Last Sunday many people made the short
trip to Markievicz to support our U16’s in the A2 Championship final against
Eastern Harps and the Senior team in their quest to reach the Senior
Championship final by overcoming neighbouring club St Johns. The U16 A2 championship final was the first
match of the day and was an enthralling encounter. Harps started strongly, but
then were pegged back by 2 quick goals, which helped stretch Marys to a 5 point
lead. Eastern Harps rallied and closed the gap to 2 points by halftime.
Momentum stayed with our opponents who built what appeared an unassailable
lead, but gradually our lads grabbed the initiative and dictated the last quarter.
Unfortunately not enough scores came from all this possession and Eastern Harps
prevailed by a scoreline of 3-12 to 3-10. While a pity the team could not
finish their year with silverware, they can be proud of how they turned around
their season after a slow start.
The Senior Championship semi-final against St Johns was next up, and Marys
started strongly, quickly building an 8 point lead before our opponents could
reply. Such was Marys dominance that the match as a contest ended early in the
second half, when Mark Breheny found the goal after a sweeping move starting
with a smart interception by Johnny Davey. Later in the game Charlie Harrison's
well taken goal gave the scoreboard respectability but Marys were just too
strong for their town neighbours and eased to victory by a series of points and
a further goal from Brian Smith. The final score ended at 3-15 to 1-05, and
well done to the lads. Their reward is meeting Tubbercurry in the showcase
final of the Sligo GAA calendar on Sunday October 12th.
The U14 boys played Easkey in the A2
Championship and earned a very credible draw on a score of 4-09 to 3-12. Those lucky to be there witnessed a
fantastic contest between 2 well-matched sides, both of whom gave their all and
were determined to win. This was the
last match of the season for the squad. To their credit, all the lads were very
diligent about training, always gave their best each match and received their
deserved reward of a county title when defeating Enniscrone-Kilglass in the
league plate final.
St Marys are fortunate to have reached a
number of Championship finals this season and on Saturday next (4th),
our U12 girls play Geevagh in Coola at 12.15pm, and the Minor Boys play Calry
at 3pm in Markievicz. Good luck to both
teams who have become fanntastic standard bearers for their sections of the
Club. Please keep up the tremendous
support for our teams by attending these matches.
The U10 girls had their last outing of the
Season when playing against Drumcliffe-Rosses Point and what a game it turned
out to be. It showed the improvement in
this group of girls over the Summer as previously, they were no match for this
strong opposition, but on Wednesday they more than showed the force they have
become. The committed bunch of players
include Claire Keegan, Ella O’Donovan, Sarah Corcoran, Aine O’Connor, Tara
Keaveny, Aimee Smyth, Rachel Cawley, Grace Mulholland, Tara Breheny, Rebecca
Gilroy, Jaimee O’Leary, Aoibhinn Maher, Allanah Conlon, Katie Kilfeather and
Sinead Moore. Here’s looking forward to
2015. The U12 Girls play their
Championship final against Geevagh. We
wish them every success and please support our team. The U14 Season is in full flow and we
travelled to Eoghan Rua and while playing well, early goals in the second half
proved decisive in deciding this encounter against us. Next week there are 2 matches, on Tuesday we
play Durmcliffe-Rosses Point and on Sunday Shamrock Gaels, both games are in
Kent Park.
Saturday Coaching has finished for the Season
and well done to all youngsters who attended each week and we look forward to
having you back again next year. An end
of Season underage party was held last Saturday to celebrate the last day and
there was a huge turnout of players and parents for what was a fun filled
occasion. After a series of matches when the kids got
the chance to showcase their skills, the party got into full swing with penalty
competitions, face painting and other games, together with music by Scruffy
Duffy. Thanks to all who helped with the Coaching
this year, particularly anyone new to the experience. Niall Murray and his coordinating team were
fantastic all over the Summer and everyone in St Marys is extremely grateful to
you all.