Massive Congratulations to Diarmuid Ryan, Limerick U16 Camogie Manager, who guided the Limerick girls to the All Ireland U16 Final on Sunday beating Kilkenny on a score line of 13 points to 12. He was greatly assisted by his daughter Caitlin who nailed some tricky frees including the winner. Ann-Rose Benson lined out at wing forward along with subs Kate Grant & Eileen Herbert also involved. We wish the Diarmuid and the girls all the best in their preparation for the final.

Caitlin Ryan stands over a free.
Diarmuid Ryan and his management team celebrate.

We were served up a cracker in the opening round of the minor hurling championship on Wednesday night in a sunny Peafield. Playing with a slight breeze in the first half, blowing from the motorway end, the benefit of the elements didn’t do us any favours early on.

Mark Hogan slots a point in the first half.

Our opponents, Monaleen hit the net within the first minute in a well worked move but you could say this focused the minds of our lads. The early setback was quickly remedied with Alex Kearns, who had an almost perfect day from the frees, pointed from a placed ball. This was followed by a brilliantly taken goal by Paul McDonagh, fast to pick up the rebound from an Eoin Brosnan shot, and dispatched to the net. Brosie(Eoin Brosnan) followed with a point from play. Monaleen hit back with 2 points, one from play and the other a free. On 11 minutes we were awarded a free just outside the 21 yard line. Quick thinking from Alex Kearns, who noticed our opponents only had 2 men on the line, struck low and hard to the net. A well taken goal from the Woodview man and we were 5 up. While Monaleen stayed in the game with a couple of points from play and a handful of frees, our lads kept the scoreboard ticking over with Brosie adding 2 more, along with Mark Hogan and Shane Waters. Alex added 2 monster frees from identical spots on his own 65, close to the sideline. Paulie Mc scored our third, and his second goal of the game just before half time. Another boomer of a puckout from young Marcus Murphy in goals, broken by his brother Louis, and falling to Paulie Mc to convert. Both Murphy brothers had standout performances in key positions with Marcus, deputising for Darragh Jordan who’s away on holidays, him pulling off an excellent save to deny Monaleen on the 25 minute mark. Louis was consistent throughout, winning puckouts and neutralising their centre back. Score at half time: Na Piarsaigh 3-08 Monaleen 1-07.

Eoin Brosnan bursts out of a challenge.

The opening minutes of the second half was almost a mirror image of the first with Monaleen striking to the net withing the first 60 seconds. We swapped points with Alex converting 2 more frees before our opponents hit the net again. The score now stood at 3-11 to 3-09 in our favour with Monaleen having the slight momentum. Up stepped Brosie to land a free from a distance that looked closer to Morrisons pub than the Monaleen goal. The 2 O’Keefe brothers were immense throughout the 60 minutes with David mopping up the world of ball in midfield and John giving the Monaleen forwards a torrid time in defence. Adam Fitzsimons was also a standout performer at corner back.

The sides were level after 57 minutes at 3-13 a-piece. The remainder of the game was frantic enough with Monaleen taking the lead, followed by a score from play by Alex. Draw game with 60 minutes played, up stepped Féile na nGael star Shane Waters to score his third point of the day. The big jump from U15 to minor didn’t faze Shane as he got stuck into every challenge and competed for each ball that came his way. A point ahead, our opponents levelled with an exceptional score from the middle of the field. 63 minutes played, Monaleen won a line ball. They tried to take it quickly but an unidentified Na Piarsaigh coach (Tommy Grimes) accidentally, on purpose (we’re not sure) got in the way. Minor pandemonium ensued for all of 20 seconds as the coach in question claimed his innocence. Tempers calmed, the ref threw in the ball, and proceeded to blow the final whistle. Draw game. Final score: Na Piarsaigh 3-15 Monaleen 3-15

An excellent team performance given by this young Na Piarsaigh group. Our next hurling match is on the 24th against Bruff, to be played in Na Piarsaigh. The first round of the minor football championship will take place against Ahane next Wednesday night.

Team: Marcus Murphy, Sean Harrington, John O'Keefe, Adam Fitzsimons, Ronan Benson, Danny Sheehan, Tadhg Mullane, David O'Keefe, Leon Fitzgerald, Louis Murphy, Mark Hogan (0-01), Alex Kearns (1-07, 1-06f), Shane Waters (0-03), Paul McDonagh (2-00), Eoin Brosnan (0-04, 1f)

Subs used: Conor Bermingham for Leon. Subs not used: Ben O'Regan, Joe Patton, Jamie Quigley, Joseph Corcoran, Alex Halpin.

The squad that drew with Monaleen last Wednesday evening.