A fantastic week for St Marys started with Johnny Martin getting the all clear following the turn he took at County training.   Mid week brought strong performances from our U12 A and D league sides who both overcame opposition from Eastern Harps by a single score.   Then we had a big occasion over the weekend when our U14’s and the Junior side were in an entertaining double header of County Finals against Enniscrone on Sunday – honours went to Marys and celebrations for a large travelling support on the Club achieving 2 county titles in one day.

We are very proud of our U14 squad who have excelled in recent weeks and built on a tremendous performance at Feile following difficult results earlier in the season.    What these guys lack in size, they make up in determination and they showed great hunger in taking the deserved County B league plate title on a scoreline of 4-9 to 2-8 against  a much bigger Enniscrone side.    From the start, our lads battled and even without playing well and against a strong wind reached half time ahead by a single score.   The first 10 minutes of the second half proved decisive as Marys stepped up several gears and grabbed the initiative with inspiring play throughout the field.   All over the pitch Marys were winning the vital individual duals and drove forward at pace.   Captain Luke Walsh led his team with distinction and afterwards delivered a fine speech when accepting the trophy.   Congratulations to the squad and to their mentors Christy Cawley, Joe Campbell and Gerry Connolly, who can now look forward with confidence to the Championship.

The Junior side were cheered onto the pitch by the newly crowned U14 champions and responded by netting a goal in the first minute.   Playing against the wind, St Marys set a fierce pace that ensured Enniscrone were on the backfoot and could not settle to their preferred game.   Gradually Marys built a sizeable lead and entered the second half with an 8 point cushion and looked forward to taking the advantage of a substantial wind.   Enniscrone had other thoughts and attacked with vigour following a reorganisation at half time.   Our defence did very well to minimise the onslaught, particularly as easy scores went a begging at the other end.   However, just as Enniscrone got the score to put the minimum between the teams, a renewed push throughout the Marys side created opportunity and a number of difficult chances were coolly converted to ensure the Senior League Division 3 Trophy was retained in Kent Park for another year on a scoreline of 4-10 to 3-9.   Captain Gareth Blake controlled the forward line very well, taking 2 well engineered goals.   Elsewhere, David Martin, Seamus Burns, Caelon O’Grady and the evergreen Neil Smyth provided the backbone for a winning team performance.

This week the U16’s have a rearranged Championship tie against Eastern Harps on Monday and the Minors play Championship on Thursday against Castleconnor.   The U14’s have little time to savour their victory as they commence Championship against Coolera on Friday.   The Junior mens side is also beginning the Championship on Friday with a match against Curry, and the Senior men play Tubbercurry on Sunday.   In the Ladies section Championship action at minor level is against Eoghan Rua and Wednesday sees the U16’s take on Tourlestrane

The Fleadh Ceoil is almost upon us and volunteers are needed to steward St Marys for the week as we will operate a centre for competition and accommodation.   Please contact Frank Carter or Kevin Molloy if you can assist.   In advance of the Fleadh we will be having a clean up of the Club Grounds on Saturday 2^nd August from 11am – 12noon. The clean up will coincide with the Saturday Morning Coaching and we would ask parents to stay around and help ensure the grounds look their best for the many visitors expected over the course of the Fleadh.   The club cycle is provisionally timed for August 30^th and will follow a picturesque route through North Sligo.   Details will be posted in the Clubhouse shortly, so get on your bike and be ready for what has become a really enjoyable event.    Congratulations from everyone in St Marys to Lesley Walsh and Shane Neilan who got married last week.