There was a lot of anticipation
in the area last week due to the Junior Cert results and we trust kids were
happy with the outcome and wish them luck in their next stage of education.
Senior football took centre
stage over the weekend with the Championship quarter-finals. We have found this stage of the competition
very tough in recent seasons and it was great to see how our guys responded to
the Drumcliffe Rosses Point challenge with a comprehensive victory by 6-10 to
1-06. The first half was a cagey affair
in which both sides had periods of dominance.
We reached the break leading by 1-05 to 1-03. Tommy’s team talk must have been inspiring
as his troops quickly ended the game as a contest, starting with a goal by Mark
Breheny straight from the throw-in and a series of points to stretch the Marys
lead. A high wide count from Drumcliffe
Rosses Point did not help their cause, but they were helpless against a free
scoring Marys forward line, particularly with O’Connor and Smith controlling
midfield. Well done to all involved and
next up is our neighbouring club, St Johns in a mouthwatering semi-final clash
on the weekend of the 28th.
In the Ladies section our
U10's faced Ballymote on Wednesday, and had a comfortable win. This game showed how much each of the girls
has improved throughout the year. On the night, there were very impressive
displays all around starting with Claire Keegan in goal. Then Sarah Corcoran and Ella O’Donovan kept
the defence in line and up front Allanah Conlon Rebecca Gilroy and Tara Brehony
played particularly well. Both Rachel
Cawley and Grace Mulholland showed how strong are panel has become over the
year. The U12 girls have already qualified for the
Championship final and await seeing if their opponents will either be Geevagh
or Eoghan Rua. Our girls played
Coolera/Strandhill in a challenge match on Friday evening. In a
competitive game St Marys took control early on and all 16 girls available on
the night contributed to a good victory. The U-14 Girls train on Tuesdays and Fridays in preparation for their next
match against Eoghan Rua.
It was an important week
in Bord na nÓg as many of the competitions are entering the business
stage. Our Minor boys played Easkey in
the County Championship semi final on Thursday, and played impressively before
a large crowd, winning comprehensively by 5-22 to 1-08. They will meet Calry in the final after
their victory over Tubbercurry in the other semi-final. In the remaining Championship match played
during the week, our U14 boys found St Farnans too strong an opposition in the
U14 B Section. This week our U16 side
plays St Molaise Gaels in the A2 Championship semi-final on Monday, and there
is the exciting proposition of the U12 “C” League final replay against St
Michaels on Tuesday night. Support to
both teams would be appreciated. The U9s and U11s had good outings against
St Maloise Gaels last Wednesday with some great football in September sunshine
in the Urban leagues. Both teams have a
bye this Wednesday but will resume again next Wednesday 24th.
The U10s travelled to Belfast to a blitz hosted by St Brigids. They performed admirably winning 2, drawing
2 and losing one game in the group stage.
That set up a quarter final game against our friends Carryduff of Down
(whose girls’ side we hosted for Feile earlier this Summer). In a nailbiter of a match, we brought the
game to extra time, but unfortunately were beaten by 1 point. We were extremely well looked after by the
hosts and in particular Micheal Mannion, their Club Member who originates from
Collooney. It was a great experience
for these lads to match themselves against opposition from Antrim, Tyrone, Down
and Derry, and our performance was testament to the work of the coaches on
Saturday mornings, and in particular Adrian Flynn who organised the trip. Many of our regular Saturday morning coaches
were involved with cycling duty and well done to all who helped out last week,
and particular thanks to Simon Buckley who coordinated in the absence of Niall
Murray. Remember, Saturday morning
coaching finishes on Saturday 27th. Coaching that day will be in the
afternoon as there will be an end of Season party to celebrate the wonderful
progress each player has made during this year.
The Club Cycle was held
on Saturday and there was a great turnout to enjoy the perfect weather
conditions on our route through North Sligo.
Our thanks to all participants and to the people coordinating,
stewarding or catering. We are also
grateful to St Molaise Gaels who hosted our rest break in their clubhouse. It was a tremendous day and was capped with
a hugely enjoyable social in the Clubhouse later in the evening.
We would like to extend
the Club’s sympathies to the family of the late Mrs Kathleen Feehily, and may
she rest in peace.