a good distance out to register his 4th point of the day. 3mins into injury time Harry Mitchell extended Pearses tally with a point from an acute angle to finish 3-7 to 2-2 winners.
Scorers: Daragh Roche 0-4; Paddy Kenny 1-2 (1 65’); Dylan Roche 1-0; Dara Scarry 1-0; Ronan Hynes 0-1. Panel: Padraig Hillary, Conor Kelly, Conor Hillary, Cormac Hillary, Jonah Donnellan, Jack Reilly, Ronan Hynes, Anthony Feeney, Paddy Kenny, Dara Scarry, Dylan Roche, Harry Mitchell, Cathal Hynes, Diarmuid Ryan, Darren Moran, Jamie Nutley, James Queeney.
Report Martina Donnellan
U13 Hurling C'ship Rd2
Pearses 3-5 Oranmore-Maree 0-5: On an evening when one would be hard pressed to put the dog out, in fact he’d stall at the door; our U13’s braved the elements and put in a great evenings shift to emerge victorious in the U13 championship on a 3-05 to 0-5 scoreline over Oranmore-Maree. An evenly contested first half saw Oranmore-Maree trail by a goal at the break, 1-04 to 0-04, with Ronan Hynes netting the crucial goal for the Pearses lads. Conor Moran opened Pearses account on 2 mins with a free after a foul on Jonah Donnellan while Moran was the provider for Donnellan who scored his first point from play from an acute angle.
Oranmore-Maree squandered a few early frees to keep Pearses in front but had levelled matters midway through the half with 2 good points taken on the run and nudged themselves in front on 12mins when they pointed their first free. Paddy Kenny restored parity soon afterwards when he caught a 65’ from Conor Moran and without looking at the posts, struck it neatly over the crossbar. Jonah Donnellan scored a lovely daisy-cutter from just outside the square when he pulled first time and the ball flew over the bar to put the minimum between the sides. Then came Ronan Hynes’ goal; a supreme goal poachers effort as he snuck in from a goalmouth schemozzle to tap the ball over the line and extend Pearses lead. Oranmore-Maree scored their 3rd from play to leave the interval score at 1-4 to 0-4.
It was Pearses who got the significant scores in the 2nd half and got off to a flying start when Paddy Kenny netted after Ronan Hynes’ initial goal effort was saved but Hynes worked hard to win the ball back and passed to the unmarked Kenny who made easy work of the goal. The hard working Darragh Roche notched another point, this time when Conor Moran’s long range free was batted out by the keeper but fell fortuitously for Roche to tap over.
Midway through the 2nd half Conor Moran sealed the win with a goal; an attempted point which dropped short and the dribbling ball evaded the goalie. Dara Scarry was unlucky not to find the net as Pearses were in commanding form. The moment of the game came before Oranmore-Maree scored their 5th point from a free as Darragh Roche’s Canning-like pass and link up with Conor Moran would have been a beauty had it worked out. Harry Mitchell made 2 late saves to keep the score line a comfortable win in the end for these Pearses youngsters who went home ‘singing in the rain’ guaranteed a quarter-final place at least.
Scorers: Conor Moran 1-1 (1f) Ronan Hynes 1-0; Paddy Kenny 1-1; Jonah Donnellan 0-2; Darragh Roche 0-1. Panel: Harry Mitchell, Eanna Cunniffe, Oisin Donoghue, Conor Kelly, Cormac Hillary, Mark Donnellan, Jack Reilly, Anthony Feeney, Paddy Kenny, Darragh Roche, Peter O’Neill, Conor Moran, Dara Scarry, Ronan Hynes, Jonah Donnellan, Conall Flynn, Dylan Roche, Cathal Hynes, Conor Hillary.
Report Martina Donnellan
U12s Win Again!
Pearses 3-07 Ballygar 1-04: A sizeable Pearses crowd made their way to Ballymacward this morning in anticipation of another great U12 game and they weren’t disappointed. Pearses U12’s and mentors will be satisfied with their days work which ultimately saw them notch their fifth win on the trot against a strong Ballygar outfit. Pearses started in great style with a brace of early scores from Paddy Kenny who tapped over from play after a series of 65’s by Jonah Donnnellan.
Kenny then scored a great goal from distance which lobbed the keeper as he called for a quickly taken side line from Donnellan. Anthony Feeney extended Pearses lead with a finely executed point after he caught a ball batted out by the Ballygar goalie. Ballygar responded with 2 frees while Paddy Kenny fired over a free before the interval after a foul on Harry Mitchell to leave Pearses in front 1-03 to Ballygar’s 0-2.
Within 2 mins of the restart David Walsh extended the lead with a great point after some good Pearses pressure and an excellent counter attacking move involving Ronan Hynes, Harry Mitchell & Darragh Roche. Immediately from the puck out Ballygar clawed their way back into the game with a smashing goal as their midfielder burst through the centre and finished well for an unstoppable goal leaving Padraig Kelly with absolutely no chance and just 2 points between the sides. But Pearses rallied and soon afterwards were rewarded when Darragh Roche’s ground stroke found the net to put some daylight between the sides again.
At this stage it was end to end stuff and Padraig Kelly was called upon to make a great save with a high lobbing dangerous ball. Both sides then tapped over a free apiece; Paddy Kenny for Pearses and Ballygar a massive long range effort in front of the stand. Ballygar then added another point from play taken on the run while straight up the other end Darragh Roche drew a great save from the Ballygar goalie as the resultant play was scooped wide.
Pearses controlled the tempo of the game thereafter as Paddy Kenny tapped over another free to keep the pressure off while Ronan Hynes brilliantly dispatched his effort from play to put 6 points between them. Harry Mitchell nailed it with a splendid ground stroke in front of goal in injury time after Dylan Roche & Ronan Hynes did the donkey work. Ballygar pointed through a free right at the end as Pearses finished a great days work. Next up is a local derby against Skehana on Saturday next.
Scorers: Paddy Kenny 1-04 (3f); Darragh Roche 1-0; Harry Mitchell 1-0; David Walsh 0-1; Anthony Feeney 0-1; Ronan Hynes 0-1. Panel:Padraig Kelly, Darren Moran, Conor Kelly, Conor Hillary, Jack Reilly, Jonah Donnellan, Cormac Hillary, Anthony Feeney, Paddy Kenny, Darragh Roche, Ronan Hynes, Dara Scarry, David Walsh, Harry Mitchell, Cathal Hynes, Dylan Roche, Ross Lally, Patrick O'Neill, Conor Walsh, Jamie Nutley.
Report Martina Donnellan
U13 Hurling Rd1 Win
Pearses 2-09; Loughrea 0-3: Pearses U13’s had their first outing in the Championship this evening when they took on Loughrea in St. Kerrill’s Park, Gurteen. Basking in the glow of both the sun and a super win, Pearses were by far the stronger side and relied on raw goal and points power to see them through with goals in each half from Darragh Roche and Peter O’Neill which put them in cruise control to finish on a 2-09 to 0-3 scoreline.
Pearses got off to a blistering start and had 1-3 on the scoreboard before Loughrea registered their first point. Conor Moran pointed within a minute while Darragh Roche scored a bullet of a goal which the keeper got a touch to but the power of the shot carried the sliotar over the line. Ronan Hynes scored the first of his 3 points when he gathered a lovely cross field pass from Conor Moran; Peter O’Neill who was on fire for the evening registered Pearses next point when he collected a spilled ball in a goal mouth shemozzle to fire over from close range.
Loughrea responded with a lovely point from play from an awkward angle almost on the sideline. Pearses scored the next 3 points of the first half without reply. Ronan Hynes with much work to do pointed from play; Peter O’Neill tapped over from close range and Ronan Hynes again, this time weaved through the Loughrea defence before splitting the posts to leave the score 1-6 to 0-1 at half time. Early in the 2nd half Pearses stole the march on Loughrea as they tacked on another 3 points from Darragh Roche, Anthony Feeney through a free and Jonah Donnellan before Loughrea scored their 2nd point when they landed a free.
Peter O’Neill helped propel Pearses further in front when his high lobbing ball evaded the keeper to find the net and then right at the death Loughrea were awarded a penalty and although the penalty taker tried to find the top of the net, he drove just over the crossbar but Pearses were well on their way to victory by then.
Scorers: Peter O’Neill 1-2; Ronan Hynes 0-3; Darragh Roche 1-1; Conor Moran 0-1; Jonah Donnellan 0-1; Anthony Feeney 0-1 (free). Panel: Harry Mitchell, Eanna Cunniffe, Oisin Donohue, Conor Kelly, Jack Reilly, Mark Donnellan, Cormac Hillary, Anthony Feeney, Conor Moran, Darragh Roche, Peter O’Neill, Paddy Kenny, David Egan, Ronan Hynes, Dara Scarry, Jonah Donnellan, Dylan Roche, Conor Hillary, Conall Flynn.
Gurteen NS Double
St. Kerrill's NS Gurteen 4-8; St. Joseph’s NS Woodford 0-3: Completing a marvellous school year of sport, St. Kerrill's N.S. Gurteen today claimed the 9-a-side schools hurling title to add to the football they won 12 days ago. In doing so, both their teacher Mr. Walsh and the panel of players committed huge time, effort and dedication in their pursuit of the double. And these lads certainly represented their school with honour today.
Excitement built up in advance following the football success over Aughrim so much so that Fr. Raymond Sweeney accommodated the rescheduling of the annual 12 noon St. Kerrills Day Mass to 8pm instead. A large crowd made their way to The Centre of Excellence in Claregalway in anticipation of another great game and they weren't disappointed.
Gurteen outshone the opposition, Woodford N.S., in every position. They started in the style of champions with a brace of early scores, a point from David Walsh within a minute and a goal from Conor Moran which evaded the goalie. Woodford then tapped over a free and a point from play and it looked like Woodford may be getting to grips with Gurteen but Stephen Grady put an end to that when he whipped on a ball batted out by the Woodford goalie for a smashing goal.
Ronan Hynes with a point from play, a 65’ tapped over by Conor Moran and David Walsh who lobbed the keeper for another tonic goal helped Gurteen to an interval lead of 3-03 to 0-2. Harry Mitchell made a splendid double save just before half time to avert the ball from danger. The 2nd half restarted in the same vein for the Gurteen boys as they tacked on another 1-5 on the scoreboard to Woodford’s solitary point from a free.
David Walsh scored a beauty when he caught a cross field pass from Conor Moran in his paw and straight over the black spot. Conor Moran added another from play from almost the side line. Jonah Donnellan was next to register a long range beauty from play after a great catch from Paddy Kenny in defence. The next point saw a great flowing move; originated at the back from Harry Mitchell, involving Jonah Donnellan, Stephen Grady and finished by Conor Moran.
David Walsh scored another point on the run to bring his personal tally for the day to 1-03. There was still a late surge in the Gurteen boys as Conor Moran rattled the net when he capitalised on a poor Woodford clearance.
Panel: Harry Mitchell, Conor Kelly, Paddy Kenny, Eanna Cunniffe, Ronan Hynes, Jonah Donnellan, Stephen Grady, Conor Moran, David Walsh, Conor Walsh, Ross Lally, Diarmuid Ryan, Cathal Hynes, Ciarán Hogan, Keith Kitt.
Ultimately a happy bunch of absolute 'pure' sports fanatics made their way to the winners 'podium' and captain Paddy Kenny proudly accepted the cup on behalf of his colleagues. It felt like these lads should be paraded through the village by pipers to an open air reception, such was the magic of their double success. Winning county titles at any level, in any age group, is always an achievement to be celebrated. But of course we must pay homage to one man, Mr. Walsh and to borrow a line from ex county board chairman Noel Treacy ‘he has transformed the success of this team’ while Mr. Treacy also paid tribute to Mrs Ann Ward, Principal who was present to observe this success before her upcoming retirement.
Report: Martina Donnellan
Fifth Win for U12s
Pearses 5-13; Clifden/An Spideil 1-4: Clifden/An Spideil were economical with their day trip today as they made the long trek out to North East Galway to play Skehana before they travelled 5 miles up the road to take on Pearses in Gurteen for 1.30pm throw in. This game was a bridge too far for the Connemara side as Pearses sailed to a facile 5-13 to 1-04 Victory over the Connemara side to register their 5th win of the U12 campaign.
It was evident from the early stages that Pearses had little to fear as Ronan Hynes opened the scoring within a minute with a point from play. The Connemara side equalised immediately. Pearses responded however with 2-1 from play before Clifden registered their next score; Harry Mitchell and Dara Scarry the goal scorers with David Walsh chipping in with the point.
Clifden hit back with 2 points, one from a free before Pearses went on the rampage before half time clocking 1-03 without reply; Ronan Hynes accounting for 1-02 and Darragh Roche from play. Half time: Pearses 3-05; Clifden/An Spideil 0-3. Pearses further enhanced their lead in the 2nd half with a further 1-05; Ronan Hynes the goal scorer bringing his personal tally to 2-03 for the day with Paddy Kenny, Dylan Roche, Anthony Feeney & Jonah Donnellan (0-2) tapping over.
Although a lapse of concentration at the back allowed Clifden in for a bullet of a goal, Pearses finished strong with another 1-03 through Anthony Feeney (0-2), Dylan Roche and Jonah Donnellan compounded the misery with a late goal for an overwhelming win.
Panel: Cathal Hynes, Conor Kelly, Conor Hillary, Jack Reilly, Jonah Donnellan, Cormac Hillary, Ronan Hynes, Anthony Feeney, Paddy Kenny, Harry Mitchell, David Walsh, Dara Scarry, Darragh Roche, Ross Lally, Padraig Kelly, Diarmuid Ryan, Patrick O’Neill, Brían Thompson, Dylan Roche, Jamie Nutley, Darren Moran.
Report: Martina Donnellan
SHC Round 3
Sarsfields 0-17 Pearses 0-15: Two late Niall Morrissey frees seen Sarsfields pull through in this game played at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe yesterday. Sarsfields controlled the first half and led 0-10 to 0-6 at the break, but despite the loss of Cyril Donnellan to injury not long after half-time Pearses pulled themselves back into the game and had drawn level with five minutes to go. Sarsfields managed to break that momentum and land the crucial late scores.
Morrissey, who would finish with 0-13, missed just one placed ball in the course of the game and it was he who had the first three points on the board. After a couple of wides, Pearses got off the mark with a Tomás Flannery point from play in the sixth minute. Ronan Bellew pointed from a free shortly afterwards. At the end of the first quarter Sarsfields led 0-5 to 0-3, Morrissey with all of the Sarsfields scores.
The score of the first half arrived on the 19th minute when Joseph Cooney superbly fielded a puckout before sending it over Fearghal Flannery's crossbar at the scoreboard end. Bellew struck back with a free and with the score at 0-8 to 0-4 in the 23rd minute Cyril Donnellan cut in from the right wing going close for goal, the ball flying just wide of Kieran Dolan's net. Morrissey kept Pearses at arms length, hitting a couple of long range frees either side of Bellew and Flannery points. Half-time: 0-10 to 0-6.
Kerrill Hardiman opened the scoring in the second half with a point from a tight angle, cutting the gap to three. Pearses were dealt a blow when Donnellan had to retire with a leg injury, replaced by Cormac Ward. To Pearses credit they did not wilt and took the fight to Sarsfields. In the next five minutes Pearses outscored the New Inn/Bullaun men 0-3 to 0-1 – Bellew (free), Colm Raftery and Cormac Ward with points. Morrissey continued his accuracy with two more frees to make it 0-13 to 0-11 at the three-quarter mark.
Flannery exchanged points from play with Joseph Cooney and Kerrill Wade, before Pearses hit a purple patch. Ronan Bellew and Emmet Ward points put just one between the sides with eight minutes left. Ward shot narrowly wide before Bellew levelled the game, with five minutes to go. The game was poised for a big finish, but Sarsfields managed to break the Pearses momentum.
Joseph Cooney broke through for a goal chance at the town end, but was well bottled up by the Pearses defence. From the follow up play Sarsfields won a close-in free which Morrissey converted. The game ticked into injury time and Sarsfields slowed the game down. Morrissey would complete his haul for the day, with his final free to leave the final score 0-17 to 0-15.
Next up for Pearses is Gort, before the final Group game against Turloughmore. Gort and Turloughmore currently top the table after three rounds and wins are needed against both to allow any chance for progression to the knockout stages.
Pearses: F Flannery; B Egan, K Donnellan, R O'Neill; J Gelston, S Raftery, K Hardiman (0-1); C Fahy, S Hardiman; E Ward (0-1), C Raftery (0-1), C Donnellan; T Flannery (0-3), R Bellew (0-8), L Murphy. Subs used: C Ward (0-1), G Lally.
Sarsfields Scorers: N Morrissey (0-13), J Cooney (0-2), K Wade (0-1), K Cooney (0-1).
Referee: Peter Murphy (Loughrea).
Report: David Cunniffe
U12s Remain Unbeaten
This was a closely contested game played in Mountbellew this morning between two eager sides with the issue in doubt right up to the end. Neither side really bossed the game as it was end to end stuff and in fact neither side earned enough breathing space to feel comfortable. Mountbellew were 2 points up after 7 mins until Pearses got 3 quick goals before the 13th minute.
Their first came from Harry Mitchell who continued his goal scoring form after the school’s football final as he somehow got his stick to a long Jonah Donnellan free. Then Paddy Kenny nudged us further in front with a long delivery which deflected off the goalies hurl and into the net. Harry Mitchell again in similar style to his first goal; scored again after he got on the end of another long Jonah Donnellan delivery from the back. Half time: Pearses 3-0 Mountbellew 0-2.
Padraig Kelly was called into action almost straight from the throw-in as Mountbellew worked the ball up the field but Kelly was not found wanting with a brave save and some subsequent brilliant defending from Conor Kelly. Mountbellew blasted to the net and Padraig Kelly again made another brilliant save to tip the ball over the bar.
Mountbellew then levelled matters with another goal which took a deflection after Padraig Kelly saved the initial goal bound effort. Ronan Hynes edged Pearses in front with a point from play. Then as Pearses sustained some pressure, Anthony Feeney sent in a lovely delivery from near the end line to the unmarked Ronan Hynes who whipped first time in front of goal to put Pearses 4 points to the good midway through the 2nd half.
Mountbellew were right back in the game when a Pearses clearance fell to their striker who blasted to the net when it looked like we had defended well enough to avert the ball from danger. Pearses pushed on though and were rewarded with a couple of minutes to go when Ronan Hynes found Harry Mitchell who plucked from the sky but still thought he was playing in the schools football as he kicked left footed to the net. This sealed a hard but well-earned Pearses victory as they now have 3 wins out of 3.
Panel: Pádraig Kelly, Conor Hillary, Conor Kelly, Jack Reilly, Jonah Donnellan, Cormac Hillary, Ronan Hynes, Anthony Feeney, Patrick O’Neill, Paddy Kenny, Harry Mitchell, David Walsh, Daragh Roche, Dara Scarry, Dylan Roche, Cathal Hynes, Diarmuid Ryan, Ross Lally, Brian Thompson, Darren Moran, Conor Walsh, Jamie Nutley.
Match Report: Martina Donnellan
U14 Hurling Semi-Final
Castlegar 3-8 Pearses 0-6: The questions on the players and mentors minds this evening in Duggan Park for the U14 semi final against table toppers Castlegar was: Could Pearses emulate Tommy Larkins toppling of Ardrahan in the other semi-final? Well the score may suggest otherwise, but this was a closely contested and a thoroughly enjoyable game right up until the last 3 minutes. Pearses held the upper hand for most of the first half and were 0-3 up after 5 mins with good scores from play from Cian Murphy, Ethan Lally and Murphy again after a lovely line ball from Conor Moran found him out.
We had 3 more scoring chances but some wayward shooting let us down. Castlegar hit back with 1-02; their first point from play tipped over the crossbar by the ever vigilant Harry Mitchell, followed by a free and then on 14 mins came the decisive blow – a goal which Harry first saved but the rebound was whipped on to find the net. Immediately from the puck out Cian Murphy saw his goal effort go right across the face of goal after a good run through the centre from Ethan Lally with Paddy Kenny involved in the build-up & Murphy was ever so close with his effort. Castlegar tacked on another point from play and Cian Murphy converted a free after he was fouled himself and just before half time Castlegar threw over a free from the stand side of the field to leave the half time score: Pearses 0-4; Castlegar 1-04.
The 2nd half was only 20seconds old when Harry Mitchell made a point blank save to avert the ball from danger. Then Cian Murphy burst through the middle only to be taken down; the resultant free taken by himself was shot low and hard and turned around the post by the Castlegar goalie but unfortunately the resultant 65’ went agonisingly to the right of the upright. The sides then traded points. Castlegar scored from play from near the sideline and Cian Murphy with a free after some great foraging from Luke Mitchell & David Hillary with Ethan Lally earning the free which was duly tapped over by Murphy.
Murphy again scored a whopper from midfield after good work from Ethan Lally but this turned out to be our last score of the game. Then midway through the 2nd half we had our best goal chance of the game with a triple effort. A goal bound free from Murphy was saved on the line, the clearance fell kindly to David Hillary whose rasper was saved and as the clearance was picked up again by Murphy he blasted to the side net. Castlegar tapped over another point to make it Pearses 0-6; Castlegar 1-06.
With 2 mins to go Castlegar scored 2-02 without reply and put the game well past our reach. Pearses 0-6; Castlegar 3-08 but in fairness the scoreboard was not a fair reflection of the game. Pearses showed plenty of heart and determination. Castlegar were just that bit sharper. But there’s no doubt that these young bunch will learn from this experience. Sometimes you’d learn much more in defeat than you would in victory.
Panel: Harry Mitchell, Mark Donnellan, Brian Kelly, Rovert Fahy, Oisin Donoghue, Robert Hynes, Conor Moran, Ethan Lally, David Hillary, Luke Mitchell, Cian Murphy, Paddy Kenny, Conor Kelly, Ronan Hynes, Daragh Roche, Dara Scarry, Jack Reilly, Cormac Hillary.
Club Notes
Following a draw in Round 1 against Cappataggle our Junior B hurlers remained unbeaten as they defeated Beagh away yesterday evening on a scoreline of 1-12 to 1-11. Beagh led 0-8 to 1-3 at half-time, Keith Connell the Pearses goalscorer. A strong second half by Pearses culminated with young Conor O’Neill landing the winning point at the end.
Despite missing some regulars Pearses were driven on by a ‘Maheresque’ half-back performance from Leo Morrissey. Conor O’Grady and Aidan Kilkenny were in good shooting form in the half-forward line, while Niall Skehill top scored with 0-5. Next up is Abbeyknockmoy in Round 3. Pearses: P O’Brien; J Jenkins, P Raftery, A Burke; L Morrissey (0-1), D Wynne, T Broderick; C O’Neill (0-1), P Lally; D Burke, C O’Grady (0-3), A Kilkenny (0-2); R Skehill, K Connell (1-0), N Skehill (0-5, 4f). Sub used: S Walsh. Subs: C Queeney, P Mahon.
The Club’s U16 hurlers suffered their only defeat in the group as they went down 0-22 to 0-10 away to Castlegar. Both teams had already qualified for the Semi-Final stage. Pearses finish top of the group and will now play Turloughmore in the Semi-Final. Castlegar meet Killimordaly in the other Semi-Final.
Despite also going down to Castlegar in the last group game the Club’s U14 hurlers are through to the Semi-Finals based on a top four finish. The other Semi-Finalists are Ardrahan, Castlegar and Tommie Larkins.
There were two rounds of U12 hurling played last week in Gurteen, with wins for Pearses over Abbeyknockmoy on Wednesday and Four Roads (Roscommon) and Saturday.
Well done to Claregalway College who picked up a Junior hurling title last week with Cyril Donnellan on coaching duty. Congratulations to Kevin Hynes and Tara Dempsey who were married last weekend.
No winner in the Club Lotto Draw on May 8th. Numbers drawn 2, 8, 20 and 25. Jackpot was €7,700 this week in Burke’s Colemanstown.
U12 Hurling Rd2
Pearses 5-5 Four Roads 1-3: Pearses U12’s made it 2 wins out of 2 with a very hard-earned win over Four Roads, Roscommon in the latest group game played in Gurteen this morning. It was a tough encounter in breezy conditions and although Pearses were 2 points down at half time, they rocketed out of the traps in the 2nd half to win 5-5 to 1-3.
Pearses were never in cruise control until the last quarter as Four Roads played a tight game leaving Pearses with little space to fire the ball around. Their big No.13 was a constant threat in the opening half. It took 7mins for the first score; a goal from Conor Kelly which he blasted to the net after Ronan Hynes found him out with a free.
6 mins later and Four Roads levelled matters as their scorer burst through the middle and scored a great goal leaving Cathal Hynes between the posts with little chance. The visitors tacked on 2 more points from play before half time as they appeared to be on top in the form of possession throughout the field. Half time: Pearses 1-0 Four Roads 1-2.
In the 2nd half, Pearses produced a performance of real graft and character to swing the game in their favour. Dylan Roche reduced the deficit 2mins after the restart with a point from play after a good pass from Paddy Kenny. Kenny himself scored a tonic goal when he gathered a loose ball which broke from a goalmouth shemozzle and rattled the net. Ronan Hynes then took a free from midfield which found the net while it took a deflection on its way. Such was his joy that he punched the air with delight as they moved 5 points clear.
This ignited Pearses as they dominated the remainder of the game. Conor Kelly made it 4-01 to 1-02 as the ball ricocheted off the ground and into the net; Dara Scarry scored a great point as the keeper got his hurl to it to tip it over the crossbar & Conor Kelly scored from play after good foraging. Four Roads scored their only point of the 2nd half before Ronan Hynes converted a free after he himself was fouled.
Then as Harry Mitchell’s clearance found the height of Jimmy Kelly’s field, one of the mentors had to take the scenic route down by the clubhouse in case he’d burst his trousers with the wire! But Niall’s caution paid off and the trousers was fully intact! The last few minutes belonged to livewire Darragh Roche as he tacked on 1-01; his goal made by Dara Scarry and immediately tacked on a point taken on the run from a tight enough angle.
Scorers: Conor Kelly 2-1; Ronan Hynes 1-1; Darragh Roche 1-1; Paddy Kenny 1-0; Dara Scarry 0-1; Dylan Roche 0-1.
Panel: Cathal Hynes, Harry Mitchell, Conor Hillary, Cormac Hillary, Paddy Kenny, Jonah Donnellan, Ronan Hynes, Anthony Feeney, Darragh Roche, David Walsh, Dylan Roche, Conor Kelly, Dara Scarry, Ross Lally, Brian Thompson, Jamie Nutley, Conor Walsh.
By Martina Donnellan
U12 Hurling Rd1
Pearses 7-9 Abbeyknockmoy 3-2: Pearses U12s opened their campaign with an impressive win over neighbours Abbeyknockmoy in Gurteen this evening. Pearses were 1-4 to 0-2 to the good after 12 mins as they had the upper hand right from the throw-in, dominating possession and played a lovely passing game as they sprayed the ball around to great effect.
Ronan Hynes opened the scoring with a point from play and Dara Scarry sent Pearses on their way as he took his goal exceptionally well from point blank range. Paddy Kenny, Ronan Hynes and Darragh Roche chipped in with the points; the latter from an acute angle. Conor Kelly scored our 2nd goal after he caught a clearance from Jonah Donnellan in the paw and unleashed a powerful effort which found the net with the aid of a deflection.
Ronan Hynes scored goal 3 with a high lobbing ball from distance which eluded the keeper and found the net. Dara Scarry scored our fourth goal just before the break after Paddy Kenny, Ronan Hynes and Darragh Roche were involved in a lovely build –up. Pearses 4-4 Abbeyknockmoy 0-2 at half time.
A reshuffled Pearses team emerged for the second half as Harry Mitchell restarted in the forwards, David Walsh came out field and Conor Hillary stood between the posts. Paddy Kenny scored a point from play within 4 mins of the restart after he collected a lovely crossfield pass from Ronan Hynes. Dara Scarry completed his hat-trick as he pulled first time on a rebound when the goalie saved an initial shot from Harry Mitchell.
Ronan Hynes tapped over another point and then Harry Mitchell scored a bullet after he caught a free taken by Anthony Feeney 6-6 to 0-2. Harry Mitchell threw over the crossbar for Pearses 7th point from play after Jonah Donnellan and Paddy Kenny did the donkey work. David Walsh added 2 points in quick succession after he capitalised on poor defensive play from the Abbey lads. Abbeyknockmoy scored 3 late goals in quick succession to put some respect on the scoreline while young Dillon Roche finished Pearses tally with a great goal which almost burst the net. So happy days for Pearses U12s in their first outing of the year with a plethora of scorers.
Scorers: Dara Scarry 3-0; Ronan Hynes 1-03; Harry Mitchell 1-01; Conor Kelly 1-0; Paddy Kenny 0-2; David Walsh 0-2; Dillon Roche 1-0; Darragh Roche 0-1.
Panel: David Walsh, Harry Mitchell, Conor Hillary, Jonah Donnellan, Jack Reilly, Anthony Feeney, Ronan Hynes, Darragh Roche, Paddy Kenny, Cormac Hillary, Conor Kelly, Dara Scarry, Padraig Kelly, Jamie Nutley, Conor Walsh, Diarmuid Ryan, Dillon Roche, Ross Lally, Brían Thompson, Patrick O’Neill, Darren Moran.
By Martina Donnellan
U14 Hurling C'ship Rd7
Castlegar 4-7 Pearses 3-5: Although our U14’s suffered their third loss of the U14 campaign to Castlegar in Ballymacward this evening, they put in a tremendous second half performance to come near enough to turning the game around.
Castlegar were the superior and hungrier side and dominated the opening half as they put some flowing moves together to lead 2-5 before Pearses registered their first score on 14 mins; a goal which originated from an Oisin Donoghue line ball to Conor Moran whose long distance point effort dropped at the last second to find the net. Castlegar responded immediately with a goal of their own.
Cian Murphy then scored 0-2; his first well taken after he gathered the ball well and burst through the middle, shaking off a few tackles before unleashing a mighty effort over the bar. Paddy Kenny and Ethan Lally were involved in the build up to his 2nd from play taken on the run. Castlegar 3-6 Pearses 1-2 at half time.
Cian Murphy pointed from a free straight in front of the posts after the restart after he himself was fouled. Castlegar found their scores more freely and raised a green flag for the fourth time when they scored from an acute angle into the top corner. 4 mins into the second half and Ciano netted a spectacular goal with an unstoppable shot after a great run down the left side of the field, 4-6 to 2-3.
Murphy added another goal this time from a free to further reduce the deficit while a mini revival seemed to be turning things in Pearses favour. Both teams then exchanged points, Cian Murphy the provider for Pearses from play after the ref played advantage. Murphy kept plugging away and scored again after a neat pick up; burst through the centre but just couldn’t keep his shot down as it just swooshed over the crossbar.
The momentum was with Pearses for the final exchanges as Cian Murphy stood between the posts for a penalty making a spectacular save and clearing from the goal line. In the end, time ran out as the best efforts of Brian Kelly, Robert Hynes, Luke Mitchell, Ethan Lally, David Hillary and of course Cian Murphy who scored 2-5, could not further progress the great second half comeback.
Despite this result Pearses still finish fourth in the group and qualify for the semi-finals. Other teams progressing to the last four are Ardrahan, Castlegar and Tommy Larkins.
By Martina Donnellan
SHC Round 2
St Thomas’s 0-19 Pearses 1-11: Despite never performing to the same level as Round 1 against Portumna, some missed scoring chances meant Pearses could have been closer to St. Thomas’s at the finish here. After a slow start, Pearses recovered to lead at half-time, but it was a strong third quarter by the 2016 County Champions that was the difference after half-time. They outscored Pearses 0-9 to 0-3 in this spell.
Both teams were guilty of wides in the opening quarter, with placed balls not going well for Pearses. Darragh Burke got St Thomas’s off the mark with a free and they led by 0-3 to 0-0 after 18 minutes. The lead could’ve been more but for two saves in the Pearses goal by Fearghal Flannery. Ronan Bellew got Pearses’ first point and it was Bellew again three minutes later who levelled the game, 0-3 apiece.
Thomas’s quickly reopened that three point lead in the space of four minutes, 0-6 to 0-3, with half-time approaching. The end of the first-half belonged to Pearses as they bagged 1-2 in the last seven minutes. Seán Hardiman pointed from play, before Cyril Donnellan broke in from the left wing and when the ball didn’t come to hand, he whipped it first time past Patrick Skehill in the St Thomas’s goal. He added a point from a tight angle soon after. Half-time: Pearses 1-5 St Thomas’s 0-7.
St Thomas’s levelled shortly after the restart and then took the lead from a Darragh Burke free. Tomas Flannery hit back with a Pearses one to level it again. Then six points in-a-row from the Kilchreest/Peterswell men opened a six point lead. James Regan (2), David Burke and Patrick Skehill (long range free) were among the scorers. 0-15 to 1-6 after 15 minutes of the second-half.
Flannery and Donnellan points either side of a Thomas’s one made it a five point game. Donnellan and Flannery would also go close with goal chances, Flannery’s effort flashing wide before Donnellan drew a save from Skehill. The final six points of the game would be shared evenly between the sides, with Colm Raftery going for goal but seeing his effort rise above the bar.
There were wins in the Group this weekend for Portumna and Gort. Portumna now top the table on 3 points after two games. Sarsfields, Turloughmore, St Thomas and Gort are all tied on two points, while Pearses are on 1. With three games left it’s still very much all to play for. Sarsfields are up next for Pearses, then Gort and Turloughmore.
Pearses: F Flannery; R O’Neill, K Donnellan, R Lally; L Murphy, S Raftery, B Egan; K Hardiman, S Hardiman (0-1); R Bellew (0-2), C Raftery (0-2), C Donnellan (1-2); C Fahy, T Flannery (0-4), J Gelston. Subs used: C Ward, E Cunniffe, G Lally.
U10s Win Ballinasloe Blitz
There was great excitement not just for the kids but the adults as well this morning in the Ballinasloe U10 and U9 blitz. The morning saw our youngsters play their first official games of the hurling calendar at these age groups. Our U10’s emerged victorious topping their group with the top 2 teams playing in the final. We were pitted against Portumna, Killimor and Ballinasloe in the group games.
In the first game we played a strong Portumna side who fielded with many household names: Kellys, Hayes & Cannings to the fore. Although losing 1-3 to 0-0 at half time, we turned it around with a strong breeze in the 2nd half to win 3-3 to 1-3 with Jonah Donnellan 2-2 and David Walsh 1-1 with the crucial scores.
In the 2nd game against Killimor, David Walsh gave an exhibition scoring 2-2 and a Jonah Donnellan free made it 2-3 to 0-0 at half time. Jonah added another point from play in the 2nd half and Brían Thompson’s ground pull found the net as Pearses finishing emphatic winners 3-4 to 1-2.
With very little recovery time between games, next up were Ballinasloe who had also won their 2 games the winners of this game would top the group. David Walsh again made a name for himself scoring 1-3 in the 1st half to Ballinasloe’s 1-1; Ballinasloe’s point coming from a goal bound free which was tipped over the crossbar by Cathal Hynes. Pearses rallied in the 2nd half and a '65 from Jonah Donnellan and another point from play by David Walsh helped extend the lead. Then a great ground stroke from young Darren Moran saw him find the net for Pearses to emerge victorious and top the group on a scoreline of Pearses 2-5; Ballinasloe 1-4
A little recovery time and some sustenance offered by Ballinasloe GAA club helped our lads to be ready, willing and able to take on 2nd placed Ballinasloe again, this time in the final. It was a close contest from the outset as both teams hit the side net in the early exchanges. Jonah Donnellan opened the scoring with a great point from play after winning a Ballinasloe puck out. Donnellan then added a 65 to put us 2 points up. Just before the break, Ballinasloe pointed from play as the ball swooshed over the crossbar when a goal looked ominous with just Cathal Hynes to beat. Half time: Pearses 0-2; Ballinasloe 0-1.
2mins into the 2nd half a long range free from Jonah Donnellan in the full back line found the net to nudge Pearses further in front. Jonah Donnellan converted a 65 to widen the gap as Pearses were building up a bit of momentum but Ballinasloe hit straight back with 2 pointed frees. David Walsh pointed a free after Ross Lally was fouled to top off his scoring for the day at 4-8. Final score: Pearses 1-4; Ballinasloe 0-3. It was a great feeling for these lads with their first taste of success as the effort and commitment shown by players and mentors was both commendable and rewarding.
Our U9’s played Ahascragh-Fohenagh and Ballinasloe in their group games in what were two extremely competitive games as they battled hard, fighting until the end and never letting the jersey down. Pearses put some flowing moves together as the future looks very bright indeed. There will surely be great days ahead for these U9’s and U10’s – enjoy the journey!
Huge thanks to the mentors of both teams: Sean O’Neill, Sean Moran, Adrian Queeney, Larry Hillary, Paul Hogan and Birthday Boy Michéal Kelly. Panel: Cathal Hynes, James Queeney, Ciaran Hogan, Jamie Nutley, Tommy Nutley, Conor Hillary, Padraig Kelly, Patrick O’Neill, Josh Buckley, Eoghan Ryan, Diarmuid Ryan, Sean Kelly, Tadhg Harte, Daniel Keating, David Walsh, Ross Lally, Brían Thompson, Darren Moran, Jonah Donnellan, Dylan King, Fionn Donohue, Daniel Lydon, Joe Carroll, Keith Kitt, Niall Grady.
Report by Martina Donnellan
Club Notes
The Club’s U16 hurlers had a fourth win from four last week, defeating Killimordaly away. They now top their Group, with three games left to play. Our U14s also top their group with two to play, following a win over Meelick-Eyrecourt.
The Club’s Junior hurlers had their first game of the season, finishing level (2-14 to 0-20) at home with Cappataggle. Our U10s won their first game of the season, defeating Skehana in Gurteen. The Minors were defeated away to Loughrea.
It was a busy week for U14 football. The team played Menlough in the Championship losing out in a very high-scoring game, 14-6 to 8-6! Kinvara and Craughwell were visitors as the Club hosted the Féile group on Saturday. Both visiting teams were much stronger, with Kinvara going on to win the competition outright.
Congrats to Cyril Donnellan who picked up his second National League title with Galway and also to Niamh Jenkins and Amy Kenny of Pearses Camogie Club who were part of the All-Ireland winning Galway Minor panel.
There was no winner last night's Club Lotto. Numbers drawn were 12, 21, 22 and 27. Lucky Dip winners were Kieran Hillary, Stephen Thompson, Patsy Ruane, Micheal and Angela Finnerty and Gary Lally. Spot Prizes were won by Martin Bellew and Sean Grady. Winners in the April '250 Club' Draw were €100 Tomas Flannery; €75 Eamon Burke, €50 Frank Kitt. Well done to all winners. Next week’s jackpot is €7,500 in McGann's Attymon.
NHL Final Ticket Info
Galway will play Tipperary in the National Hurling League Final this Sunday, 23rd April in The Gaelic Grounds, Limerick at 3.30pm. It will be preceded at 1.30pm by the Camogie League Final between Cork and Kilkenny. Below are ticketing details.
Adult Pre-Purchase €25
Adult Match Day €30
Student/OAP €25
Juvenile €5
Seating is unreserved but stand specific, both stands are on sale.
Early purchase is recommended.
Tickets are not available from the Club but are now on sale via gaa.ie and usual Centra/Supervalu retail outlets. Season Ticket holders will be seated in the Mackey Stand and all they need is their season ticket card, an email will be sent outlining this.
U14 Hurling Rd5
Pearses 6-7 Meelick Eyrecourt 1-3. Having topped their group in the recent Feile campaign, Meelick Eyrecourt were always going to be a formidable side & the players and management felt this one would be an onerous task. However, it was the Pearses lads who took all the plaudits for the manner in which they defeated the visitors at home in Ballymacward today.
Pearses opened the scoring within seconds of the throw-in with a point from play from Cian Murphy and added a 2nd from a 65 moments later. Pearses struck for the their first goal early on after a good build up from the back involving Oisin Donoughue as Luke Mitchell sent in a dangerous ball into the square which was well finished by Ethan Lally who was deployed in a new full forward role. It took 13 mins for Meelick-Eyrecourt to open their account; a goal which Harry Mitchell got his stick to but was unable to keep out.
This buoyed up the Pearses boys and almost straight from the puck out young Conor Kelly scored a marvellous goal after collecting a cross-field pass from Paddy Kenny. Cian Murphy kept the points tally going with a good individual point from play, his 3rd of the half. The visitors responded with a pointed free to make it 2-3 to 1-01. Paddy Kenny then scored a tonic goal after a long ball from Cian Murphy was batted out by the goalie but every vigilant forward will be in the right place to pounce on a rebound.
Ethan Lally scored his first point after good outfield work from Murphy and almost straight from the restart Conor Moran won the puck out near the stand and his massive long range effort went over the black spot to make it 3-05 to 1-01 at half time. Soon after the restart Eyrecourt scored a lovely point on the run to claw their way back into the game as an onslaught looked imminent from the visitors for the first 10mins of the 2nd half. During this period our backs did well as Brian Kelly, Robert Hynes & Oisin Donoghue battled it out.
Then Cian Murphy put a bit of breathing space between the sides again after a lovely solo run through the middle of the field and hit the ball off the hurl and over for his 4th point of the day. Eyrecourt got another point back from play to leave the sides 3-06 to 1-03. From here to the end belonged totally to Pearses as they racked up another 3 goals, the first from Conor Kelly who latched onto a long delivery from Luke Mitchell. Ronan Hynes got his name on the scoreboard seconds later with a blazing shot which rattled the net after good work from Ethan Lally & Darragh Roche.
Conor Kelly claimed his 3rd goal with a one-handed pull after he latched onto another floating ball sent in from Luke Mitchell. Harry Mitchell showed his alertness at the other end with a great diving save to concede a 65 which was missed by Eyrecourt. In injury time, David Hillary finished the scoring with a great point from play to finish off on an impressive 6-07 to 1-03 scoreline. And so Pearses U14’s make it 4 wins out of 5 in their group games with Ardrahan & Castlegar yet to play. Manager Niall Skehill should be a happy camper.
U12 Trip to Croker!
Thursday 13th April: The Club's U12 hurlers will travel to Croke Park next Thursday 13th April. We will meet at Ballymacward Hall at at 7.15am and travel by bus to Croker. Other Galway Clubs who will also attend on the day are Loughrea, Portumna, Cappataggle, Michael Cusacks and Tommy Larkins. Each Club listed above, including ourselves will field two teams and play off a series of games against each other in the Stadium.
There is free admission on the day and FREE parking in the David Stand Car Park. Littlewoods Ireland have also sponsored a fun pack which will include a Jersey for all kids involved and there is tea and coffee for all on arrival. The restaurant will be open on the day also. Any parents, grandparents etc who wish to attend are free to do so. Please note that no parents/spectators are permitted to gain entry to the pitch. Team photos can be taken at pitch side, but must be organised to be taken in between playing times. The Connacht GAA website will post team photos and loads of action shots after the event, which is free to use by all.
We ask all parents to pack a big lunch with lots of drinks for their children as it won't be until the way home that we stop to eat. I'm sure all our Players, Coaches (Martin Scarry, Eddie Mitchell, Michéal Kelly, Seán O'Neill, Niall Skehill and Paul Hogan) and any parents, relatives or supporters who travel will have a super day in the greatest Stadium of them all!
Museum Visit
A FREE museum visit is on offer to all PLAYERS participating in the Connacht Play and Stay days in Croke Park:
- The museum visit & stand tour would take one hour in total
- Each team will be allocated 18 passes for the Museum Tour
- Mentors will be expected to act in a supervisory capacity and assist the tour guide with the group
- Groups must arrive to the museum at the appointed time
- On arrival at the museum 6 teams will be divided into two groups of 3 teams
- Any additional adults/fans/family members accompanying clubs may pay to visit the museum separately but NOT WITH PLAYERS
- Full stadium tours are on offer throughout the day on a first come first served basis
Download Printable PDF with Information on the Trip HERE
U14 Feile Round 3
Pearses 1-4; Mullagh-Kiltormer 5-3: Next up were Mullagh-Kiltormer whom the management knew were quite a formidable side and were hot favourites to top the group having won their 2 previous games. Cian Murphy opened the scoring almost immediately after the throw-in with a superb long range effort from play, straight over the black spot. Kiltormer equalised 2 mins later with a free as both sides were still settling into it and finding their feet.
Kiltormer scored a fortuitous goal following a goalmouth shemozzle which ended up in chaos as somehow the ball found its way past Harry Mitchell in the Pearses goal. Pearses replied immediately through a Cian Murphy pointed free after a foul on young Conor Kelly. Ethan Lally showed that a ground pull is far from extinct in hurling as he pulled first time in another goalmouth shemozzle and rattled the net to put Pearses 1 point ahead.
Straight from the Kiltormer puck out Cian Murphy won possession, bulleted forward before throwing over his 3rd point of the game and 2nd from play to leave the score 1-03 to 1-01 at half time. Kiltormer put the minimum between the sides after the restart with a pointed free from the stand side of the field. 4mins into the 2nd half Kiltormer stepped it up a gear scoring a classic goal leaving Harry Mitchell with no real chance and straight from a short puck out Kiltormer capitalised again with another goal to go 3-2 to 1-3 ahead.
From here the game slowly slipped away from Pearses grasp as Kiltormer’s scores came more easily but the Pearses lads kept plugging away. Kiltormer added another point from a placed ball and then lobbed Harry Mitchell for their 4th goal to make it 4-3 to 1-3 with 15 mins gone in the 2nd half. Cian Murphy then scored his 2nd pointed free after he himself was fouled. Just before the end Kiltormer turned the screw with another goal, which resulted from a long ball sent into the square from near the dugouts; although it looked like Harry had saved it, the ball was deemed to have crossed the line.
So Mullagh-Kiltormer topped the group and went on to the semi-final stages of the Justin Cheevers Cup. Some huge highs and some hard hitting lows made for a great days hurling and the management team have no doubt that these lads, many of whom will be underage again not alone next year but also the year after, will be back and will have their day, some day!
A word of thanks to the ladies/mammies for the copious cups of tea and mouth-watering sweet & savoury goodies provided to help keep players and supporters well nourished. Thanks also owed to Niall Skehill, manager who looked like one of the players himself in the squad photo taken afterwards (sorry Niall) and to the mentors Eddie Mitchell, Sean O’Neill and Martin Scarry for their trojan efforts.
Pearses: Harry Mitchell, Oisin Donoghue, Brian Kelly, Robert Fahy, Peter O’Neill, Robert Hynes. Luke Mitchell, David Hillary, Ethan Lally (Captain); Darragh Roche, Cian Murphy, Conor Moran, Paddy Kenny, Ronan Hynes, Conor Kelly, Dara Scarry, Jack Reilly, Mark Donnellan, Eanna Cunniffe, Cormac Hillary, Stephen Grady.
Report by Martina Donnellan
U14 Feile Round 2
Pearses 0-5; St. Thomas 1-4: We didn’t get the sunshine that was promised for today as Pearses hurlers took to the field for Round 2 of the U14 Feile na Gael. It was a 10.30 start against St. Thomas. Both teams were well up for this game as Pearses edged it in the 1st half with 4 points coming from the stick of Cian Murphy as St. Thomas's landed 0-2. It was fast and furious with the sliotar moving up and down Pairc na Gael. Then just before half time St. Thomas goaled and so Pearses had to play ‘catch-up’. The sides went in at the break St. Thomas 1-2; Pearses 0-4. After the restart Ronan Hynes had a great goal chance as he whipped first time on the ball only to see his effort go marginally to the left of the post. Cian Murphy levelled matters soon after with a great effort from play out near the sideline on the stand side of the field. This turned out to be Pearses last score. Thomas’s took the advantage again when they converted a free right in front of goals and tapped over another just before the end to finish out 2 point winners.
Report by Martina Donnellan
U14 Feile Round 1
Pearses 4-3 Kilconieron 2-9: Pearses U14’s commenced the weekends Feile na Gael campaign with a hard earned draw against Kilconieron in difficult enough conditions in Kilconieron this evening. Not for the first time this year, they turned around a 5 point half time deficit to go 4 points up with just minutes to go and yet conceded a late goal and a point and had to settle in the end for a share of the spoils.
It was a tense finale as the ball was up and down the field but it was Kilconieron who could have snatched a late winner but much to the palpable relief of the sizeable Pearses contingent and mentors their free went to the right of the upright. Pearses dominated the early exchanges as Cian Murphy put 2 good chances wide, while Conor Moran opened the scoring within 2 mins as he tapped over the bar off his right shoulder while subsequently Darragh Roche’s ground pull drew a great save from the Kilconieron goalie. Kilconieron got off the mark with a point from a free but Moran put Pearses ahead again with a lovely stroke this time from his left.
Kilconieron converted their 2nd placed ball from a 65 to level matters at 0-2 apiece. Harry Mitchell then made a splendid save conceding a 65’ which was taken by Kilconieron’s big No. 3 who played more in a roaming position. His well taken 65 found its way to the back of the net for a tonic goal for Kilconieron with 10 mins gone. Kilconieron then scored their first from play and converted another 65’ minutes later, followed by another 2 points from play to go 1-6 to 0-2 up, one a beauty right on the sideline. Pearses immediately responded with a good goal involving Cian Murphy who tapped the ball neatly to Ethan Lally and as Lally throttled goalwards with nothing on his mind only GOAL he was justly rewarded for his effort.
Kilconieron closed out the first half with another free to leave the score 1-07 to 1-02 at half time. Kilconieron restarted where they left off as the big No. 3 scored from play over his right shoulder to widen the gap to 6points. Straight from the puck out Ethan Lally won the ball at midfield and fed Cian Murphy who ran right through the heart of the defence to smash the ball to the net and bring Pearses right back into the game. Cian Murphy delivered again, scoring almost an exact replica of his earlier goal after a smashing pick-up by David Hillary in the middle of the field which set Murphy on his way and he made no mistake with his bullet to tie the game up at 1-08 to 3-02.
Cian Murphy converted a free right in front of the posts after he was fouled himself and young Conor Kelly scored a ‘smash and grab’ minutes later after Darragh Roche sent in a dangerous ball which was batted out by the goalie only for young Kelly to whip first time and find the net. Suddenly Pearses were in the driving seat with 4 points to the good. Kilconieron were awarded a free with 5 mins left to play and the big No. 3 went for goal only for Luke Mitchell to make a splendid block and clear the ball from danger.
With 2 mins left a Kilconieron 65’ was sent right into the square and somehow bundled over the line to put the minimum between the sides and set up a nervy finale. Kilconieron converted a free with seconds left to draw the match but the big free taker thankfully was unable to convert another free. And so the first group game ended with a point a piece.
Scorers: Cian Murphy 2-01; Ethan Lally 1-0; Conor Kelly 1-0; Conor Moran 0-2
Report by Martina Donnellan
U14 Championship Rd. 2
Tommie Larkins 1-10 Pearses 2-6: A big physical Tommie Larkins team travelled to Ballymacward this morning to take on Pearses in Round 2 of the U14B group stages. Conor Moran got our youngsters off to a flying start with a point from play originating from a Cian Murphy free which was played in to corner forward Paddy Kenny who found Moran lurking unmarked to tap over in front of the posts. Paddy Kenny put us 2 points to the good a minute later after a hand pass from Luke Mitchell. Just before that, full back Brian Kelly made a vital interception and Harry Mitchell a great save from a ground pull.
Larkins got on the scoreboard with a point from the stand side of the field assisted with the breeze and levelled matters from a 65 after Brian Kelly initially did well to turn the ball around the post. The game was tied at 0-2 a piece on the quarter hour mark. Then Conor Moran got his 2nd point after Paddy Kenny did the donkey work rolling the ball nicely onto his stick and a lovely stick pass across to Moran to put us a point in front. Minutes later Larkins levelled matters and then Harry Mitchell made a splendid save when a goal looked ominous with a great first time pull but his long clearance fell to Larkins No. 11 who threw it over the bar to go ahead for the first time on 18 mins.
A free from Larkins No. 6 from the stand side of the field put them 0-5 to 0-3 ahead. Then Larkins scored a point from play from around the 45’ line to fire themselves 0-3 in front. Then just before half time we were dealt a blow as Larkins scored a fortuitous goal when Harry Mitchell gathered the ball in goals but was adjudged to have been behind the goal line and the Larkins umpire was quick to raise his hand to flag the goal. Cian Murphy converted a free after a chop down on Luke Mitchell but Larkins responded immediately up the other end with a point from play after a good solo down the stand side of the field. 1-07 to 0-4 at half time and an uphill 2nd half battle was required to bring us back into this game.
Pearses needed to score immediately after the restart to get back into the game but it was Larkins who capitalised on their possession as their No. 11 again ran right through the centre and tapped over the bar. Cian Murphy then scored from play after good work from young Conor Kelly and Conor Moran. Cian Murphy missed a golden opportunity to raise a green flag as he ran through the heart of the defence and tapped the ball inches to the left of the post but the ref awarded a 21 yard free for an earlier foul which was taken by Murphy but somehow scrambled away from danger by Larkins.
Tommie Larkins danger man then ran almost half the length of the field before firing over from the left side and followed up with a free to put Larkins 1-10 to 0-05 in front. The rest of the game belonged totally to Pearses. Conor Moran gave us the tonic required as he scored a great goal from 30 yards to kickstart the fightback. Although missing a scorable free Cian Murphy was coming more and more into the game winning a 65 which was delivered into the danger area by Luke Mitchell and whipped on first time by Paddy Kenny and into the back of the net. 2 points in it but the clock was against us.
Then Conor Moran took a great line ball into our tallysman Cian Murphy who drew 5 players on him before passing to the unmarked David Hillary who fired over to put the minimum between the sides. Then the fearless Harry Mitchell made a point blank save as Larkins fired in a long ball which was caught by the Larkins forward who lashed first time only for brave young Mitchell to pounce off his line in a bid to close down the forward as the ball ricocheted off his back to deny a certain goal. All eyes were on the ref as the clock was counting down and so it finished with a great Pearses comeback showing true courage, grit & bravery with only a point between the sides in the end. Full time: Pearses 2-06; Tommy Larkins 1-10.
Pearses: Harry Mitchell, Oisin Donoghue, Brian Kelly, Robert Fahy, Peter O’Neill, Robert Hynes, Luke Mitchell, David Hillary, Ethan Lally, Daragh Roche, Cian Murphy, Conor Moran, Paddy Kenny, Ronan Hynes, Conor Kelly, Mark Donnellan, Stephen Grady, Jack Reilly, Eanna Cunniffe, Daragh Scarry.
Report by Martina Donnellan.
Senior League Rd. 2
Athenry 0-13 Pearses 0-12: With a strong wind and persistent drizzle in Raheen yesterday, the conditions were not ideal for hurling. As a result, it was very much a game of two halves. Pearses wind assisted in the first half led by six at the break, but Athenry with the gale in the second half overturned that margin to win by the narrowest margin.
After 15 minutes Pearses led 0-4 to 0-1. Tomás Flannery was on target with three frees while Emmet Ward pointed from play, the Athenry score sandwiched in between. Athenry had pulled two back by 18th minute, before possibly Pearses’ best spell of the game. Seán Hardiman and Emmet Ward landed two points apiece from play before a Flannery free left Pearses 0-9 to 0-3 ahead at the break. The teams taking shelter in the dressing rooms at half-time.
The third quarter was close, with Athenry adding three to Pearses’ two points (Flannery). Then similar to the first half the second part of the half was when the wind aided team kicked into gear. Athenry hit six points in-a-row to move ahead on 24 minutes. Following good work by Colm Raftery, Flannery drilled the resulting free into the wind to level the game. However in the final minute a debatable Athenry score from play seen them take the points.
Pearses have won one from the three League games played to date. Remaining matches to come against Ahascragh-Fohenagh, Kilnadeema-Leitrim and Abbeyknockmoy.
Pearses: C Lawless; K Donnellan, T Kenny, R Lally; R Carr, K Hardiman, B Egan; S Hardiman (0-2), L Murphy; E Cunniffe, C Raftery, E Ward (0-3); J Gelston, T Flannery (0-7, 6f), G Lally. Subs: R O’Neill, P Lally, C O’Neill, E Lawless. Referee: Seán Moran.
Senior League Rd. 3
Killimordaly 0-21 Pearses 0-16: With Round 2 (Athenry) and last week's fixture for this game having fell foul of the weather conditions, this was a case of third time lucky today as improved weather allowed the game to go ahead in Ballymacward. Killimordaly were better in the first half and lead 0-13 to 0-8 at the break. Brian Concannon at centre-forward was the main scorer for the men in green and white. Tomas Flannery as ever was reliable from placed balls for Pearses, with full-back Shane Raftery (long range free), Ronan Bellew and Brendan Egan also chipping in with points.
Three half-time substitutes and a series of positional switches gave Pearses a boost they needed and the second half was a much more even contest, 0-8 each. Flannery continued his accuracy from the placed ball, with Shane and Colm Raftery also getting in on the scoring act. Pearses never really got going in this game, but were still within three entering the final minutes. Remaining League games to come against Athenry (refixture), Abbeyknockmoy, Ahascragh-Fohenagh and Kilnadeema-Leitrim.
Pearses: C Lawless; R Lally, S Raftery (0-2), K Donnellan; K Hardiman, C Donnellan, L Murphy; B Egan (0-1), A Bellew; S Hardiman, R O'Neill, B Sweeney; R Bellew (0-1), T Flannery (0-10), G Lally. Subs used: E Ward, J Gelston, C Raftery (0-2), T Kenny, C O'Neill. Referee: James A Lundon.
League & C'ship Groups
The Club’s Senior hurlers were due to play Athenry in League Round 2 last weekend, however that game and the Junior Hurling League game against Sarsfields were both cancelled due to waterlogged pitches. Having defeated Moycullen in Round 1, the remaining Senior League Group games to come are Athenry (refixture), Ahascragh-Fohenagh, Killimordaly, Kilnadeema-Leitrim and Abbeyknockmoy.
The Junior 'B' Hurling Championship Group is Pearses, Kiltormer, Cappataggle, Beagh, Ballinasloe, Abbeyknockmoy, Clarinbridge and Mullagh. In the League the Group is Pearses, Sarsfields, Killimordaly and Cappataggle.
In Minor 'B' Hurling Championship Pearses have been drawn with Cappataggle, Loughrea, Portumna, Killimor and Moycullen.
In Junior ‘B' Football League Pearses have been drawn with Meelick-Eyrecourt, Killererin, Monivea-Abbey, Menlough, Caherlistrane, Tuam Stars and St Brendan’s. In the Championship (which is knockout) Pearses will play Menlough in the first round.
Club Notes 12/02/20
The draw for the 2017 Senior ‘A’ Hurling Championship was made last week. Pearses have been drawn in Group 2 with Portumna, Sarsfields, Gort, Turloughmore and St Thomas’s. The first round game will be against Portumna.
Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew defeated Ballyhaunis in the Connacht Senior ‘C’ Hurling Final recently. Well done to Pearses' Conor Fahey (Captain), Matt Walsh, Cathal Kitt, Mossy Carr, Geordan Kenny, Niall Moran and Cian Murphy who were all involved.
Good luck to our neighbours Ahascragh-Fohenagh this weekend in the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Final against Carrickshock (Kilkenny). Pearses men Willie Dilleen and Cyril Donnellan are part of their management team.
Michael J Kilgannon RIP
Michael John Kilgannon was born in Liscune, Ballymacward in 1940. He was educated at Liscune National School and later at St. Cuan’s College, where his Classmates included long serving Pearses stalwart Tim Byrnes and Pearses Scór Producer, John Corbett. All three graduated from St. Cuan’s with high grade Leaving Certs. Michael John got a call to Primary Teaching at St. Patrick’s College of Education in Drumcondra, Dublin; where he graduated and his two colleagues Tim and John later went to University and qualified as Secondary Teachers, both returning to their Alma Mater in St. Cuan’s, where they both taught for many years.
Michael John Kilgannon’s first appointment was to a rural school in Co. Cavan, back in 1961. He was anxious to return home and was appointed as Principal Teacher in Cloonkeenkerrill N.S. (Colemanstown/Gurteen) in 1962, moving to Esker N.S. (Ballymacward), becoming Principal there in 1966. Five years later, he became Principal in Liscune N.S., where he originally attended Primary School. In 1974, he became Principal of the new Ballymacward Central National School, which was an amalgamation of the old Esker, Garafine and Liscune National Schools. He held this position until his retirement in 2005.
After the formation of Padraig Pearses G.A.A. Club in 1966, he became a Member of the Club and a promoter of Gaelic Games in Ballymacward School, which has since produced many quality School Teams in Hurling, Camogie and Gaelic Football. Indeed in 1966 Michael John donated 'The Kilgannon Cup' which was played for by the various National Schools in the parish at the time, Garafine were the first winners. He immersed himself in Club Affairs, becoming a Member of the Club’s Management Committee and was appointed a Trustee of the Club’s Grounds – “Páirc na nGael” in Ballymacward, back in 1976.
Michael John was always involved in many Community activities and joined the Local Branch of Macra na Feirme. He became a valued Member of the Ballymacward Macra Debating team alongwith his former Classmate Tim Byrnes, Nicholas Byrnes and Gerry Murray. This team, who were coached by Michael John’s predecessor, former School Principal, Mr. Seamus Duffy, went on to win the County Macra Debating Final in 1960. Born to be a Community Activist, Michael John led and became involved in many Community Campaigns, both locally and throughout the wider Western Region.
Pearses G.A.A. Club this week, express their deepest sympathy to Mrs. Maureen Kilgannon and her six Children, on the death of Michael J. Kilgannon. May his noble soul rest in peace. Ar Dheis Lámh Dé go raibh sé.
Funeral Arrangements: Reposing at St. Peter & Paul's Mortuary Chapel, Ballymacward on Saturday, January 21st, from 2-6pm. Funeral Mass Sunday, January 22nd at 1pm. Burial afterwards to Ballymacward New Cemetery. House private.
Text by Noel Treacy.
2016 Adult Teams Review
Once again the Senior Team was managed by Martin Tierney and his selectors Tom Kenny, Martin Campbell and Anthony Kenny with Kevin Molloy the Trainer. Group training began early in January with players anxious to improve on last year’s performance.
In the league group games we played three games losing to Castlegar and beating Kiltormer and Carnmore all of which were played off in one week from the 12th to the 17th March! We narrowly missed out in going through to the knockout stages on scoring difference.
In the Championship we were grouped with Portumna, Craughwell, Cappataggle, Ardrahan and Liam Mellows. We got off to a good start beating Ardrahan in the first round but defeats to Craughwell and Liam Mellows and Portumna followed. We defeated Cappataggle in the last match to qualify for the Preliminary Quarter-Final where we were beaten by Tommy Larkins.
Thanks to Management for their professional approach all year and to all the players who made the commitment in their efforts towards achieving the panels’ potential.
In Junior 'B' Hurling we were grouped with Ballinderreen, Craughwell, Oranmore-Maree, Menlo Emmetts, and Moycullen, losing only one group game. We beat Mountbellew/Moylough in the Quarter-Final and Killimordaly in the semi-final after a replay. We were beaten by Kinvara in the final. Thanks again to Senior Management and Johnny Mullins who also helped with this panel.
In U21 Hurling We were grouped with Kinvara, Abbeyknockmoy, Ballindereen, and Kiltormer. We beat Kiltormer in the first game and were beaten by Kinvara, who topped the group. Thanks to Senior Management who also managed this panel.
The Minor hurlers were grouped with Cappataggle, Portumna, St. Thomas’ and Carnmore, qualifying for the semi-final where they were narrowly beaten by Craughwell. Thanks to Manager Cormac Ward and selectors John Raftery and Ronan Bellew.
Our Junior footballers had a memorable year. They beat Claregalway in the North Board Championship Quarter-Final, defeated Glenamaddy after a replay in the North Semi-Final and beat Oranmore-Maree in North Board Final. They went on to beat Naomh Anna Leitir Móir in the County Final. This was the first title for the Football section of the Club since it's formation in 2013. They also captured the Division 8 League title. They were in a group of ten, which they topped beating Claregalway in the Final. Well done to Manager Adrian Queeney, and his selectors James Clancy and Noel Burke. Thanks also to Leo Morrissey who looked after the administrative side of all things football throughout the year.
Juvenile Review 2016
Hurling: A total of 12 U6’s and 23 U8’s this year came to training on Sunday mornings from February to October. Several games were played against local teams throughout the summer ending with a 5 game blitz for the U8’s at the Connacht Centre of Excellence in Bekan. The lads played excellently in all games winning the majority of them.
Our U10s played 10 games throughout the year starting with a trip away to Na Piarsaigh in Limerick and also ending their playing year with a tournament in Bekan Mayo. They had an excellent year remaining unbeaten throughout.
Our U12s won six games and drew one out of eight group matches to reach the semi-final against Abbeyknockmoy who won the match in extra time. This was an excellent run by a very young but determined team.
The U13s played in a number of highly entertaining and closely fought matches in Gurteen where they qualified for the semi-final playing Meelick-Eyrecourt and were victorious. The U13s went on win the B1 final against Cois Fharraige. This team played excellent hurling throughout the year and were deserving champions, in Duggan Park. Captain Cian Murphy collected the cup, while Luke Mitchell was named Man of the Match.
The U14s won three and drew one out of their 5 group games and reached the U14C Quarter-Final where they defeated Annaghdown. The U14s were defeated by Sylane in the semi-final. The Féile competition was held in Tuam Stadium this year. The U14s played excellent hurling and were victorious against St. Thomas’s, Tuam and Abbeyknockmoy and only losing out to Portumna by a point. Portumna went on to win the group.
The U15s Championship ran in September/October. They won their group which included Kilconieron, Cappataggle and Tynagh Abbey-Duniry and followed this by a big Semi-Final win over Ballygar before losing to Loughrea in the County final, in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe.
The U16s played and were successful against Ballinasloe, Oranmore-Maree, Tommy Larkins, Rahoon- Newcastle and Kilconieron in their group games. They beat Michael Cusacks in the semi–final and lost the County final to Ardrahan, played at Duggan Park.
Football: A very young U12s team took their first foray in competitive football playing Oranmore-Maree, Kinvara and Headford. They showed great skill and enthusiasm losing narrowly in their games. The U16s were successful against Clarinbridge, St James and Loughrea and losing to Headford and Oranmore-Maree in the Division 2C league.
Thanks to a committed and dedicated club executive for their help throughout the year. Thanks to all parents for their continued support. A special thanks also to the juvenile mentors who give so much of their time coaching our youth: Michael Carr, Des McCabe, Declan Moran, Tomás Kenny, Tomás Flannery, Johnny Mullins, Michael Kelly, Paul Hogan, Adrian Queeney, Paul Feeney, Dermot Lydon, Niall Barrett, Martin Scarry, Eddie Mitchell, Niall Skehill, Larry Hillary, Sean O’Neill and Sean Moran for their efforts and dedication throughout the year. Thanks also to the parents who have helped out on many mornings. A special note of thanks to Noel Burke for keeping Gurteen pitch in such good condition.
(Text by Dorothy Scarry, from 2016 AGM Report)
2016 AGM Report
The Club's Annual General Meeting took place earlier this evening in Ballymacward Hall. Chairman Tom O’Grady opened the meeting by requesting a minute’s silence for deceased members of the Club during 2016, including Club Vice-Presidents Brendan Hynes and Fr. Vincent Lawless and also recently deceased Hurling Referee Michael Dolan RIP. Our Sympathies to Michael Dolan’s family, friends and to Kilconieron and Sarsfields G.A.A. Clubs.
Secretary Martin Bellew recounted a memorable 50th year for the Club and thanked all Volunteers for their hard work in making it such a great success. He also noted the success of the Club’s Junior footballers completing the treble earlier in the week. He referenced the full run-down of all the year's activities, available in the AGM booklet.
Next the Club Treasurer Shane Ruane gave a his report, thanking in particular all Club Sponsors for their generous support, the '250 Club' and also the outlets for Club Lotto ticket sales. County Board Chairman Noel Treacy moved quickly to prevent any confusion, by noting that the Rubberbandits had not performed at our 50th Celebrations, in reference to a 'Rubber Training Bands' entry on an Expense sheet. Club Patron Tim Byrnes as ever was in attendance and was an vocal contributor throughout.
in Chairman Tom O’Grady's address he stepped down after four years in the position. Thanks to Tom for his service in the role and he will no doubt continue, as always, being an integral part of the Club on the Executive Committee.
Paul Ryan was elected as a new Club Vice-President. Adrian Queeney became the new Club Chairman and will be joined at the top table by Secretary Martin Bellew and Treasurer Shane Ruane, both continuing in their roles. 2016 Senior hurling manager Martin Tierney spoke, stating that he will not continue as Manager for 2016. Most Manager positions are TBC at later dates. A full list of Officers is available over on this page.
Following motions and election of officers, Co. Board Chairman and Club Vice-President Noel Treacy spoke to the AGM. He was also complementary of the success that was the Club’s 50th year and noting the recent successes of the Club's Junior footballers, suggested that the benefits of football can also improve the Club's players as hurlers. Outgoing Chairman Tom O'Grady and Secretary Martin Bellew concluded the meeting. Well done to new Chairman Adrian Queeney and welcome to the new members of the Executive Committee.
Junior Football Treble
Pearses 4-7 Claregalway 0-9: The Club's Junior footballers completed a unique treble last Thursday evening when they defeated Claregalway to win the Division 8 Football League in Newbridge. Having previously taken North and County Junior 'C' Championship titles, this win capped a great year for football in the Club. Pearses dominated the game from the start and 4 first half goals practically decided the game.
The first goal arrived when Kerrill Hardiman gathered an Enda Cunniffe delivery and was fouled in the square. Cunniffe sent the penalty to the back of the net. Hardiman himself had the ball in the net soon after to leave the score 2-1 to 0-0 after 10 minutes. Claregalway, with former Mayo players James Nallen and David Heaney in their ranks, scored 3 of the game's next 5 points. However two more killer blows from Pearses before half-time, Kerrill Hardiman and Niall Skehill adding a third and fourth goal. 4-3 to 0-3 at the break.
Claregalway outscored Pearses, 0-6 to 0-4 in the scond half but the damage had been done. Pearses kept the scoreboard ticking mainly through Man of the Match, Tomás Flannery. Noel Treacy was on hand again to present the cup to Pearses Captain Gary Lally. Well done to all involved on a great year!
Pearses: J Flannery; L Murphy, S Hardiman, T Broderick; J Lally, D Wynne, G Lally (0-1); A Bellew, L Morrissey; E Cunniffe (1-2), R Lally, A Finn; T Flannery (0-3), K Hardiman (2-1), N Skehill (1-0). Subs: K Connell, C Hogan, R Carr.
GAA Membership Cards
The online registration site for the new GAA Membership Card and GRMA rewards programme is now live. GAA Club Members are asked to register for the programme at gaa.ie/grma. Registered Members will receive their official GAA Membership Card personalised with their name, club and GAA membership number from January.
The GRMA rewards programme will also be available from January providing registered GAA Members with access to exclusive discounts, special offers and the opportunity to earn points for going to games. Points can be redeemed by individual members or pooled for redemption by GAA clubs. Members need their GAA membership number to register on gaa.ie/grma. Posters and membership number leaflets have been delivered to all county board office for distribution to clubs. The leaflets should be used to provide members with their membership number when renewing their subscription for 2017. Membership Cards will only be distributed to members who have signed up to GRMA online.
A national media launch will take place at Croke Park with Uachtarán Aogan Ó Fearghail on Tuesday 22nd November. In the New Year, phase two of the programme will be launched. This will enable GAA supporters and match-goers to register and earn points through the grma programme.
Membership Cards are only issued to GAA Club Members who have renewed their subscriptions. The programme is available to GAA members who are over 18. For further details, visit gaa.ie/grma, or contact the grma team at grma@gaa.ie.
Co. Junior Football Final
Pearses 2-11 Naomh Anna, Leitir Móir 1-5. Pearses Junior footballers followed on from their recent Junior 'C' North Championship win, when they defeated Naomh Anna, Leitir Móir to claim the County title last Saturday in Pearse Stadium, Salthill. It was a first football County cup for the Club since resuming dual status in 2013. The first half was a low scoring affair, with Pearses going in 0-4 to 0-3 in front. The third quarter of the game was when Pearses took control and opened a six point lead, thanks mainly to 1-1 from Damien Wynne. Pearses held the lead until the finish.
It took a while for the first score of the game which arrived on the eighth minute from the boot of Sean Hardiman. The same player was unlucky to pick up a second yellow card three minutes later. Leitir Móir initially used their extra man to good effect and picked off the next three points of the game to lead 0-3 to 0-1 after 21 minutes. The pick of the scores a sideline kick angled over brilliantly by Pádraic Mac Eochagáin. The final 10 minutes of the first half belonged to Pearses with points from Enda Cunniffe, Kerrill Hardiman and Richie Lally giving Pearses that narrow half-time lead.
14-man Pearses stormed into the second half and bagged 1-1 in the first five minutes. Substitute Emmet Ward opened the scoring before Damien Wynne burst through the Naomh Anna defence to bury the ball in the net, 1-5 to 0-3. There could well have been another Pearses goal as a surge upfield by Gary Lally created a goal chance for Ward, which was well saved by the keeper, Micheál Ó Curraoin. Leitir Móir hit back with a pointed free on the 41st minute, but three more Pearses points (Wynne, Ward and Hardiman) by the 50th minute left Naomh Anna seven behind, 1-8 to 0-4.
As you would expect Naomh Anna came looking for goals and Lee Murphy cleared off the Pearses line on the 21st minute. Two minutes later Emmet Ward extended Pearses' lead to nine with the game's second goal. Centre-back Ronan Bellew extended the lead with a point from play. Credit to Naomh Anna they never gave in, finding the net with 4 minutes left.
Super-sub Ward landed Pearses' 10th point before Enda Cunniffe found himself through one-on-one with the keeper on the 58th minute. Not for the first time Ó Curraoin saved expertly to deny a third goal. From the resulting sequence of play Ward knocked over the game's final point.
Captain Gary Lally collected the Club's second piece of Silverware in seven days from County Board Chairman Noel Treacy. Damien Wynne was named Man of the Match. Indeed the season is not yet over for this group of players as they are set to meet Milltown in the League Semi-Final (fixture TBC). Any mention of trebles banned for now, by the team's spiritual leader Leo Morrissey.
Pearses: J Flannery; L Murphy, K Donnellan, T Broderick; J Lally, R Bellew (0-1), G Lally; A Bellew, L Morrissey; D Wynne (1-1), E Cunniffe (0-1), S Hardiman (0-1); R Skehill, K Hardiman (0-2), R Lally (0-1). Subs used: E Ward (1-4), B Egan, A Finn, N Skehill.
North Junior Football Final
Pearses 4-8 Oranmore-Maree 0-7: The Club’s Junior footballers defeated Oranmore-Maree last Saturday in the North Board Junior 'C' Final at Tuam Stadium. They have gained promotion to Junior ‘B’ for 2017 and a place in the County Junior ‘C’ Football Final against Connemara club Naomh Anna, Leitir Móir. Two goals in the first five minutes set the tone for the rest of the game as Pearses ran out comfortable winners.
Both teams observed a minute's silence for Sheila Bellew RIP before the throw-in. When the action got under way, the first goal wasn't long arriving. Damien Wynne latched on to the break and finished to the net after an Enda Cunniffe free had dropped short in the square. Just two minutes later Tómas Flannery had the ball in the net for Pearses. By the 15th minutes Pearses led 2-2 to 0-1, with Flannery and Cunniffe points coming either side of Oranmore-Maree's first. Oranmore-Maree had some chances from placed balls, but just didn't have the range. In the second quarter the men in blue came more into the game and added three points to Pearses' two, leaving the half-time score 2-4 to 0-3.
Kerrill Hardiman had the ball in the net four minutes into the second half and by the end of the third quarter Pearses had added three more points, with Oranmore-Maree's first score of the second half not coming until the 51st minute, 3-7 to 0-4. Oranmore-Maree added three points in the last ten minutes and rattled the crossbar, but 1-1 from Pearses held off any slim hope of a comeback. Emmet Ward with the final goal of the game in injury time.
Captain Gary Lally accepted the cup from Galway County Board Chairman and Club Vice-President Noel Treacy. He praised the Management team of Adrian Queeney, James Clancy and Noel Burke and noted that the win was just reward for their commitment too. Best of luck to the team and management in the County Final.
Pearses: J Flannery; L Murphy, K Donnellan, T Broderick; J Lally, R Bellew, G Lally; A Bellew, L Morrissey; T Flannery (1-1), E Cunniffe (0-5), D Wynne (1-0); R Skehill, K Hardiman (1-2), R Lally. Subs used: B Egan, A Finn, E Ward (1-0).
U15B Hurling Final
Loughrea 1-17 Pearses 1-15. Despite going down by two points in the end Pearses U15 hurlers displayed good character on Friday evening in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe. They trailed by six points at half time and Loughrea looked in control of the game, but they fought back to hit the front with 15 minutes left. The teams were level twice in the final quarter before Loughrea edged it.
An Oisin Flannery free opened the scoring and Pearses lead 0-2 to 0-0 after five minutes. Loughrea were back level on nine minutes and the teams were deadlocked again on 13 minutes, 0-3 apiece. Dean Reilly’s using his pace to good effect up front with two points for Pearses. Loughrea hit a purple patch yielding 1-6 and had opened a seven point lead by the 20th minute. Dean Reilly ended an eight minute scoreless spell for Pearses on 25 minutes and the teams shared six points evenly before the half-time whistle: Loughrea 1-12 Pearses 0-9.
Pearses came flying into the game in the third quarter and hit an unanswered 1-4 in this period to take the lead. Oisin Flannery (3) and Reilly were the point scorers. Flannery was also the goalscorer when his dropping shot ended up in the net from 45 yards, Luke Mitchell’s leap across the keeper’s line of vision leaving the netminder unsighted for that split second. With 15 minutes left Pearses led 1-13 to 1-12.
Two Loughrea points pushed them ahead with ten minutes remaining. Flannery levelled again from a placed ball on 52 minutes. Loughrea outscored Pearses 0-3 to 0-1 in the final minutes to take the title. Well done to the lads for the way they came back after half-time. It’s admirable to see such a quality in young players.
Pearses (panel): D McCabe; B Kelly, E McCabe, N Moran; M Hennelly, S Hynes, R Hynes; J Barrett (0-1), G Kenny; C Kitt (0-1), O Flannery (1-9), C Murphy, Eoin Lally, D Reilly (0-4), J Mitchell. Subs: Ethan Lally, L Mitchell, R Fahy, C Moran.
Junior 'B' Final
Kinvara 1-12 Pearses 0-8. Pearses had a good start to this Junior ‘B’ County Final played yesterday in Loughrea, leading 0-5 to 0-2 after 13 minutes. The game was level 0-5 apiece by the 21st minute before a Gerry Huban goal for Kinvara gave them the lead which they would hold until the final whistle as nothing seemed to go right for Pearses after that good opening spell.
Robbie Donnellan opened the scoring for Pearses from a tight angle inside the first minute. Kinvara landed two points to go in front before Seán Murray, continuing his scoring from wing-back in the Semi-final, levelled the game for Pearses. The next three points of the game came from Pearses, with scores from Niall Skehill (2) and Kealan Beckett making it 0-5 to 0-2. Pearses would not score for 12 minutes, as Kinvara reeled off 1-5. The Huban’s Gerry and David leading the Kinvara charge. The teams exchanged two pointed frees before half time to leave it Kinvara 1-8 Pearses 0-6 at the break.
The second half was low scoring, with just three points from both teams in the third quarter, two from Kinvara. Both sets of forwards were finding it hard to make progress against tight backlines. A Niall Skehill free on the 48th minute would be Pearses’ final score of the game. Pearses pushed hard for a goals and did come close, but just could not find the net. Two more pointed frees from Kinvara sealed their win.
Kinvara had the disappointment of losing the 2014 Junior ‘B’ Final to Clarinbridge. Hopefully, like Kinvara, we can come back from the disappointment of losing this Final to take the title next year.
Pearses: P O’Brien; J Jenkins, P Raftery, A Burke; S Murray (0-1), B Egan, R Carr; K Donnellan, E Lawless; L Morrissey, K Beckett (0-1), N Skehill (0-4); D Burke, A Kilkenny, R Donnellan (0-1). Subs used: C O’Grady (0-1), S Walsh, J Lally, R Skehill. Subs: E Burke, M Walsh, C Lawless, D Lawless.
James Kyne R.I.P.
James Kyne R.I.P. was a founder Member of Pádraig Pearses GAA Club and was one of our most enthusiastic and loyal Supporters. He was also a Founder Member of Pearses Handball Club and its first Treasurer. James was a noted Handballer himself and travelled the Country with the late Paddy Flynn, for various Competitions.
James' late father came from Clonbur and bought the Pub in Ballymacward in 1901, with an uncle of James buying the Pub in Gurteen. Football was strong in the Kyne genes and James played Football for Ballymacward and later for Tullawickey (an amalgamation of Ballymacward, Gurteen and Woodlawn). His first cousins, the late Joe in Gurteen and the late Seamus in Clonbur both played Football for Galway with distinction. James was also a cousin of the late martyred Priest, Fr. Michael Griffin of Gurteen and later Galway City. James carried on the Family's business tradition of General Merchants and Publicans in Ballymacward. The late James Kyne was a decent, generous and quiet man. Ar dheis lamh dé go raibh se.
Reposing today, Friday, at St Peter and Paul's Mortuary Chapel adjoining Church at Ballymacward from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Removal from his residence on Saturday 15th to St Peter and Paul's Church for Mass at 2pm with burial afterwards at the new Cemetery, Ballymacward. Family flowers only. Donations, if desired, to Irish Kidney Association.
Text by Noel Treacy.
Minor 'B' Semi-Final
Craughwell 2-16 Pearses 1-17: When Pearses drew level in injury time in this Minor ‘B’ Semi-Final played Saturday in Loughrea, it looked like the game was heading for a replay. However Craughwell landed two points at the opposite end to secure the win.
Pearses started well with two Oisin Flannery frees, but Craughwell hit 1-3 to go four in front by the 10th minute. Points from Matt Walsh and Conor O’Neill either side of a Craughwell free left it 1-4 to 0-4 after 15 minutes. Pearses outscored Craughwell 0-7 to 0-2 in the second quarter of the game. Mainly through the free-taking of Oisin Flannery, with Matt Walsh and Dean Reilly chipping in. Pearses were unlucky not to find the net too, when the Craughwell keeper brought off a super save with his hand. Pearses let 0-11 to 1-6 at half-time.
10 minutes into the second half Pearses had extended the lead to three, but Craughwell hit 1-2 to take back the lead. In the remaining 10 minutes the scores came thick and fast. The result seemed to be decided as Craughwell lead 2-14 to 0-16 heading into injury time, but there was more drama to follow.
Oisin Flannery stepped up to send a 21-yard-free to the back of the net and leave just one point in the game. Dean Reilly followed soon after with an equalising point and a draw looked the most likely outcome. However there was still more injury time remaining and Craughwell got the two killer points to see them through to the Final against Meelick-Eyrecourt.
Hard luck to the lads. They were desperately unlucky in the end. The loss of Cian Lawless, who had been solid at full-back throughout the season was a blow for this game, but the team battled gamely. With many of these lads underage again next year they can hope to build on this year’s progress.
Pearses (panel): J Barrett; E Burke, R Flannery, S Murray; S Hynes, R O’Neill, S Doran; C O’Neill (0-2), D Grady; C Kitt, C Fahey (0-1), D Reilly (0-2); M Ruane, M Walsh (0-2), O Flannery (1-10). G Kenny, M Carr, C Burke, C Lawless.
4 wins from 4 for U10s
Our U8 and U10 hurlers travelled to the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan, Ballyhaunis on Saturday morning. The U8s played Loughrea, Salthill, Moycullen, Athenry and Skehana. The U10s had 4 wins from four defeating St. Thomas's, Turloughmore, Ardrahan and Clarinbridge.
U10 Game 1: Pearses 2-3. St. Thomas 2-0. This game took a while to get going. Goals from Anthony Feeney and Dara Scarry, a long range point from Jonah Donnellan and 2 late points from 7 year old match winner Sean Kelly helped Pearses squeeze through a close game.
U10 Game 2: Pearses 2-1; Turloughmore 0-3. Two exceptionally well taken goals from Dara Scarry and a point from Harry Mitchell was enough to see Pearses close out a tight game.
U10 Game 3: Pearses 3-2; Clarinbridge. 2-0. Two goals from 8 year old Darren Moran and another from top scorer for Pearses U10's on the day Dara Scarry and 2 points taken on the run from Harry Mitchell did the trick against a strong Clarinbridge team.
U10 Game 4: Pearses 3-6; Ardrahan 0-2; Harry Mitchell ran riot with 2 goals and another from Anthony Feeney as well as 4 exceptional points from play from David Walsh and 2 from Jonah Donnellan finished the day with a great spread of scores in Pearses most convincing win of the day.
This closes the U10 hurling season for the year. The parents wish to thank the entire underage management team for their trojan voluntary efforts put in and commitment and dedication shown since the underage campaign began last February. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed and are greatly appreciated by children and parents alike.
U10 Panel: Dara Scarry, Harry Mitchell, Anthony Feeney, Brian Thompson, Jamie Nutley, Jonah Donnellan, Sean Kelly, Darren Moran, Diarmuid Ryan, Dylan Roche, David Walsh, Conor Hillary, Cathal Hynes, Ross Lally.
U8 Panel: Fionn Donoghue, James Queeney, Darren Moran, Conor Walsh, Padraic Kelly, Daniel Keating, Luke Mitchell, James Feeney, Eoin Ryan, Joe Carroll, Tommy Nutley, James Somers, Dylan King, Daniel Lydon, Niall Grady, Ciaran Hogan, Sean Kelly, Tadgh Harte, Robbie Lydon.
Thanks to Martina Donnellan for the report.
Junior B Semi-Final Replay
Pearses 2-13 Killimordaly 2-11: Apart from a shower before the delayed throw-in to this game, playing conditions were much improved for this Derby Semi-Final Replay played yesterday in Turloughmore. Pearses led by five at half time, but Killimordaly stormed back at the start of the second half to make it a one point game. 1-4 from Pearses put them eight clear, before the green and white brought it back to one again. Late scores from Niall Skehill and Kealan Beckett seen Pearses through to a first Junior ‘B’ Final since 2009.
Pearses led 0-4 to 0-2 after 11 minutes, with Niall Skehill (3) continuing where he left off last week and Robbie Donnellan the scorers. Two minutes later Aidan Kilkenny had the ball in the Killimordaly net, when he somehow managed to squeeze the ball past the keeper from a tight angle, while falling under the challenge of two defenders. On the 18th minute Killimordaly were awarded a penalty and made the most of the chance to cut the gap back to two points, 1-4 to 1-2. Killimordaly wouldn’t score for the remainder of the half, as Aidan Kilkenny (2) and Niall Skehill would extend Pearses lead to five, 1-7 to 1-2.
Killimordaly hit four points in-a-row in the first eight minutes of the second half, to make it 1-7 to 1-6 and it was all to play for. On the 40th minute Aidan Kilkenny struck for his and Pearses’ second goal and put breathing space between the sides again. The introduction of Sean Walsh in the Pearses half-forward line was making an impact and Pearses reeled off the next four points, 2-11 to 1-6. Again, credit to Killimordaly’s fighting spirit they did not give up. They themselves responded with 1-4 and with five minutes to play the minimum separated the side again.
Niall Skehill was on target from a free to make it 2-12 to 2-10 and shortly afterwards Kealan Becket landed a great long range point from the right to put three between the teams. Killimordaly forced a 21 yard free at the other end in the closing stages, but Niall Earls blazed over and soon after the final whistle sounded, Pearses were back in the Final.
Pearses: P O’Brien; A Burke, P Raftery, J Jenkins; S Murray, B Egan, R Carr; E Lawless (0-1), K Donnellan; L Morrissey, K Beckett (0-1), N Skehill (0-5); D Burke, A Kilkenny (2-3), R Donnellan (0-3). Subs used: S Walsh, R Skehill, J Lally. Man of the Match: Aidan Kilkenny.
Junior B Semi-Final
Pearses 0-11 Killimordaly 0-11: Conditions for this game played in Ahascragh yesterday were not suitable for good hurling, with showers and heavy underfoot conditions. Pearses led by one point at half-time and were ahead 11-8 entering the final 10 minutes. Killimordaly had the better finish drawing level at the end to earn another day out.
Pearses led 0-5 to 0-4 after seventeen minutes of play. Aidan Kilkenny, Niall Skehill (3) and Sean Murray the scorers. Killimordaly getting themselves back into the game after falling three behind early on. Leo Morrissey then got his name on the scoresheet from play, followed by another Skehill free, 0-7 to 0-4. Killimordaly finished the half better with two points leaving just one point between the teams at half time, 0-7 to 0-6. The players were lucky to get off the field at that point, as a heavy downpour had the spectators running for cover.
Two Niall Skehill frees after half time made it 0-9 to 0-6, before a Killimordaly response. Skehill again made it 0-10 to 0-7 after 43 minutes. Like the first half Killimordaly would have the better of the remainder of the half and outscored Pearses 0-4 to 0-1 in this period. There was some uncertainty about the scoreline on the final whistle, but a draw was probably the fairest result, given the terrible conditions. Both teams will hope to produce a better performance in the replay.
Pearses: P O’Brien; A Burke, P Raftery, J Jenkins; S Murray (0-1), B Egan, R Carr; E Lawless, K Donnellan; C Lawless, K Beckett, N Skehill (0-7); L Morrissey (0-1), A Kilkenny (0-1), R. Donnellan (0-1). Subs used: R Skehill, D Burke, D Lawless.
Junior B Qtr-Final
Pearses 4-16 Mountbellew-Moylough 0-13: Our Junior B hurlers are through to the Championship Semi-Finals after a convincing win over Mountbellew-Moylough yesterday in Ahascragh. Pearses led from start to finish in this game and three first half goals were blows that Mountbellew-Moylough never recovered from.
Pearses had hit four points in the first ten minutes, before Mountbellew-Moylough opened their account. Mountbellew-Moylough also guilty of four wides in this spell. Cian Lawless netted the first Pearses goal on the 12th minute to stretch the lead. By the 20 minute mark it was 1-6 to 0-2. A burst upfield by Brendan Egan before hitting a long range point on the run was a highlight. Mountbellew-Moylough then hit a purple patch scoring four points in-a-row, to make it a three point game. However that comeback was halted by two Pearses goals in three minutes, Lawless again and Robbie Donnellan poaching another, 3-7 to 0-7 at half-time.
In the first ten minutes of the second half Mountbellew-Moylough outscored Pearses by 0-5 to 0-4. The pick of the nine was a first time pull from Robbie Donnellan, flying over from 45 yards. Noel McDonagh, son of a former Pearses stalwart, accurate from frees for the men in black and amber. There was a nine minute scoreless spell for both teams before a point apiece, 3-11 to 0-13. In the final ten minutes Pearses hit 1-4 without reply, Aidan Kilkenny with the Pearses goal.
Pearses now advance to play Killimordaly in the Semi-Finals, while Castlegar take on Kinvara in the other side of the draw.
Pearses: P O’Brien; J Jenkins, P Raftery, S Murray; A Naughton, B Egan (0-2), R Carr; K Donnellan (0-1), E Lawless; N Skehill (0-6), K Beckett, C Lawless (2-0); L Morrissey, A Kilkenny (1-2), R Donnellan (1-3). Subs used: A Burke, C O’Grady, R Skehill (0-1), D Lawless (0-1), E Burke.
Brendan Hynes R.I.P
There was widespread shock across the Galway & Irish Communities in New York City and here in the West, throughout Counties Galway and Mayo and further afield; on the sudden and unexpected death of Brendan Hynes in New York, on Sunday last, September 4th.
Brendan Hynes was born in Gurteen, Ballinasloe, in 1934 and was educated at the local National School and later at Ballinafad College.
He was an outstanding young Sportsman and played Hurling and Football with Gurteen & Ballymacward – later with St. Kerrill’s, an amalgamation of both; graduating onto the Galway Minor Hurling Team in 1952. Like many of his fellow Irishmen, he emigrated to the U.K. in 1955 and joined Manchester Shamrocks G.A.A. Club, winning a Lancashire County Senior Hurling Championship Medal in 1956 and was later selected and played for Lancashire in the U.K. G.A.A. Championships. He left the U.K. and went on to the U.S.A. arriving in New York in 1961, where he lived for the past fifty five years. His first job was as a Bus Driver and after that he fulfilled his mandatory enlistment in the U.S. Military Services, serving in Germany for two years.
On his return to New York, he re-joined his G.A.A. Colleagues in the Galway Hurling Club of New York, captaining them to win the North American/New York Senior Hurling Championship in 1964; a feat which this star studded Team repeated in 1965 & 1966; thus mirroring the Galway Football “Three-in-a-Row” success here at home, in the same years. He played for New York against Ireland in the Cardinal Cushing Games in Boston in 1964, ’65 & ’66, with New York winning the first two and Ireland, Captained by the legendary Christy Ring, narrowly winning in 1966. Later he would become the Galway/New York Team Manager in 1968 and subsequently became a Galway & New York G.A.A. Officer.
He married the love of his life, a great Mayo woman, Ann McDonnell, from Glenamoy in October 1966. They have four Children and twelve Grandchildren. Brendan Hynes was a distinguished Public Servant in New York, becoming Transport Commissioner in the State of Queens, responsible for Highway supervision, along with Road development and maintenance, Lighting, etc.
After that, he developed the famous “Green Leaf” Public House on 242nd. Street in Broadway. The Green Leaf became a home from home for Emigrants from Ireland and especially for Galway G.A.A. People. Later he would develop the Hynes Plaza, a commercial and residential complex in Upstate, New York.
In a statement this week, the County G.A.A. Chairman, Noel Treacy stated “Brendan Hynes was an outstanding Galwayman and was so proud of his Country. He loved Galway and flew home for our Games annually, including the Game with Cork in April last. He also attended Pearses’ Games, irrespective of Grade or Code, when he was home.
An outstanding Sportsman, he was a person of decency and generosity and was extremely good to Galway Emigrants, arriving in New York over the years. A man of pleasant disposition, he endeared himself to many, at home and abroad.
We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Ann and their four Adult Children – Kerrill, Cathy, Deirdre and Kenneth; along with their Spouses and Children; to his brother John in Ballymacward; cousins, in-laws and many friends. Ní bheidh a leitheád arís ann”.
Brendan Hynes Funeral Mass will take place in St. Denis R.C. Church, Hopewell Junction, New York; on this Friday, September 9th at 12 Noon. A Memorial Mass in his honour will be held in Ballymacward R.C.C. on Monday next, September 12th at 8pm. May he Rest in Peace.
U13B1 Champions 2016
Pearses 4-9 Cois Fharriage 2-5: A storming second half by Pearses secured a third U13 title in four years for the Club in this game played in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe. Pearses trailed 2-4 to 1-4 at half time, but outscored the Gaeltacht team 3-5 to 0-1 in the second half for a memorable win.
Cois Fharriage went two points up early on before two Cian Murphy frees levelled the game. Pearses hit the front again before Cois Fharraige goaled at the other end. In this end to end contest two raspers by Cian Murphy was well blocked by the opposition keeper, before a Conor Moran delivery from the right wing went all the way to the net, Pearses back in front by 1. The teams shared the next two points before Cois Fharraige found the net again at the town end. Pearses keeper Harry Mitchell making an excellent save only to see the rebound fly past him. The Gaeltacht men added a point to lead by three at half time.
In the opening five minutes of the second half Pearses had hit 1-3 without reply to reverse the half time deficit. Cian Murphy with the goal, Luke Mitchell, Ronan Hynes and Conor Moran the points. Cois Fharraige hit back with what was to be their last score of the game. Pearses dominated the rest of the game, Luke and Cian adding 1-1 apiece. The defence were impressive also tightening their marking on the big Cois Fharraige centre-forward, who had caused problems in the first half.
It was an super turnaround in the second half and despite many of the team being underage again next year, they were not phased by their bigger opponents. Cian Murphy accepted the cup from Pádraic Lohan (Coiste Iomana na nÓg) and Luke Mitchell was named Man of the Match, accepting his award from Tom Monaghan (Ocean Hygiene Supplies). Well done to all and a big Thanks to the Mentors for their hard work with the panel during the year. Thanks also to all who lit fires and turned out for the home-coming!
Pearses (panel): Harry Mitchell, Robert Fahey, Brian Kelly, Oisin Donoghue, Peter O’Neill, Robert Hynes, Luke Mitchell (1-2), Ethan Lally, David Hillary, Conor Moran (1-1), Cian Murphy (2-4), Paddy Kenny (0-1), Darragh Roche, Ronan Hynes (0-1), Mark Donnellan, Dara Scarry, Conor Kelly, Anthony Feeney, Eanna Cunniffe, Jack Reilly, Stephen Grady.
Senior Prelim Qtr-Final
Tommie Larkins 0-21 Pearses 1-14: Larkins led by Jason Flynn were more economical with their chances in the first half of this game played in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe. That gave them a lead which they held until the final whistle. Pearses never gave up and cut the margin to three in injury time, but time ran out and Larkins progressed to the Quarter-Final.
The teams were level 0-3 each after six minutes. Tom Flannery (2) and Adrian Bellew the scorers. Flynn and Kevin McHugo on target for Larkins. In the next 15 minutes Larkins added six points in-a-row to take a commanding lead. There was a Pearses goal chance for Lee Murphy and Pearses hit some wides, before Emmett Ward broke the scoreless spell with a point from the left wing. The remaining 10 minutes seen a more even scoring spread as the teams shared 0-3 each. Half-time score: Larkins 0-12 to 0-7.
Larkins had pushed into a nine point lead after 11 minutes of the second half, Flynn with all bar one of their 0-5 in this spell. The final quarter was Pearses’ best spell as they tried to rescue the result, outscoring the Ballinakill-Woodford side 1-6 to 0-5. A Cyril Donnellan 21’ was stopped on the line in the 24th minute. He picked up a second yellow card in injury time but despite being reduced to 14 Pearses manufactured a penalty. Flannery sent it to the net and the margin was suddenly down to 3, however Larkins responded at the other end with an insurance score to seal the win.
Pearses: F Flannery; S Raftery, T Kenny, R Lally; A Bellew (0-1), R Bellew, K Hardiman; J Gelston, R O’Neill; C Donnellan (0-1), E Ward (0-2), S Hardiman (0-1); G Lally, T Flannery (1-8), L Murphy. Subs used: C Ward (0-1), D Wynne, E Cunniffe, B Sweeney. Ref: C Browne.
AI Semi-Final Tickets
Please see below the event and ticketing details for the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Semi Finals, on 14th August in Croke Park. Tickets for this game are not be available through the Club.
GAA Hurling Semi-Final
Minor: 1.30pm, Galway v Tipperary
Senior: 3.30pm, Galway v Tipperary
Prices as follows
Hogan Stand (No Concession) €40
Cusack Stand €40
Terrace €25
Family Tickets
Family Tickets (Cusack and Davin Stands Only)
Adults €40 & Juveniles €5
Students & Senior Citizens (Cusack & Davin Stand Only)
Purchase full price tickets and get rebate of €10 with valid I.D. at Block D, Stiles 1 to 5 in the Cusack Stand (Rebate can only be claimed on entry into the stadium via BLOCK D)
Wheelchair Tickets
The Wheelchair Ticket and Assistant's ticket is €40
Tickets are now on also on general sale online and via the SuperValu/Centra stores. Tickets available also, for Clubs, Season Ticket Holders, Members of Supporters Club in Pearse Stadium between 10.30am and 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, from 10am Wednesday 3 August to 4pm on Friday 12 August.
U16B Hurling Final
Ardrahan 1-10 Ardrahan 2-9: Our U16 hurlers came up just short against a strong Ardrahan side this evening in the U16B Final played in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe. In wet and windy conditions Pearses trailed 1-7 to 0-5 at half time having played against the wind. The lads showed great spirit to turn things around in the third quarter and went one up with 47 minutes gone. Ardrahan hit back with a goal of their own just three minutes later to retake the lead. They added two more points to Pearses’ one and survived a late goal chance to claim the title.
Ardrahan landed the first three points of the game, before Oisin Flannery opened the Pearses scoring with a pointed free on nine minutes, 0-3 to 0-1. Pearses stepped it up in the next 10 minutes, outscoring the South Galway team 0-3 to 0-2. Oisin Flannery with all scores, two of them frees earned by Cian Murphy and Geordan Kenny, 0-5 to 0-4. Ardrahan went three clear and goaled in first half stoppage time to give themselves a 1-7 to 0-5 lead at the change of ends.
The third quarter was Pearses’ best spell. Ardrahan extended their lead to six points just after the restart, but in the next fifteen minutes Pearses scored 1-4 to go in front for the only time in the game. Flannery was on target from frees and play, while Dean Reilly at full-forward bagged 1-1. Ardrahan swung the game back in their favour with 1-1 of their own and led by three with nine minutes left. They did not score again, as Pearses battled to close the gap. Darragh Healy pointed for Pearses with six minutes left. Ronan Flannery did well at the other end to cut out an Ardrahan goal chance. Dean Reilly used his pace to create a goal chance in the closing stages. The Ardrahan keeper made a brave stop to keep it out.
Hard luck to the lads. They put in a battling performance, showing great heart and never gave up. It just wasn’t to be in the end. Well done to Ardrahan.
Pearses: D McCabe; E McCabe, R Flannery, N Moran; M Hennelly, S Hynes, S Doran; J Barrett, D Grady; G Kenny, D Healy (0-1), D Reilly (1-1), J Mitchell, O Flannery (0-8), C Murphy. Subs: L Mitchell, M Carr, J Friel, C Burke, R Hynes, Ethan Lally, Eoin Lally, B Kelly, C Kitt.
Senior Prelim Qtr-Finals
Following this evening's Senior 'B' playoffs, the lineup for the Senior Hurling Preliminary Quarter-Finals is now complete. The Senior 'A' Prelim Quarter-Finalists are: Pearses, Sarsfields, St Thomas's and Cappataggle. The Senior 'B' Prelim Quarter-Finalists are: Tommy Larkins, Mullagh. Kilnadeema-Leitrim and Beagh. The draw will pair off the Senior 'A' teams against the Senior 'B' teams.
The four winners of the preliminary Quarter-Finals will then proceed to the Quarter-Finals proper, where Loughrea, Gort, Portumna and Craughwell have qualified directly. The four preliminary winners will each play one of the direct qualified teams (Loughrea, Gort, Portumna and Craughwell).
Senior C'ship Rd. 5
Pearses 1-21 Cappataggle 0-11: The Club’s senior hurlers advanced to the Preliminary Quarter-Finals yesterday in Duggan Park. This was a must win game to give us a chance of making it through. A strong second quarter seen Pearses open a three point gap with the wind. The lead had stretched to seven by the break. The result was put out of doubt in the 23rd minute of the second half when substitute Jimmy Gelston scored the game’s only goal.
Pearses led by one point (0-4 to 0-3) after 10 minutes of play. Kerrill Hardiman opened the scoring, followed by points from Tomás Flannery and Cyril Donnellan, while Daniel Nevin was on target for Cappataggle. After 20 minutes the lead had extended to three and could have been more, but for a good save by James Skehill to deny Lee Murphy. With the score at 0-10 to 0-4, Cyril Donnellan (now at full-forward) collected a cross field ball and his low shot was again kept out by Skehill. One of the highlights of the closing stages of the first half was a super high catch by Tommy Mac, while Ronan O’Neill and Flannery added two more Pearses points to leave the half-time score, 0-12 to 0-5.
The third quarter seen the teams share eight points evenly, as Cappy came looking to fight their way back. Seán Hardiman and Flannery (2 each), while Nevin and Mannion were among the Cappy scorers. Flannery also went close for a goal, but the shot was stopped by Skehill. With Pearses leading 0-17 to 0-9 a long delivery into the square was broken down by Cormac Ward. Another sub Jimmy Gelston was on hand to finish past Skehill. Pearses added 0-5 to Cappy’s 0-2 in the closing stages to run out convincing winners.
In the other fixtures played in the Group Craughwell had defeated Liam Mellows and Portumna had seen off Ardrahan, meaning Pearses finished in fourth place and qualified for the knockout stages. Loughrea, Gort, Portumna and Craughwell go direct to the Quarter-Finals. The preliminary Quarter-Finals will include Pearses, Sarsfields, St Thomas’s, Cappataggle, Tommy Larkins, Mullagh, the winners of Abbeyknockmoy v Kilnadeema-Leitrim and the winners of Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry v Beagh.
Pearses: F Flannery; T McDonagh, T Kenny, R Lally; A Bellew, R Bellew, K Hardiman (0-1); C Donnellan (0-2), R O’Neill (0-1); S Hardiman (0-3), E Ward (0-1), E Cunniffe; G Lally (0-1), T Flannery (0-11), L Murphy. Subs used: C Ward (0-1), J Gelston (1-0), D Wynne.
U16 Through To Co. Final
Pearses 3-13 Michael Cusacks 1-17: The Club’s U16 hurlers qualified for the U16B final today with an extra-time win over Michael Cusacks in Kenny Park, Athenry. Pearses fell behind by six points in the first half and four in the second half of normal time, but both times fought their way back into the game and finally come out on top.
The Beagh-Kilbeacanty team, with the breeze, led by 0-7 to 0-1 after 15 minutes of the game. Pearses had shot some wides and also been reduced to 14 men, losing Dylan Grady to a red card. Fortunes changed when Oisin Flannery and then Dean Reilly both found the net for Pearses to level the game and Cusacks were also reduced to 14. A Flannery free seen Pearses go in at half-time one in front, 2-2 to 0-7.
Despite Flannery and Reilly frees, Cusacks had taken a one point lead back by the 10th minute of the second half. It could have been more, but for a shot which came off Darragh McCabe’s goalpost. There were further goal chances at both ends, Dean Reilly’s shot well saved and Cusacks this time rattling the crossbar. The South Galway team hit the next three points to lead 1-11 to 2-4. A long range Ronan Flannery free got Pearses moving again and brother Oisin had the ball in the net two minutes later, level again. There was one further point each from both sides as the game finished level.
There were just three scores in the first half of extra time. Pearses one in front at the switch of ends. Cusacks struck three of the first five points of the second half to tie the game yet again, going into the final five minutes. Cian Murphy from play and Oisin Flannery converted a placed ball to make it 3-12 to 1-16. Cusacks replied, closing the gap to one and earned a 21 yard free which was blocked on the Pearses goal-line. Another Oisin Flannery free at the other end was the insurance score which seen Pearses over the line, after an epic struggle between two evenly matched sides.
Pearses now await the winners of the Ardrahan v Kilconieron Semi-Final to be played next week.
Pearses (Panel): D McCabe, E McCabe, R Flannery (0-1), N Moran, M Hennelly, S Hynes, S Doran, J Barrett, D Grady, G Kenny, O Flannery (2-10), D Healy, T Carr, D Reilly (1-1), J Mitchell. Subs: C Burke, C Kitt, R Hynes, C Murphy (0-1), B Kelly, L Mitchell, Ethan Lally, Eoin Lally.
Cardiac Screening Day
The Club will host a Cardiac Screening Day on Saturday, July 16th at the Clubhouse in Ballymacward. The clinic will be open from 9.30am-5pm and each screening will take 15-20 minutes. Bookings can be made online: (1) Go to www.ameds.ie, (2) Click on the ‘Online Booking', (3) Enter the clinic code PPGAA or please click the following:https://bookings.ameds.ie
Credit or Debit cards can be used to book an appointment. Anyone with LAYA is FREE but must make a booking too. Everyone else must pay the €65 fee which is tax deductible. Anyone with other health insurance may be able to claim a % back at the end of the year. Alternatively, individuals with difficulty online can call our helpline 1890 300 333 or email screening@ameds.ie. We hope people will avail of the next available time slot.
Why undergo a Cardiac Screening?
- Up to 100 young people die each year in Ireland from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS)
- 1 in 300 people may have a cardiac abnormality
- The national register recently reported that the incidents of SADS are higher in Ireland than many other European countries.
- In Italy cardiac screening is mandatory for anyone aged 12 to 35 years involved in competitive sport for the past 25 years. They have reduced the incidents of SADS by 89%.
- The GAA’s Medical Scientific and Welfare Committee and the International Rugby Board recommend cardiac screening for all players over the age of 14 years
- The European Society of Cardiology & the International Olympic Committee recommends cardiac screening.
- AMS’s service is based on the recommendations of the above named organisations.
Senior C'ship Rd. 4
Portumna 0-19 Pearses 2-10: Damien Hayes and Joe Canning were the difference as they got the vital scores at the end of this game, in Duggan Park, to get Portumna over the line. Pearses trailed at half time, but 1-2 after the break had put them back in the lead. However, Portumna made better use of their scoring opportunities in the final-quarter.
After an evenly contested opening, Portumna hit four points in a row to go three up. Then arrived the first goal of the game, as Lee Murphy got a deft touch to a dropping Tomás Flannery free, deflecting it past Joe Keane in the Portumna goal, 1-2 to 0-5. Further points from Murphy and Flannery put Pearses in front, but a strong finish to the half, in torrential rain, by Portumna seen them go in 0-10 to 1-5 up at the break.
After an initial trading of points on the resumption, Lee Murphy was played in by Gary Lally for Pearses second goal. A couple of minutes later a poor clearance by Portumna fell to Damien Wynne and he sent it back over the bar. Canning hit the next three Portumna scores to draw them level, before sub Cormac Ward was close to finding the net for Pearses after fetching a high delivery to the edge of the square. His shot going just wide.
With seven minutes remaining Portumna lead by one, 0-16 to 2-9. A schmozzle on the stand side touchline halted proceedings momentarily, but Portumna emerged from the resulting throw-in with a free which Canning put over from 65 metres. Ronan O’Meara and Kerrill Hardiman exchanged points, before Hayes sealed the Portumna win with another point.
PEARSES: F. Flannery; A. Bellew, T. Kenny, R. Lally; R. O’Neill, R. Bellew, K. Hardiman (0-1f); S. Hardiman, C. Raftery; T. Flannery (0-7f); D. Wynne (0-1), J. Gelston; L. Murphy (2-1), E. Ward, G. Lally. Subs used: C. Ward, B. Sweeney.
PORTUMNA: J Keane; G. Heagney, E. Lynch, L. Smith; P. Smith, M. Dolphin, O. Canning; J. Canning (0-12, 9f), A. Smith (0-1); I. Canning (0-1), D. Hayes (0-4), K. Hayes; O. Royston, R. O’Meara (0-1), P. Dolphin. Sub: C. Comerford
Junior B C'ship, Rd 1
Pearses 6-19 Oranmore-Maree 4-11: The Club's Junior 'B' hurlers got their Championship off to a winning start on Sunday in Carnmore. The first half was close, with Pearses one up at the break, 2-7 to 2-6. Robbie Donnellan and Aidan Kilkenny the Pearses goalscorers, while a super save by Paul O'Brien at the other end kept out a third Oranmore-Maree goal. The second half was high-scoring, with Donnellan and Kilkenny again and Kealan Beckett (2) netting four more Pearses goals. Niall Skehill finished with a big personal tally of 0-12, from placed balls and open play. Moycullen are Pearses' opponents for Round 2.
Pearses: P O'Brien; J Jenkins, P Raftery, R Carr; A Naughton, K Donnellan, C Lawless; N Skehill (0-12), L Morrissey; R Skehill, K Beckett (2-0), M Walsh (0-1); R Donnellan (2-2), A Kilkenny (2-0), D Burke. Subs used: C O'Grady (0-4), A Burke, S Walsh, E Burke, G Dwyer.
Minor C'ship Rd. 3
Pearses 1-24 Portumna 3-13. The Club's Minors recorded a second group win in Ballymacward yesterday evening. Pearses are now in second place in the table with one game to play (against Carnmore). The top two teams from the group qualify for the group stages.
Pearses led most of the opening quarter through an Oisin Flannery goal and points from Conor Fahey and Matt Walsh. A Portumna goal on the 16th minute gave them the lead for the first time. Pearses drew level, but another Portumna goal two minutes later put them three up, 2-5 to 1-5. The home team scored four of the remaining five points of the half to lead by one at the break.
Pearses outscored Portumna 0-10 to 0-1 in the third quarter, to lead 1-20 to 2-7. The pick of the scores a long range point from Ronan O'Neill. Portumna had the better of the final quarter as they hit 1-6 to Pearses 0-4, but Pearses had done enough in their purple patch to secure the result.
Pearses: S Murray; E Burke, C Lawless, E Costello; S Hynes, R O'Neill (0-3, 2f), R Flannery; C O'Neill (0-3), D Grady; C Kitt, C Fahey (0-8, 4f), M Ruane; O Flannery (1-7, 3f), M Walsh (0-3), M Carr. Sub: S Doran.
Senior C'ship Rd. 3
Liam Mellows 4-20 Pearses 2-14: Two early Liam Mellows goals were blows that Pearses never recovered from. Tadhg Haran doing the damage on both occasions. The city team led 2-10 to 0-9 at half-time. Pearses best spell came just after half-time, when the margin was pulled back to three points, 2-11 to 1-11. The Pearses goal a Tomas Flannery free which was taken over the line by the keeper. However the Pearses revival ended when Haran completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot. Mellows hit six of the next eight points in the final quarter, to restore their lead. Sub Brian Sweeney rattled the net for Pearses, but Aonghus Callanan responded at the other end as Mellows ran out convincing winners.
Pearses: F Flannery; A Bellew, T Kenny, R Lally; D Wynne, K Hardiman, R O'Neill; J Gelston, L Murphy; R Bellew (0-1), C Ward (0-2), C Raftery (0-2); G Lally (0-2), E Ward, T Flannery (1-6, 1-6 frees). Subs: B Sweeney (1-0), S Hardiman, S Raftery (0-1), E Cunniffe.
Fr Murray Cup & Thanks
Pádraig Pearses GAA Club would like to thank all who attended our 50th Anniversary Celebration events over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Also a big thank you to our various Sponsors and the many Volunteers, without whom the different events over this memorable weekend would not have been possible. Well done to the organising Committee, led by Dorothy Scarry and Anthony Kenny, on the excellent job they did in organising these events.
Thanks to the Galway and Wexford panels and the Murray family for their participation on the Monday for the inaugural Fr Nicholas Murray Memorial Cup. Galway emerged as winners, 2-13 to 0-15, following an entertaining tussle with Wexford. Five Pearses men turned out in the maroon and white for this special occasion: Tomás Flannery, Ronan Bellew, Colm Raftery, Adrian Bellew and Tomás Kenny. The cup was presented to Galway captain Colm Callanan, by Gerry and Pat Joe Murray, brothers of the late Fr Nick. We hope to make the Fr Murray Cup an annual event.
Senior C'ship Rd. 2
CRAUGHWELL 1-21 PEARSES 0-15: Craughwell were in control for long spells of this game, but Pearses without Cyril Donnellan, were still in with a shout with five minutes of normal time to go. The influence of Niall Healy for Craughwell and a powerful finish by last year's County Finalists, yielding 1-4, seen them run out nine-point winners.
Both teams employed sweepers from the off, making it more difficult for both sets of forwards. Kerrill Hardiman sweeping for Pearses and Fergal Healy for Craughwell. Despite 7 wides, Craughwell led 0-7 to 0-3 after 24 minutes, Niall Healy and Keelan Cullinane leading the way. A strong finish to the half seen Pearses draw level, but a Healy free left the minimum between the sides at half-time, 0-8 to 0-7.
With the wind in the second half Pearses were well positioned. However the switch of Mark Horan to midfield for Craughwell was important and Niall Healy again was key, hitting 4 points from play in the second half. Mainly through the accuracy of Tomas Flannery, Pearses had kept in touch and there was just two between the sides (0-17 to 0-15) with five minutes to go. The Craughwell scoring burst in the closing stages, capped by a Michael Farrell goal in the fifth minute of injury time, made sure of the result.
Pearses: F Flannery; A Bellew, T Kenny, R Lally; D Wynne, K Hardiman (0-1), C Raftery; J Gelston (0-1), L Murphy (0-1); R Bellew (0-1), E Ward (0-2), T Flannery (0-9, 8f); G Lally, C Ward, B Sweeney. Subs used: E. Cunniffe, R O’Neill, S Raftery
Senior C'ship Rd. 1
Pearses 2-12 Ardrahan 0-16: Pearses got their 2016 Championship campaign off to a winning start in Kenny Park on Saturday. After a tight opening half Pearses held a one-point lead at half-time. Ardrahan went two points up 10 minutes into the second half. The teams were level again after 49 minutes, before an Emmet Ward goal on 55 minutes put Pearses back in front. Although Ardrahan hit two of the last three points, Pearses prevailed.
The teams shared five points in the opening 10 minutes. Ardrahan led by the minimum, when Tom Flannery was through on goal with just the keeper to beat. He was fouled and Cyril Donnellan stepped up to send the 21 yard free to the net, putting Pearses in front for the first time, 1-2 to 0-3. After 23 minutes the teams were level, 1-4 to 0-7. Ger Hennelly accurate from frees for the South Galway men, while Donnellan and Flannery added to Pearses tally.
There was a stoppage in play following a collision in which Sean Hardiman came out the worse for wear, having to be replaced by Colm Raftery. On the resumption Pearses had two of the remaining three scores of the half to lead by one at the break. One of them another 21 yard free, which Donnellan blasted just over.
A Ronan Bellew point from play put Pearses two up just after the break, but Ardrahan fought back to go two in front on 43 minutes, 0-12 to 1-7. In the next ten minutes Pearses outscored Ardrahan 0-4 to 0-2. Cormac Ward’s introduction from the bench causing the Ardrahan defence problems. The teams were now level heading into the final eight minutes.
The decisive score arrived on 55 minutes, a good run and pass by Gary Lally, created the chance for Emmet Ward, who finished to the net from 21 yards. A three point lead for Pearses, 2-11 to 0-14. In the closing stages Ardrahan pushed hard for scores, but managed only points, sandwiched either side of a long range Ronan Bellew free. Pearses play last year’s County Finalists Craughwell in Round 2 next Saturday 30th at 7pm in Kenny Park.
Pearses: F Flannery; A Bellew, T Kenny, R Lally; D Wynne, K Hardiman (0-1), L Murphy; C Donnellan (1-3), J Gelston (0-1); R Bellew (0-2), E Ward (1-1), S Hardiman; G Lally, T Flannery (0-3), B Sweeney. Subs used: C Raftery (0-1), C Ward, R O’Neill.
Féile Weekend 2016
Our U14 hurlers this year contested the Toddie Byrne Shield (C) Féile Competition. Féile weekend began on Friday evening, with a trip to Portumna to take on the home team. Portumna edged an evenly contested game, 2-5 to 1-6. With five teams in the group all was still to play for and Tuam Stadium was the venue for all remaining Group games on Saturday.
Portumna defeated Tuam in Saturday’s opening game. Then it was the turn of Pearses and St Thomas’s. Pearses had the upper hand of the first half leading 0-4 to 0-1 at half-time and continued to lead the second half, running out 2-7 to 1-2 winners. Portumna defeated Abbeyknockmoy in the next game.
Next up for Pearses was Tuam, and Pearses led 1-7 to 0-1 at half-time, Cian Murphy and Mark Hennelly leading the Pearses. A much better second half from Tuam seen them cut the margin back to 1, but Pearses had done enough in the first half to hold out for a second win.
Pearses were straight back into action directly after this game, against Abbeyknockmoy. Niall Moran unable to continue with a hand injury. With the breeze in the first half, Abbey looked to be well on top and led 3-2 to 1-0 at half time. Pearses goal coming from Mark Hennelly. The turnaround in the second half was remarkable. Can Murphy led the attack and it was his hat trick of goals that seen Pearses taking the lead 4-1 to 3-3 with only 3 minutes left. He went on to add two insurance points and a third win.
Despite the 100% record on Saturday, it wasn’t enough as Portumna went on to win all four of their games and qualify from the group. Most of this year’s panel are U14 again next year, so great credit must be given to them for coming so close to qualifying for the final.
Pearses: C Moran, B Kelly, N Moran, C Kelly, D Hillary, D McCabe, Robert Hynes, L Mitchell, M Hennelly, Ronan Hynes, C Murphy, Eoin Lally, P Kenny, Ethan Lally, M Donnellan, S Grady, E Cunniffe, D Roche, O Donoghue, R Fahey, P O’Neill.
U21 Hurling C'ship Rd. 1
Pearses 2-19 Kiltormer 0-7: Pearses opened an early four point lead in this game, before Kiltormer got on the scoresheet, but after Brian Sweeney goaled on 12 minutes Pearses were in control until the end. Pearses led 1-9 to 0-3 at half time, Sweeney 1-4 of that total. Ronan Bellew, Conor Fahy, Noel McDonagh and Conor O’Neill also chipping in with points. The second half continued in the same vein, with Sweeney adding his second goal in the 11th minute. Pearses kept the scoreboard ticking until the end, to run out comfortable winners. They play Kinvara away in Round 2 on Sunday evening.
Pearses: C Lawless; R Carr, T Broderick, S Murray; A Naughton, R Bellew (0-2), R O’Neill; L Murphy, B Higgins; C Fahy (0-2), N McDonagh (0-2), E Lawless (0-1); C O’Neill (0-3), B Sweeney (2-6), G Flahive (0-1). Subs used: F Healy, M Walsh (0-1), E Burke, K Connell (0-1), M Ruane.
Feile and Other News
Last year was a memorable Feile year for the Club with our U14s capturing the Justin Cheevers Cup and going on to represent Galway at the All-Ireland Feile. The draws for the 2016 Feile Hurling competitions were made Wednesday night in Cheevers, Craughwell. Pearses will compete in the Feile Shield competition this year. The other teams in our Group are Tuam (Hosts), Portumna, Abbeyknockmoy and St Thomas’s. The games will be played on the weekend of Friday 15th – Sunday 17th April. Pearses are away to Portumna on the Friday evening, with the other games being played in Tuam the following day.
With three Senior League games played, underage competitions are now also under way. The U14 hurlers defeated Tuam in their Round 1 game. The U16s have had good wins over Ballinasloe and Oranmore-Maree, while losing out narrowly to Headford in the Football League. The Minor hurlers also got off to a good start away from home, defeating St Thomas’s in Castledaly.
Volunteers are needed for any part of our three day 50th Anniversary "Big Weekend" on May Bank Holiday. People are needed for teams of stewarding, first aid, clean-up, set-up, bar-work, electrics, administration, maintenance. Please contact any club officer if you can give any of your time.
1916 Re-enactment
Pádraig Pearses GAA Club will hold a "Mór mo Ghlóir” Re-enactment of the final days of the seven signatories of 1916 Proclamation through story, poetry, music and song this Friday March 25th at 9pm in Ballymacward Hall. The performance is written, acted and produced by local enthusiasts. Comhalthas Castleblakeney will provide supporting music, prop and stage help from St. Kerrill’s Festival Committee, amateur acting provided by a variety of coaches, officers and players from the Club. Admission: Adults €10 Children / Students €5.
Senior League Rd. 3
Pearses 1-18 Kiltormer 1-14: This game, played in Kiltormer yesterday, was a close contest for long spells and a draw looked a possibility until the closing stages. A strong final quarter by an inexperienced Pearses lineup seen them grind out a four point win.
Kiltormer were first to score, netting a goal to open an early lead. Pearses levelled with the next three scores (Sweeney, Murphy and Gelston), but Diarmuid Claffey pushed Kiltormer ahead again. By the 20th minute Kiltormer had opened a four point lead, 1-5 to 0-4. Pearses however had he better of the remaining ten minutes, taking four of the five scores in this spell. Brian Sweeney and Gary Lally were making inroads in the Kiltormer defence. Sweeney was pulled down for a penalty, which was saved. Half-time: Kiltormer 1-6 Pearses 0-8.
Pearses hit the the first points of the second half and it was one of the best of the day, with Kerrill Hardiman the finisher at the end of a good team move. The teams shared the next six points evenly, Brian Sweeney and a long range Enda Cunniffe point for Pearses, while Claffey and Hopkins were on target for the home team. The sides were now locked 1-9 to 0-12, with 15 minutes to play.
Four more points seen the teams level again, 1-11 to 0-14. Then Gelston and Sweeney scores pushed Pearses two ahead for the first time. Following a Kiltormer response, substitute Ronan Skehill was on hand to finish to the Kiltormer net at the second attempt and open a four point Pearses lead 1-16 to 1-12. The final four points were shared between the sides, with a Kiltormer blazing over from a penalty.
Pearses: P O’Brien; R Carr, T Kenny, S Murray; A Bellew, K Hardiman (0-1), A Naughton; J Gelston (0-3), E Cunniffe (0-1); L Murphy (0-1), C Raftery, E Ward; G Lally, N Skehill (0-1), B Sweeney (0-11, 9f). Sub used: R Skehill (1-0). Ref: C Browne.
Senior League Rd. 2
Pearses 2-15 Carnmore 1-16: Pearses took the lead after three minutes and led for the remainder of the game, in this game played yesterday in Ballymacward. A goal from Carnmore on the 52nd minute brought the gap back to one, but Pearses protected the lead to register a first League win of the new season.
Despite Carnmore opening the scoring, Pearses led 1-3 to 0-1 by the 10th minute. Niall Skehill with the goal and Brian Sweeney hitting the points (two frees). By the 23rd minute Carnmore had added four more points, to Pearses two, 1-5 to 0-5. Another scoring burst by Pearses yielded 1-2 in a two minute spell, Sweeney with 1-1 and Skehill to open a seven point lead 2-7 to 0-6. Carnmore fought back, led by the Hanley brothers George and Barry, to narrow the Pearses lead in the remaining five minutes of the half. The half-time score, 2-8 to 0-9.
The teams shared ten points evenly in the third quarter. Again the Hanleys among the scorers, Barry with three frees and also Kevin Killilea. There were five different scorers for Pearses in this spell (Lally, Sweeney, R Skehill, Gelston and Cunniffe), 2-13 to 0-14. The teams swapped two more points, before 1-1 from Carnmore left just one in it with eight minutes to play. A Brian Sweeney free with five minutes left put two between the sides and Carnmore attacked twice more in the closing stages, but to no avail. Next up for Pearses is Kiltormer in the final League group game this Saturday (19th) in Kiltormer.
Pearses: P O’Brien; R Carr, T Kenny, B Egan; A Bellew, T McDonagh, K Hardiman; J Gelston (0-1), K Donnellan; E Cunniffe (0-2), C Raftery (0-1), L Murphy (0-1); G Lally (0-1), N Skehill (1-2), B Sweeney (1-6, 5f). Subs used: S Murray, R Skehill (0-1), D Burke.
Senior League Rd. 1
Castlegar 3-16 Pearses 3-13: This game played yesterday in Castlegar looked over at half-time, as Pearses were trailing by 9 points and could have been further behind but for a missed Ger Farragher penalty. A much improved second half for Pearses had the margin back to one point on two occasions, but Cashel kept the scoreboard ticking to pull through.
Pearses led 0-2 to 0-1 after 4 minutes with points by Ronan Bellew and Enda Cunniffe. Then Castlegar took over and while Pearses didn’t score again until the 23rd minute, the city team added 2-5. Farragher’s penalty miss a let off in the 19th minute. Two Emmet Ward frees in the 23rd and 24th minutes briefly stopped that dominance, but Castlegar went on to add two more points, leaving the half-time score 2-7 to 0-4. Ronan Bellew unfortunately had to be replaced towards the end of the first half with a nasty hand injury.
Pearses had an excellent start to the second half hitting 1-3 in four minutes. The goal finished to the net by Brian Sweeney, latching on to a breaking ball. Cashel stretched the lead back to six again with another goal, before Pearses struck for another quickfire 1-2. Niall Skehill the goalscorer. The forwards were moving well, led by Gary Lally and Colm Raftery. The gap was down to one (3-7 to 2-9) and momentum looked to be swinging in Pearses’ favour with 10 minutes played in the second half.
Castlegar responded well and hit the next four points and for a second time looked to have stopped the Pearses revival. Farragher pulling the strings roaming away from full-forward. The final quarter seen the teams go score for score, with Brian Sweeney netting a third Pearses goal beating three defenders as he cut along the touchline. The gap was down to one again with six minutes left, but Cashel had two of the final three scores. Next up for Pearses is Carnmore on St. Patrick’s Day at 11.30pm in Ballymacward (TBC).
Pearses: P O’Brien; S Raftery, T Kenny, B Egan; A Bellew, R Bellew (0-1f), K Hardiman; J Gelston (0-1), E Cunniffe (0-1); L Murphy, C Raftery (0-2), E Ward (0-7, 6f); G Lally, N Skehill (1-1), B Sweeney (2-0). Subs used: T McDonagh, R Carr, J Lally, S Murray. Referee: L Fay.
Art & Poetry Results
Thanks to all who entered our 50 Year Celebration Art and Poetry competitions. The standard was excellent across the board. Junior and Senior Infants Art Winner: Louise Byrnes, Runner Up: David Barrett. 1st and 2nd Classes Art Winner: Lily Mannion, Runner Up: Jamie Nutley. 3rd and 4th Classes Art Winner: Harry Mitchell, Runner Up: Patrick Kenny. 5th & 6th Classes Art Winner: Kayla Murphy, Runner Up: Mark Donnellan. Art Group Entry: Kayla Murphy, Ava Connell, Rachel Roche, Emma Queeney, Claire Murray.
Junior & Senior Infants Poetry Winner: Peter Tuohy, Runner Up: Seán Kelly. 1st and 2nd Classes Poetry Winner: Cathal Hynes, Runner Up: Joe Carroll. 3rd and 4th Classes Poetry Winner: Emma Ruane, Runner Up: Shauna Hynes. 5th & 6th Classes Poetry Winner: Emer Costello, Joint Runners Up: Emma Queeney & Clare Murray. Filíocht Duais Teangan: Luke and Harry Mitchell.
Our 50th Birthday
The first event of our 50th Anniversary celebrations is the Club’s 50th Birthday February 23rd. To begin the evening there will be mass for deceased Club Members in Ballymacward Hall at 8pm. That will be followed by an exhibition of Club photos/memorabilia and refreshments. All welcome!
We would like any old club photos and memorabilia that you may have to display on the night of birthday celebrations. Great care will be taken with anything loaned for the night. Please contact Martin Kilkenny on 087-1210290 before February 20th if you have any photos/memorabilia to loan.
Junior Football League Final
Pearses 2-8 Meelick-Eyrecourt 2-8: The Club’s Junior footballers and Meelick-Eyrecourt could not be separated after extra-time in this Division 8 League Final played in Kilconnell yesterday. Meelick-Eyrecourt had a super start and led 1-3 to 0-0 after 15 minutes, with the wind at their backs. Pearses had a better second quarter and added 0-3 before half-time. Kerrill Hardiman, Enda Cunniffe (free) and Gary Lally the scorers.
A Kerrill Hardiman goal just after half-time levelled the game. Hardiman fisted the ball to the net when a long delivery from a Cunniffe free, was parried by the keeper. Meelick-Eyrecourt however pulled clear again when they goaled at the opposite end and added a pointed free, 2-4 to 1-3. Both teams were reduced to 14 men, following sending offs by referee Lloyd Kelly.
The sending offs seemed to help create space in the packed Meelick-Eyrecourt defence and Pearses were soon back on level terms. Substitute Seán Hardiman hitting 1-1. The goal again fisted to the net. The teams were then reduced to 13 men when two more players seen red. A burst through the Meelick-Eyrecourt defence by Gary Lally resulted in a great individual point and the lead for Pearses on 27 minutes. Meelick-Eyrecourt levelled with 1 minute left and extra-time was required.
Both teams were returned to 15 men for extra-time. In the first period Pearses outscored Meelick-Eyrecourt 0-2 to 0-1. Kerrill Hardiman and Enda Cunniffe the scorers. That scoring sequence was reversed in the second period, with a Seán Hardiman point looking to have won it for Pearses before Meelick-Eyrecourt equalised. Details of the replay TBC.
Pearses: J Flannery; A Naughton, J Lally, S Murray; G Lally (0-2), K Donnellan, L Murphy; E Ward, P Moore; S Walsh, E Cunniffe (0-2), R Carr; K Hardiman (1-2), L Morrissey, R Skehill. Subs used: S Hardiman (1-2), R Finn, A Murray, A O’Reilly, M Walsh.
Art Competition
There are two categories in the Pádraig Pearses GAA Club Art Competition – Primary and Post- Primary. It is a Competition open to all hurlers, camogie players and footballers registered with Pádraig Pearses GAA Club and Pádraig Pearses Camogie Club.
All entries will be displayed on the evening of the 50th birthday celebrations of Pádraig Pearses GAA Club on February 23rd at Ballymacward Hall. The winning entries will be photographed and displayed digitally on the club website.
Theme of Competition “My Club, My Community and Me”
The Primary School Category will have the following age groups:
• Junior Infants & Senior Infants
• 1st &2nd Classes
• 3rd &4th Classes
• 5th & 6th Classes
There will be a 1st prize and runner up place for each age group.
The Post-Primary Category will be open to all club pupils attending a secondary school.
There will be a 1st prize and runner up place.
COMPETITION RULES
1. It is a Competition open to all hurlers, camogie players and footballers registered with Pádraig Pearses GAA Club and Pádraig Pearses Camogie Club.
2. The text of the theme does not have to be illustrated on your artwork. We are looking for your interpretation of the theme through your art.
3. Name, address, age, date of birth and school/other details must be clearly printed on the entry form and then attached to the back of the poster.
4. All entry forms and posters must be certified by teacher/facilitator/parent/guardian (under 18), as being an unaided and original work of the competitor.
5. All entries must be submitted on A3 (420 x 297mm) or A2 (594 x 420mm) in landscape with the exception of sculptures, models and wood carvings.
6. The entry can be drawn or painted in pencil, charcoal, pen or ink, felt-tip markers, crayon, pastel, water colours, gouache, acrylics, oils, poster colour or collage. Prints done from a lino block, wood block or any other method may also be submitted.
7. Group entries are also welcome.
Poetry Competition
There are two categories in the Pádraig Pearses GAA Club Poetry Competition – Primary and Post- Primary. It is a Competition open to all hurlers, camogie players and footballers registered with Pádraig Pearses GAA Club and Pádraig Pearses Camogie Club.
All entries will be displayed on the evening of the 50th birthday celebrations of Pádraig Pearses GAA Club on February 23rd at Ballymacward Hall. The winning entries will be photographed and displayed digitally on the club website.
Theme of Competition “My Club, My Community and Me”
The Primary School Category will have the following age groups:
• Junior Infants & Senior Infants
• 1st &2nd Classes
• 3rd &4th Classes
• 5th & 6th Classes
There will be a 1st prize and runner up place for each age group.
The Post-Primary Category will be open to all club pupils attending a secondary school.
There will be a 1st prize and runner up place.
Competition Rules
1. It is a Competition open to all hurlers, camogie players and footballers registered with Pádraig Pearses GAA Club and Pádraig Pearses Camogie Club.
2. We are looking for your interpretation of the theme through your poetry.
3. Name, address, age, date of birth and school/other details must be clearly printed on the entry form and then attached to the back of your poem.
4. All entry forms and posters must be certified by teacher/facilitator/parent/guardian (under 18), as being an unaided and original work of the competitor.
5. All entries must be submitted on A4.
6. Group entries are also welcome.
AGM Report 2015
The Club’s AGM was held last Sunday evening in Ballymacward Hall. Secretary Martin Bellew opened the meeting by welcoming all in attendance. A minute’s silence was observed for Club Vice-President Johnny Byrnes R.I.P., who passed away at the start of the year.
Treasurer Shane Ruane gave an extensive report on the Club’s finances for the year, noting the importance of contributions from the Club’s Sponsors, ’250 Club’, Club Lotto (driven by the Lotto Committee), the recent Race Night fundraiser and his fellow Club Officers. One Club stalwart in attendance harked back to a time when Physios were going through a leaner spell!
Next was the Chairman Tom O’Grady’s report. He praised the Senior’s on their qualification for the Senior ‘A' Championship for 2016 and our U14’s who represented Galway at All-Ireland Féile na nGael in Antrim. He went on to commend the excellent work of the Juvenile Secretary Dorothy Scarry and Chairman Anthony Kenny and also the time invested by management and coaches at all levels. He reiterated thanks to Sponsors, Secretary, PRO and Treasurer, recalling when the Treasurer’s report could be jotted on the back of a cigarette box! There was a special mention for those who represented the Club with County teams in 2015 and a look forward to 2016, when the Club will celebrate it’s 50th Anniversary. The Chairman received praise from the floor for his commitment to the Club, but I'm sure Tom will claim to be just a link in the chain that keeps the Club tightknit!
Next was the election of Club Officers for 2016. Paddy Hillary was added as a Club Vice-President, before Tom O’Grady (Chairman), Martin Bellew (Secretary) and Shane Ruane (Treasurer) were returned to their roles for 2016. Adrian Queeney replaced the outgoing Tomás Kenny as Vice-Chairman and Paul Bellew replaced Oliver Laheen as Assistant Treasurer. Martin Tierney will continue his role as Senior team manager for 2016. A full list of Officers is available here.
Following the Election of Officers, Dorothy Scarry outlined the events planned for the Club’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations in 2016, the highlight of which is the May Bank Holiday weekend. Among the lineup are Mike Denver and his Band in the Marquee at the Club Grounds on Friday, April 29th and the Kilfenora Céilí band on Sunday, May 1st. County Board Chairman Noel Treacy addressed the AGM and he too looked forward to 2016 and the 50th Anniversary celebrations, before the meeting was brought to a close by Chairman Tom O’Grady.
Football Semi-Final
Pearses 2-6 Milltown 1-5: Our footballers took on Milltown on Saturday afternoon in Ballymacward in the league Semi-Final. Played in ideal conditions and a perfect surface for the time of year, Milltown playing with a slight breeze, opened the scoring to lead by 2 points early on.
Pearses then settled into the game with the opening score coming from a point from Kerrill Hardiman. The home side pressed on with a fortuitous goal taken by Richie Lally, along with a well taken free by same player. Enda Cunniffe and Emmet Ward added further points to leave the home side in control.
However a lapse in concentration towards the end of the first half allowed Milltown back into the game, and despite the best efforts of Joe Flannery making a super double save, the half time whistle seen Pearses leading 1-4 to 1-3.
The second half was a tense affair with scores hard come by with both sides resorting to a defensive game. Milltown levelled the game mid way into the half but Pearses pushed on in the final minutes with points from Richie Lally, Cunniffe and following a scramble in the square in the final minute substitute Dan Masterson claimed the goal to leave a final scoreline 2-6 to 1-5.
Meelick-Eyrecourt await Pearses in the league final which may possibly be played next weekend.
Pearses: J Flannery; A Naughton, S Hardiman, S Murray; J Lally, L Murphy, G Lally; K Donnellan, E Ward (0-1); R Skehill, E Cunniffe(0-2), K Hardiman(0-1); Richie Lally (1-2), L Morrissey, R Carr. Subs: A Murray, S Walsh, D Masterson (1-0), P Mahon, A Reilly, E Barrett, G Dwyer, N Skehill.
U15B1 Champions 2015
Pearses 1-14 Ballinasloe 1-10: Following an even first-half in Duggan Park yesterday evening, Pearses opened a seven point lead with 10 minutes to go and looked good for the win. Ballinasloe cut the gap to just three with two minutes remaining. A 21 yard free in injury time finished in the Pearses net and looked to have levelled the game, before being disallowed.
Pearses started well, but were not converting their scoring chances, hitting three early wides. The first score of the game was a Pearses goal from Dylan Grady, taking on his marker after a good catch. Oisín Flannery opened his account for Pearses in reply to Ballinasloe’s first point.
By the 17th minute Ballinasloe had drawn level, 0-4 to 1-1. Cian Murphy pushed Pearses back in front with a great point on the run from the left corner. The teams went point for point in the remaining minutes of the opening half and Pearses led 1-5 to 0-6 at the break.
Oisín Flannery’s class shone through in the third quarter. He landed five points in-a-row, four frees, to put Pearses seven to the good. Ballinasloe’s best period of the game yielded 1-3 and got them right back in contention, before that disallowed goal.
Following the let off Pearses added further points from Man of the Match Flannery and Dean Reilly, in the nine minutes of injury time. Another super win for this panel, to add to U13 and U14 titles. Captain Shane Hynes accepted the cup from County Juvenile Chairman Mike Hehir (Tuam). Well done to the panel and management team of Mick Carr, Anthony Kenny, Dessie McCabe and Declan Moran.
Pearses: D McCabe; E McCabe, R Flannery, N Moran; S Doran, S Hynes, M Hennelly; J Barrett, D Grady (1-1); G Kenny, O Flannery (0-10, 8f), C Murphy (0-1); D Healy, D Reilly (0-2), T Carr. Subs: C Burke, J Mitchell, J Friel, L Mitchell, R Hynes, B Kelly, E Lally.
Senior C'ship Qtr-Final
Sarsfields 2-14 Pearses 0-12: The teams were level after five minutes in this Senior Hurling Quarter-Final played in Kenny Park, Athenry, last Sunday. However, a scoring burst from Sarsfields seen them add 2-5 to their tally by the 20th minute. This was the deciding period of the game. From there until the end Sarsfields did enough to keep an out of sorts Pearses at arms length.
Pearses took an early two point lead, but 0-4 in-a-row from the New Inn/Bullaun men put them two up after 10 minutes. Kerrill Wade with 0-2, one an excellent long range score from in front of the dugouts. Soon after Galway Minor Ian Fox was on hand to finish Sarsfields' first goal and open a five point lead, 1-4 to 0-2.
The next 0-6 were shared equally, as Gareth Lally dropped back to help the Pearses defence stem the tide. However, Alan Ward struck for another Sarsfields goal at the second attempt, following the initial save by Paul O’Brien. Tom Flannery added a Pearses point from play just before half-time, as Sarsfields took a seven point lead into the break, 2-7 to 0-6.
Cyril Donnellan was switched to centre-forward for the second half and Pearses had two of the first three second half points, both from Flannery frees. Then a succession of five wides, shared between the sides. Sean Hardiman went close to finding the net with one. Half-time substitute Ronan O’Neill landed a long range point, his first in Senior Championship. The margin was down to five, 2-8 to 0-9.
Unfortunately, this was a close as Pearses would get, as Sarsfields closed out the game with six of the remaining nine points. The second half was littered with stoppages and prevented any sort of momentum. Tommy McDonagh was red carded towards the end of the game, but the result had been decided before then.
Pearses: P O’Brien; T McDonagh, T Kenny, R Lally; A Bellew, C Donnellan (0-2), K Hardiman; D Wynne, C Raftery (0-1); S Hardiman, J Gelston (0-1), E Ward; R Bellew (0-1), T Flannery (0-6, 5f), G Lally. Subs: R O’Neill (0-1), S Raftery, A Kilkenny.
Underage Update
The Club’s U15 hurlers defeated Carnmore 1-6 to 0-6 in the Championship Semi-Final at the weekend. They now advance to play Ballinasloe in the Final on Thursday 15th October in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe at 6.30pm. Pearses U15: Darragh McCabe; Eoghan McCabe (1-0), Ronan Flannery (0-1), Niall Moran; Stephen Doran, Shane Hynes, Mark Hennelly; Jack Barrett, Dylan Grady (0-1); Geordan Kenny, Oisin Flannery (0-3), Cathal Kitt; Darragh Healy (0-1), Dean Reilly, Tomas Carr. Subs used: Cian Murphy, James Mitchell.
Our U12 hurlers lost out to a strong Ballygar team in the Cup Final last week under lights in Duggan Park. A strong second quarter by Ballygar seen them lead 0-9 to 0-2 at half time. A much bigger Ballygar side pulled away in teh second half to win 2-15 to 1-4. Many of the Pearses panel are underage again next year. Pearses U12 (in no particular order): Anthony Feeney, Conor Moran, Brian Kelly, Luke Mitchell, Cian Mrphy, Robert Hynes, Peter O'Neill, Ethan Lally, David Hillary, Robert Fahy, Oisin Donoghue, Mark Donnellan, Eanna Cunniffe, Stephen Grady, Harry Mitchell, Ronan Hynes, Patrick Kenny, Conor Kelly, Darragh Roche Dara Scarry.
The Club will be holding a Race Night in Ruane’s, Glentane on Saturday 7th November. Horses are €20 each. Contact Players or Club Officers to get your horse in the stalls! No winner of the Club Lotto on September 28th. Numbers 5, 3, 10, 18. Next week’s jackpot was €6,800 in Broderick's Kilconnell.
Senior C'ship Round 5
Pearses 0-23 Kiltormer 1-5: Pearses led this game from the seventh minute and never looked like losing, despite a Kiltormer goal after 27 minutes. The team now advance to another Championship Quarter-Final, this time with our neighbours Sarsfields.
The teams exchanged early wides, before Kerrill Hardiman landed a point from long range to give Pearses the lead. Keith Kilkenny levelled from a free, but Jimmy Gelston put Pearses back in front. Kiltormer had a chance to level again, but missed a scoreable free.
The result was all but decided in the following 10 minutes, as Pearses landed 0-7 in-a-row, 0-6 from play. Tomas Flannery (2), Kerrill Hardiman (2), Gary Lally (2) and Shane Raftery the scorers. Kiltormer ended a 16 minute scoreless spell. Flannery and Ronan Bellew replied for Pearses, 0-11 to 0-2 after 25 minutes. Keith Kilkenny and Colm Raftery exchanged points, before Patrick Cormican goaled for Kiltormer, against the run of play. Flannery and Gelston quickly added points to leave the half-time score 0-14 to 1-3.
Like the first half the second took a few minutes for a score. By the 19th minute Pearses had added 0-5 to their tally. Gelston, Flannery and Gary Lally on target. Kiltormer scored their first point of the second half after 25 minutes, but Pearses had the next 0-4. Kiltormer had the final point of the game, but it didn’t matter as Pearses ran out convincing winners.
Kerrill Hardiman, Gary Lally, Tomas Flannery and Jimmy Gelston, all struck 0-4 each from play. Indeed 0-20 of Pearses’ 0-23 came from play. Tomás Flannery and Damien Wynne both left the game with injuries in the second half. Hopefully they will be back in the starting line-up for the Quarter-Final.
Pearses: P O’Brien; T McDonagh, T Kenny, R Lally; A Bellew, C Donnellan, K Hardiman (0-4); D Wynne, C Raftery (0-1); S Raftery (0-1), J Gelston (0-4), E Ward; G Lally (0-4), T Flannery (0-6), R Bellew (0-3). Subs used: S Hardiman, R O’Neill, A Kilkenny, L Murphy, E Cunniffe.
Senior C'ship, Round 4
Pearses 1-19 Athenry 0-13. The Club’s Senior hurlers returned to second place in the Group with a good win in Duggan Park yesterday evening. 7 of the 8 Quarter-Final spots have already been filled, leaving this Group the last to be decided. Pearses are now in pole position to join Gort in the knockout stages, with Clarinbridge and Athenry also in still in contention.
This game looked as if it was heading for a close finish with the teams tied on 0-12 each 10 minutes into the second half. Pearses had just pulled back a two point lead. However a powerful finish by the men in black and white, outscoring Athenry by 1-7 to 0-1 in the remaining time seen them home.
Athenry had the better start and led 0-4 to 0-2 (Kerrill Hardiman and Ronan Bellew) after 6 minutes. Cathal Keane and County football star, Tom Flynn, among the scorers for Athenry. The next nine minutes seen Pearses on top and the scores were level 0-6 each at the end of the first quarter. Bellew (2), Tomás Flannery and Damien Wynne on the mark.
Pearses then hit the front thanks to another Bellew free. Up front Flannery was causing problems for the Athenry, Cyril Donnellan was anchoring the defence well and with Gary Lally working hard in his roving role Pearses added two more points (Bellew and Flannery), 0-9 to 0-6. Athenry fought their way back and Cathal Keane drew it level in first-half injury time, 0-9 each.
Tom Flannery, now at wing-forward, and Cathal Keane exchanged points just after the break. Then long-serving Athenry forward, David Donoghue pointed from play and a sideline to put Athenry two up 5 minutes after the restart. Pearses landed the next 3 points to regain the lead, 0-13 to 0-12. The pick of them a Flannery score from the left touchline following good work by Colm Raftery, 0-17 to 0-12 after 26 minutes. Athenry’s chances took a further blow when they were reduced to 14 men, Mark Hannon seeing red. Jimmy Gelston struck his second point before Athenry ended a 28 minute scoreless spell with a free.
Another Flannery placed ball in injury time looked to have sealed the deal, but there was still time for more. Sub Aidan Kilkenny was fouled by Athenry keeper John Grealish. Referee Christy Browne allowed the advantage but Kilkenny's one-handed strike came off the crossbar. Browne awarded the penalty and Tom Flannery buried it to the net. The icing on the cake.
Pearses will play Kiltomer in the Final group game, a win would guarantee passage to the Quarter-Finals. Athenry (v Gort) and Clarinbridge (v Ardrahan) both need to win and hope for Pearses to slip-up to have a chance of qualification.
Pearses: P O’Brien; T McDonagh, T Kenny, R Lally; A Bellew, C Donnellan, K Hardiman (0-1); D Wynne (0-1), C Raftery; E Ward, J Gelston (0-2), S Hardiman (0-1); G Lally, T Flannery (1-8), R Bellew (0-6). Subs used: L Murphy, A Kilkenny, R O’Neill, E Cunniffe.
Club Notes 21-09-2015
Well done to our U12 hurlers who qualified for the Final (v Ballygar) following a good win over Annaghdown in the Semi-Final last week. The Final is scheduled to be played on Thursday, October 1st at 7.30pm in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe.
The Club’s U10 hurlers enjoyed an excellent morning of hurling at the Mountbellew Blitz on Saturday. They played Tuam, Mountbellew-Moylough and Ballinasloe, winning all three games. Pearses U10 (No particular order): Artur Nilkins, Anthony Feeney, Conor Kelly, Patrick Kenny, Ronan Hynes, Pádraig Kelly, Conor Hillary, Darragh Roche, Dara Scarry, Cormac Hillary, Tommy Nutley, Cathal Hynes, Dylan Roche, Daniel Lydon, Jamie Nutley, Ross Lally, Harry Mitchell, Jonah Donnellan, David Walsh, Jack Reilly.
The U15 hurlers went down by a point to Ballinasloe in their final Group game. They had qualified for the Semi-Finals following two previous wins. The Club’s Junior 'B' hurlers missed out on the knockout stages when they lost out to Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry in the last group fixture.
Our sympathies to the Lally family on the passing of Mrs. Lucy Lally R.I.P. last week.
Club Notes 14-09-15
The club’s U15 hurlers defeated Sarsfields, away, last week. A second win from two and they now top the Group with a game to play (v Ballinasloe). The top two teams qualify for the Semi-Finals (first place will have home advantage).
Our U12 hurlers have qualified for the Cup Semi-Final v Annaghdown. The game is set to be played this Wednesday 16th at 6.30pm in Annaghdown. The U10s will take part in the annual Garda hurling tournament to be played this Saturday morning in Mountbellew. Players are asked to be in attendance at 9.30pm.
The Club’s Junior ‘B’ hurlers went down (5-14 to 2-12) to Cappataggle in the Championship. They lie fifth in the Group with a game to play (against 4th placed Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry). The top four qualify and unfortunately due to scoring difference, it is unlikely they will.
Our Sympathies to the Murphy family on the passing of Eugene Murphy R.I.P. A native of Attymon, Eugene was a great supporter of the Club through the years. He took great pride in seeing his family carrying on the tradition of Gaelic games. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Our Club Lotto jackpot is €6,400 this week in Burke's, Colemanstown.
Club Notes 30-08-15
The very best of luck to Cyril Donnellan and the Galway panel in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling final this Sunday. All involved with the Club are massively proud to have one of our own representing us on the biggest hurling day of the year. It is also great to see all the flags, bunting and good luck banners around the parish! Thanks to the people who have been sending photos for our Facebook page and please send yours if you wish.
Well done to Jack Barrett, Oisín Flannery and Dean Reilly who were part of the Galway U14 Hurling panels that traveled to Mount Sion GAA Club, Waterford for the All-Ireland U14 Championships last weekend. The ‘A’ team reached the Tony Forristal final, going down (3-7 to 3-4) to Cork, while the ‘B’ team were unlucky not to qualify from their Sonny Walsh group, losing out on scoring difference to Tipperary.
Congrats to the Camogie Club's Tara Naughton, Niamh Jenkins and Amy Kenny who were part of the Galway U16 panel who defeated Cork to win the All-Ireland title today. Niamh Kilkenny will captain the Galway seniors in the All-Ireland final on September 13th. Best of luck to Niamh and her team mates.
There was no winner of the Club Lotto on 24th August. Numbers drawn 11, 21, 27, 29. Jackpot €6200 next week in McGann’s, Attymon.
All-Ireland S-Final Tickets
Below are ticket details for The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Semi-Final, Galway v Tipperary on Sunday, August 16th. The game will be preceded by the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Semi-Final, Tipperary v Dublin. Tickets can be purchased from www.gaa.ie, www.tickets.ie or selected Supervalu and Centra stores. Tickets not available from the club.
Hogan Stand (No Concession) €40; Cusack Stand €40; Terrace Hill 16 – €25
Family Tickets: Family Tickets are available for Cusack and Davin Stands. Adults €40 Juveniles €5
Students & Senior Citizens (Cusack Stand Only): Purchase full price tickets and on the day of the match they can claim a rebate of €10 when they produce appropriate I.D. at Block D, Stiles 1 to 5 in the Cusack Stand (Rebate can only be claimed on entry into the stadium via BLOCK D).
All-Ireland Q-Final Tickets
Tickets are now on sale for the All-Ireland Hurling Quarter Finals Triple Header in Semple Stadium on Sunday 26th July.Tickets available from Supervalu now and from Pearse Stadium next Monday (July 20th). TICKETS ARE NOT AVAILABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE CLUB.
Minor: Galway v Limerick at 12.00
Senior: Dublin v Waterford at 2pm
?Senior: Galway v Cork at 4pm
O Riain Stand & O Coinneain Stand: Reserved Seating?
Killinan End & Town End Terrace
Ticket Prices as follows:
Stand: Adults €30; Juveniles €5; Students/OAP concession available on day with valid ID (€10 rebate on stand tickets)
Terrace: Adults €20; Juveniles €5.
Group & Club Pass- Orders must be in by this Friday (17th July) and tickets will allocated on first come first served basis. ?Forms can be downloaded from http://www.gaa.ie/tickets-and-merchandise/tickets/gaa-club-offers. Supporters are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance.
Senior C'ship, Round 3
SHC Gort 4-19 Pearses 0-12: County Champions Gort showed their potential to reclaim the title this year in this game played in Loughrea yesterday. Pearses were hanging on at half-time, six down, but a powerful second half for Gort left the result in no doubt.
Pearses without Tom Flannery and Jimmy Gelston (as well as long term injured Cormac Ward and Shane Raftery) seen their task made all the more difficult when Richie Cummins goaled for Gort inside the first minute. Pearses fought back, with scores from Ronan Bellew, to go in front after 16 minutes. However, Cummins struck for his second goal on the 22nd minute. Aidan Helebert was a stand out player for Gort in the first half, with some good points from play. Gort lead 2-8 to 0-8 at the break.
A Pearses goal chance came in the opening minute of the second half, Seán Hardiman's shot for goal was excellently blocked. Bellew and Damien Wynne points followed, but Gort pushed on, opening a nine point margin by the 50th minute. Gort third goal came from Jason Grealish to open a twelve point lead. The Champions outscored Pearses 1-6 to 0-2 (the goal from Michael Mullins) in the final quarter to finish well ahead.
Pearses remain very much in the hunt for a Quarter-Final place, in third place in the Group. Clarinbridge are in second, above Pearses on scoring difference only (top two qualify). Pearses' remaining group games are against Kiltormer and Clarinbridge and when back to full strength the lads will look to return to the form they showed in Clarinbridge and Ardrahan games.
Pearses: F Flannery; T McDonagh, T Kenny, R Lally; A Bellew, D Wynne (0-1), K Hardiman; C Donnellan, C Raftery; R Bellew (0-11, 7f), S Hardiman, R O'Neill; G Lally, E Ward, A Kilkenny, Subs used: N Skehill, E Cunniffe, L Murphy.
Junior 'C' Hurling
JCHC Pearses 0-15 Oranmore-Maree 1-11: The Club’s Junior ‘C’ team had a first win of the season yesterday evening in Oranmore. It was a competitive game played in wet conditions with the lead switching on numerous occasions. Three points in-a-row at the end from Tom Broderick helped Pearses to a narrow win.
Oranmore-Maree had the better start and opened a two point lead. David Cunniffe hit back with a pointed free for Pearses, but the home team added 1-1 to stretch their lead, now 1-3 to 0-1 after 10 minutes. The introduction of Seán Walsh boosted Pearses and in the remainder of the half Pearses outscored Oranmore-Maree 0-7 to 0-3. Eoghan Barrett landed a long range free, then two points from Cunniffe, one a free following good work by Tom Broderick.
The home team hit back again to make it 1-4 to 0-4. There were goal chances at both ends, with goalkeeper Éanna Daly and his full-back line doing well to prevent more goals. Seán Walsh added Pearses point, after a trademark run upfield, Oranmore-Maree struck back. Cunniffe then landed two points, with Broderick again and Derek Barrett involved in the build-up, 1-5 to 0-7. The teams added a point apiece before half-time and Declan Lawless came close with a shot that flashed across the face of the goal. Half-time: 1-6 to 0-8.
Pearses had the wind for the second half and drew level after five minutes, from a pointed free. The home team pulled ahead again but points from Broderick and Cunniffe pushed Pearses back in front. Pearses could have pulled further ahead, but for some missed frees and soon the game was all square again, 1-9 to 0-12. There were Pearses goal chances, but the keeper did well to keep his clean sheet. The closing stages were close, the lead swapped three times. The switch of Tom Broderick to the half-forward line proved decisive as he finished strongly with three points.
Eanna Daly did well in goals for Pearses, with the full-back line recovering well after the early goal. The half-back line were solid and maintained a good supply to the forward line. Darren Burke and Derek Barrett kept the ball moving at midfield. Barrett’s ground hurling one of the features of the game. The forward-line created more chances than in previous games and were rewarded with some good scores from play. It was a good win despite missing regulars Paul Bellew, Joe Kenny and Darren Naughton.
This was the fifth Group game, with previous defeats to Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry, Loughrea, Tommy Larkins and Athenry. Next up is Mullagh, away next weekend. Following that it’s Craughwell and Spiddal. The top four teams in the group qualify for Quarter-finals, with the remaining five going to the Shield competition.
Pearses: E Daly; A Queeney, K Clancy, B Raftery; M Ruane, E Barrett (0-1f), Anthony Carrig, D Burke, D Barrett; D Cunniffe (0-8, 4f), K Hynes, P Mahon; T Broderick (0-5), C Hogan, D Lawless. Subs: S Walsh (0-1), Aidan Carrig, E Burke, G King.
U16s into Semi-Final
Our U16 hurlers advanced to the 'C' Championship Semi-Final last week with a convincing (3-20 to 4-6) win over the visiting Míchéal Breathnachs team. Pearses played into the wind for the opening period and the game remained close, but when the home team got the wind at their backs they pushed on for a comfortable win.
Pearses led 2-4 to 1-2 after 15 minutes, both goals from Óisin Flannery, who along with Dean Reilly was causing the Breathnachs defence plenty of problems. With three minutes to go in the first half Pearses had extended their lead, 2-8 to 1-3. However the Connemara team took advantage of a lapse in Pearses concentration to hit 2-1 before half-time, leaving just one in it at the break 2-8 to 3-4.
Flannery completed his hat-trick just after half time, but again there was a goal at the other end, 3-9 to 4-4. This was to be as close as it got, as Pearses outscored the Connemara men, 0-11 to 0-2 in the remainder of the game. Oisin Flannery finishing with a personal total of 3-9, while Dean Reilly, Dylan Grady, Mark Hennelly, Shane Hynes and Conor O'Neill also raised white flags.
Pearses (13-a-side): Darragh Healy, Eoghan McCabe, Ronan Flannery, Stephen Doran, Shane Hynes (0-1), Mossy Carr, Conor O'Neill (0-1), Jack Barrett, Geordan Kenny, Dylan Grady (0-3), Darren Lally, Dean Reilly (0-4), Oisin Flannery (3-9). Subs: Darragh McCabe, Jacob Geraghty, Eoghan Burke, James Friel, James Mitchell, Mark Hennelly (0-2).
U10 Hurling Final 2015
The Club’s U10 hurlers were unlucky to lose out to Meelick-Eyrecourt after extra-time last week in the East Galway League Final played in Cappataggle. Pearses trailed by four points as normal time came to a close, but 1-1 from Paddy Kenny drew the game level at the death. Referee Peter Campbell confirmed that there would be extra-time to decide the result.
Meelick-Eyrecourt were the stronger team in extra time and ran out winners on a 6-4 to 3-4 scoreline. It was a fantastic game to watch and the skill levels on display by both teams were excellent. Well done to management and players on their progress to the finals. Their season does not end here, as there will be further Go-Games and possibly the Annual Garda U10 tournament later in the Summer.
Pearses panel (in no particular order): Patrick Kenny (Captain), Conor Kelly, Darragh Roche, Harry Mitchell, Jonah Donnellan, Anthony Feeney, Artur Nilkins, Conor Hillary, Ronan Hynes, Dara Scarry, Dylan Roche, Pádraig Kelly, Ciarán Hogan, David Walsh, Cathal Hynes, Ross Lally, Seán Kelly, Jamie Nutley, Cormac Hillary, Tommy Nutley, Jack Reilly.
The Annual Club Cúl Camp will take place from Monday, 6th July to Friday 10th. Your child can booked in online or by calling Anthony 087-7797011 or Dorothy 086-8902077. 1st Child €55; 2nd Child €45; 3rd/4th €40. There is Cúl Camp playing gear and backpacks at the end of the week for all participants.
Leinster Final Ticket Info
2015 Leinster Senior Hurling Final, Kilkenny v Galway, 4pm
2015 Leinster Minor Hurling Final, Kilkenny v Dublin, 2pm
Sunday, 5th July 2015, Croke Park
GENERAL
Stand Tickets
Hogan Stand (No Concession) - €35
Cusack Stand - €35
Davin Stand - (No Concession) €20
FAMILY TICKETS
1 Adult and 2 Juveniles etc.
Family Tickets are only available for Cusack Stand
Adults - €35 Juveniles - €5
You are permitted to purchase 2 Juveniles ticket with every 1 Adult Ticket purchased
STUDENTS & SENIOR CITIZENS (Cusack Stand Only)
Purchase full price tickets and on the day of the match they can claim a rebate of €15 when they produce appropriate I.D. at Block D, Stiles 1 to 5 in the Cusack Stand (Rebate can only be claimed on entry into the stadium via Block BLOCK D prior to ENTERING THE STADIUM)
All-Ireland Feile Day 2
Following a great start to Féile on Day 1, the lads were set to meet our hosts Loughgiel Shamrocks on Saturday morning. This game would decide who would finish top of the Group B and the opposition for the Quarter-Finals, from Group A.
Loughgiel got off to a good start with 1-1, but Pearses battled back to leave just one point in it after 10 minutes, 1-1 to 0-3. The home team found the net again and added two points to Pearses’ one. But for some fine goalkeeping from the Loughgiel keeper, Pearses could’ve had three goals. Half-time 2-3 to 0-4. Pearses had the better of the second half exchanges, outscoring the boys in red 0-3 to 0-1, but couldn’t work a goal and Shamrocks held out for a 2-4 to 0-7 win.
This result meant Pearses finished second in Group B and would go on to play Harps (Durrow/Cullohill) of Laois in the Quarter-Final to take place at 2.30pm. Harps had defeated Naas (Kildare) and Dunloy (Antrim) and drew with Kevin Lynch’s (Derry) in their Group.
Pearses had a great start to this game with two early goals, leading 2-0 to 1-1 after ten minutes. Harps added another 1-1 to Pearses 0-3 before half time, to leave it Pearses 2-3 Harps 2-2 at the break. An early goal in the second half opened Pearses lead to four, but the Laois boys were quick to bring the game back on level terms, 3-3 apiece. With the hard game with Loughgiel taking it’s affect on Pearses legs Harps outscored Pearses 3-1 to 0-1 in the Final-Quarter to advance to the Semi-Finals. Scorers: D Reilly 1-1, O Flannery 0-3, Eoin Lally 1-0, G Kenny 1-0.
By all accounts a fantastic weekend of hurling and fun was had by all, a weekend that players, mentors and supporters who travelled will never forget. The lads are disappointed that they did not advance further, but all associated with the Club are immensely proud of them. They had already achieved so much this year, before they even set foot on the bus North on Friday morning – Justin Cheevers Galway Féile Champions, U14B1 Hurling Champions and U14C Football League Champions. Well done lads on representing our Parish, Club and County with distinction.
Thanks to Loughgiel Shamrocks for their generosity, kindness and hospitality over the weekend. In the words of Andrea Hynes “The host families were absolutely fantastic and treated our children as their own for the weekend. Also a huge thanks for all their generous gifts.” Loughgiel Shamrocks are most welcome to pay a return visit in the future.
All-Ireland Féile Day 1
Following many weeks of preparation the Club’s U14 hurlers took the long trip north to the Glens of Antrim this morning. The hosts for the weekend are two time All-Ireland Senior Club Champions, Loughgiel Shamrocks. The travelling party arrived in Loughgiel shortly after 2pm.
The first game of the weekend was scheduled for 4pm, against Dublin team St. Brigid’s, who are being hosted by neighbouring Club, McQuillans. Pearses led 2-2 to 0-1 at half-time and despite a closer second half, the boys in black and white ran out winners 2-8 to 1-3. Scorers: O Flannery (1-3), D Reilly (1-2), M Hennelly (0-2), C Murphy (0-1).
The second game was at 6pm and the opposition were Ballycastle McQuillans. They had been beaten in their first game by Loughgiel. Again Pearses dominated the first half and lead 1-5 to 0-1 at the break. Like our first game the second half seen an improvement in the opposition, but not enough, as Pearses added 1-2 to their own tally and ran out winners again on a similar scoreline, 2-7 to 1-2. This second win guaranteed Pearses’ place in the Cup Quarter-Finals. Scorers: O Flannery (1-3), D Reilly (1-1), C Kitt (0-2), G Kenny (0-1).
The final Group game for the lads is tomorrow morning at 11am, against the host club Loughgiel Shamrocks. This game will determine whether Pearses finish top of the group or second and hence who we play in the Cup Quarter-Finals at 2.30pm. The top team in Group B play the second in Group A and vica-versa.
Club Notes 09-06-15
Our U14s completed a unique double last week. First they defeated Michael Cusacks (3-12 to 0-7) in their Hurling Championship Final, played Tuesday at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe. Pearses: D McCabe; B Kelly, E McCabe, N Moran; D Reilly (1-5), S Hynes, R Hynes; J Barrett, M Hennelly; C Murphy (1-0), C Kitt (0-1), O Flannery (1-6); L Mitchell, G Kenny, J Mitchell. Subs: Eoin Lally, Ethan Lally, R Fahey, E Barry.
On Friday evening most of the same group had a resounding (5-4 to 0-2) win over Kilconly in the U14 Football League Final played in Corofin. They have now collected three county titles in 2015 and will travel to the All-Ireland Hurling Féile in Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) on the weekend of 19th to 21st June. A church gate collection will be held at Ballymacward and Gurteen masses this coming weekend to fundraise for their trip, please support!
The U10 hurlers maintained the winning trend last week when they qualified for the East Galway League Final, defeating Ahascragh-Fohenagh by one point. Fixture to be confirmed for the Final.
Our Junior Bs overcame Kilconieron (0-22 to 1-13) in Round 2 of the Championship, played last week in Kilconieron. This was their second win from two games. Next up is Kinvara, who Pearses lost out to (after a replay) in last year's Semi-Final. That game will be played this Saturday (13th) at 5pm in Carnmore. The Junior C hurlers were in action in Championship Round 2 against Athenry in Carnaun earlier this evening. In a competitive game they lost out 2-8 to 0-9.
No winner of this week’s Lotto draw. Numbers were 1, 11, 18, 25. Next week's Jackpot will be €5,100 in Broderick's, Kilconnell. May '250 Club' Winners: €100 Sean Hardiman; €75 Ciara & Sorcha Leonard; €50 Richie Lally.
U14 Double Champions
Pearses 3-12 Michael Cusacks 0-7: The Club’s U14s added to their growing list of titles yesterday evening in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe as they powered away from Michael Cusacks in the final quarter of the B1 Hurling Championship Final. They outscored Cusacks 3-2 to 0-0 in that period, to complete the a Féile and Championship double. A great boost before they head off to Antrim for the All-Ireland Féile on the weekend of 19th to 21st June.
Dean Reilly and Óisin Flannery, as in the Féile final, had a big parts to play in the win. Reilly put Pearses two up early on. Cusacks with the aid of a strong breeze levelled it, 0-2 each. However, in the remainder of the first period Pearses outscored the Beagh-Kilbeacanty team 0-6 to 0-2, against the wind. Reilly caused havoc with his pace and himself (5) and Óisin Flannery (3) were the scorers as Pearses lead 0-8 to 0-4 at half-time. Cusacks had their share of chances and pushed for goals when points seemed a better option. Darragh McCabe made some smart saves between the Pearses posts to deny them.
Pearses extended their lead to 6 just after half time, Cathal Kitt and Oisin Flannery with points from play. Cusacks didn’t give up and scored the next three to bring the margin back to three. Pearses broke that momentum and attacked at the other end, yielding a brilliant individual goal from Dean Reilly. He cut in from the left beating several defenders and finished to the net.
Two minutes later Óisin Flannery had the ball in the net again for Pearses, 2-10 to 0-7. Any hope of a Cusacks comeback was now gone. He tacked on two more points, a free and a super effort from the right wing. Cian Murphy put the final nail in the coffin when his lobbed shot ended up in the net, deceiving the Cusacks keeper, who had been excellent up until then.
County Juvenile Hurling Chairman, Michael Hehir presented the cup to Pearses captain Eoghan McCabe and Juvenile Hurling Sponsor, Tom Monaghan (Western Hygiene Supplies) presented Dean Reilly with the Man of the Match award. The lads have another chance at silverware on Friday evening as they take on Kilconly in the Football League Final in Corofin (at 7.30pm) and then on to the All-Ireland Féíle later in the month!
Pearses: D McCabe, B Kelly, E McCabe, N Moran, D Reilly (1-5), S Hynes, R Hynes, J Barrett, M Hennelly, C Murphy (1-0), C Kitt (0-1), O Flannery (1-6), L Mitchell, G Kenny, J Mitchell. Subs: Eoin Lally, Ethan Lally, R Fahey, E Barry.
Galway v Dublin Tickets
The following are the details for the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final, Galway v Dublin this Sunday 31st May 2015 in Croke Park. DUBLIN v GALWAY is at 2pm and will be followed by DUBLIN v LONGFORD @ 4pm in the Leinster Senior Football Championship. Tickets are not available from the club, but can be purchased from the following locations: (1) The County Board, (2) GAA Ticketline 1890 92 46 48, (3) Tickets.ie, (4) gaa.ie, (5) Centra & Supervalu Stores nationwide.
GENERAL
Stand Tickets: Hogan Stand (No Concession): €25
Cusack Stand: €25
Davin Stand: €25
Hill 16 (No Concessions): €15
FAMILY TICKETS: 1 Adult and 2 Juveniles etc. Family Tickets are only available for Cusack and Davin Stands. Adults: €25 Juveniles: €5. You are permitted to purchase 2 Juveniles ticket with every 1 Adult Ticket purchased
Students & Senior Citziens (Cusack & Davin Stand Only):
Purchase full price tickets and on the day of the match they can claim a rebate of €10 when they produce appropriate I.D. at Block D, Stiles 1 to 5 in the Cusack Stand (Rebate can only be claimed on entry into the stadium via Block BLOCK D prior to ENTERING THE STADIUM)
Wheelchair Tickets
The Wheelchair Ticket are free of charge and the Assistant's ticket is €25.
GROUP PASSES: GROUP PASSES (U16s) DAVIN STAND ONLY
Groups Passes are provided for groups of Juveniles U-16 €3 each (you are permitted to bring 1 adult free with every ten Juveniles) any additional adults pay full price for their tickets.
ADULT CLUB GROUP TICKETS - DAVIN STAND & HOGAN STAND (DESIGNATED SECTIONS ONLY)
Adult Club Groups Tickets are available for Club minimum of 15 maximum of 50 for the price of €15 each. (SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY).
Club Notes 19-05-15
The Club's Junior ‘B’ hurlers had a first outing in the Championship when they defeated Killimor (2-20 to 1-6) in Carnaun (Athenry). Leo Morrissey and Finbarr Healy the goalscorers. Next up is Kilconieron this Saturday (23rd) at 7pm in Killimordaly. Championship starts for the Junior ‘C’ hurlers this Friday (22nd May) v Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry at 7.30pm in Ballymacward.
There were wins on the double for the Club’s U14s last weekend. In football they defeated Kilconly to maintain a winning record and stay top of the League. They also remain unbeaten and top of the Hurling Championship group following a win over Killimor. The U12 hurlers also got their season under way when they defeated Sylane at home.
No winner in May 18th Club Lotto draw. Numbers were 7, 12, 25, 27. Jackpot €4,800 next week in Egan's, Ballymacward. The U14 panel are currently selling lines (€5 per line) to fundraise for their trip to the All-Ireland Hurling Féile in Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) on the weekend of 19th to 21st June.
Club Notes 12-05-15
The Club’s Senior hurlers recorded a second win from two games in their Championship Group last Saturday. They defeated Ardrahan (2-20 to 1-17). Next up is County Champions Gort in June, details to be confirmed. Pearses: F Flannery; T McDonagh, T Kenny, R Lally; A Bellew, D Wynne, K Hardiman; C Donnellan, C Raftery (0-3); R Bellew (0-6), J Gelston (0-2), T Flannery (1-3); G Lally (1-1), E Ward (0-4), N Skehill. Sub used: A Kilkenny (0-1).
The U10 hurlers also had a good win at home last week, defeating neighbours Skehana. Pearses U10: H Mitchell, C Kelly, D Scarry, J Reilly, J Donnellan, R Hynes, A Feeney, D Walsh, P Kenny, D Roche, C Hillary. Subs (all used): C Hillary, P Kelly, D Roche, R Lally, C Hogan, J Nutley, T Nutley, C Hynes, S Kelly, B Lally. Well done also to The Club’s U14 hurlers who continued their winning streak, defeating Sylane on a scoreline of 4-11 to 1-3.
Congrats to Pearses U14 players Dean Reilly, Eoghan McCabe and Jack Barrett who were part of the St. Cuans College, Castleblakeney side that won a Connacht Colleges First Year Hurling title last week.
No winner in this week's Club Lotto draw. Numbers drawn 4, 12, 28, 29. Jackpot €4,700 next week in Kenny's, Castleblakeney.
Senior C'ship Round 2
Pearses 2-20 Ardrahan 1-17: Pearses have two wins from two in Senior Championship Group B following their defeat of Ardrahan in Kenny Park, Athenry last Saturday evening. With Colm Raftery and Emmet Ward in fine form, Pearses led 1-9 to 0-8 at the break. Ardrahan fought back to level it soon after the restart, but 1-4 from the men in black and white gave them a lead they maintained until the final whistle.
The first quarter was finely balanced, the lead exchanging hands twice. Raftery (2), Ward (2), Tomás Flannery and Ronan Bellew points seen Pearses lead 0-6 to 0-4 after 16 minutes. Then Flannery gathered a long delivery to net the game’s first goal, putting Pearses five up. Ardrahan showed their character to hit the next four points, cutting the deficit back to one. Again the momentum switched and points from Bellew, a Jimmy Gelston sideline and Gary Lally seen Pearses go in four to the good.
Bellew extended Pearses’ lead on the resumption before Cormac Diviney goaled for Ardrahan. Bellew pointed again, but three on the trot for the South Galway team culminated in Gerry Hennelly levelling the game 1-11 apiece after nine minutes of the second half. With Cyril Donnellan and Johnny Glynn battling it out on the forty it was set up for an exciting finish.
Three Pearses points put them three in front again, before Gary Lally kicked to the net to make it 2-14 to 1-11. Emmet Ward sent over his fourth point of the game to extend the lead to seven. However, not for the first time in this game, Ardrahan hit back. Iarla Tannian (3) and Maurice Callanan points reeled in Pearses again, 2-15 to 1-15. Pearses finished well, repelling some determined Ardrahan attacks and outscoring them 0-4 to 0-1 in the closing stages to record another valuable win.
Pearses go into Round 3 of the group in June as table toppers. They face County Champions Gort, just one point behind, so will have it all to do again. Games against Athenry and Kiltormer will follow later in the Summer with the top two teams in the Group going through to the Quarter-Finals.
Pearses: F Flannery; T McDonagh, T Kenny, R Lally; A Bellew, D Wynne, K Hardiman; C Donnellan, C Raftery (0-3); R Bellew (0-6), J Gelston (0-2), T Flannery (1-3); G Lally (1-1), E Ward (0-4), N Skehill. Sub used: A Kilkenny (0-1).
Club Notes 05-05-15
The Club’s Senior hurlers take on Ardrahan in Round 2 of their Senior Hurling Championship group this Saturday (May 9th) in Kenny Park, Athenry. Throw in 6.30pm, please support as the team bid to follow up their first round win.
Following their Féile Justin Cheevers Cup win our U14 hurlers will represent Galway in Division 1 of this year’s All-Ireland Féile. They will be hosted by two-time All-Ireland Senior Club Champions, Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) on the weekend of 19th to 21st June.
The Club’s U16 Hurlers qualified for the knockout stages of the Championship by defeating Ballinderreen (7-13 to 4-13) last week. The Minor hurlers went down (1-9 to 0-6) to Michael Cusack’s (Beagh-Kilbeacanty). They now need to win their remaining two group games to be in with a chance of getting out of the group. The U14s continue their campaign against Kiltormer on Monday evening. They have won all games to date in both Féile and Championship competitions.
No winner of Club Lotto last week 27th April. Numbers drawn were 9, 12, 18, 19. This week's draw will be held in Mitchell’s, Gurteen. Jackpot €4,500. April ‘250 Club’ Draw winners: €100 Gabriel Flannery, €75 Shauna Ward, €50 Bronagh Murphy.
Galway GAA Open Night
Galway GAA Press Release: On Friday evening the 8th May 2015, Galway GAA will hold it’s annual pre-championship ‘Open Night’ in the GAA Centre, Loughgeorge. Members of the public are cordially invited to attend at 7.30pm. Members of both the Galway Senior Hurling and Senior Football teams and their respective management teams will be in attendance.
This is a great opportunity for you, the GAA public in Galway to come along and give your support to both teams as they embark on another championship season. You will have the opportunity to watch both teams training at the venue, you will also have an opportunity to ‘meet and greet’ the players, get autographs and have some photo’s taken. You may even have the opportunity to test your skills against the best senior players in both codes in the county. We will have GAA merchandise available on the night for children – wrist bands, team photographs etc. We encourage those attending to wear our county colours.
The Galway Supporters club members will also be in attendance should anyone wish to sign up and become a member of the Supporters club – a really great way of showing your support for all our teams in Galway. So go along, have some fun and enjoy a great evening.
Féile Shield Football Final
Kilconly 3-5 Pearses 4-1: Many of the Pearses players were rushed to the venue following their Confirmation last Sunday, resulting in some of the best dressed GAA supporters seen in Tuam Stadium for a while. It took two periods of extra time for the teams to be separated in this Féile Shield 'B' Football Final. The game was finally decided with in “Sudden Death Extra Time” by a Kilconly free at the town end.
A Jack Barrett goal put Pearses five points clear in the second half of Extra time, but Kilconly did well to get back on level terms and force the Sudden Death Extra Time.
Pearses got off to a great start when they had the ball in the net in the first minute of play. However, a questionable decision by the referee came a minute later as Oisin Flannery was shown a black card. Pearses now without their main target man. 1-1 from Kilconly put them in front, before a Dean Reilly goal put Pearses back on top. Another point from Kilconly left the Half-time score 2-0 to 1-2. There was only one Kilconly point in the second half as the game finished level, 2-0 to 1-3.
Into extra time and another Dean Reilly goal for Pearses. Then a Kilconly point before Jack Barrett’s goal to put Pearses five up. In a dramatic finish Kilconly netted two goals either side of a Dean Reilly point as the game finished level, 4-1 to 3-4.
Pearses had the first attack of Sudden Death Extra time, Kilconly keeping them out and mounting their own attack. They were awarded a free and took their chance to settle the result. It was a shame that either team had to lose, but well done to Kilconly.
Pearses panel: N Moran, R Hynes, E McCabe, J Barrett, S Hynes, M Hennelly, G Kenny, D Reilly, D McCabe, C Kitt, J Mitchell, O Flannery, L Mitchell, C Murphy, Ethan Lally, Eoin Lally.
Senior C'ship Round 1
Pearses 1-13 Clarinbridge 0-12: The Club’s Senior hurlers got their 2015 Championship campaign off to a winning start defeating Clarinbridge in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe on Saturday last. Pearses led from the start and kept Clarinbridge at arm's length throughout. The game’s only goal came on the just before half-time from Tomás Flannery and Clarinbridge never recovered.
Ronan Bellew opened the scoring from a pointed free, before Cyril Donnellan had a goal-bound shot saved at the scoreboard end. Bellew pointed the 65. Clarinbridge’s only scorer was Evan Niland at corner-forward and two frees from him levelled the game. Donnellan again and Emmett Ward reopened that two point gap, 0-4 to 0-2.
The score was 0-5 to 0-4 on the 21st minute when Emmett Ward seen his goal attempt go just wide. The teams shared the next two points (Donnellan for Pearses) as the first half ticked into injury time. Tomas Flannery won possession 35 yards from goal and burst through the middle before finishing to the net, a score that would prove crucial. Half-time 1-6 to 0-5.
The Bridge started the second half well and Niland put the first three points on the board, two from frees. One of which could have been a goal as Niland was inside the cover before being fouled, 1-6 to 0-8.
Pearses’ response was good and three frees from the Ronan Bellew made it 1-9 to 0-8 on the 45th minute. The teams went score for score in the final quarter. Niall Skehill got behind the Clarinbridge cover after 50 minutes only to see his shot for goal saved.
On 55 minutes another Niland point left just a goal between the teams, but a good Pearses move through the middle ended in Cyril Donnellan flashing the ball over the bar. Clarinbridge piled on the pressure at the other end, but some excellent defending kept them at bay. Niland missed a scoreable free, before a 21-yard free was stopped by a combined effort on the Pearses goal-line.
The Pearses backs were tight throughout, with just four of Clarinbridge’s points from play. Donnellan and Colm Raftery won the midfield battle, while Bellew and Flannery lead the forward line. Pearses will take on Ardrahan in Round 2 to be played on the weekend of May 9th/10th.
Pearses: F Flannery; T McDonagh, T Kenny, R Lally; A Bellew, D Wynne, K Hardiman; C Raftery, C Donnellan (0-3); R Bellew (0-9), J Gelston, T Flannery (1-0); G Lally, E Ward (0-1), C O’Grady. Sub used: N Skehill.
Feile Champions 2015
Qualification: Pearses qualified for the Justin Cheevers Féile (B) final following three group wins. First they defeated Gort (5-9 to 2-6), on Thursday evening in Ballymacward. Oisin Flannery finishing with a sensational personal tally of 4-8 in that game! Then on to Ballyloughane (Liam Mellows) on Saturday morning. First opposition were Kiltormer and a big win for Pearses, 8-6 to 1-1. Seven different goal-scorers in this game. Eoin Lally with two!
Pearses still needed a win in Round 3, against the home team, Liam Mellows, to qualify in the last Group game. Like the Kiltormer game, Pearses were always in control winning 3-13 to 0-5. On then to the Semi-Final in Craughwell, against Ballygar. Pearses coming through, 4-8 to 1-3.
The Final: The Justin Cheevers Cup Final v Kilconieron was played in Kenny Park, Athenry on Sunday afternoon. The weather conditions were perfect and the two teams served up a cracking game. Pearses with the aid of the breeze led 1-4 to 0-2 at half-time. Kilconieron fought back well to level the game midway through the second half, but Pearses showed great character to regain the lead and hold out for the win.
Dean Reilly and Cathal Kitt got early points on the board for Pearses, before a Kilconieron response from a free. Luke Mitchell was then on hand to finish to the net from close range for Pearses after eight minutes. The remainder of the half, was closely contested, with three further points all from frees, two for Pearses (Oisin Flannery). 1-4 to 0-2 at half-time.
Oisin Flannery extended the Pearses lead just after half-time with a point, but Kilconieron then came to life. They scored five of the next six scores, one of them a goal to bring the teams level, 1-6 each. Pearses’ response was excellent, as Dean Reilly and Oisin Flannery steadied the ship, with three points in-a-row. Kilconieron pointed a late free, but Pearses held on for the two point win.
It was a great win and goes along with the U13 title won by this group last year. The team will now advance to the All-Ireland Féile competition to be played in the Ulster this year. Eoghan McCabe accepted the cup from Co. Juvenile Hurling Board Chairman Michael Hehir (Tuam) and made a fine speech. Dean Reilly was named man of the match and received his award from Juvenile Hurling sponsor Tom Monaghan of Ocean Hygiene. A big thank you to all who helped out in any way with the team during the Tournament.
Pearses Panel (and scorers v Kilconieron): Darragh McCabe, Brian Kelly, Eoghan McCabe, Niall Moran, Dean Reilly (0-2), Shane Hynes, Robert Hynes, Jack Barrett, Marc Hennelly, Cian Murphy, Cathal Kitt (0-1), Oisin Flannery (0-6), Luke Mitchell (1-0), Geordan Kenny, Eoin Lally, James Mitchell, Ethan Lally, Ethan Barry, Conor Moran, David Hillary. Manager: Mick Carr. Selectors: Des McCabe, Declan Moran.
Minor Hurling Round 2
Abbeyknockmoy 2-10 Pearses 0-7: Despite a slow start in this Minor Championship game last Saturday in Ballymacward, Abbey made the most of the advantage of a strong first half wind to build a six point half-time lead. Even with the wind in the second half Pearses just couldn’t get going and a physically bigger Abbeyknockmoy side built on their advantage to finish nine point winners.
Against the wind, Pearses lead 0-2 to 0-0 after five minutes. The opening score from a Brian Sweeney free and the second a well worked point down the right wing, sent over by Eoghan Burke. Abbeyknockmoy didn’t score until the eleventh minute, clocking up five wides, but then they came good and hit the next seven scores. Sweeney responded for Pearses just before the break, to leave it 1-6 to 0-3 at half-time.
Sweeney again opened the scoring in the second half and it was hoped Pearses would eat into the Abbey lead, with the wind at their backs. The teams shared a point apiece before a torrential downpour made conditions very difficult for both. When it cleared Abbeyknockmoy scrambled a goal, which would be the killer blow. Pearses just couldn’t find a way through for a much needed goal and Abbeyknockmoy ran out comfortable winners.
Pearses had a bye in Round 1, so this was Round 2. Next up is Michael Cusacks (Beagh-Kilbeacanty), then Cois Fharraige and Cappataggle. The Top two teams in the group qualify for knockout stages.
Pearses: K Connell; T Carr, S Murray, R Flannery; D Byrnes, R O’Neill, R Carr; L Murphy, C O’Neill; D Grady, B Sweeney (0-6), E Burke (0-1); D Healy, M Ruane, D Masterson. Sub: D Geraghty.
A Tribute to Pat Dillon
By James Healy. Unfortunately, March 31st 2015 marked the passing of Pat Dillon (Woodlawn); he was laid to rest in Kilmurry cemetery in Castletroy, Limerick on Thursday 2nd April.
I grew up 3 fields away from Pat Dillon, albeit in a different parish with our path’s first crossing when we entered St Cuan’s College, Castleblakeney, in September 1974. We shared many experiences together over the next five years, both in the classroom and on the field of play. Pat’s perfectly formed print writing and his mastery of Maths and Irish came in handy on many a day where “homework” was delayed until the following morning.
Pat was the best footballer in my time in St Cuan’s and our success in Juvenile in 1976 and Junior in 1978, was largely down to his leadership and unerring free taking. Seeing that Pat was such a natural footballer, we persuaded him to take hurling seriously and we also had some success in St Cuan’s at Juvenile, Junior and Senior level.
This led him to teaming up with us in Pearse’s where we had a few great years. It culminated in winning the Minor hurling championship versus Gort in 1977 where Pat was a rampaging wing forward and still eligible to play U16.
Pat went to college in UCG and graduated with a Degree in Industrial Engineering in 1983. He was a leading member of the St Gabriel’s team that won the Intermediate Football Championship in 1979 and later represented Galway in the 1981 U21 Football Championship which ended in a replay loss to Cork, winning a Connacht medal in the process. He later went on to play Senior Football with St Michael’s in Galway City.
As well as going through many experiences on the field, we also went through our first paid job together, painting in St Cuan’s for 50p an hour before he graduated to pulling out timber, from the woods, with a horse assisted by his brothers. I’m not sure, but that hardly spawned his big interest in Horse Racing. All of these tasks were undertaken with the same planning and diligence that he applied to study and indeed to sport.
When Pat and family moved to Limerick in the 1999 to set up a new business OMC Scientific, we reconnected. During the set-up phase of OMC we had many a discussion and I always came away feeling better about life. Pat was a proud Galway man and we enjoyed a lovely celebration together with his brother Liam in Limerick after the long drive home from the 2001 Football All Ireland. In May 2013 we went to see Galway beat Cork in the U21 All Ireland Final at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick.
I think the best tribute I can give to Pat is to reiterate the words of Aidan Bellew (Chicago) on hearing of Pat’s passing, he text me “Pat Dillon was a good man”. Sadly this is the fourth member of our Minor panel from 1977 who has passed away. We also remember Mike Ryan, Tommy Carrig and JJ Queeney at this time.
I know there will be tough times ahead for Dymphna, James and Lucy as well as Christy, Liam, Tom, Ciaran and Helen. No words can act as a consolation at this time for the loss of a generous and committed family man. However the courage and dignity that Pat displayed in coping with a severe illness over the past nine months should provide some inspiration. I will always remember Pat as a good friend and teammate but above all as a really intelligent, honest, hardworking and decent man. May he rest in peace.
2015 Hurling Feile Draw
The draw was made last night in Cheever's, Craughwell for the 2015 Féile (U14) Hurling Competitions. Pearses will compete for the Justin Cheevers Cup (B). The lads will play three group games, one at home and two in Ballyloughane (Liam Mellows' home ground). The top team in the group advances to the knockout stages.
The fixtures are as follows:
Thursday, 16th April at 6:30pm, Pearses v Gort in Ballymacward.
Saturday 18th April at 11.20am, Pearses v Kiltormer in Ballyloughane
Saturday 18th April at 12.10pm, Pearses v Liam Mellows in Ballyloughane.
Senior League, Round 3
Pearses 0-19 Portumna 2-13: This League, Round 3 game played in Ballymacward on Sunday last looked to be heading in Pearses' favour, when the home side stretched their lead to 10 points with twelve minutes gone in the second half. Portumna some how managed to reel in the deficit in the closing stages and an injury time goal stole a draw for last year’s County Finalists.
Both teams were without several of their regular starters, but Ronan Bellew, Emmett Ward and Damien Wynne led Pearses into a 0-6 to 0-0 lead after thirteen minutes. It could have been more, but Portumna kept out a Bellew goal chance. The second quarter was more competitive, with Pearses edging it. Bellew led the scorers from frees and play, while Emmet Ward, Niall Skehill, Jimmy Gelston, Damien Wynne and Colm Raftery also got on the scoresheet. Pearses led 0-12 to 0-5 at the break.
In the opening twelve minutes of the second half Pearses outscored Portumna 0-5 to 0-2, to stretch the gap to ten points, 0-17 to 0-7. Portumna’s revival started with a quickfire 1-1 and with Owen Treacy, Ronan O’Meara and Damien Hayes moving well in attack they controlled the final quarter. It looked like Pearses had survived the Portumna fightback to hold out for a win, but the late late goal levelled the game.
Pearses: P O’Brien; B Egan, T McDonagh, R Lally; K Donnellan, D Wynne (0-1), E Cunniffe; R O’Neill, J Gelston (0-1); R Bellew (0-9), E Ward (0-3), N Skehill (0-3); G Lally, C Raftery (0-1), C O’Grady (0-1). Subs used: F Flannery, A Kilkenny, J Lally, L Murphy, R Skehill.
Senior League Round 2
Pearses 2-11 Killimordaly 0-9: Pearses had a good win over neighbours Killimordaly in Round 2 of the Senior Hurling League yesterday in Ballymacward. Pearses took full advantage of the strong wind into the road end of the recently realigned pitch to lead 1-9 to 0-4 at the break. Killimordaly didn’t make the same use of it in the second half and a second Pearses goal on 40 minutes gave the home side the breathing space to see out the game.
Tomás Flannery opened the scoring with a point from play in the first minute. Pearses dominated the first quarter and led 0-6 to 0-0 after 17 minutes, Flannery and Ronan Bellew (4) the scorers. Darragh Cooney got Killimordaly off the mark from a free on 18 minutes. Two minutes later a good Pearses move seen Emmet Ward centre to Flannery and he buried it low to the net, for the first goal into the new goalposts, 1-6 to 0-1.
Pearses’ dominance continued and Seán Hardiman and Bellew (free) points extended the lead to 10 points. Cooney hit back for Killimordaly, before Hardiman broke through at the other end and his low shot was just over. Tommy Madden and Cooney landed the final two points of the half for Killimordaly to leave it 1-9 to 0-4 at half-time.
Ronan Bellew and Darragh Cooney (2) shared the first three points of the second half from frees. Then half-time sub, Colm Raftery, found the net to make it 2-10 to 0-6. Sean Hardiman was forced to retire injured on 45 minutes following a late challenge and we wish him a speedy recovery. Ronan Bellew pointed the resulting free. Cyril Donnellan and Tomás Kenny were introduced to the action at this point and both looked sharp following injuries. Killimordaly had the final three points of the game, all from frees as the game came to a conclusion.
Pearses: P O’Brien; R Lally, T McDonagh, A Bellew; R O’Neill, D Wynne, K Hardiman; E Cunniffe, J Gelston; R Bellew (0-7), S Hardiman (0-2), T Flannery (1-2); G Lally, E Ward, L Murphy. Subs used: C Raftery, C Donnellan, T Kenny, K Beckett, K Donnellan. Ref: S Moran.
2015 Junior Hurling Draws
The draw for the 2015 Junior B and Junior C Hurling Championships were also made last night. In Junior B, Pearses have been drawn in with neighbours Mountbellew-Moylough, Killimor, Kinvara, Cappataggle, Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry and Kilconieron.
The top four teams in each Junior B group qualifies for the knockout stages. Group winners and one second placed team (drawn by lot) qualify for quarter finals. Remaining second placed teams, and third and fourth placed teams play preliminary quarter-finals, 4v4. Preliminary quarter-final draw to be open draw. 4 winners to quarter-finals to join existing 4 qualifiers.
Other Junior B groups are as follows, Group A: Ballinasloe, Beagh, Kilbeacanty, Moycullen, Ahascragh-Fohenagh, Craughwell and Rahoon-Newcastle. Group B: Menlo Emmets, Ballinderreen, Killimordaly, Meelick-Eyrecourt, Oranmore-Maree, Abbeyknockmoy and Castlegar.
For the 2015 Junior C Hurling Championship Pearses have been drawn with Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry, Mullagh, Spiddal, Loughrea, Oranmore-Maree, Athenry, Craughwell and Tommy Larkins. The top four teams in each group qualifies for the Quarter-Finals. The twelve teams not qualifying for championship Quarter-Finals can choose to compete in the knockout Shield competition.
Teams in the other Junior C group are Carnmore, Ahascragh/Fohenagh, Ballindereen, Liam Mellows, Clarinbridge, Kinvara, Kilnadeema/Leitrim, Sarsfields, Annaghdown, Ardrahan.
Senior C'ship Draw 2015
The Club's senior hurlers have been drawn in Senior Championship Group B with current county champions Gort, Ardrahan, Clarinbridge, Athenry and Kiltormer. The top two teams in the group proceed to Quarter-Finals. The four teams that do not qualify will then enter another qualifier Group, to decide Senior 'A' or Senior 'B' status for 2016.
The other Senior Hurling Championship groups for 2015 are: Group A: Craughwell, Tommy Larkins, Carnmore, Castlegar, Kilnadeema-Leitrim, Liam Mellows. Group C: Portumna, Turloughmore, St Thomas', Killimordaly, Mullagh. Group D: Beagh, Sarsfields, Cappataggle, Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry, Loughrea. Round 1 of the Championship is to take place in the last week of April.
Senior League Round 1
Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry 0-20 Pearses 1-15. The Club’s Senior hurlers got their 2015 season under way in against Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry yesterday afternoon in Tynagh. There were some good patches of hurling on display, despite February underfoot conditions. The game’s only goal after half-time, put Pearses in three up, but Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry, led by Shane Maloney took back the lead. The teams were on level three times in the second half, before a strong finish by the home side decided it.
The game started with a flurry of scores and after just six minutes, it was 0-3 apiece. Pearses scorers were Ronan Bellew (free), Jimmy Gelston and Emmet Ward. Tomás Flannery also coming close with a goal attempt. Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry opened a two point lead, before a Bellew 65. Two Shane Maloney points either side of a Tomás Flannery point for Pearses made it 0-7 to 0-5 after 21 minutes.
Bellew made it 0-7 to 0-6 from a placed ball before his goal bound shot from a 21, won by Emmet Ward, was stopped. Bellew levelled the game on 27 minutes with a point from play. Pearses then took back the lead for the first time since the third minute, when Jimmy Gelston struck his second point of the game. A Maloney free for Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry left it 0-8 each at half-time.
Pearses had a great start to the second half, when Ronan Bellew cut in from the right hand side to finish to the net from a tight angle, 1-8 to 0-8. Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry hit the next four points to go back in front, the pick of them a sideline cut from Shane Maloney. Pearses had three (Bellew (2) and Ward) of the next five points of the game to leave it level, 0-14 to 1-11 after 48 minutes.
The teams were level again on the 54th minute, but Tynagh/Abbey-Duniry then pulled two clear, 0-17 to 1-12. The game finished like it started with the teams hitting three points each in the closing stages to leave the final score 0-20 to 1-15. Next up for Pearses is Killimordaly in round 2, at home. Details of the fixture to be confirmed.
Pearses: P O’Brien; R Lally, T McDonagh, A Bellew; R O’Neill, D Wynne, K Hardiman; J Gelston (0-3), B Sweeney; R Bellew (1-9), S Hardiman, N Skehill; L Murphy, E Ward (0-2), T Flannery (0-1). Subs used: G Lally, E Cunniffe, K Donnellan, K Beckett, C O’Grady.
Senior Hurling 2015-2016
Below are details of the format for the 2015 Senior Hurling Championship and additional games to divide the Senior Championship into Senior 'A' and Senior 'B' for the 2016 Championship.
2015 Senior Hurling Championship
- 22 Teams will compete in the 2015 Senior Championship
- 4 groups; 2 groups x 6 teams and 2 groups x 5 teams
- Groups are drawn by open draw.
- Top 2 teams in each group qualify for Quarter-Finals.
- Quarter-Final draws to be open draw.
- Semi-Final draws to be open draw.
Senior 'A' (2016) Qualifiers
- 2015 quarter finalists qualify automatically for Senior A
- Remaining 14 teams in 2015 Championship groups not qualifying for knockout stages compete for four remaining places in Senior 'A' in 2016.
- 14 teams divided into 4 groups by open draw; 2 groups of 4 teams and 2 groups of 3 teams
- 4 group winners qualify to complete 12 team Senior 'A' in 2016
- Remaining 10 teams join Intermediate finalists to form a 12 team Senior 'B' in 2016
2015 Senior Shield Competition
- Group winners from Senior 'A' 2016 Qualifiers meet in open draw semi-finals
- Extra-time to be played in Semi-Final Shield games.
Juvenile Football Draw
Pearses U14 footballers, Championship winners and League finalists last year, will hope to continue their fine progress again this year. Draws for League and Championship were made last week. Pearses will compete in League Division 3. Killererin, Menlough, Milltown, Cortoon Shamrocks, Kilconly and Clonbur have been drawn in our group. For the U14 Championship Pearses have been drawn to play Cortoon Shamrocks. The winner of this game advances to play winners of Menlough v Kilconly in the Semi-Final. Draws for U15 championships will be made later in the year.
Minor and U21 Hurling
The draws for the U21 and Minor Hurling Championships were made last week. U21 and Minor Championships will commence February 21/22 and April 4 nor 18/19 respectively.
In U21 Pearses have been drawn in the same group as Killimordaly and Cois Fharraige. There are six groups of 3 in U21 ‘B’, with the top team in each Group progressing to the knockout stages. Seán Hardiman will manage the U21s this year and they are training with the Senior panel. Senior Manager Martin Tierney’s Selectors are Tom Kenny and Martin Campbell, with Kevin Molloy (Kilnadeema-Leitrim) taking over as Trainer.
In the Minor Championship draw Pearses have been pitted in the same group as Cappataggle, Abbeyknockmoy, Michael Cusacks and Cois Fharraige. In Minor ‘B’ there are four groups (two with 6 teams, two with 5). The top two teams in each group advance to the Quarter-finals. Anthony Kenny continues as Minor manager this year.
Please support our Fundraising Table Quiz in Ruane's, Glentane on Saturday, 7th February. Tables of four, €10 per person. All welcome. This weeks Lotto draw is in Ruane's Glentane on Monday, January 2nd, jackpot €3,200. January 250 Club winners: €100 Shauna Ward, €75 Padraic Hynes, €50 Martin Tierney.
Juvenile Hurling Draws
Pearses will field juvenile hurling teams at U8, U10, U12, U14, U15 and U16 levels in 2015. Draws for Juvenile Hurling competitions were made last week, with Juvenile Football draws to follow next week. The full set of fixtures for 2015 will be added to the site in coming weeks.
At U12 level Pearses have been drawn in Group 6 with Annaghdown, Ballygar, Mountbellew-Moylough, Skehana, Sylane and Tuam. There is no knockout stages as such in this level, as emphasis is on enjoyment of the games. Round 1 will be at home on 16th May, against Sylane.
At U14 level Pearses will compete in the B1 grade. Other teams in the grade are: Ahascragh-Fohenagh, Killimor, Kilnadeema-Leitrim, Kiltormer, Michael Cusacks, Mullagh and Sylane. Each team plays each other once, with the top 4 teams qualifying for the B1 Semi-Finals. Round 1 will be at home on 7th March, against Michael Cusacks.
At U15 level Pearses will compete in the B1 grade. There are two groups. Pearses are in Group B, with Mullagh, Sarsfields and Ballinasloe. The top two teams in each group advance to the Semi-Finals. Round 1 is away on September 3rd, against Mullagh.
At U16 level Pearses will compete in the C grade, which is 13-a-side. Two groups of 5, Pearses are in Group A with Ballinasloe, Ballinderreen, Sarsfields and Skehana. The to two teams in each group advance to the Semi-Finals. Round 1 is on March 14th against Skehana.
Dates for the Diary
The Galway Senior Hurling Championship will be run off in a Group format this year. There will be four groups, two with five teams and two with six teams. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarter finals. The draws for 2015 Senior and Intermediate Championships will be made on February 18. Suggested dates for Senior Championship fixtures are: April 25, May 10, June 7, July 12, August 16, September 20 and October 3.
U21 and Minor Hurling Championships will commence February 21/22 and April 4 nor 18/19 respectively. The draws for U21 and Minor Championships take place on Tuesday, 27 January.
Senior Hurling League will begin on the weekend of February 13/14. Pearses have been drawn in Group C. Round by Round opposition are as follows:
Round 1, Away: Pearses v Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry
Round 2, Home: Pearses v Killimordaly
Round 3, Home: Pearses v Portumna
Round 4, Away: Pearses v Ardrahan
Round 5, Home: Pearses v Kilnadeema-Leitrim.
Lotto Won Twice!
The club's long standing Lotto jackpot of €19,800 was won on January 5th by Club member and player, Thomas Broderick, Cloonkeenkerrill, Colemanstown. Winning numbers were: 1, 5, 9, 18. At the presentation of the winning cheque Thomas informed us that the winning numbers are his date of birth. Congratulations Thomas and we hope you enjoy your winnings!
Because of how long the jackpot had run for, our Lotto committee were prepared for an eventual winner and so a new jackpot of €10,600 began on Monday night, January 12th in Kennys, Castleblakeney. Amazingly the jackpot was won for a second week in-a-row! The winner was David Gordon, Ballinamore Bridge. The numbers this time around were 2, 6, 12 and 20. Again, our congratulations to David. The jackpot returns to €3,000 next week in Egan's, Ballymacward.
The National G.A.A Club Draw tickets are currently available from management committee and players. This draw is a fundraising opportunity for all G.A.A. clubs, with all monies raised retained by the club. There are 15 great prizes, including a trip with the All-Stars, a trip to New York and All-Ireland Final tickets.
National Club Draw
The G.A.A. are currently running a competition for all Clubs. It is an opportunity for every G.A.A. Club in the country to raise up to €20,000. All funds raised will be retained by each Club. The draw takes place on Friday, 27th February 2015. Tickets are available from all Pádraig Pearses Club Officers and Management Committee members. Details of the prizes below. For further details, terms and conditions see www.gaa.ie/nationalclubdraw.
- Trip with the 2015 All-Stars. (2 persons. All-Ireland Football Final tickets, All-Stars banquet tickets, tour & airline tickets & accommodation.)
- Trip with the 2015 All-Stars. (2 persons. All-Ireland Football Final tickets, All-Stars banquet tickets, tour & airline tickets & accommodation.)
- Trip to New York. (2 persons. Airline tickets & 3 nights accommodation.)
- Travel voucher to the value of €1500.
- All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Corporate Package 2015. (2 persons. Corporate hospitality & 2 nights accommodation with 1 evening meal for both weekends.)
- All-Ireland Hurling Final Corporate Package 2015. (2 persons. Corporate hospitality & 2 nights accommodation with 1 evening meal.)
- All-Ireland Football Final Corporate Package 2015. (2 persons. Corporate hospitality & 2 nights accommodation with 1 evening meal.)
- Shopping voucher to the value of €1000 at a retailer of your choice.
- Shopping voucher to the value of €1000 at a retailer of your choice.
- All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Package 2015. (2 persons. Premium tickets & overnight accommodation for both weekends.)
- All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Package 2015. (2 persons. Premium tickets & overnight accommodation for both weekends.)
- All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Package 2015. (2 persons. Premium tickets & overnight accommodation for both weekends.)
- All-Ireland Hurling & Football Final Package 2015. (2 persons. Premium tickets & overnight accommodation for both weekends.)
- All-Ireland Hurling Final Package 2015. (2 persons. Premium tickets, overnight accommodation with an evening meal.)
- All-Ireland Football Final Package 2015. (2 persons. Premium tickets, overnight accommodation with an evening meal.)
2014 Hurling Review
For our Senior hurlers 2014 was a tough year. An injury epidemic dented hopes of returning to a third successive Quarter-Final. Players like Cyril Donnellan, Fearghal Flannery and 2013 Player of the Year, Cormac Ward were missed and Pearses slipped into the relegation dogfight. The team ground out a crucial win over Kinvara on the last day to secure Senior status. Credit to the players and management for showing such resolve.
The highlight of the Senior year was a one point win over 2012-13 All-Ireland Club Champions St. Thomas'. It was a last minute Robbie Donnellan point that clinched the win. One of the upsets of the Championship and one that will live long in the memory of all in attendance. A result that proved that on any day this team is capable of beating the best.
Thanks to the 2013 Senior Management of John Raftery, Martin Tierney and Gerry Kearney. Martin Tierney takes over the reins of the Seniors for 2015 and we wish him and his management team all the best for the coming year.
The extended run of our Junior 'B' hurlers in the Championship helped in no small way with the Senior relegation fight. Several of our Junior B's were crucial to the afore mentioned Senior survival mission. Kinvara ended Pearses' involvement in the Junior 'B' Semi-Final Replay, a late goal the killer blow. Our Junior 'C' team ended up in a Shield Final again this year, going down by three points also to Kinvara.
Our U21 hurlers, lost out narrowly to Kinvara and Liam Mellows, meaning an early exit from the Championship. Many of the starting team have at least another year left at the grade, with some of them also important members of the Senior panel. Thanks to team manager Tomás Kenny and Selectors Emmet Ward, Adrian Bellew and Tommy McDonagh.
Our Minor hurlers qualified for the knockout stages. A Quarter-Final win over Abbeyknockmoy set up a rematch with Michael Cusacks who they defeated in the group. Unfortunately the result wasn’t replicated as we succumbed to defeat. Thanks to Manager Anthony Kenny along with Martin Scarry, William Dilleen, Kevin Lally and Pádraig Murray.
Our U16’s won three, lost three and drew with Kiltormer meaning we entered the Shield competition. Against Kiltormer again in the Sheild semi-final, we unfortunately lost out in a high-scoring game. Credit to Paul O’Brien, Kevin Connell, Martin Campbell, Gabriel Flannery and Enda Cunniffe.
Our U14’s lost out narrowly to Michael Cusacks in their semi-final despite defeating them in the group. In the Féile competition hosted in Ballymacward we lost out to Carnmore and a strong Gort outfit before defeating Michael Cusacks. Thanks to Mick Carr, Des McCabe, EoghanBarrett, Gabriel Flannery and Declan Moran.
One of the highlights of our year was our U13C County title win, a second in succession in this grade. The team won 6 games in the group before overcoming Annaghdown and Sylane in the semi-final and final respectively. Once again it showed the dominance and power of a very talented group of players. Again a big thank you to Mick Carr, Des McCabe, Eoghan Barrett, Gabriel Flannery and Declan Moran.
Our U12’s while challenged with numbers won some games and performed excellently. Given the small numbers at this age group the team were dependent and grateful for the contribution of four girls to strengthen the squad. This is a big challenge going forward for this group and one was brilliantly handled this year by Eddie Mitchell as Manager.
Our U10’s once again competed in the East Galway League. The U10’s and U8’s trained at 12pm every Sunday and this year incorporated football training along with hurling sessions. Our U8’s played their first ever football match in Mountbellew. A great deal of thanks is owed to Manager Martin Scarry as well as selectors Adrian Queeney, Sean O’Neill and Micheál Kelly for their work and also to all parents for their support.
Congratulations to Ronan Bellew who represented the Galway Minors again this year, Brian Sweeney at U17 and to Ronan O’Neill with the Galway U16s. Conor O’Neill who was a member of the U15’s and Ronan Flannery with the Galway U14’s.
2014 Football Review
Our Junior Footballers did well in 2014, reaching the North Board 'C' Championship Final. Progress was helped by the availability of more of the Senior hurlers, who were on a break before Relegation games. Meelick-Eyrecourt were Final opponents in Caltra. After a tight game we were two points short at the final whistle and rued the loss of key players, Tomas Flannery and Damien Wynne. Thanks to Manager James Clancy as well as Adrian Queeney and to Noel Burke for their contribution all year.
The role of Leo Morrissey in organising and co-ordinating the football games and admin cannot go unnoticed so a big thanks for his efforts and success in a very challenging role.
The Under-14 footballers were a big success story in 2014 contesting finals in League and Championship. After winning four games in the Championship the team defeated Milltown in the County semi-final and setup a local derby in the final against Caltra which they eased passed with flying colours. The League form was just as impressive with wins against Caltra, Milltown, Williamstown, Kilkerrin-Clonberne and Menlough before just losing out to Headford in the final.Once more we pay tribute to the work of Des McCabe, Mick Carr, Eoghan Barrett, Gabriel Flannery and Declan Moran.
New Hurling C'ship Format
A new format for the Senior Hurling Championship for 2016 was passed at the Galway Hurling Committee AGM in Loughgeorge last week. Please note, the changes do not come into effect until the 2016 Championships.
The Ballinderreen motion for a new Senior Hurling Championship format in 2016 is below:Proposed format for Senior and Intermediate Championship: Senior “A” – 12 Teams; Senior “B” – 12 Teams; Intermediate – 12 Teams.
The top three teams in group of 2015 Championship play in “Senior A” for 2016. Bottom team in each group join the six teams in relegation plus the finalist of the Intermediate to make up the twelve teams for “Senior B”. Twelve teams left for Intermediate.
“Senior A” play in two groups of six. Top two teams in each group go forward with the top team going to the semi final and the second team to a quarter final to play the top two teams in “Senior B”. “Senior B” two groups of six also with the top team in each group to play the No.2 team off “Senior A” for a quarter final place.
Top two teams in “Senior B” to play in “Senior A” for 2017. Bottom two teams in “Senior A” to be relegated to “Senior B”. Bottom two teams in “Senior B” to play off for relegation with one team going down to Intermediate. Winner of Intermediate to be promoted to “Senior B” with bottom two teams to play for relegation to Junior A.”
2014 AGM Report
The Club A.G.M. took place last Sunday, 30th December in Ballymacward Hall. Club Secretary, Paul Bellew, opened the meeting and thanked all players, team managements (especially outgoing Senior Manager John Raftery), officers, pitch caretakers, sponsors and all who had helped in any way in the past year. He emphasised the success of the Club Lotto and '250 Club’ and commended the improvement work currently being carried out on the Club's pitches.
The Treasurer Shane Ruane’s report came next and led to some debate. Regarding the injury crisis which hit our Senior hurlers this year, club stalwart Tim Byrnes concluded that men just weren't men anymore. In Chairman Tom O’Grady's address he thanked outgoing Secretary Paul Bellew and wished him well on his travels. He reiterated Paul’s thanks to the various people involved in and supporting the Club and also congratulated the U13 hurling champions, U14 football champions and the players who had represented Galway in 2014.
Tim Byrnes was elected as Patron of the Club, before the following officers were then appointed for 2015: Tom O'Grady (Chairman), Tom Kenny (Vice-Chairman), Martin Bellew (Secretary), Leo Morrissey (Asst. Secretary), Shane Ruane (Treasurer), Oliver Laheen (Asst. Treasurer), Anthony Kenny (Juvenile Chairman), Dorothy Scarry (Juvenile Secretary), John O’Grady (Hurling Board Delegate), Noel Burke (Football Board Delegate) and David Cunniffe (PRO).
Martin Tierney was appointed Senior Hurling Manager for 2015, with responsibility also for the Junior 'B' hurlers. Noel Burke will be Junior 'C' hurling manager and Adrian Queeney will take charge of the Junior 'C' footballers. A full list of all officers and team managers are listed on the Officers page.
2015 Galway GAA Season Ticket
The 2015 Galway Club+ Season Ticket @ €190 can be ordered today from the Club Secretary (Paul Bellew, 087-1224273 or secretary.padraigpearses.galway@gaa.ie) or on www.seasontickets.ie. The 2015 Galway GAA Club+ Season Ticket includes all of the following:
- All Galway's Allianz League matches plus all Hurling League Semi Finals, Play-offs and Finals, in the selected code (Football or Hurling).
- All other Allianz League games in the selected code. (Football or Hurling). So if you have a Galway Hurling Club + Season Ticket you can go to any Allianz League Hurling game and if you have a Galway Football Club+ Season Ticket you can go to all Allianz League Hurling games.
- AIB GAA Club All-Ireland Finals in Croke Park on St. Patrick's Day.
- Galway's first Championship fixture in the selected code (Football or Hurling).
- €5 Discount off the ticket price for all 2015 Inter-County Championship games and all 2015 All Ireland Series games where the Galway Senior Team is involved. (in the selected code). The discount does not apply to Provincial Final or All Ireland Final tickets.
- A guarantee of an All-Ireland Stand Ticket to purchase, if the Galway Senior Team reaches the All-Ireland Final. (Note: subject to your attendance at 60% of all League games)
PLUS
- Entry into all games in the 2015 Galway Club Championship games (in the selected code, Football or Hurling.
- 2015 Membership of Tribesmen GAA (Galway GAA Supporters Club).
For more information or to purchases, visit www.seasontickets.ie or call the Club Secretary.
Junior B Semi-Final Replay
Kinvara 2-13 Pearses 0-16: Kinvara made it two out of three in the trilogy, in this Junior B Hurling Semi-Final Replay played in Loughrea on Saturday. Pearses looked like they might edge it after recovering from a Kinvara goal before half-time, but another late goal snatched the win for Kinvara.
The teams shared four points evenly in a lively opening five minutes, taking up where they left off in the drawn game. A Robbie Donnellan goal attempt was kept out, before he pointed from a tight angle. Pearses took three of the next five points. Niall Skehill (2) and Aidan Kilkenny with a great score from the left wing, after dispossessing the Kinvara defender, 0-6 to 0-4.
Mark Kavanagh brought the gap down to one again, before a solo run point from Robbie Donnellan made it 0-7 to 0-5 after 23 minutes. Another Kavanagh free and three minutes later David Huban, who had earlier left the field for treatment to an injury, whipped the ball to the back of the Pearses net and Kinvara led for the first time. Two Pearses points to Kinvara’s one, left it 1-7 to 0-9 at half-time.
Pearses had a great start to the second half, with the first four points (Skehill, Murphy, Donnellan and Moore) to lead by three after eight minutes. Huban and Kavanagh frees kept Kinvara in touch, before Robbie Donnellan made it 0-14 to 1-9 at the three quarter stage.
Kinvara would outscore Pearses 1-4 to 0-2 in the final quarter. First David Huban pointed a free from over 80 yards. Aidan Kilkenny responded for Pearses. Two Kinvara points and a Kealan Beckett point meant Pearses led 0-16 to 1-12 after 21 minutes.
Mark Kavanagh levelled the game in the 26th minute. Three minutes later it looked like we were poised for extra-time. The goal was a killer blow and Pearses couldn’t pull one back in the dying minutes and Kinvara advance to play Clarinbridge in the Final.
For Pearses Paul Lally was outstanding throughout, despite some special treatment. Niall Skehiill, Robbie Donnellan and Aidan Kilkenny with 0-11 from play between them were other standout players.
Pearses: P Hillary; A Naughton, P Raftery, J Jenkins; B Egan, D Wynne, P Lally; P Moore (0-1), N Skehill (0-5); K Beckett (0-1), R Donnellan (0-4), L Morrissey; L Murphy (0-3), A Kilkenny (0-2), C O’Grady. Subs used: R Skehill, D Kelly.
Junior C Shield Final
Kinvara 0-16 Pearses 1-10: Kinvara gained some revenge for their Relegation to Intermediate by our Seniors in this Junior C Hurling Shield Final, played on Sunday in Carnmore. Kinvara led from the start, but a good final quarter by Pearses brought the gap down to three points. It could have been less, but for some missed chances and a penalty which was deflected over early in the second half.
Kinvara scored the first four points of the game, before David Cunniffe opened the Pearses account from a placed ball. Kinvara were unaffected and added two more points to go five ahead. The second quarter was more evenly contested, but Kinvara still held the upper hand, adding four more points, to Pearses two (Cunniffe). Half-time: Kinvara 0-10 Pearses 0-3.
Kinvara resumed with two points, before Colm Queeney was fouled for a penalty in the fifth minute of the second half. David Cunniffe struck it, but it was deflected over. The sides shared the next four points evenly, Kinvara maintaining their eight point lead, 0-14 to 0-6. Helped by fresh legs from the bench, the final quarter seen an improvement in Pearses. Good work by Sean Walsh and Declan Lawless led to three converted frees in-a-row from Cunniffe.
Kinvara kept Pearses at arms length with two points in response, 0-16 to 0-9. Substitute Niall Murray had earlier come close to finding the net, but when a second chance arose he took it well and suddenly the gap was down to four. Cunniffe added another point to reduce it to three and despite Pearses best efforts, they couldn’t manufacture another score as Kinvara hung on for the win.
Thanks to our Management team of Paul Scarry, Willie Dilleen and Noel Burke for their efforts this year. Thanks also to our sponsor Ruanes Glentane. To lose out was disappointing, but we will all be back next year for the hurling, the craic and hopefully some silverware!
Pearses: R Treacy; A Queeney, S Kelly, B Raftery; J Kenny, E Barrett, T Carr; P Bellew, D Burke; D Cunniffe (0-10, frees), N Barrett, S Walsh; D Lawless, P Scarry, C Queeney. Subs used: K Clancy, N Murray (1-0), D Lydon, D Mannion, P Mahon.
Junior B Semi-Final
Pearses 0-10 Kinvara 2-4: This Junior B Semi-Final, switched from Loughrea to Carnmore yesterday morning, was played in persistent rain throughout. Pearses looked to have the edge until the 42nd minute, when a second Kinvara goal gave them the lead for the first time. Pearses recovered to retake the lead, but Kinvara earned a second day out with the last puck of the game.
Two Lee Murphy pointed frees gave Pearses 0-2 to 0-0 lead after three minutes. Kinvara responded with points from Mark Kavanagh and David Huban. Some scoring chances went astray on both sides and as the rain worsened, it took another 10 minutes for the next point, Lee Murphy again. Four further points for Pearses (Morrissey, Murphy, O’Grady, Donnellan) in a seven minute burst, opened a five point lead, 0-7 to 0-2. Then a Kinvara lifeline in the 30th minute, a goal to get them back in the game. Half-time: Pearses 0-7 Kinvara 1-2.
The rain showed no sign of easing off for the second half and as result another ten minute scoreless spell just after half time. David Huban for Kinvara and Conor O’Grady swapped points, before Kinvara goaled again to go in front. Pearses responded well and hit the next two scores (Murphy frees) to lead 0-10 to 2-3, with six minutes left. Pearses missed some chances to extend the lead, before Kinvara earned a scoreable free on the left side in the 30th minute. The free dropped short and a Pearses looked to have cleared the danger. However, another free in was awarded, on the right, with Mark Kavanagh slotting it over to send the game to a replay. Details of the replay to be confirmed.
Pearses: P Hillary; J Jenkins, P Raftery, A Naughton; B Egan, D Wynne, P Lally; N Skehill, P Moore; L Murphy (0-6), L Morrissey (0-1), K Beckett; C O’Grady (0-2), R Donnellan (0-1), D Kelly, Subs used: Robbie Lally, R Skehill, G Hennelly, A Burke.
Junior B Semi-Final Preview
Our Junior ‘B’ hurlers take on Kinvara tomorrow (Saturday), in the Championship Semi-Final in Loughrea at 2.30pm. Clarinbridge await the winners of this game in the Championship Final, having defeated Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry, after a replay in the other Semi-Final.
Several players involved in last week’s battle between the clubs at Senior level will be in action again, as the usual grading rules don’t apply to Senior Relegation. Pearses therefore can call on Padraic Raftery and Damien Wynne as well as others, who featured in previous Relegation games. Pearses had two wins and three draws, finishing second in the Group. Kinvara finished third in their Group. Below are all Pearses’ results to date and Kinvara’s knockout results.
Quarter-Finals
Pearses 2-15 Oranmore-Maree 1-13
Kinvara 2-7 Craughwell 0-6
Prelim Quarter-Finals
Pearses 1-12 Killimor 0-13
Kinvara 1-16 Castlegar 0-11
Group
Pearses 3-9 Oranmore-Maree 3-9
Pearses 2-15 Ballinasloe 3-12
Pearses 1-11 Ahascragh-Fohenagh 2-8
Pearses 1-18 Mountbellew-Moylough 0-6
Pearses 2-15 Moycullen 0-7
Thanks JR
Senior Team Manager John Raftery has stepped down after three years at the helm. Pearses reached Senior Quarter-Finals both of JR's first two years. Gort were the opponents in 2012, as Pearses lost out by 3, after a late fightback. In 2013 Loughrea were lucky to prevail by one point.
Injuries hit the panel hard in 2014, but Pearses survived a relegation battle with Kinvara, having previously recorded a super win over recent All-Ireland Champions, St Thomas'. On behalf of the all involved with the Club, a sincere thanks to JR for the work he has put in over the past three years.
No winner in October 27th Lotto draw, Numbers drawn were 10, 11, 20 30. Jackpot continues at €19800 next week in Gerry Macs, Castleblakeney. October 250 Draw winners: 1st Fergal Barrett, 2nd Des Kenny, 3rd Pat & Eileen Hynes.
Our Junior B hurlers are set to take on Kinvara, in the Championship Semi-Final, this Saturday (November 1st) in Loughrea at 2.30pm. Please support the lads! The Junior C hurlers are set to complete part three of the trilogy, with Kinvara on November 8th, in the 'C' Shield Final.
Pearses Secure Senior Status
Pearses 0-14 Kinvara 1-9: Pearses secured their senior status yesterday with a two point victory over Kinvara in the Final Relegation Playoff in wet and windy Kenny Park, Athenry. Pearses led by six at half-time, but a good third quarter by Kinvara brought them level. Points from Cyril Donnellan and Tomás Flannery insured Senior Hurling for 2015.
Jimmy Gelston setup Flannery in the first minute for the game’s first point, before adding a point of his own a minute later. Pearses were guilty of three wides, before another Flannery point (free) in the 6th minute, 0-3 to 0-0. Galway Minor, Conor Whelan, opened Kinvara’s account with a point in the 7th minute, but Pearses’ response was instant, an Adrian Bellew point. Cyril Donnellan had been involved in the build-up to earlier scores, but now landed a super point from the stand sideline to make it 0-5 to 0-1.
Whelan got two back for Kinvara, one a 65’. The second quarter was all Pearses with five points in succession, four from play. The pick of them, an inspirational long range effort by Jimmy Gelston. Kinvara's only response, a free from long-serving David Huban in injury time. Half-time 0-10 to 0-4. Kinvara, with the wind, stormed back into the game and outscored Pearses 1-4 to 0-1 in the third quarter. Whelan and David Huban (2) with the first three points, before Donnellan tapped over a Pearses penalty. Then the game’s only goal, a shot from the right wing by Ronan Kilkelly, deceiving keeper Aidan Kilkenny, 1-8 to 0-11.
Flannery (free) and Whelan swapped points to leave the game deadlocked again. Then a goal chance for Donnellan going just over to put Pearses back in front. A minute later and another Flannery free gave Pearses a two point lead. Kinvara pushed for a goal in the remaining two minutes of injury time, but long range frees from Colm Callanan and Shane Kavanagh both dropped wide. Pearses have survived this year’s injury crisis and can look forward to a better year next year at Senior level. Well done to all involved!
Pearses: A Kilkenny; A Kenny, T Kenny, P Raftery; R Lally, D Wynne, K Hardiman; J Gelston (0-2), A Bellew (0-1); R Bellew, C Ward, S Hardiman; T Flannery (0-6), E Ward (0-1), C Donnellan (0-4). Subs used: G Lally, C Raftery.
Relegation: Pearses v Kiltormer
Kiltormer 1-17 Pearses 2-10: This Senior Relegation game played in Loughrea on Saturday afternoon was tight until the final minutes. Kiltormer came from two down, with the last six points of the game, to secure their Senior status.
Kiltormer had a best possible start when good work by David Hayes created space for Darren Hopkins to find the net in the first minute. A Derek Dervan free extended Kiltormer’s lead. Two Tomas Flannery frees got Pearses on the board, but Kiltormer had soon restored that four point lead, 1-3 to 0-2 after 13 minutes. Pearses landed the next three (Flannery and Ronan Bellew) to reduce the gap to one after 20 minutes.
Dervan (3) and Flannery shared four frees to leave the score 1-5 to 0-6 in the 27th minute. Then another injury blow to Pearses, keeper Aidan Kilkenny leaving the field. Páraic Hillary took his place. In the 29th minute a long range Ronan Bellew free deflected off the Kiltormer full-back’s hurl to the net and Pearses led for the first time, 1-6 to 1-5. Kiltormer absorbed the blow with the next two points, to go in 1-7 to 1-6 up at the break.
With Cyril Donnellan taking his place at full-forward for the second half, three points in succession (Flannery, Bellew and Ward) put Pearses two up. Two Kiltormer points levelled it, before Donnellan pointed from a tight angle to nudge Pearses back in front. Another brace of Kiltormer points swung the advantage again. Yet another injury seen Richie Lally retire. Then in the 48th minute, a Pearses penalty. Donnellan dispatched it to the net, 2-10 to 1-11.
Two minutes later a Kiltormer penalty was saved. Momentum it seemed was now with Pearses. However, Kiltormer hit six unanswered points in the final ten minutes. They led by one, when Kerrill Hardiman was dismissed on a second yellow card on 58 minutes. Patrick Cormican put Kiltormer two ahead before a Donnellan 21 was saved. Two more points for the men in blue settled it. Pearses next take on Kinvara in the dreaded Final Relegation playoff.
Pearses (starting positions): A Kilkenny; A Kenny, T Kenny, P Raftery; R Lally, D Wynne, K Hardiman; J Gelston, S Hardiman; R Bellew (1-2), T Flannery (0-6), E Cunniffe; G Lally, E Ward (0-1), N Skehill. Subs used: P Hillary, C Donnellan (1-1), T McDonagh, L Murphy, C Raftery.
Junior C North Football Final
Meelick-Eyrecourt 0-7 Pearses 0-4: Though having more possession in the second half Pearses couldn’t get ahead at any point, in this Junior C North Board Football Final played at Caltra on Saturday evening. Meelick-Eyrecourt made the most of their opportunities to take home the cup.
Meelick-Eyrecourt led by two points, one a free, after eight minutes. A goal bound effort by Pearses’ Richie Lally seen the ball break to Paul Lally, who fisted over for Pearses’ first score after ten. Eyrecourt reopened their two point lead before a Richie Lally free cut it to one again, 0-3 to 0-2. There was little between the teams in the second quarter, Eyrecourt edging it, adding two points, to Pearses’ one (Richie Lally). Half-time 0-5 to 0-3.
The second-half was low key, with just three points shared between the teams. Pearses had most of the possession but a a packed Eyrecourt defence meant the Pearses players never got the chance to settle on the ball and time and again the final shot was wide of the mark. It took 22 minutes of play before the second-half’s first score arrived, a Meelick-Eyrecourt point from play. Richie Lally pointed for Pearses five minutes later, 0-6 to 0-4. However, when a sweetly struck 45’ dropped over Edmund Flannery’s crossbar in injury time, Eyrecourt secured their win.
Pearses: E Flannery; T McDonagh, S Hardiman, L Murphy; J Lally, A Murray, G Lally; L Morrissey, E Cunniffe; N Skehill, E Ward, R Lally (0-3); R Skehill, K Hardiman, P Lally (0-1). Subs used: J Gelston, R Bellew, A Bellew, S Walsh.
Club Notes 29-09-14
The Club’s Minor hurlers lost out (1-20 to 2-7) to Michael Cusacks (Beagh-Kilbeacanty) in the Championship Semi-Final on Sunday morning played in Craughwell. The result is somewhat of a surprise, given the fact that Pearses narrowly defeated Cusacks in the Group stages. Michael Cusacks take on Killimor in the Final. Pearses: D Masterson; R O’Neill; K Clancy, R Carr; C Kelly, L Murphy, D Byrnes; R Bellew (2-1), B Sweeney (0-3f); P Lally, G Hennelly (0-3), T Carr; E Burke, D Naughton, C O'Neill. Subs used: K Connell, S Skehill, M Ruane.
All Senior Hurling Relegation group games have now been played, with St Thomas' and Castlegar safe from the drop. Pearses will play the bottom team from the other Group, Kiltormer, in a Relegation Semi-Final. Kinvara play Liam Mellows in the other Semi-Final. The losers of these games will then meet in a Relegation Final Playoff, with the loser of that being relegated to Intermediate for 2015.
The Junior C North Football Final against Meelick-Eyrecourt will most likely be this coming weekend, details of the fixture TBC. The draw for the Junior B Championship Semi-Finals have been made and Pearses will play the winners of Kinvara or Craughwell. Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry and Clarinbridge meet in the other Semi-Final. Details for that game TBC.
Junior B Quarter-Final
Pearses 2-15 Oranmore-Maree 1-13: This Junior B Quarter-Final, played under lights in Duggan Park yesterday evening, was in the balance until six minutes from the end. A late scoring burst, inspired by Kealan Beckett, seen Pearses through to the Semi-Finals.
Despite as slow start, Pearses led 0-2 (Robbie Donnellan and Lee Murphy) to 0-1 after eight minutes. The score was level six times in the first-half, neither team giving an inch. Further points from Aidan Kilkenny and Niall Skehill were swapped with three from Oranmore-Maree. At the end of the first quarter, it was 0-4 each. The teams continued score for score until half-time. Two well worked scores from Conor O'Grady and another from Robbie Donnellan seen Pearses back in the lead. Two-in-row from Oranmore-Maree put their noses ahead at the halfway mark, 0-8 to 0-7.
Oranmore-Maree opened a two point gap for the first time just after the break, but it lasted only a minute as Aidan Kilkenny hit his second point. Then substitute Kealan Beckett made his first contribution. He burst through from the right wing to create a goal chance, which Niall Skehill sent to the back of the net. Lee Murphy and Robbie Donnellan added two points as Pearses went four clear, 1-10 to 0-9. A significant lead in a game so tight.
Oranmore-Maree fought their way back, nicking 1-2 of their own. The goal deflected to the net, wrong-footing keeper Páraic Hillary. The sides were now level again after 45 minutes. Pearses were leading 1-13 to 1-12, when the late turning point arrived nine minutes later. Kealan Beckett goaled himself this time after a similar break from wing-forward. Pearses were four to the good again. An Oranmore-Maree 21-yard-free blazed over the bar, as they went in search of goals. Red cards were issued to Aidan Kilkenny and the Oranmore-Maree full-back after an altercation. Points from Niall Skehill and a long range Robbie Donnellan special sealed the win.
Pearses: P Hillary; A Naughton, P Raftery, J Jenkins; B Egan, D Wynne, P Lally; P Moore, N Skehill (1-3); L Murphy (0-3), A Kilkenny (0-2), L Morrissey; C O'Grady (0-2), R Donnellan (0-4), R Skehill. Subs used: K Beckett (1-1), G Hennelly, D Kelly.
Mellows Survive Late Charge
Liam Mellows 2-16 Pearses 2-14: Mellows led for most of this Relegation clash played at Duggan Park last Saturday. When the city men struck for a second goal 19 minutes into the second half they opened a nine-point lead. Like the St Thomas' game, Pearses finished strongly and two late goals cut the margin to just two and Mellows were no doubt relieved to hear the final whistle.
The city team hit three early wides, before Kerrill Hardiman opened Pearses' account, with a long range point. Mellows’ stormed back, hitting 1-3 in a seven minute spell. The goal from County player, Aonghus Callanan, cutting in the from the left corner to blast home. Another Hardiman point got Pearses going again. Mellows landed the next two points, before two Tomas Flannery points and a Jimmy Gelston sideline cut, made it 1-5 to 0-5 after 18 minutes. The next four points were shared evenly, Flannery (free) and Shane Raftery the Pearses scorers.
Mellows tagged on three more points to Pearses' one (Flannery) in the 12 minutes before half-time. Referee Christy Browne played six minutes injury time, as Pearses centre-back Shane Raftery sustained an injury leading to him being replaced. Half-time: Liam Mellows 1-10 Pearses 0-8.
Mellows extended their lead to seven not long after the restart. The teams then swapped two points each (Flannery and Ronan Bellew for Pearses), 1-14 to 0-12. Mellows were looking good for a win, with John Lee and Tadgh Haran leading the way. Two more Flannery frees cut the gap, but Mellows struck what looked like a killer blow, 1-1 in two minutes. Adrian Morrissey with the goal, 2-15 to 0-12.
Pearses didn’t give up and outscored Liam Mellows 2-2 to 0-1 in the final 13 minutes (including injury time). Two Jimmy Gelston points (one a 65) were followed by Mellows last score. Then in the 29th minute Gary Lally was fouled for a penalty. Emmett Ward's initial effort was blocked, but the Referee ordered a retake. The keeper was off his line. Ward buried the second attempt. Another attack and the ball broke to Ronan Bellew who made no mistake from 21 yards, 2-16 to 2-14. However it was too late for another assault on the Mellows goal, as the final whistle went less than a minute later.
With a -1 scoring difference, Pearses‘ can’t top the Group, so will enter a Relegation Semi-Final, against either Kinvara or Kiltormer. Liam Mellows or St Thomas will fill the fourth semi-final spot.
Pearses: A Kilkenny; A Kenny, T Kenny, P Raftery; B Egan, S Raftery (0-1), K Hardiman (0-2); J Gelston (0-3), A Bellew; R Bellew (1-1), T Flannery (0-7), S Hardiman; G Lally, E Ward (1-0), E Cunniffe. Subs used: D Wynne, R Lally, R Donnellan, N Skehill.
Junior Football Semi-Final
Pearses 4-11 Milltown 2-8: Our Junior footballers booked their place in the North Board Final with a nine point win on Sunday morning in Corofin. Pearses had a great start, when Tomas Flannery had the ball in the net after just 15 seconds. When Kerrill Hardiman netted a second in the 17th minute Pearses led until the end.
Milltown responded to the early goal, with two points. Enda Cunniffe and Niall Skehill kicked Pearses' first two points. Milltown broke through the Pearses defence for a Penalty. The spot kick was dispatched to net, despite the best efforts of keeper Edmund Flannery. The teams were now level, 1-2 apiece after 16 minutes.
Pearses slotted a quick fire 1-1 a minute later to retake the lead. Kerrill Hardiman the goalscorer and Emmett Ward with the point. Milltown pointed a free, but another goal from Enda Cunniffe and points from Skehill and Cunniffe, gave Pearses a commanding 3-5 to 1-4 half-time lead.
Milltown opened the second half scoring with a point. Tomas Flannery kicked two-in-a-row, one a free, before Kerrill Hardiman and Niall Skehill points followed. Pearses now led by ten, 13 minutes into the second half. Milltown broke the dominance with a goal, but Niall Skehill had the ball was in the net at the other end a minute later.
Milltown outscored Pearses 0-3 to 0-2 in the final 14 minutes, as they went on all out attack. Leo Morrissey went close with a goal chance for Pearses, while Milltown's best efforts for goal were denied at the other end. A Niall Skehill point brought his personal total to 1-4. Damien Wynne kicked the last point with the outside of the boot, one of the scores of the game.
Pearses now advance to play Meelick-Eyrecourt in the North Board Final, to be played on the weekend of September 27th-28th, TBC.
Pearses: E Flannery; P Lally, S Hardiman, L Murphy; J Lally, D Wynne (0-1), G Lally; L Morrissey, A Murray; N Skehill (1-4), T Flannery (1-2), E Ward (0-1); R Skehill, E Cunniffe (1-2), K Hardiman (1-1). Subs used: F Healy, K Clancy, A Carrig.
St Thomas' Shocked
Pearses 2-13 St Thomas' 0-18: The 2013 All-Ireland Club Champions were sent packing yesterday evening in Loughrea by a last minute Robbie Donnellan point. Without Cyril Donnellan, Cormac Ward, Fearghal Flannery and his understudy Paul O’Brien, Pearses faced a huge task. After losing an early lead and seeing St Thomas’ go four clear after half-time, chances of a win looked bleak!
St Thomas led by two when a Tomás Flannery free got Pearses off the mark. Then came the first goal of the game. Ronan Bellew won possession and found Flannery with a neat pass. He sent the ball to the St Thomas’ net to give Pearses the lead. On the 7th minute St Thomas’ corner-back Cathal Burke, was red carded by Referee Leonard Faye, after he first fouled and then struck out at Gary Lally on the ground. Flannery pointed the free, 1-2 to 0-2.
Conor Cooney landed a free for St Thomas. Ronan Bellew, who was doing well under Pearses puckouts, caught and pointed, for Pearses’ first from play. Conor Cooney added to St Thomas’ increasing wides tally, before finding the range with a pointed free. A good move down the left touchline, seen Kerrill Hardiman point from a difficult angle, 1-4 to 0-4.
For the final ten minutes of the second half St Thomas outscored Pearses, 0-6 to 0-1. Conor Cooney, James Regan, Richie Murray and Shane Cooney the scorers for Thomas’. The Pearses point, another Flannery free from the right sideline. Half-time St Thomas’ 0-10 Pearses 1-5.
St Thomas’ outscored Pearses by 0-4 to 0-2 in the opening seven minutes of the second half. Jimmy Gelston and Ronan Bellew with the Pearses points. Again St Thomas’ were guilty of some wayward shooting. Substitute Damien Wynne was making a difference at centre-forward and got his name on the scoresheet, to cut the gap to three, 0-14 to 1-8 after 42 minutes.
The excellent Ronan Bellew, now at midfield, took his third point of the day. St Thomas quickly restored their three point lead. Another Tomás Flannery free came before two Thomas’ points, 0-17 to 1-10 on 49 minutes. A long ball into the square by substitute Robbie Donnellan was scrambled to the net by Flannery, but was adjudged to have been a square ball and disallowed.
In the final ten minutes, Pearses would outscore St Thomas 1-3 to 0-1. First the spark the ignited the Pearses rally, a long range Shane Raftery free went all the way to the net and the gap was down to just one point. Conor Cooney put two between them again, before Flannery cut it back to one. Thomas’ missed an opportunity to go two ahead. A Pearses attack yielded a 21-yard free. Flannery opted to tap it over and level the game.
The momentum was now with Pearses and the ball was quickly returned to Thomas’ territory from the puckout. A Brian Sweeney snapshot was well blocked, Lee Murphy retained possession and when the ball ended up in Robbie’s hand, he drove it low over the bar to win it.
Pearses now go on to play Liam Mellows in the next game (on Saturday, venue and time TBC) and a win would secure Senior status for 2015.
Pearses: A Kilkenny; A Kenny, T Kenny, P Raftery; B Egan, S Raftery (1-0), K Hardiman (0-1); J Gelston (0-1), A Bellew; R Bellew (0-3), T Flannery (1-6), S Hardiman; E Cunniffe, E Ward, G Lally. Subs used: D Wynne (0-1), R Lally, L Murphy, R Donnellan (0-1), B Sweeney.
Minors through to Semi-Final
Pearses 4-11 Abbeyknockmoy 3-6: Our Minor hurlers secured a place in the Semi-Finals after a good win over Abbeyknockmoy in Kenny Park, Athenry yesterday morning. The teams were level early on, but Pearses took control and led until the finish, despite an strong second half from Abbey.
Brian Sweeney opened the scoring for Pearses, followed by a Gary Hennelly point. Abbey levelled with two points in succession, but Sweeney pushed Pearses ahead again with two more. The game's first goal arrived on the 20th minute, from Eoghan Burke. Abbey put their third point on the board, but Pearses finished the half strongly. Keith Connell struck 1-1, to leave the half-time score 2-5 to 0-3.
Abbey were much improved in the second half and had 1-1 on the board after five minutes of play. Lee Murphy, now at full-forward got Pearses' going again. Eoghan Burke struck for his second goal and Gary Hennelly added another to put Pearses 4-7 to 1-4 ahead twelve clear. Abbey however were not finished and grabbed two more goals to stay in the hunt. However, further points from Brian Sweeney and Gary Hennelly closed out the game, as Pearses finished 4-11 to 3-6 winners.
Pearses advance to the Minor 'B' Championship Semi-Finals, where they play either Sarsfields, Michael Cusacks (Beagh-Kilbeacanty) or Killimor.
Pearses: Daniel Masterson; Ronan Carr, Ronan O'Neill, Kevin Clancy; Dermot Byrnes Ronan Bellew, Conor Kelly; Lee Murphy (0-2), Paul Lally; Darren Naughton, Gary Hennelly (1-2), Tom Carr; Eoghan Burke (2-0), Keith Connell (1-1), Brian Sweeney (0-6). Subs used: Shane Skehill, Sean Murray (Scorers open to correction).
Junior B Hurling Preliminary
Pearses 1-12 Killimor 0-13: Our Junior B hurlers are in the Championship Quarter-Finals following a hard earned win over Killimor in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe yesterday evening. Killimor were led for most of the first half, before the only goal of the game from Robbie Donnellan brought Pearses into it.
The teams were level after five minutes, 0-2 each. Lee Murphy with both Pearses scores from frees. Killimor took six of the next eight points, to lead 0-8 to 0-4. Donnellan and Lee Murphy (free) the Pearses scorers. Killimor freetaker Michéal Dervan was converting any free from within 70 yards. A Darragh Kelly point on 24 minutes, reduced the margin to three. Two minutes later the goal from Robbie Donnellan levelled the game. Dervan and Lee Murphy swapped frees, before Killimor got the last point of the half. HT: Pearses 1-6 Killimor 0-10.
The third quarter was close, with Pearses points from Robbie Donnellan, Aidan Kilkenny and Niall Skehill, but two Killimor frees had the game level again. Dervan put Killimor in front with a difficult long range free on 47 minutes, Killimor’s last score. Pearses were on top in the rest of the game and should possibly have finished further ahead. Three frees from Lee Murphy seeing them through.
Pearses: P O'Brien; K Connell, P Raftery, J Jenkins; B Egan, D Wynne, P Lally; N Skehill (0-1), P Moore; L Murphy (0-7f), A Kilkenny (0-1), L Morrissey; D Kelly (0-1), R Donnellan (1-2), C O'Grady. Subs used: A Burke, P Hillary, G Hennelly, A Naughton.
2 in-a-row U13 Champs
Pearses 2-9 Sylane 0-2: The Club’s U13 hurlers added a second U13 title in-a-row when they defeated Sylane yesterday evening in a rain-soaked Kenny Park, Athenry. Sylane took an early lead, but once Pearses hit the front, they were in control until the finish. Indeed, so dominant were the boys in black and white, Sylane scored just once again in the remainder of the game!
Óisin Flannery hit Pearses first point, from a difficult free on the right wing, to cancel out Sylane’s lead. Flannery had three more placed ball attempts in the next five minutes, scoring two. Dean Reilly’s pace was causing the Sylane defence some real problems and he rattled the net in the ninth minute. He followed it with a point from play. The action was now mainly in the Sylane half of the field and some Pearses scoring chances went astray, due in no small measure to the terrible conditions. Half-time: Pearses 1-4 Sylane 0-1.
Cian Murphy had a fifth Pearses point on the board just after half-time, before Sylane had a spell of attacks. However, they just couldn’t find a way through the Pearses defence, marshalled by Man of the Match Eoghan McCabe at full-back. Sylane's best opportunity, a goal chance, flashing just wide of Darragh McCabe’s post at the town end.
A point from Cathal Kitt got Pearses going again and on the thirteenth minute, Cian Murphy pulled first time to the net, after his initial shot was stopped. Óisín Flannery tagged on two frees, before Kealan Creaven struck Sylane's second point. The last score of the game was possibly the best, when a 40 yard Dean Reilly solo run, ended in him whipping the ball across the square, for Cathal Kitt to double it first time over the bar.
Captain Dean Reilly accepted the cup from County Juvenile Hurling Chairman, Michael O’Hehir (Tuam). He thanked the management and parents for the transport, noting that Petrol/Diesel doesn’t come cheap! Well done to the lads and to their dedicated Management team! It was a fantastic win, we are all so proud and I’m sure this bunch are not finished yet!
Pearses: Darragh McCabe; Brian Kelly, Eoghan McCabe, Niall Moran; Jack Barrett, Shane Hynes, Robert Hynes; Cathal Kitt (0-2), Geordan Kenny; Marc Hennelly, Óisín Flannery (0-5f), Luke Mitchell; Ethan Lally, Dean Reilly (1-1), Cian Murphy (1-1). Subs: James Mitchell, Ethan Barry.
Junior Football Quarter-Final
Pearses 6-19 Corofin 0-6: On Saturday evening last with conditions perfect for a football championship game Pearses came out as comprehensive winners over Corofin in Monivea. Pearses' led from the start and never looked back in this Championship Quarter Final game.
Pearses' started strongly, and led 0-4 to 0-0 after 5 minutes with two points from Tomas Flannery and one each for Aiden Murray and Enda Cunniffe. Pearses scored their first of 6 goals soon after when Flannery won the ball from a kick out to give a lovely pass to Kerrill Hardiman who finished well into the top corner. Hardiman quickly followed with another point to leave the score at 1-5 to 0-0 after 10 minutes. Pearses' then lost Ronan Skehill to a knee injury who was then replaced by Ronan Bellew. Corofin finally began working the ball into the forwards but the Pearses backs were dominant Sean Hardiman won the ball and quickly laid off to Leo Morrissey who in turn kicked the ball to Kerrill Hardiman, who hand passed to Ronan Bellew which assisted Enda Cunniffe to throw it over the bar in a Dublinesque run of play.
On fifteen minutes Tomas Flannery kicked Pearses' one and only free in the game over the bar. Corofin won a free in the next play and kicked well to finally get their first score on the board. They then followed with a point from play and looked to be finally getting into the game, but that was to be they’re last score of the first half. Great defensive work from the Pearses' backs was to keep them out Corofin had two chances following but great pressure from Garry Lally and young Lee Murphy forced Corofin to kick wide. Pearses' then replied to the resurgence of Corofin with two well worked points from Emmet Ward.
On the stroke of half time Pearses' then lost centre back Damien Wynne to a black card who was replaced by Fearghal Flannery, Corofin missed the resulting free. In the following play Adrian Bellew turned over the ball well and with a searing run through the middle laid the ball off to Ward who calmly slotted over for his third point of the evening, to leave the score at 1-10 to 0-2.
Corofin got the first point of the second half from a free but Pearses quickly replied with the ball well won by Ronan Bellew who passed to brother Adrian who set up Aiden Murray for a goal from the resulting kick out Adrian Bellew won the ball and laid off to Tomas Flannery who slotted over to leave the score at 2-11 to 0-3. Corofin followed with they’re fourth point of the game from a free on 40 minutes. Pearses replied with another point from Kerrill Hardiman. Ronan Bellew rose highest to catch the following kick out who passed the ball to Aiden Murray who volleyed the ball to the back of the net 3-12 to 0-4. James Gelston and Aidan Carrig replaced Niall Skehill and Lee Murphy. Great work from Leo Morrissey assisted Kerrill Hardiman for another point. James Gelston scored two points one each side of Corofin’s fifth point of the day from a free. Aiden Murray then followed with his second point of the evening.
On 45 minutes Garry Lally was replaced by Sean Walsh. Leo Morrissey struck his first point of the evening from a Ronan Bellew pass. Tomas Flannery won the resulting kick out and after a nice one-two with his brother Fearghal he laid off the ball to Gelston who assisted Ronan Bellew for a goal to finally get on the score sheet after some frustrating wide's earlier. Kerrill Hardiman was replaced by Paul Lally in the corner forward position after he impressed when introduced again Mountbellew/Moylough in the previous game.
Corofin were then to score they’re final point of the game in what was probably they’re best play of the game leaving the score at 4-17 to 0-6. With five minutes left Fearghal Flannery made a great run up the field with the ball and passed in to Leo Morrissey who blasted the ball home. The goalie fluffed the resultant kick out which was caught by Gelston and he pounced with Pearses sixth and final goal of the game. In the last two minutes Pearses' followed with 2 more points from Ward and Walsh to give the final score of 6-19 to 0-6. Pearses' now await Milltown in the North Board Semi Final provisionally scheduled for three weeks’ time.
Pearses: Edmund Flannery; Tommy McDonagh, Sean Hardiman, Lee Murphy; Adrian Bellew, Damien Wynne, Gary Lally, Leo Morrissey (C) (1-1), Aidan Murray (2-2); Niall Skehill, Tom Flannery (0-4 1f), Emmett Ward (0-4); Ronan Skehill, Enda Cunniffe (0-2), Kerrill Hardiman (1-3). Subs used: Ronan Bellew (1-0), Fearghal Flannery, Jimmy Gelston (1-2), Aidan Carrig, Sean Walsh (0-1).
Report: David Gilligan.
Junior B Knockout Draw
The draws for the Preliminary Quarter-finals have been made in this years Junior B Hurling Championship. Pearses have been drawn against Killimor. The four winners of the preliminaries will go into an open draw with the other four teams who have got a bye into the Quarters. Dates for preliminaries TBC and could be next weekend (August 30-31).
Preliminary Quarter-Finals:
Kinvara v Castlegar
KILLIMOR v PADRAIG PEARSES
Ahascragh-Fohenagh v Mountbellew-Moylough
Cappataggle v Craughwell
Teams with a bye to the Quarter-Finals:
Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry, Ballindereen, Clarinbridge, Oranmore-Maree.
Senior Hurling League, Rd 6
Senior Hurling League: Killimordaly 0-20 Pearses 0-17 – Played yesterday in Killimordaly, this was Pearses' last Group game in this year's Senior Hurling League. The home team led 0-12 to 0-10 at the break, with Darragh Cooney their star performer. Killimordaly edged the second half 0-8 to 0-7 to win by three. Tomas Flannery again led the way for Pearses, finishing with 0-10, five from play. From six League games Pearses won two (Liam Mellows and Carnmore), drew one (Athenry) and lost out to Portumna, Castlegar and Killimordaly. Next up is the Relegation playoffs.
Senior v Killimordaly: Paul O'Brien; Anthony Kenny, Tomas Kenny, Kerrill Hardiman; Brendan Egan, Shane Raftery, Colm Raftery (0-1); Jimmy Gelston (0-3), Ronan Bellew (0-1); Sean Hardiman (0-1), Tomas Flannery (0-10, 5f), Enda Cunniffe; Brian Sweeney, Emmett Ward, Gary Lally (0-1). Subs used: Robbie Donnellan, Niall Skehill, Conor O'Grady, Paul Moore, Aidan Kilkenny.
Junior C Hurling, Round 5
Junior C Hurling Championship: Meelick-Eyrecourt 2-17 Pearses 0-12 – Meelick-Eyrecourt had already qualified for the knockout stages and Pearses are no longer in the running for the Cup competition. The game played at Ballymacward on yesterday evening was evenly contested up until the final quarter, when Meelick-Eyrecourt's superior fitness helped them pull away. Pearses now enter the Shield competition, having contested the Shield Final last year.
Pearses: Eanna Daly; Brendan Raftery, Sean Kelly, Colm Queeney; Joe Kenny, Eoghan Barrett, Sean Walsh; Darren Burke, Paul Bellew (0-2); David Cunniffe (0-7, 4f), Niall Barrett (0-1), Damien Mannion; Declan Lawless, Paul Scarry (0-2), Pat Mahon. Subs used: Tom Carr, Dermot Lydon, Larry Hillary, Michael Kelly.
Junior B Hurling, Round 5
Pearses 3-9 Oranmore-Maree 3-9: In a classic game of two halves, Pearses were lucky to hang on for a draw in this Junior B Hurling Championship game, played at wet and windy Castledaly yesterday evening. After playing with the strong wind Pearses lead 2-6 to 0-4 at half time and looked good for the win when Leo Morrissey added a third goal just after half-time.
Pearses had registered 1-3 before Oranmore-Maree got off the mark on the 11th minute. The first score was a goal from Niall Skehill, well finished from 20 yards out. Darragh Kelly, Damien Wynne and Robbie Donnellan added points from play. Oranmore-Maree opened their account with two points, before Lee Murphy found Robbie Donnellan who cut through the middle for a second Pearses goal in the 22nd minute, 2-3 to 0-2. In the remaining eight minutes of the half the teams shared five points. Donnellan, Murphy (free) and Paul Moore the Pearses scorers.
The first twelve minutes of the second half seen four goals. Leo Morrissey, now at corner-forward, cut in from the left to finish to the net and extend Pearses' lead to eleven, 3-6 to 0-4. Oranmore-Maree sprung to life and in four minutes nicked three goals, to cut the gap to two. Niall Skehill and a Robbie Donnellan (free) extended the lead again, but Oranmore-Maree fought back with four in-a-row to level the game. Lee Murphy pointed a 26th minute free to put Pearses one up, but once again Oranmore-Maree responded to leave the final score 3-9 each.
Pearses have now played five games in the Group, winning two and drawing three. One game remains against Kilconieron, which is a must win game to qualify for the knockout stages.
Pearses: Paul O'Brien; Paul Lally, Páraic Raftery, John Jenkins; Leo Morrissey (1-0), Damien Wynne (0-1), Brendan Egan, Niall Skehill (1-2), Paul Moore (0-1); Lee Murphy (0-2), Aidan Kilkenny, Conor O'Grady; Ronan Skehill, Robbie Donnellan (1-2), Darragh Kelly (0-1). Subs used: Keith Connell, Paidi Hillary, John Lally.
Senior Hurling League, Rd 5
Pearses 1-18 Athenry 1-18: Pearses recovered well from a slow start to take the lead midway through the second half in this Senior League game played at Ballymacward yesterday evening. An entertaining final quarter seen the teams deadlocked on three occasions before eventually finishing on level terms, with darkness closing in.
Athenry opened the scoring with two points (one free) from corner-forward Mickey Mullins, before Niall Skehill and a Shane Raftery (free) points levelled the game. By the 15th minute Athenry had added 1-4 (1-3 from Mullins), with Pearses' only reply from Seán Hardiman (1-6 to 0-3).
The switch of Tomás Flannery from full to centre-forward helped bring him and Pearses into the game. Kerrill Hardiman moving to corner-back put the shackles on Mullins. Flannery hit four points in-a-row (two frees) before Athenry replied with two frees. There were four more points before the break, shared equally, one Pearses point from play by Enda Cunniffe. Half-time: 1-10 to 0-9.
Flannery went off injured shortly before half-time, but returned for the second half and led Pearses in a much better third quarter. Pearses outscored Athenry in this spell, 1-4 to 0-2, to take the lead for the first time, 1-13 to 1-12. The goal a 60 yard Flannery free, going all the way to the net.
Athenry regained their lead with Mullins (who finished with 1-9) on target from placed balls. In the final twelve minutes Pearses responded each time Athenry tried to pull away, with points from Gelston, Kilkenny, Flannery and Robbie Donnellan. Indeed one of Flannery's points was a shot for goal, blazing just over the bar, after good work by Robbie Donnellan and Conor O'Grady.
Pearses have now played five League games to date, with two wins (Liam Mellows and Carnmore), two loses and a draw. The remaining game is against Killimordaly, away.
Pearses: Paul O'Brien; Anthony Kenny; Tomás Kenny, Brendan Egan; Kerrill Hardiman, Shane Raftery (0-1f), Paul Moore; Jimmy Gelston (0-1), Adrian Bellew; Enda Cunniffe (0-1), Sean Hardiman (0-1), Niall Skehill (0-1); Gary Lally, Tomás Flannery (1-11, 1-7f), Brian Sweeney. Subs Used: Aidan Kilkenny (0-1), Damien Wynne, Robbie Donnellan (0-1), Conor O'Grady, Lee Murphy.
Junior Football, C'ship Rd 1
Pearses 2-13 Mountbellew-Moylough 0-10: Pearses led from the start in this Championship Round 1 game played in Menlough on Saturday evening. It took a scoring bust in the third quarter for Pearses to pull away and see off the Mountbellew-Moylough challenge.
Pearses opened the scoring with two points from Niall Skehill and Kerrill Hardiman, but Mountbellew-Moylough levelled with two points of their own. Between the 10th and 17th minutes Pearses struck for 1-3. Enda Cunniffe, Aidan Murray and Gary Lally landed the points, before Tomás Flannery buried a goal, on the run from 21 yards, 1-5 to 0-2.
Mountbellew-Moylough responded well and in the remainder of the half hit four points to Pearses' one, from Niall Skehill. Half-time: Pearses 1-6 Mountbellew-Moylough 0-6.
Enda Cunniffe opened the second half scoring with a point, followed quickly by two Niall Skehill points. Mountbellew-Moylough interrupted the Pearses scoring, with a well worked point. Niall Skehill hit his third point in-a-row to leave the score 1-10 to 0-7.
Not to be outdone by his older brother Ronan Skehill got in on the scoring act, with a goal and a point either side of two Mountbellew-Moylough white flags. Mountbellew-Moylough pointed added a free, before Enda Cunniffe and Tomás Flannery completed the scoring with two more points. Pearses now advance to a Quarter-Final scheduled for August 23rd-24th, TBC.
Pearses: E Flannery; T McDonagh, S Hardiman, A Queeney; J Lally, D Wynne, G Lally (0-1); L Morrissey, A Murray (0-1); N Skehill (0-5), T Flannery (1-1), K Hardiman (0-1); R Skehill (1-1), E Cunniffe (0-3), P Mahon. Subs used: P Lally, F Healy.
Junior B Hurling, Round 4
Pearses 2-15 Ballinasloe 3-12: The first half of this Junior B Championship game was evenly contested and Ballinasloe led 1-9 to 1-8 at half time. Pearses were in control for most of the second half and looked good for the win when they led by six heading into the final minutes. However, Ballinasloe goaled two close range frees to rescue the draw. Pearses have won two and drawn two games to date. There are two games left in the Group, Kilconieron and Oranmore-Maree.
Pearses: Paul O'Brien; Paul Lally, Páraic Raftery, John Jenkins; Leo Morrissey, Damien Wynne, Brendan Egan (0-2); Niall Gelston, Paul Moore; Lee Murphy (0-4), Aidan Kilkenny (0-2), Conor O'Grady (0-3), Robbie Donnellan (1-3), Ronan Skehill, Darragh Kelly. Subs used: Gary Hennelly, Keith Connell (1-1), John Lally. (Scorers open to correction).
U16 Shield Semi-Final
Kiltormer 7-9 Pearses 3-14: Our U16 hurlers finished their season against Kiltormer yesterday evening, when they exited the Shield at the Semi-Final stage. Pearses were on top for most of the first half, Óisin Flannery (1-1), Ronan O'Neill and Daniel Masterson (0-3) to the fore. However, Kiltormer struck for two goals in the final minutes, to leave the score: Pearses 1-8 Kiltormer 2-3 at the break. Kiltormer nicked another goal on the restart to take the lead. Despite Pearses' best efforts a physically stronger Kiltormer had bagged another 3-3 by the three quarter mark, 1-11 to 5-6. Pearses fought back, with Ronan O'Neill, now at midfield, scoring two goals to cut the gap to one. However another Kiltormer scoring bust, outscoring Pearses by 2-3 to 0-3 in the final minutes and settled the result.
Pearses: Daniel Geraghty; Matthew Ruane, Ronan Flannery, Emmett Costello; Matt Walsh, Ronan O'Neill (2-4), Stephen Doran; Daniel Masterson (0-3), Conor O'Neill (0-2); Eoghan Burke (0-1), Aidan Roche, Darren Lally; Geordan Kenny (0-1), Óisín Flannery (1-3), James Friel.
Junior B Hurling, Round 3
Pearses 1-11 Ahascragh-Fohanagh 2-8: Our Junior B hurlers drew with neighbours Ahascragh-Fohenagh last Thursday evening in Fohenagh. The lads were unlucky not to hold out for a win, as they conceded two late goals, which leveled the game. From three Group games played, the team remains unbeaten, with two wins and this draw. Three more games remain, against Oranmore-Maree, Kilconieron and Ballinasloe.
Pearses: Paul O'Brien; John Jenkins, Páraic Raftery, Keith Connell (0-2); Leo Morrissey, Damien Wynne, Brendan Egan; Paul Moore (1-0), Niall Skehill; Conor O'Grady (0-1), Aidan Kilkenny, Robbie Donnellan (0-3); Niall Gelston, Ronan Skehill, Darragh Kelly (0-5). Subs used: John Lally, Gerry Dywer, Darren Naughton, Éanna Daly, Gary Hennelly.
U14 Football Champions
Well done to our U14 footballers who won the County U14 (Division 3) football final in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe last Friday evening, defeating Caltra on a scoreline of 5-3 to 0-0. Eoghan McCabe was Man of the Match and Dylan Grady, with a hat-trick and Cathal Kitt were the goalscorers. Captain Stephen Doran received the trophy from Juvenile Football Chairman, Larry Lohan (St Gabriels).
This success is all the more notable as on route to the title the lads overcame football strongholds Menlough, Headford, Milltown and Caltra (twice). Great credit must also go also to the Management team of Mick Carr, Dessie McCabe, Eoghan Barrett and Gabriel Flannery.
Pearses U14 (13-a-side): Tomás Carr, Eoghan McCabe, Ronan Flannery, Jack Barrett, Stephen Doran, Darragh Healy, Shane Hynes, Dean Reilly (0-1), Geordan Kenny, Cathal Kitt (2-1), Óisín Flannery, Marc Hennelly (0-1), Dylan Grady (3-0). Subs: Darragh McCabe, Conor Burke, Niall Moran, Cian Murphy, Robert Hynes, Luke Mitchell.
Club Notes 01-07-14
Our U12 hurlers got last week off to a good start, with a comprehensive win over Tuam. In the U14 Football League, we were awarded the points when Williamstown did not field. The U14 Football Championship Semi-Final v Milltown is this Friday evening (July 7th). Neutral venue TBC.
Our Junior B hurlers defeated Moycullen in the Championship, 2-15 to 0-7, a second win from two games. Pearses (v Moycullen): P O'Brien; T Broderick, P Raftery, J Jenkins; L Morrissey, D Wynne, B Egan; P Moore, N Skehill (0-1): N Gelston (0-1), C O'Grady (0-3), J Lally (0-1); L Murphy (0-4), R Donnellan (2-4), G Hennelly (0-1). Subs used: P Lally, D Naughton, G Dywer.
The Minors hurlers were defeated, away to Killimordaly, in the last Championship Group game. However, a place in the knockout stages has already been secured.
Our Annual Cúl Camp will take place next week, 7th to 11th July. The camp runs from 10am to 2.30pm each day. A Discount is available by registering your child on the official Cúl Camp website before Friday 4th. Otherwise please contact Anthony, 087 779 7011.
Lotto numbers this week were 5, 7, 25 and 30, no winner. Next week's draw for our €19,800 Jackpot will be in McGanns, Attymon. Our June '250 Club' Draw was also made, the winners were as follows: 1st Jimmy Kelly, 2nd Derek Barrett and 3rd Siobhan Daly.
Junior B's Winning Start
Pearses 1-18 Mountbellew-Moylough 0-6: This local derby was unique as it seen brothers John and Martin Raftery in opposition, as the Managers of both teams! Pearses controlled proceedings from the beginning and never looked like losing. A first half blitz of points opened a half-time lead of 0-14 to 0-4. The second half was played at as slow pace, as the game came to its inevitable conclusion.
After 15 minutes Pearses lead Mountbellew-Moylough by 0-8 to 0-2, with Lee Murphy accurate from frees and Aidan Kilkenny and Robbie Donnellan chipping in from play. Noel McDonagh was Mountbellew-Moylough's best player scoring both their points. The second quarter went much the same way as the first with Donnellan and Murphy scores from frees and play. Darragh Kelly and Conor O'Grady (2) also added their names to the scoresheet.
Mountbellew-Moylough started the second half well and were first off the mark with another McDonagh point, but Pearses took control again outscoring Mountbellew-Moylough 1-4 to 0-1 in the remaining 23 minutes. Ronan Skehill was the pick of the forwards in the second-half, with 1-1, Donnellan, Kilkenny and Conor O'Grady the other point scorers.
Captain Páiric Raftery, Damien Wynne, Lee Murphy (until retiring at half-time), Robbie Donnellan and Conor O'Grady were best for Pearses. This was the Junior B's first Championship game of the year. Group games remaining to be played are against Moycullen, Oranmore-Maree, Ballinasloe, Ahascragh-Fohenagh and Kilconieron, all to be ployed at neutral venues.
Pearses: Paul O'Brien; Paul Lally, Pairic Raftery (C), John Jenkins; Leo Morrissey, Damien Wynne (0-1), Brendan Egan; Niall Skehill, Paul Moore; Lee Murphy (0-6), Aidan Kilkenny (0-2), Robbie Donnellan (0-4); Darragh Kelly (0-1), Ronan Skehill (1-1), Conor O'Grady (0-3). Subs used: Niall Gelston, Thomas Broderick, John Lally, Gerry Dywer, Gary Hennelly.
U14 Footballers into Last Four
Pearses 4-7 Headford 4-5. Our U14 footballers survived a great second-half fight-back from Headford to emerge two point winners in this Championship Quarter-FInal played at Gurteen yesterday evening. In the brilliant sunshine, Dylan Grady was the star of the show for Pearses, scoring four goals and saving a penalty at the other end!
Pearses were in complete control for the first half, going in at half-time 3-5 to 1-1 in front. A 1-4 to 0-1 had been amassed after 16 minutes. The goal from Dylan Grady, the points Cathal Kitt (2), Dean Reilly and Marc Hennelly. Then in the space of five minutes there were three goals, the Headford one sandwiched between two more Grady goals. The pick of them a "soccer style" effort, as he dribbled the ball past the defender before slotting home.
Pearses started the second half well and extended the lead with an two points (Kitt and Oisin Flannery) and another Dylan Grady goal, from a tight angle 4-7 to 1-1. From then on it was all Headford, as almost pulled off a remarkable comeback. A 15th minute penalty save from Dylan Grady turned out to be crucial in the end, as Pearses hung on for a two point win.
In the past two weeks the lads have beaten football strongholds: Menlough, Caltra and now Headford and look forward to the Championship Semi-FInal (details TBC).
Pearses (13-a-side): Mossy Carr; Eoghan McCabe, Ronan Flannery; Jack Barrett, Stephen Doran, Darragh Healy; Shane Hynes, Dean Reilly (0-1); Geordan Kenny, Dylan Grady (4-0), Oisin Flannery (0-2); Cathal Kitt (0-3), Marc Hennelly (0-1).
Junior C Hurling, Round 3
Pearses 5-16 Tommy Larkins 5-9. Our Junior C hurlers recorded a good win over home team Tommy Larkins in Ballinakill on Friday evening. In a high-scoring game the teams shared 10 goals on a good day for both sets of forwards.
Pearses started well and Keith Connell, Paul Bellew and Darren Naughton had points on the board before Larkins got off the mark. Pearses led 2-5 to 1-3 after fifteen minutes. Keith Connell with the first goal for Pearses, before Paul Bellew added the second. The Points from Bellew, Connell and David Cunniffe. Larkins came more into the game in the second quarter, hitting 1-2, but Pearses kept the lead with four more points Lee Murphy (2), Pairic Hillary and Niall Barrett. Half-time: Pearses 2-9 Larkins 2-5.
After 10 minutes of the second half Larkins had cut margin to one. A goal apiece seen the score at 3-9 to 3-8, the Pearses goal from Keith Connell. Points from Lee Murphy, Paraic Hillary, Connell and David Cunniffe opened the five point lead, but Larkins struck for another goal, 3-13 to 4-8. Fresh legs in the Pearses attack (Joe Kenny and Damien Mannion) helped Pearses pull clear again, with a goal from David Cunniffe and points from Hillary and Cunniffe. The teams shared 2-2 equally in the final minutes, the Pearses goal from Páiric Hillary to close out the seven point win. Next up is Meelick-Eyrecourt, at home, date TBC.
Pearses: Eanna Daly: Tom Carr, Sean Kelly, Adrian Queeney; Darren Burke, Eoghan Barrett, Paul Lally; Pairic Hillary (1-3), Niall Barrett (0-1); Paul Bellew (1-2), Darren Naughton (0-1), Lee Murphy (0-3); Colm Queeney, Keith Connell (2-3), David Cunniffe (1-3). Subs used: Sean Walsh, Joe Kenny, Damien Mannion, Larry Hillary, Niall Murray.
Junior C Hurling, Round 2
Clarinbridge 1-12 Pearses 1-11. Pearses were unlucky to lose out to Clarinbridge in this Round 2 game played in Ballymacward on Saturday. Despite playing with 14 men for most of the second half, it looked like Pearses had secured a first win of the year over last year's Champions.
Clarinbridge led 0-4 to 0-2 (Paraic Hillary, Lee Murphy) after 15 minutes. Pearses however outscored Clarinbridge 1-5 to 0-1 in the second quarter. The points from Paraic Hillary (3), Lee Murphy and David Cunniffe. The Pearses goal from a Paul Scarry sideline cut. The ball was over the line before being pulled back out by the keeper. HT: Pearses 1-7 Clarinbridge 0-5.
Pearses started the second half with another Páraic Hillary free. Clarinbridge hit back with two points, before Lee Murphy pointed a sideline cut, 1-9 to 0-7. A second yellow card for Darren Burke seen Pearses reduced to fourteen men. Clarinbridge's extra man dropped into the half-back line and they had the next two points. Colm Queeney pointed from play for Pearses, 1-10 to 0-9.
Declan Lawless came close to finding the net before Páraic Hillary added another long range free. Clarinbridge responded with two points, 1-11 to 0-11. Clarinbridge were pushing hard for a goal and a 21 yard free with three minutes left, flew over the bar. Two points was a dangerous lead and disaster struck in the final minute when the sliotar crept over Rory Treacy's line for Clarinbridge to snatch the win. Next up for Pearses are Tommy Larkins, away. Date TBC.
Pearses: Rory Treacy; Brendan Raftery, Eoghan Barrett, Padraig Quinn; Darren Burke, Paul Bellew, Paul Lally; Paraic Hillary (0-6), Niall Barrett; Lee Murphy (0-3), Keith Murphy, Damien Mannion; Colm Queeney (0-1), David Cunniffe (0-1), Paul Scarry (1-0). Subs used: Declan Lawless, Sean Walsh, Niall Gelston, Dermot Lydon.
Football Update
With many of the Senior hurlers making a return to 'Big Ball' action, our Junior Footballers recorded their first win of the season yesterday in Gurteen, where they defeated Ballinasloe in a high scoring game, 6-14 to 4-9. Goals came from Enda Cunniffe (2), Tom Flannery, Richie Lally (2) and Ronan Skehill. Our U13 footballers were also in action yesterday evening, making the trip to Headford for League Round 2. However they were unlucky to lose out narrowly 3-8 to 2-8 in an evenly contested game.
Pearses Junior: J Flannery; L Murphy, K Donnellan, P Carrig; N Skehill (0-2), S Hardiman, Anthony Carrig; L Morrissey, D Wynne; T McDonagh, T Flannery (1-4), G Lally (0-1); Richie Lally (2-2), E Cunniffe (2-2), R Skehill (1-3). Subs used: T Broderick, F Flannery, E Ward, A Murray, Aidan Carrig.
Junior C Hurling, Round 1
Loughrea 2-14 Pearses 1-10. Pearses started well in this game played in Loughrea, with two points from Paul Bellew and Niall Barrett in the opening three minutes. Loughrea, lead by Nigel Shaughnessy, Stephen Morgan and Gordon Glynn, hit three points in-a-row to take the lead, 0-3 to 0-2. The next six points were shared equally, Pearses scores from Páraic Hillary and two David Cunniffe frees, 0-6 to 0-5. Loughrea finished well to leave the half-time score 0-9 to 0-6.
Loughrea pulled five clear on the restart. Niall Barrett and a solo effort from Páraic Hillary cut the gap, 0-11 to 0-8. But again Loughrea pushed the lead to five. The loss of injured Sean Kelly at full-back was a blow to Pearses and Loughrea took advantage forcing a penalty and raising the green flag. Pearses added points from Seán Walsh and Páraic Hillary, with Walsh also going close with a goal chance, 1-11 to 0-10. In an eventful few minutes Loughrea struck 1-1 and Damien Mannion goaled for Pearses to leave it 2-12 to 1-10. Loughrea however killed off the game with two more points.
Pearses: E Daly; B Raftery, S Kelly, T Carr; D Burke, E Barrett, A Burke; P Hillary (0-3), N Barrett (0-2); S Walsh (0-1), P Bellew (0-1), D Naughton; D Mannion, D Cunniffe (0-3), A Queeney. Subs used: C Queeney, K Murphy (1-2).
Club Notes 25-5-14
Our Annual Cúl Camp will take place from 7th to 11th July again this year. You can avail of a Discount by registering your child on the official Kelloggs CUL CAMP WEBSITE. There will also be a Registration day at the Clubhouse on Sunday, June 8th at 12pm. Please contact Dorothy for more details, 086 890 2077.
Our Senior hurlers take on Ardrahan in the Preliminary Quarter-Final of the Kilbeacanty 7s Tournament this Monday, June 2nd. St Thomas' await the winners in the Quarter-Final. Our Junior C hurlers play Loughrea in Round 1 of the Championship this Friday at 7pm in Loughrea.
Our U12 hurlers recorded a second win from two last week, when they defeated Rahoon-Newcastle at home by two points (6-4 to 4-8). The teams were level at half-time 2-1 apiece, but Rahoon-Newcastle pulled ahead in the second half to lead by eight points going into the closing stages. Pearses, amazingly, struck for four goals in the final minutes to snatch the win. A great performance and a second win from two games to date for the lads and ladies!! Well done to all involved.
Pearses U12: Conor Moran, Niall Moran, David Hillary, Brian Kelly, Marc Hennelly, Ethan Lally, Darragh McCabe; Robert Hynes, Eoin Lally, Cian Murphy, Sadbh Geraghty, Luke Mitchell, Ethan Barry. Subs: Leanne Kenny, Gráinne O'Neill, Rebecca Taylor. Our U10s were unlucky to lose out narrowly (by two points) to Mountbellew-Moylough.
Works Begins on Duggan Park
A major upgrade of the Duggan G.A.A. Park in Ballinasloe has commenced last week. The Project, which has been sanctioned for both Planning Permission and Grant Aid by Ballinasloe Town Council, consists of the erection of floodlights, the construction of new entrances and exits, including gates and turnstiles; along with the construction of boundary walls, fencing and netting; new toilets and scoreboard and pitch re-alignment and improvements. Phase one of the Project will cost circa E250,000.00 and this is being grant aided by Ballinasloe Town Council, with the G.A.A. providing matching funds.
County Chairman, Noel Treacy, who this week turned the sod for the new Development, thanked the Members and Management of Ballinasloe Town Council for their vision and commitment in supporting the upgrade of this vital and strategic sporting infrastructure. He also thanked the Officers and Members of the Duggan Park G.A.A. Development Committee for their dedication and leadership in spear-heading such a large Project. He also paid tribute to the Officers and Members of Galway County G.A.A. Board for their sanction and funding of the Project, which he said will be a major benefit to Gaelic Games, for Players and Supporters alike, along with having a major spin off to Ballinasloe Town.
After a public tendering competition, two Contractors were selected for the Project – Mullins Construction Ltd., for the ground works and Construction and Skyline Ltd. For the lighting Project. Both Contractors have moved onto the grounds this week and they will be supervised by the former All-Ireland Captain, Mr. Conor Hayes, C. Eng., who is the Consulting Engineer on the Project. The County Chairman also paid tribute to the Officers of Ballinasloe G.A.A. Club, led by its Chairman, Mr. Pat O’Sullivan, along with Mr. Seamus Duffy, (Football Chairman), Mr. Brendan Kelly, (Hurling Chairman), their fellow Officers, Members and Players for their contribution to Gaelic Games in Ballinasloe and he congratulated the Club on their proposed new Development and wished them every success with it.
Relegation Draw 2014
Senior Relegation Groups for 2014 are as follows, Group A: Kiltormer, Castlegar, Kinvara. Group B: PEARSES, Liam Mellows and the losers of Craughwell v St. Thomas. One team will be relegated to Intermediate for 2015. In each group, each side plays each other once. Two matches for each team. The top team in each Group is safe (score difference to separate teams on the same points). The second placed team in each Group plays the third placed team in the other group and vice versa in Relegation Semi-Finals. Winners of those Relegation semi-finals are then safe and then the two losers play each other in the Relegation Final. Games commence on the weekend of 25-26 May.
SHC Round 2 v Carnmore
Carnmore 0-16 Pearses 2-9: Pearses exited the race for this year's County Cup in a rain soaked Kenny Park, Athenry on Sunday evening, as Carnmore prevailed by the minimum. Sharpshooter Kevin Killilea was deadly from placed balls, particularly in the second half and accounted for 0-9 (all frees) of Carnmore's 0-16 total.
George Hanley opened the scoring for Carnmore with a line cut into the scoreboard end. Emmett Ward and Killilea swapped three pointed frees, 0-3 to 0-1. Ronan Bellew, started at corner-forward but assumed a roving role and it was his low delivery to the edge of the Carnmore square that found Tom Flannery who flashed the sliotar to the net, to give Pearses the lead on fifteen minutes.
This was every inch the Championship battle and Cormac Ward seen yellow when he reacted to being held back on the stand-side sideline. In the second Quarter Carnmore outscored Pearses 0-4 to 0-2. Two of the Carnmore scores long range from backs, Ciarán Murray and Eoin Grealish. Pearses' scores came from Emmett Ward frees, to leave the sides level, 1-4 to 0-7 at half time.
Carnmore had their best period of the game just after half-time, adding four points by the seventh minute, from George Hanley and two Kevin Killilea frees. Indeed they might have been further ahead, but for the intervention of Tomás Kenny to prevent a Carnmore goal at the town end. Cormac Ward broke the Carnmore dominance when he tapped over, following a Tom Flannery pass.
Then against the run of play Pearses netted a second goal. Good work by Gary Lally created the chance for Flannery and he first timed it to the net, level again. Ward and Killilea shared the next four points from frees. Carnmore pulled ahead again, Tom Flannery equalised on 25 minutes. Carnmore were awarded two frees, one questionable. Both opportunities were taken by Killilea to open a two-point lead.
Pearses were now throwing everything at Carnmore to try and rescue the game. A 21 yard Fearghal Flannery free was deflected over the bar, to reduce it to the minimum. Unfortunately that's how it remained. Final Score: 0-16 to 2-9.
Pearses now enter a Shield Qualifier / Relegation Group with Castlegar, Kiltormer, Kinvara, Liam Mellows and the loser of St Thomas v Craughwell. Carnmore enter the Group stages.
Pearses: F Flannery (0-1); A Kenny, T Kenny, R Lally; T McDonagh, S Raftery, K Hardiman; J Gelston, A Bellew; S Hardiman, C Ward (0-1), T Flannery (2-1); G Lally, E Ward (0-6f), R Bellew. Subs used: C Raftery, K Donnellan and B Sweeney.
Second win for Minors
This was by and large an evenly contested game, but a ten minute spell in the second half in which Pearses outscored Oranmore-Maree 1-6 to 0-1, put the lads in the driving seat for this win.
Oranmore had 1-1 on the board before Pearses got off the mark in the eight minute, with Brian Sweeney free. Pearses added two more points (Paul Lally and Sweeney), to cut the margin to one. Oranmore-Maree had restored the four point gap by the 23rd minute, 1-4 to 0-3. The teams swapped points, to leave the score 1-6 to 0-5, before Eoghan Burke goaled from close range for Pearses on the 29th Minute. Half-time score: Oranmore-Maree 1-6 Pearses 1-5.
Oranmore-Maree hit the ground running in the second half, adding 0-3 in the first two minutes, 1-9 to 1-5. Shane Skehill then bagged 1-1 in the space of a minute for Pearses, to level the game. Oranmore-Maree nudged ahead again, but Gary Hennelly was now becoming more influential and landed two great points from the right wing to put Pearses in the lead for the first time. Ronan Bellew came forward from centre-back to put Pearses two up and Brian Sweeney added two points to make it four, 2-11 to 1-10.
Oranmore didn't give up and added three frees to bring the margin back to one. A Brian Sweeney free gave Pearses some breathing space but an Oranmore-Maree response made it the minimum again, on 29 minutes. It was too late though and Pearses hung on for the narrow win. Two wins from two to date, with three teams left to play in the Group: Michael Cusacks, Carnmore and Killimordaly.
Pearses: Daniel Masterson; Keith Clancy, Tom Carr, Ronan Carr, Dermot Byrnes, Ronan Bellew (0-1), Conor Kelly, Ronan O'Neill, Brian Sweeney (0-7), Darren Naughton, Shane Skehill (1-1), Paul Lally (0-1), Eoghan Burke (1-0), Lee Murphy (0-1), Gary Hennelly (0-2). Sub used: Conor O'Neill.
SHC Rd. 1 v Ardrahan
Ardrahan 2-10 Pearses 0-9. Despite a closely contested opening half in Kenny Park, Athenry yesterday, Ardrahan dominated the second period. They overturned a two point deficit at the break to come out on top 2-10 to 0-9. Jonathan Glynn caused problems for Pearses throughout and he was involved in the build up to both Ardrahan goals, both finished by Jason Kennedy.
Kennedy had the first point of the game after 4 minutes, but Emmett Ward and Jimmy Gelston hit back to put Pearses in front. Two Johnny Glynn points from play for Ardrahan were exchanged with a super Tomás Flannery effort from the touchline and a free, pointed by Ward after Flannery had been fouled. The game was finely balanced at 0-4 to 0-3, when Ardrahan netted their first goal, Glynn this time the creator, Kennedy finding the net, 1-3 to 0-4.
Pearses responded well, Emmett Ward pointed a free, won by Enda Cunniffe. Some good work by Pearses in closing down Iarla Tannian lead a 21 yard free, when Fearghal Flannery blazed over the bar to level the game, 1-3 to 0-6. Another Emmett Ward free followed, after Flannery was fouled again. Ronan Bellew extended the Pearses lead to two, following good work by Enda Cunniffe. Half-time: Pearses 0-8 Ardrahan 1-3.
Ardrahan had the first two points of the second half to level the game, while there were two chances for Emmet Ward, albeit from difficult angles. On the eleventh minute Jason Kennedy was on hand to first time the ball to the net following a rampaging run by Glynn. Soon after Cormac Ward was sprung from the bench in an effort to jolt Pearses back to life. Ardrahan tacked on three points opening the gap to six, with 22 minutes gone.
Emmett Ward landed Pearses first point of the second half on the 25th minute, from a free on the right touchline. Fearghal Flannery came forward for a 21 yard free in the frantic final minutes, hitting the crossbar. Ardrahan however closed out the game with two points. Final score 2-10 to 0-9.
Standout players for Ardrahan were Glynn and Jason Kennedy (2-2), with Iarla Tannian, solid at the heart of their defence. Emmett Ward and Tomás Flannery were best for Pearses. Pearses now enter Round 2, with the draw to be made next weekend. Round 2 is scheduled to take place on May 11th. Cyril Donnellan and Cormac Ward should hopefully be back to full health by then.
Pearses: F Flannery (0-1); A Kenny, T Kenny, R Lally; T McDonagh, S Raftery, K Hardiman; J Gelston (0-1), R Bellew (0-1); C Raftery, S Hardiman, T Flannery (0-1); G Lally, E Ward (0-5), E Cunniffe. Subs used: C Ward, B Sweeney, A Bellew, K Donnellan.
Hosting Feile in the Rain!
This time last year we hosted the Toddie Byrne Shield competition in Ballymacward. The sun was a constant presence all day and a great day was had by all. This year, rain was the order of the day, but it didn't dampen the fine display of hurling put on by the four teams competing in the Justin Cheevers Cup. There had been two games on Friday evening. Pearses travelled to Gort, where they were beaten by a stronger Gort combination 4-8 to 2-2. Carnmore travelled to Beagh, where they took on the Beagh-Kilbeacanty Juvenile Club, Michael Cusacks. Cusacks won out 0-9 to 1-2.
Then on to Ballymacward on Saturday morning, where Pearses and Carnmore got the ball rolling at 10.30am. The first half was evenly matched and the sides went in at half-time deadlocked on 0-3 each. Cian Murphy and Oisin Flannery the scorers for Pearses. Carnmore upped the tempo in the second half and added 1-4 to Pearses' 0-1 to emerge 1-7 to 0-4 winners. Next was the meeting of neighbours Gort and Michael Cusacks. Gort came out on top 3-4 to 0-7.
Then at 12.45pm Pearses and Michael Cusacks took to the field. Cusacks, with a strong breeze raced into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead after 10 minutes. Pearses turned the game around well and had taken the lead by half-time (1-5 to 1-3). The goal from Cian Murphy. The second half was all Pearses, as they added 1-5, without response. Cian Murphy again finding the net, to finish the game with 2-2. Others to shine were: Óisín Flannery, Dean Really, Geordan Kenny and Dylan Grady. Final score: 2-10 to 1-3.
The final game was between Gort and Carnmore. The winner of this game would top the group and advance to the Semi-Finals later that evening in Craughwell. This was a great battle and the teams shared six goals, three of them were top class! Gort were comfortable winners, 5-6 to 1-6 and finished the day on top of the Group. They were subsequently beaten by Killimordaly in the Semi-Final, played in Craughwell.
SHC Round 1 Preview
Pearses take on Ardrahan in the first round of the Senior Hurling Championship at 6.30pm this Saturday evening in Kenny Park, Athenry. The last time the sides met was in a Relegation Playoff in November 2011. Ardrahan emerged on top that evening, 1-13 to 1-10, but Pearses went on secure Senior status by defeating Kinvara.
Both sides report injuries to influential players. Pearses are without Cyril Donnellan, who underwent surgery recently, last year's Pearses Senior Hurler of the Year, Cormac Ward and Adrian Bellew. Ardrahan are without John Greene and Joe O'Leary and there are doubts over the fitness of Iarla Tannian, who missed Galway's recent League Semi-Final with Kilkenny with a hamstring injury.
Pearses will look to Emmett Ward, Jimmy Gelston, Tomás Kenny and the Hardiman and Flannery brothers to lead them in the absence of Cyril and Cormac. The likes of Enda Cunniffe, Brian Sweeney and Keith Donnellan are also in the reckoning for starting places. Ardrahan will depend on big Jonathan Glynn, Maurice Callanan and Ger Hennelly for leadership.
Both teams were Quarter-Finalists last year and both ran the eventual County finalists (Portumna and Loughrea) close, so this is likely to be a tight game. It should make for an entertaining tie, so please come along and support the team. The game is preceded by another first Round game, Sarsfields v Carnmore at 5pm.
2011 Pearses v Ardrahan: F Flannery; A Kenny, T Kenny, P Raftery; T McDonagh, S Raftery, K Hardiman; A Kilkenny (0-1), S Hardiman; D Wynne (0-1), C Donnellan (0-1f), J Gelston (0-1); T Flannery (0-5f), C Ward (1-0), R Lally (0-1). Sub used: K. Hillary.
Feile Hosts Again!
Following the success of last year's Toddie Byrne Feile Shield, Ballymacward will this Saturday (26th) play host to four of the six Group C games in the Justin Cheevers Feile na nGael (U14) competition. The Winners of the Group will advance to the Semi-Finals later that evening in Craughwell, with the Final taking place in Pearse Stadium on Sunday. Pearses are in action in the first game of the Group, this Friday evening, away to Gort. The first game on Saturday morning will be at approximately 10.30am.
The Pearses panel is as follows: Darragh McCabe, Eoghan McCabe, Ronan Flannery, Niall Moran, Darragh Healy, Stephen Doran, Jack Barrett, Geordan Kenny, Dean Reilly, Cathal Kitt, Dylan Grady, Tomás Carr, Marc Hennelly, Oisin Flannery, James Friel, Robert Hynes, Shane Hynes, Eoin Lally, Conor Burke, Cian Murphy, Luke Mitchell, Ethan Lally. Please call to the pitch and offer your support if you can! It promises to be a fun day for all.
Friday (25th April) Fixtures
18.30 PEARSES v Gort in Gort, Referee: G O’Connor
18.30 Michael Cusacks v Carnmore in Beagh, Referee: P Sheehan
Saturday (26th April) Fixtures
10.30 Carnmore v PEARSES, Referee: T Lally
11.20 Gort v Michael Cusacks, Referee: J Hoade
12.10 PEARSES v Michael Cusacks, Referee: T Lally?
13.00 Carnmore v Gort, Referee: J Hoade
Minors Chalk up First Win
Pearses 5-14 Moycullen 3-11: Pearses Minor hurlers got their Championship campaign off to a winning start by defeating the home team in Moycullen yesterday evening. Brian Sweeney, Lee Murphy and Paul Lally were to the fore in helping Pearses to a 4-6 to 0-7 half-time lead and it looked like we might cruise to an easy win in the second half.
However, a determined Moycullen effort in the second half, made Pearses work hard to ensure they came out on top in the end. Following the sending off of Pearses No. 6 Ronan O'Neill, the home side got the margin back to 5 points. Scores from Sweeney, Murphy and Gary Hennelly, along with the relocation of Ronan Bellew to centre-back, settled the ship and Pearses ran out 9 point winners.
Pearses: Daniel Masterson; Kevin Clancy, Tom Carr, Ronan Carr; Dermot Byrnes, Ronan O'Neill, Conor Kelly; Ronan Bellew, Paul Lally (1-0); Shane Skehill, Lee Murphy (2-3), Conor O'Neill; Eoghan Burke, Brian Sweeney (2-8), Darren Naughton. Subs used: Gary Hennelly (0-3), Matthew Ruane.
U14s in Semi-Finals
Our U14 hurlers have been on a unbeaten run of late and following a draw with Mullagh last Monday evening in Round 5, they have now secured a place in the U14B1 Semi-Finals. They still have two games to play in the Group, against Killimordaly and Michael Cusacks. These games will decide where we finish in the top four and hence who our opposition will be in the Semi-Finals. The team that tops the group will play fourth placed in one Semi-Final and the second and third will play in the other. Well done to all the lads and their management team! Keep up the good work.
Our U14 hurlers will compete in the separate Justin Cheevers (Féile na nGael) annual competition. Their first game will be played at 6.30pm on 25th April, away to Gort. Like last year, we will host the remainder of the games the following day (Saturday 26th) in Ballymacward. The lads will play Michael Cusacks and Carnmore. The Semi-finals, should we qualify, will be played that evening. The Final will be played the next day in Pearse Stadium, Salthill. The winner of Justin Cheevers Cup represents Galway in Feile up North this year. Hopefully we will need our Sterling later in the Summer!
Adult Hurling Update
Our U21 hurlers played Liam Mellows last weekend, in Round 2 of the 'B' Championship. Both teams had been defeated in Round 1, so were pitted against each other in this winner-takes-all knockout matchup. Mellows were the better team on the day winning out, 1-17 to 2-11. Pearses are now eliminated from the title race. Pearses lost both games by just two points, so were not far off the mark. Many of this bunch are U21 again next year and hopefully the experience at this level will stand to them!
Pearses U21 v Liam Mellows: Finbar Healy; Tom Broderick, Ronan Bellew (1-0), Paul Lally; Ronan Skehill, Paul Moore, Alan Naughton; Brian Sweeney (0-8f), John Lally; Robbie Lally (0-1), Darragh Skehill, Darragh Kelly; Gary Hennelly, Keith Connell, Gary Lally (0-2). Sub: Lee Murphy (1-0).
Our Senior hurlers took on recently crowned All-Ireland Club Champions, Portumna, last Wednesday (April 2nd) evening in Round 4 of the League. Pearses were without key men Cyril Donnellan, Cormac Ward and Tomás Kenny. Portumna, with Joe Canning on board, were convincing winners on a 4-20 to 0-17 scoreline.
Senior League Round 5 against Killimordaly was fixed for this morning (Sunday, April 6th), but was postponed due to a bereavement of a Killimordaly Club Member. Details of the refixture to be confirmed. Pearses have played four League games to date, winning two and losing two. The other remaining game, along with the Killimordaly one, will be against Athenry.
Juvenile Update
Our U14 hurlers remain unbeaten in their U14B1 Group after defeating Cappataggle (7-9 to 1-3) in Round 4 last Monday evening. Next up is Mullagh, also in Ballymacward, this Monday evening (7th April) at 6.30pm. On the football field, they overcame Kilconly in Round 2 of the U14 Football League, defeating the North Galway boys 4-5 to 1-2 in Kilconly. They also have a 100% record in this competition. Well done lads and keep it up!
The U16 hurlers defeated Moycullen (1-12 to 2-4) in Ballymacward in Round 1 of the U16C Championship. Pearses U16 v Moycullen: Daniel Geraghty; Emmet Costello, Ronan Flannery, Matthew Ruane; Conor O'Neill, Ronan O'Neill, Matthew Walsh; Stephen Doran, Dylan Grady; Darren Lally, Daniel Masterson, Eoghan Burke; Mossy Carr, Oisin Flannery, Geordan Kenny.
In U16 Round 2, played last Thursday evening in Kiltormer they drew with the home team (3-10 to 5-4). Round 3 is scheduled for this Thursday evening (10th April) against Carnmore at 6.30pm in Ballymacward
Our U10 hurlers lost out in their first game of the year, to a physically bigger Ahascragh-Fohenagh last Wednesday evening in Fohenagh. Training for U8, U10 and U12s continues every Sunday at 12pm in Ballymacward. All are welcome!
U21B Hurling Round 1
Kinvara 1-11 Pearses 0-12: Like the recent Senior League game also played at Carnmore, the wind played a big part in the result of this game on Saturday last. Pearses dominated the opening half with the strong wind at their backs, Kinvara controlled the second.
Pearses lead by 0-3 to 0-0 after eight minutes, with Paul Moore leading the attack from centre-forward. He hit two of the scores and County Minor panelist, Brian Sweeney, the other. Kinvara's Conor Whelan got the seasiders off the mark with a point from play. Pearses landed the next four points (Sweeney 3 and Gary Lally) to lead by 0-7 to 0-1.
Kinvara broke the Pearses purple patch with a point. Lee Murphy and Sweeney took Pearses' total to 0-9. Whelan then intervened, with a quick-fire 1-1, the goal assist from busy midfielder Ronan Kilkelly. Brian Sweeney won a 21-yard free for Pearses. He was rattled in the process and centre-back Ronan Bellew filled in on free-taking duties. Half-time: Pearses 0-10 Kinvara 1-3.
Pearses lost injured full-back Brendan Egan for the second half. A reshuffle robbed the attack of Paul Moore who had been influential in the first half. He was redeployed to centre-back, with Ronan Bellew dropping back to the edge of the square to marshal Kinvara's Whelan. Darragh Skehill made a return after a long injury layoff.
Kinvara hit the first two points of the second half, before Brian Sweeney retired with an injury picked up just before half-time. Substitute Keith Connell took the Pearses tally to 0-11 after eight minutes. Kinvara had the next four points, to go in front for the first time on the three-quarter mark.
Connell levelled the game, with another free, but Kinvara went back in front from a free. Paul Moore and Gary Lally lead the charge to try and retake control. Connell and Darragh Skehill had scoring chances, but Conor Whelan put Kinvara two up.
Pearses tried hard to create a goal chance in the frantic final minutes. Ronan Bellew ventured forward to aid the cause and was fouled, resulting in a second yellow for the Kinvara man. Connell lofted the resulting free towards the square, but it drifted wide and Ref Miley Holland blew the final whistlle.
Best for Pearses were Ronan Bellew, Paul Moore, Gary Lally and Brian Sweeney before going off. Conor Whelan was the match-winner for Kinvara with 1-3. Kinvara now advance to Round 2, while Pearses take on Liam Mellows in a knockout qualifier.
Pearses: F Healy; P Lally, B Egan, T Broderick; R Skehill, R Bellew (0-1f), A Naughton; J Lally, B Sweeney (0-5, 3f); R Lally, P Moore (0-2), D Kelly; L Murphy (0-1), G Hennelly, G Lally (0-1). Subs used: D Skehill, J Jenkins, K Connell (0-2f), S Skehill.
Frank O'Neill R.I.P.
The death occurred last week of Frank O'Neill in London and formally of Garafine, Ballymacward. Frank (82) was throughout his life a fanatical GAA follower and since 1951 he had attended every All-Ireland in hurling and Football, including the replays until 2012 and attended 128 finals in that time. Even a move to London in 1954 didn't stop him from travelling home twice a year for those clashes.
Last years football final was extra special for Frank as he had attended his first football All-Ireland in 1951 the last time Mayo lifted the Sam. Indeed tickets were so hard to come by last year Franks record was nearly broken.
In an article in the Irish Independent last year he recalled "I remember the match well. Back then you didn't need a ticket, you just paid your two shillings at the turnstile. There was no trouble getting into Croke Park," he recalled. Frank revealed this was the first year in 61 that he had struggled to get a ticket. However at the last moment with the help of a local GAA man and a Croke Park steward Frank gained entry but history did not repeat itself as Mayo did not pick up Sam.
Frank was a Sunday regular at GAA games in Ruislip, London. His love of the hurling and football stemmed from his Garafine childhood, when the games were discussed with passion each Sunday.
Frank reposes at Franciscan College Oratory, Mountbellew today, Thursday 13th March, from 5pm with Removal at 7pm to St. Peter and Paul’s Church, Ballymacward. Funeral Mass on Friday at 12 noon with burial afterwards in Killaghaun Cemetery.
Hurling Draws 2014
The Senior, Junior and Minor Hurling Championship Draws were made yesterday evening in the Salthill Hotel. In the Senior (Round 1) draw Pearses have been drawn against Ardrahan, who like Pearses were also defeated Championship Quarter-Finalists last year. The game will be played on Sunday, April 27th, with further details TBC. The two teams last met in a relegation playoff in 2011. Ardrahan came out on top on that occasion in Ballinasloe, by three points. Pearses subsequently defeated Kinvara in the final playoff.
2014 Senior Championship Round 1 draw: Clarinbridge v Mullagh; Loughrea v Gort; Liam Mellows v Athenry; Kiltormer v Killimordaly; Ardrahan v Pádraig Pearses; Portumna v Castlegar; Turloughmore v Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry; Kinvara v Preliminary Winners (Beagh or Craughwell); Carnmore v Sarsfields; St Thomas v Tommie Larkins.
In the Junior 'B' Hurling Championship Pearses have been drawn in Group 2 of 3, with the following teams: Moycullen, Oranmore-Maree, Ballinasloe, Ahascragh-Fohenagh, Mountbellew-Moylough and Kilconieron. All of these are also the 'B' teams of their respective clubs, apart from Ballinasloe.
In the Junior 'C' Hurling Championship Pearses are pitted in Group 1 of 2, with Tommie Larkins, Mullagh, Meelick-Eyrecourt, Clarinbridge, Cappataggle, Ballinderreen, Ardrahan, Carnmore and Loughrea.
In the Minor 'B' hurling Championship Pearses have been drawn in Group 3 of 3, with Carnmore, Moycullen, Oranmore-Maree, Michael Cusack's (Beagh-Kilbeacanty) and Killimordaly.
Senior Hurling League Rd. 3
Pearses 1-17 Carnmore 0-11: Pearses recorded a second League win in-a-row yesterday against Carnmore, on their home patch. Pearses made better use of a strong wind blowing into the road end and had a wider spread of scorers than Carnmore, who relied heavily on the Hanley brothers, Barry and George for leadership.
Pearses lined up without Tomás Flannery and Enda Cunniffe, who picked up injuries in last week's Mellows game. Ronan Bellew was also unavailable on the day. Cyril Donnellan, Cormac Ward and Darragh Skehill are of course out with long term injuries. However Keith Donnellan made a return to the black and white after his spell in Australia. Kerrill Hardiman resumed at wing-back after missing last week's game.
Carnmore started well with the wind at their backs and Barry Hanley had a two points on the board (one from play) in the first two minutes. Pearses' first score arrived on the seventh minute, from a Jimmy Gelston free. Hanley and Gelston shared the next three scores, all from placed balls, before Gary Lally and Emmett Ward pointed from play for Pearses, 0-4 each after twenty minutes.
Pearses were playing a smarter game against the wind, keeping the puckouts short when possible and Carnmore could not make their advantage count. Hanley tacked on three more frees and Gary Lally added his second score from play. Carnmore's hit back, but Pearses finished the half well, when an on form Emmett Ward hit two points from play. Half-time: Carnmore 0-8 Pearses 0-7.
Pearses had wind advantage in the second half and Jimmy Gelston levelled the game from a placed ball after a minute of play. Then possibly the turning point of the game came when good work from Gary Lally drew a foul and a 21-yard-free. Keeper Fearghal Flannery came forward and despatched it to the Carnmore net. Pearses now lead for the first time, 1-8 to 0-8.
Pearses made the wind advantage count and outscored Carnmore 0-9 to 0-3 in the remaining 25 minutes. Carnmore found it hard to make much headway against the wind, but George Hanley worked tirelessly to try and engineer a goal. They had chances but the Pearses' defence were solid.
Emmett Ward continued where he had left off in the first half, adding two more points to finish the day with 0-5 from play. Jimmy Gelston was accurate from frees and pitched in with a good score from play. Jim's brother Niall and Colm Raftery were the other scorers.
Best for Pearses were Emmett Ward, Gary Lally, Gelston and Bellew in midfield and a defence that conceded just 0-3 from play in the course of the game. Carnmore's best players on the day were Barry and George Hanley. Pearses now top League Group B, with games to come against Killimordaly, Athenry and Portumna.
Pearses: F Flannery (1-0f); A Kenny, T Kenny, R Lally; K Hardiman, S Raftery, K Donnellan; J Gelston (0-8, 7f), A Bellew; C Raftery (0-1), S Hardiman, N Gelston (0-1); G Lally (0-2), E Ward (0-5), B Sweeney. Subs used: P Moore, L Murphy, P O'Brien.
Senior Hurling League Rd. 2
Pearses 2-17 Liam Mellows 1-11: Despite a slow start Pearses were comfortable winners v Liam Mellows yesterday in Ballymacward. Following a wet morning the pitch was in good shape and the rain, thankfully, stayed away.Mellows were without David Collins, Tadgh Haran and Aonghus Callanan. Pearses too were without the services of three influential players: Cormac Ward, Cyril Donnellan and Kerrill Hardiman.
Mellows lead by 0-3 to 0-0 after nine minutes, when Enda Cunniffe got Pearses on the board from a free. Two Seán Hardiman points sandwiched an Adrian Morrissey pointed free for the city men, 0-4 to 0-3. Then came the turning point of the game, in the 19th minute, when an excellent Emmett Ward pass from the right wing found Tomás Flannery on the 21 and he buried it to the net. Ward added a point of his own soon after to open a three point lead for Pearses.
In the remaining ten minutes of the half Pearses hit 1-4 to Mellows 0-1. The points from Enda Cunniffe (free), Jimmy Gelston (2) and Tomás Flannery. The second goal arrived in the 29th minute, finished to the net from a tight angle by Paul Moore. Half time score: 2-8 to 0-6.
The second half was a shootout between Tomás Flannery and Mellows' young corner-forward, Adrian Morrissey. They shared the first eight points of the second half, Flannery with five. On the three quarter mark Tommy McDonagh and Mellows' Shane Minton were red carded by Referee Christy Browne.
Emmett Ward pointed from play on 48 minutes, following a good Pearses build-up — 2-13 to 0-9. Pearses then seemed to take the foot off the pedal as Mellows hit 1-2 in a ten minute spell, to cut the gap to six. The goal was their last score of the game and seemed to jolt Pearses to life as they hit the last three points of the game – Emmett Ward and Flannery (2f).
Best for Pearses were Flannery (1-8), Emmett Ward and Jimmy Gelston. Mellows' top performers were Adrian Morrissey (1-7) and Niall McInerney. Pearses have further League games to come against Killimordaly, Carnmore, Athenry and Portumna.
Pearses: F Flannery; A Kenny, T Kenny, R Lally; T McDonagh, R Bellew, S Raftery; J Gelston (0-2, 1f), A Bellew; S Hardiman (0-2), T Flannery (1-8, 4f), E Cunniffe (0-2f); P Moore (1-0), E Ward (0-3), C Raftery. Subs used: B Sweeney, G Lally, N Gelston, E Daly, P O'Brien.
Senior Hurling League Rd. 1
Our Senior hurlers had their first competitive game of the season this morning in Castlegar, when they took the home team Round 1 of the League. In windy conditions Pearses led 1-6 to 0-5 at half-time, the goal coming from Emmett Ward and Enda Cunniffe accurate from placed balls. Brian Sweeney marked his competitive debut at this level with a goal, when introduced in the second half. Midfield partners Jimmy Gelston and Adrian Bellew had points from play. Castlegar however made better use of the elements in this period and led by Enda Concannon and Ger Farragher, they ran out winners by three points.
Pearses: Fearghal Flannery; Anthony Kenny, Tomás Kenny, Richie Lally; Kerrill Hardiman, Ronan Bellew, Shane Raftery; Jimmy Gelston (0-1), Adrian Bellew (0-1); Seán Hardiman, Emmett Ward (1-0), Enda Cunniffe (0-9, 8f); Gary Lally, Tomás Flannery, Paul Moore. Subs: Brian Sweeney (1-0), Niall Gelston and Ronan Skehill.
Referee Courses
For those of you who may be interested in getting involved in GAA Refereeing, there is a new three-night Referee course for both football and hurling coming up. It takes place on Friday 14th, Tuesday 18th and Friday 21st, February at 7.30pm each night in Ionad CLG na Gaillimhe in Loughgeorge, Claregalway. Any person who wishes to train as a new Referee is asked to text his/her name, Club and mobile number to Michael Nee at 087 170 7918 by this Thursday, 13th February.
Home NHL/NFL Games
Galway venues will host five games this year in the 2014 Allianz Hurling and Football Leagues, three football and two hurling. The footballers will host northern trio Donegal, Down and Armagh, while the hurlers host the Dubs and Tipperary.
Details of the five games are as follows:
Galway v Donegal (Football), Sunday 9th February @ 2pm, Pearse Stadium.
Galway v Dublin (Hurling), Sunday 16th February @ 2pm, Pearse Stadium.
Galway v Down (Football), Sunday 9th March @ 2pm, Tuam Stadium.
Galway v Tipperary (Hurling), Sunday 16th March @ 2pm, Pearse Stadium.
Galway v Armagh (Football), Sunday 30th March @ 2pm, Pearse Stadium.
Obviously, this will result in increased traffic in the Salthill and Tuam areas on Match Days and Galway GAA request all Supporters attending these games to arrive early and to be conscious, mindful and respectful to the needs of Local Residents. Marshalls will be posted on duty outside the Stadium on Match Days to guide Supporters to the designated Car Parks and to advise Patrons not to park illegally or irresponsibly.
Entry to these games in Pearse Stadium and Tuam Stadium will be by Ticket only and that there is a very significant benefit for Supporters who purchase Tickets before Match Day, from participating Centra and SuperValu Shops throughout the County. Tickets purchased in advance (before Match Day) will cost €10, whereas Tickets purchased on Match Day, outside the Stadium, will cost €15. The concession price for Students and Senior Citizens is €10 and there is no charge for Juveniles (U16).
Save on League Tickets!
Tickets for the Allianz Football and Hurling League are on sale now! It is important to note that there is a very significant benefit for Supporters and patrons who purchase Tickets before the Match Day. All Tickets purchased in advance (before Match Day) will cost €10, whereas tickets purchased on Match Day will cost €15. Students and Senior Citizen Tickets will cost €10, with current and valid ID. There is no charge for Children under-16 years of age.
Tickets can be purchased from the following outlets:
- SuperValu Clifden Galway
- SuperValu Lackagh Galway
- SuperValu Tuam Galway
- SuperValu Moycullen Galway
- SuperValu Oranmore Galway
- SuperValu Barna Galway
- SuperValu Loughrea Galway
- SuperValu Gort Galway
- SuperValu Portumna Galway
- SuperValu Ballinasloe Galway
- Centra Carnmore Galway
- Centra Ballygar Galway
- Centra Clarinbridge Galway
- Centra Craughwell Galway
Tickets can be purchased also from the GAA Offices, Pearse Stadium, Salthill any day from 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday. Entry to Pearse Stadium on Sunday next will be by ticket only, and three new Ticket Sales Offices will be located at the Stadium to facilitate supporters purchasing tickets on the day. However, You should buy your ticket in advance and save 33%!
National Club Draw
The GAA's National Financial Management Committee has agreed to run a draw for all GAA Clubs. It is an opportunity for Central Council to assist Clubs in their fundraising. Each GAA club can potentially raise up to €20,000 and retain the proceeds of the tickets sold. Tickets are €10 each and are now available from Club Officers and Players. Draw takes place on Monday, 17th March 2014 at Croke Park. For further details, terms and conditions see www.gaa.ie/nationalclubdraw
The Prizes are as follows:
- Trip to the 2014 International Rules series in Australia.
- The Ultimate Football package 2014.
- Two Corporate Box concert tickets in Croke Park in 2014
- Travel voucher to the value of €1,500.
- All-Ireland Football Final package 2014.
- All-Ireland Hurling Final package 2014.
- €1,000 Shopping voucher for retailer of your choice
- All-Ireland Football & Hurling Final package 2014.
- Two Croke Park Premium concert tickets in 2014.
- Trip to New York for St. Patrick’s Day 2015.
IBTS & GAA Partnership
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) and the GAA recently announced details of a partnership to raise awareness of blood donation and access to the service for GAA clubs and their members throughout the country.
To date, 20 GAA clubs around Ireland host blood donation clinics on the grounds of their club. The IBTS is hoping by the end of 2014 to create an additional 20 GAA hosted clinics. In addition they are seeking 400 clubs to sign up to promote and support existing community clinics, with the overall aim that this will lead to 15,000 donations annually through the ‘It’s In Your Blood’ partnership.
The partnership was formally agreed in June 2012 with presentations to provincial councils and county boards across the country. The partnership was formally launched by GAA President Liam O’Neill and the Chief Executive of the IBTS, Andy Kelly at the IBTS National Blood Centre. A key aim of the campaign is to make it convenient for GAA members to give blood through interaction and promotion at local GAA club level, including hosting blood donation clinics at GAA clubhouses.
For more information, please visit: www.giveblood.ie/About_Us/GAA
U21 Hurling Draw
The draws for the 2014 U21 hurling championships, which are due to get underway early next month, have been made. Pearses have been drawn to play Kinvara in Round 1, with this game due to take place either on the 2nd or 9th February. In Round 2 the winners play winners and losers play losers (A v B) (C v D) (E v F) and (G v H). This of course means that the winners of the Pearses v Kinvara game will play the winners of Liam Mellows v Cois Fharraige in Round 2.
County Under 21 'B' Hurling Championship
(a) Sarsfields v Michael Cusack's
(b) Killimor v Moycullen
(c) Liam Mellows v Cois Fhairrige
(d) Kinvara v Padraig Pearses
(e) Mullagh v Kilconieron
(f) Meelick-Eyrecourt v Abbeyknockmoy
(g) Killimordaly v Ballindereen
(h) Carnmore v Oranmore-Maree
2013 Players of the Year
Our 2013 Club Christmas Party was held in Ruane's of Glentane on Monday night last (23rd). The 2013 "Player of the Year" awards were presented. The recipients were as follows: Senior Hurling, Cormac Ward; U21 Hurling, Gary Lally; Minor Hurling, Alan Naughton; U16 Hurling, Brian Sweeney; U14 Hurling, Conor O'Neill; Junior Football, Ronan Skehill; Juvenile Football, Lee Murphy.
Our "250 Club" December and Christmas draws also took place on the night. Winners in the December draw were: 1st Frank Burke, 2nd Julia Murphy and 3rd Eamon Burke. In the €1000 "250 Club" Christmas draw, Senior Player of the Year, Cormac Ward, was the lucky winner.
2013 Juvenile Football Review
This was the first time in many years that our club has fielded Gaelic Football teams, following the dissolving of St Kerrills GFC. We fielded teams at U12, U13, U16, Minor, U21 and Junior C levels.
As in the Hurling the U13 team had one of the highlights of the club's football year, reaching the League Football final. Managed by Mick Carr and Dessie McCabe they won four out of five of the League games, defeating the football strongholds of Williamstown, Killererin, Cortoon and Headford. Their one loss was to Milltown, who they also took on in the Final, played at Menlough. They were defeated by just three points, 2-8 to 3-2. In the Championship we received walkovers against Menlough, Cortoon and Headford while suffering defeats against Milltown, St. Brendan’s and Kilconly, missing out on qualification for the knock out stages.
The Pearses U12 footballers played five League games this year, with good wins against Caltra and Athenry. The lads received walkovers from St. Gabriels, Kinvara, Craughwell and Monivea-Abbey, while we were defeated by Loughrea, Ballinasloe and Mountbellew-Moylough. Special mention must go to the boys of Ballymacward NS, who captured a Cumann na mBunscoil 9-a-side title, with most of the players also members of our Pearses football teams.
The U16 footballers were this year managed by Bobby Masterson and Joe Murray. They played eight League games, with notable victories over Killererin (6-12 to 1-4) and over Cortoon (8-8 to 1-13), a draw against Milltown and defeats against Clonbur, Headford, Menlough and St. Brendan’s and Kilkerrin-Clonberne. Pearses contested the League Shield Final, losing out to Williamstown in a game played under lights in Loughgeorge. In the Championship Pearses faced Headford and were unfortunate to lose out 4-6 to 2-8. Headford subsequently went on to capture the title.
2013 Juvenile Hurling Review
As the year draws to a close the time has come to review the year gone by. The club fielded Juvenile teams at U8, U10, U12, U13, U14 and U16 levels this year, competing at the Semi-Final stage in each – apart from U8, which doesn't have Knockout stages.
The highlight of the Juvenile year was the progresssion of the U13 panel to the County U13C Final. Under the management of Mick Carr, they were beaten just once in eight games in the Championship (by Ballinasloe). However, they gained revenge in the Final beating the same opposition to secure a first U13 title for the Club. These are a promising bunch of players and if they continue to improve they can hopefully add more titles to this one in years to come.
Many of those U13s were also key members of the U12 panel, again managed by Mick Carr. Like the U13s they won all but one of their games in the Championship. They lost out in the last game, to Sylane. This was effectively a Final, but like U8/U10 GoGames model the emphasis is on fun, so there was no trophy on offer. The U12s also qualified for the International Hurling Festival in Salthill, one of four qualifying teams to join the four host teams and four visiting teams. New kit was sponsored by Aer Lingus and the lads played Salthill-Knocknacarra, Oranmore-Maree, Ballycastle (Antrim) and Castlegar. They took part in the parade and got to meet a certain Liam McCarthy on a great day out for all involved.
Our U16s, managed by Paul O'Brien, qualified for the U16B Final, defeating St Thomas, Liam Mellows, Tommie Larkins, Meelick-Eyrecourt and Cappataggle in the Group stages. They took on Portumna in the Semi-Final, overturning an earlier defeat in the Group to book a Final date with St Thomas'. Given that Pearses had won the earlier Group game, they were favourites. Unfortunately, Thomas' were the better team on the day. These too are a promising bunch of players with several of them also important members of the Minor panel and great prospects for the future.
The U14s, managed by Pat Healy had a busy schedule, starting with the Suck Valley League in February. They competed well in the Group, but didn't make the knockout stages. The Féile Shield competition took place in Ballymacward on one of the hottest days of the summer. In this blitz style competition Pearses lost out to eventual Champions Ballinasloe in the Semi-Final. Pearses played seven Championship Group games, winning two. They went on to contest the Shield Semi-Final, losing out away to Ballinderreen.
The U10 hurlers had a fantastic run in the East Galway U10 League, winning 7 games from 8 to book a place in the Semi-Finals. Opponents in the Semi-Finals were our neighbours Mountbellew-Moylough and the lads were unlucky to lose out by just 3 points. They also competed in GoGames and in the Garda Tournament in Mountbellew. Special mention must go to Cian Murphy, who scored a whopping 27-47 (128 points) in the nine East Galway League games. The U8s, managed by Martin Scarry, played a series of GoGames and all players played their part. The focus of GoGames is of course the fun element and their are no Knockout stages.
2013 Juvenile Party
We will hold a Juvenile party for all our Juvenile players on Saturday, December 7th at 5pm in Ballymacward Hall. Our U13 hurling panel will be also presented their County Championship medals and the U16 hurlers and footballers will receive their Runners-up medals, by a current All-Star hurler. All juvenile members, their parents and younger brothers and sisters are invited to come along. Everyone will have an opportunity to have their photo taken with the visiting All-Star. There will be Music and Refreshments will also be served.
2013 Club AGM
The Pádraig Pearses AGM took place last Sunday evening in Ballymacward Hall. Over 70 people attended and Chairman Thomas O'Grady began by welcoming them. Secretary Paul Bellew went on to note the fielding of football teams for the first time this year; the foundation of the '250 Club'; investment in pitch improvements; coaching work done with Juvenile panels and the efforts put in on a Communications level in all areas. The Chairman acknowledged all who had supported the Club in any capacity throughout the year.
Following Motions the Club Officers for 2014 were elected. As Fr Seán Slattery has left the Parish the position of Club President was vacant. Johnny Murphy was elected. Thomas O'Grady and Paul Bellew will continue as Chairman and Secretary respectively and Shane Ruane took over as Club Treasurer. John Raftery remains in his role as Senior Hurling Manager. A full list of Club Officers and Team Managers are available on this page.
Junior C Shield Final
Carnmore 2-13 Pearses 3-5: This game in Kenny Park, Athenry was in the melting pot right up to the final minutes. The turning point came with ten minutes remaining, when a goalkeeping error seen Carnmore have a second goal to take the lead and from there to the finish they never looked back. However, with 15 wides over the hour, Pearses should have been further ahead at that point.
The early exchanges were evenly matched and Carnmore were more economical with their scoring chances, they led 0-2 to 0-0 after 10 minutes. When they added a goal two minutes later to extend that lead, it looked as though Carnmore could pull away. To Pearses credit they responded well and had their best spell of the game from then until half-time, outscoring Carnmore 2-4 to 0-2.
Páiric Hillary was on target from a free, as well as points from Niall Barrett and Paul Bellew. Carnmore added two pointed frees, to restore a four point lead. Pearses then hit a quick fire 2-1 to take the lead for the first time. The first goal coming from a David Cunniffe free, to cut the gap to one point. Keith Murphy hit the second goal and Declan Lawless added a point from play, so the teams went in at the break with Pearses three points up, 2-4 to 1-4. It should have been more given the wides tally and the wind advantage.
Carnmore started the second half well and hit three points in-a-row to level the game. A Niall Barrett goal put Pearses back in the lead, 3-4 to 1-7. Carnmore were picking off their chances and pulled the margin back to one, before they struck for a second goal, to hit the front. From there until the finish they outscored Pearses 0-4 to 0-1 (Alan Naughton), to run out 5 point winners.
Pearses: Rory Treacy; Brendan Raftery, Seán Kelly, Tom Carr; Darren Burke, Eoghan Barrett, Paul Scarry; Páiric Hillary (0-1), Niall Barrett (1-1); David Cunniffe (1-0), Ollie Laheen, Paul Bellew; Declan Lawless (0-1), Keith Murphy (1-0), Colm Queeney. Subs used: Alan Naughton (0-1), Damien Mannion, Micheal Kelly, Adrian Queeney, Martin Campbell.
2013 AGM Motions
The following is a list of the motions for discussion at the 2013 Pádraig Pearses GAA AGM, next Sunday (17th November) in Ballymacward Hall.
- Proposed that a Sub-Committee be established to oversee and prepare for the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2016 with a view to running events to promote the club and printing a publication of the history of Gaelic Games in the parish.
- Proposed that the adult club hurling teams are affiliated at Senior, Junior B and Junior C level for 2014.
- Proposed that the Juvenile Chairman/Secretary be the Juvenile Board Delegate.
- Proposed that the Vice Chairman also be Juvenile Chairman and also serve as Juvenile Board Delegate.
- Proposed that the County Committee Delegate be the Chairman or Secretary of the affiliated club as recommended by the Galway GAA Bye Laws 2013.
- Proposed that all underage teams play in at least the second division/grade of each age level.
- Proposed that the Assistant Secretary have responsibility for all matters football related in Padraig Pearses to include fixtures, team registration, etc. and to work in conjunction with the Secretary on all matters related to the club.
- Proposed that in accordance with GAA rules the AGM of Padraig Pearses GAA Club be held in November each year and before the annual County Convention.
- Proposed that the additional positions on the Executive Committee be limited to three given that the Committee includes all elected officers and all team managers given that we are now a dual club.
2013 AGM Nominations
Below is a list of the nominations for the various Pádraig Pearses GAA Club Officer Positions for 2014.
Chairman: Tom O’Grady, Anthony Kenny.
Vice Chairman: Tomas Kenny, Tom O’Grady, Martin Scarry, Eoghan Barrett, Adrian Queeney.
Secretary: Paul Bellew, Leo Morrissey.
Asst. Secretary: Anthony Kenny, Dorothy Scarry, Leo Morrissey, Tomas Kenny, Eoghan Barrett.
Treasurer: Oliver Laheen, Shane Ruane.
Assistant Treasurer: Shane Ruane, Oliver Laheen, Tomas Kenny.
Juvenile Chairman: Martin Scarry, Eoghan Barrett, Anthony Kenny, Adrian Queeney.
Juvenile Secretary: Dorothy Scarry.
PRO: David Cunniffe
History Officer: Sean Broderick, Martin Bellew, Tom Kenny.
Irish Officer: Noel Treacy, Dorothy Scarry, Sinead Kilkenny, Michael John Kilgannon.
ASAP Officer: Noel Burke, Cyril Donnellan, Michael Carr, Tomás O’Neill, Anthony Kenny, Shane Ruane, Martin Tierney.
Hurling Board Delegate: Thomas O’Grady, John O’Grady.
Football Board Delegate: Noel Burke, Tomas Kenny, James Clancy, Leo Morrissey, Eoghan Barrett, Des McCabe.
Co. Committee Delegate: Michael Bodkin, Paul Bellew, Tom O’Grady, Martin Bellew, The Secretary/Chairman.
Child Protection Officer: Eoghan Barrett, Aiden Kilkenny.
Insurance Officer: Paul Bellew.
Registrar: Paul Bellew, Dorothy Scarry.
Niall Donoghue Funeral
For those who wish to attend the Funeral of Niall Donoghue in Kilbeacanty, the following are the funeral arrangements. Niall Donoghue, Ballyturn, Kilbeacanty, Co. Galway. Family request privacy today (Friday)! Reposing at his Family home on Saturday from 3pm to 7pm. Private removal Sunday, arriving at St. Columba's Church Kilbeacanty at 1pm. Requiem Mass at 1pm. Burial afterwards in Rakerin Cemetery. Solas Síoraí ar a Anam Uasal Dílís
Please Note: The family of Niall Donohue request that all in the GAA Community respect their privacy today (Friday) and on Monday. As a one way system will be in operation for funeral traffic, please enter via Kilbeacanty and exit via Lough Cutra.
Co Hurling Finals Notice
On account of the tragic death of Galway and Kilbeacanty hurler Niall Donoghue, the Galway Senior and Minor Hurling Finals take now place this coming Monday in Pearse Stadium, Salthill. Throw-in for the Minor Final between Liam Mellows and Turloughmore is at 1pm. Throw-in for the Senior Final between Portumna and Loughrea is scheduled for 2.45pm.
We request that all GAA Patrons attending the Finals on Sunday to arrive early and to park responsibly! Parking in the vicinity of the Stadium will be restricted and Traffic Marshalls will be on duty to direct patrons to the allocated Car Parks.
In addition to the public car parking areas in Salthill, there will be allocated Car Parks, for patrons attending the games, in the following venues:
- The Prairie, Rockbarton Court (adjacent to the back of the Pearse Stadium Stand)
- Colaise Éinde, Threadneedle Road
- Galway Lawn Tennis Club, Threadneedle Road
- Salerno School, Threadneedle Road
- Scoil Róis, Rosary Lane (off Taylor's Hill)
All patrons are requested to obey the directions of the Marshalls, to park responsibly and to respect the local amenities and residents!
Junior Cs into Semi-Final
After a long wait for a first win, on the field, our Junior C hurlers have now put wins back to back. This 3-17 to 1-7 Shield Quarter-Final victory over Kinvara today in Carnmore means they have scored a total of 6-31 in their two most recent games. Following the heavy rain, there were doubts whether this game would go ahead, but the Carnmore pitch was in great shape.
Pearses had 0-5 on the board by the time Kinvara hit their first point of the day after 12 minutes. Kinvara had withdrawn one of their corner-forwards by this stage, to try and halt Pearses domination around the middle. Despite this, Pearses' continued to control the game and had added another 1-6 by the 28th minute. Keith Murphy with the goal and Páiric Hillary, Declan Lawless, David Cunniffe and Tom Carr with points. Kinvara hit two points in the final 5 minutes of the first half as Pearses took the foot off the pedal. Half-time score: 1-10 to 0-3.
Kinvara were better after the restart and hit the first point of the second half, but Pearses soon rediscovered their form. Declan Lawless and Keith Murphy were continuing to cause problems in the inside line and Lawless found the net, after two previous chances had been kept out. Kinvara hit back at the other end, but Pearses wiped out their progress again, when a long range Pairic Hillary free made it all the way to the net.
Niall Barrett and the newly introduced Alan Naughton added points to stretch the lead to 3-14 to 0-6. Kinvara, for once, broke through the tight Pearses backline for a goal, but again the response at the other end was good, with points from Naughton, Lawless and Hillary to close out the game and wrap up a convincing win.
This was probably the best display of the year to date, with good displays all over the field. On to the Semi-Final, with details of that game to be confirmed.
Pearses: Rory Treacy; Brendan Raftery, Sean Kelly, Tom Carr (0-2); Darren Burke, Eoghan Barrett, Paul Scarry; Páiric Hillary (1-3), Niall Barrett (0-1); David Cunniffe (0-4), Ollie Laheen, Paul Bellew; Declan Lawless (1-4), Keith Murphy (1-1), Colm Queeney. Subs used: Alan Naughton (0-2), Damian Mannion, Michéal Kelly, Martin Campbell, Shane Ruane.
Minors Go Out in Quarter-Final
Our Minor hurlers exited the Championship, when they lost out to an impressive Killimor side in Loughrea earlier today. Pearses were playing catch-up from the start and when Killimor opened a seven point lead after twelve minutes of the second half it looked like they would cruise to victory.
The opening quarter was close and Killimor were more economical with their chances. Pearses were guilty of some wayward shooting and so Killimor lead 0-5 to 0-3 at the 15 minute mark. Lee Murphy, Brian Sweeney and Shane Skehill were the Pearses scorers, all from play. Killimor tagged on two more points, to open a four-point lead before Brian Sweeney, now at full-forward was fouled for a 21-yard free. Ronan Bellew went low, but his shot was stopped on the line. Killimor's lead went to six points, before Brian Sweeney broke Pearses' scoreless spell, with a pointed free. Half-time: Killimor 0-9 Pearses 0-4.
Pearses had the opening two points of the second half, both from Brian Sweeney and a revival was on the cards. Killimor however, responded well and hit 1-1 in reply. They now led by seven and Pearses were struggling. The next six points of the game were evenly shared, one a super score from the left wing by Ronan Bellew. Killimor were keeping Pearses at arms length and any hopes of a turnaround were fast disappearing.
In the three quarter juncture the score stood at 1-13 to 0-9, but Killimor would add just one more point to this in the final quarter as Pearses had their most productive spell of the game. Ronan Bellew now playing a more advanced role for Pearses was becoming more influential and a point apiece from himself and Brian Sweeney cut the gap to five. Bellew then breached the previously watertight Killimor defence to somehow scramble the ball over the line under pressure.
Killimor hit back at the other end, with a pointed free, 1-14 to 1-11. Bellew hit another excellent score from the left wing and suddenly Pearses looked at though they could steal this game. However the final minutes of the game were marred by two stoppages, which stifled the Pearses momentum and resulted in sendings off for both sides.
Overall Killimor were the better team on the day and deserved the win. Best for Pearses were Keith Connell and Alan Naughton in defence, the Ronans (O'Neill and Bellew) in midfield and Brian Sweeney in attack. Thanks to the Management team of Paul O'Brien, John Jenkins, Kevin Connell and Martin Campbell for the work with the lads throughout the year.
Pearses: John Lally; Ronan Carr, Keith Connell, Paul Lally; Alan Naughton, John Jenkins, Darragh Kelly; Ronan Bellew (1-3), Ronan O'Neill; Shane Skehill (0-1), Gary Hennelly, Brian Sweeney (0-7); Lee Murphy (1-0), Tom Carr, Finbar Healy. Subs used: Thomas Broderick, Darren Naughton, Daniel Masterson.
Back in Action!
After a quiet couple of weeks on the playing fields our U10, U12 and Minor hurlers make a return to action this weekend. Our U12s have been unbeaten to date in the Championship and they play Sylane, in Sylane, in the last game of the season. In effect this is a Final (as both teams are haven't lost a game) but no trophy will be awarded to the winners, as emphasis at U12 level and indeed at U10 level is on enjoyment of the game. This group of players have had a busy year, representing the club so well at the International Hurling Festival, as part of the Championship winning U13 side and also as members of the U14 panel.
The U10s will take part in the Garda Hurling Tournament, organised by Ollie King, in Mountbellew. It's an early start with the games starting at 10am. Meanwhile in Loughrea our Minor hurlers will make a return to action after a long break, in the Minor B Quarter-Final against Killimor at 12pm. The other Minor B Quarter-Finals are as follows: Ahascragh-Fohenagh v Oranmore-Maree; Kilconieron v Moycullen; Clarinbridge v Rahoon-Salthill.
Coaching Courses
Galway Coaching and Games Development Committee/Tutor Committee are running a series of Coach Education courses for our Autumn programme 2013 in Hurling. We encourage anyone interested to apply, in particular Parents of current or future juvenile players who may be interested in becoming involved in the coaching in the Club. For more information contact the Club Secretary.
Foundation Award/AWARD 1 Child, Award 1 Youth/Adult….
- October 19: Liam Mellows, Foundation, 9.30am-4.30pm.
- October 19: Tynagh Complex, Foundation, 9.30am-4.30pm.
- October 21/29: Cappataggle, Award 1 Youth/Adult, 7-10pm. November 4/11/18/25 x 6 weeks.
- October 21/29: Galway Comm. College, Award 1 Child, 7-10pm. November 4/11/18 x 5 weeks.
- October 23: Galway Comm. College, Child Protection x 2, 7-10pm.
Child Protection is for all participants on Foundation courses from Saturday, October 19th. All Club bookings are strictly through the office in Pearse Stadium 091 862 500 Ext 201. Payments to strictly accompany below registration form, in advance of course’s with no exceptions! Fees: Foundation and Code of Best Practice €30pp, Award 1 Youth and Adult combined €80pp (€20 Discount here for completing both together, normal fee is €50 per level); Award 1, Child €50. Places limited, application does not guarantee course admittance. Maximum course size is 30 participants.
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