Club Notes 3rd September 2023

County Hurling and Football Championships

On Saturday our Senior Footballers played out a thrilling victory over Ballina in the final group game. A 1-13 to 3-5 victory over the North men saw us top the group after a pulsating game in Moneygall. While we appeared on the scoresheet more frequently Ballina’s ability to find the back of the net meant this game was in the balance to the final whistle. A sublimely taken goal by Brian McGrath helped us to a 1-5 to 1-1 half time lead after our opponents raced to a 4 point head start.

Liam McGrath’s free taking helped keep the scoreboard ticking over while himself and Conor Ryan put in a serious shift in the forwards. John Ryan was active up and down the field with Ciaran and Tomás McGrath testing the Ballina defence throughout.

John Ryan in action on Saturday against Ballina in Moneygall.

The result sees us finish on 4 points in the group level with Ballina but we take top spot due to the head to head result. Ardfinnan finished third and Moycarkey 4th, again on the head to head with both teams on 2 points.

Next weekend is a rare weekend off for our senior teams as the preliminary 1/4 finals are scheduled to take place. We won’t know our 1/4 final opponents until after these game have been settled and a draw is made.

Unfortunately our Intermediate Footballers succumbed to a third successive defeat to finish bottom of the group in this year’s championship. With a few players missing from the senior set up players are called on to move up to senior making the challenge of competing at Intermediate level that much more difficult. The lads put in a serious effort against JK Brackens in Holycross on Sunday but ultimately lost out on a score of 5-10 to 2-9.

Ladies Football

We recorded another championship win last Wednesday evening against Silvermines in Dolla. A fine solid performance by the girls.

We are due to play Sliabh na mBan in the last round this Friday evening. Time of the match will be posted on social media. All support is greatly appreciated.

The ladies football club is putting in an order for jackets with McKeever this Wednesday coming. Anyone interested can give their order to either Ciara or Maria.

Under 19 Hurling

On Wednesday evening last our U19 hurlers took on Sarsfields in Castleiney in the Mid Semi Final. Having lost out to them in the group game, our boys showed massive work rate all over the pitch and after a good game we emerged winners on a score line of 1-17 to 12 pts. Mid final date TBC.

Juvenile Notes

On Thursday evening the u15 team entertained Grangemockler in the County hurling league and the long drive up to Castleiney didn’t take much out of the boys from Michael Hogan territory as the won a hard fought game 3-06 to 3-10.

Best of luck to our Minor hurlers who take on Moycarkey in the Mid semi final on Monday evening 4th September with throw in at 6.30. All support greatly appreciated for these boys.

Our under 9s played in a blitz this morning in Thurles. 17 children from the parish took part so we could enter 2 teams. Each team played their first two games in Dr. Morris Park and their final game was played in Semple Stadium.

The blitz was in aid of both the Dillion Quirke and Cliona Foundations. The children had a brilliant time and were a credit to their families and parish throughout. A massive thanks to all who organised the event.

Our nursery group was in full flow on Saturday morning. This is where the future stars for Loughmore Castleiney hone their skills and we are indebted to all the volunteer coaches who put so much effort into making the experience one which will hopefully keep these youngsters playing Gaelic games for years to come.