Under 12 Hurling Festival.
Congratulations to our U12 boy’s team that had a win in the TEG Cusack Park under 12 Festival of Hurling. This took place on Sunday 9 th June 2024. We played a strong Clan Na nGael side in a game that what was very close and tight up to half time. However out lads pulled away in the second half to record a deserved win. Our players and mentors and made light of the damp and cold conditions on a memorable evening and we appreciate the many supporters that attended.
Commendations to the Westmeath Minor County Board for organising this novel event that made possible for the many young boys to play in TEG Cusack Park at this early stage in their lives, and to enhance this with a gift of a hurley grip and sliothar for each boy that attended.
The generous presentation of a gift box that was made to each of the players on our panel by Eileen and Enda Loughlin was much appreciated. This was to commemorate the first playing appearance of this under 12 team in TEG Cusack Park. The Clonkill panel is as follows:
Michael Byrne, Roy Mangan, Jamie Hallinan, Rian Gillooley, Conal Murphy (JC), Rory Murphy, Dylan Crowley, Matthew McDonnell, Max Long, Tiernan Coyne, Sam Doran, Jamie O’Connor, Michael Og Dalton, Theo Meisonnave, Shea Dowdall, Cillian Deane, Peter Fitzpatrick, T.J. Loughlin, Shane Raleigh, Cian Sheerin, Fionn Merlehan, Peter Fitzpatrick, Jack Maguire, Tom O’Connell, Thomas Hora.
The Coaches and mentors were: Tommie Keegan, Brian Maguire, Ciaran McDonnell, Enda Loughlin, Paddy Dowdall, Paddy Hallinan.
Feile Finals 2024.
Our Club Representatives travelled to Co Wexford On Saturday 22 nd June 2024,to participate in this years Feile na Gael. Having qualified earlier in the year there was an early start, to fulfil the first fixture at 11.30.
In all, 48 club teams participated, the venues being Halfway House, Bunclody, the Halo Tiles Centre of excellence in Ferns, Davidstown-Courtnacuddey GAA, Shelmaliers and Glynn/Barntown
The structure of the competitions was somewhat complex but it is designed to cater for the large number of teams in a single day and to limit the possible number of games for each team. Also it avoided the possibility of teams playing each other twice in the competition. This was a minimum of three matches in our group and a maximum of four if we reached a final. These matches were of short duration, 24 minutes each. The first two matches for any team in a group of three does not result in any teams being exited. But the results determine which teams compete for either the Cup, the Shield or the Plate. Each team becomes a semi-finalist in what are three separate knockout competitions in the Division. At the end of the day, the four Divisions of the Feile would have produced four cup winners and four shield winners etc. This was a far more desirable than having a “winner takes all” result and it gives these young players a reasonable chance of a trophy for all their huge efforts.
Clonkill were drawn against Birr for their first match and this proved as difficult as it sounds. Birr is a hurling only fraternity and they are steeped in all the games aspects. Their history is that of many victories the highest levels. While out players could and did compete well out the field our scoring was not there except for a few points.
Next up was a team from Derry named Kevin Lynchs. Here we were learning the hard way that in these short time matches there was no time to settle in or size up our opponents. We were hit for an early goal at the start of each half. However despite this our team rallied well in the second half and we got a goal and two points without reply. Indeed we missed some good goal scoring opportunites, eventually losing by two goals
in a low scoring match. However we remained in contention for the Plate and this turned out to be the host club, Bunclody from Group 2.
In this semi Final we were again hit by an early goal, but our lads were not deterred, and with Ben Loughlin and MJ long in brilliant form we dominated the remainder of the first half. With five points form play and frees, we were a point ahead at half time. In the second half we continued our dominance, scoring six points with just two for our opponents. So we were over the line and into the Plate Final. This was to be Burren Rangers from Carlow.
This brought us a considerable drive to the GAA Park of the Davidstown Courtnacuddy Club. It turned out to be a very much different match from what went before. Within about six minutes we had two goals and two points courtesy of MJ Long and Ben Loughlin, whilst conceding a goal. This was the Burren’s only score for the first half and it left us well ahead at half time.
Ben and MJ continued their raids in the second half with goals and points, leading to a comfortable victory, to the joy of our supporters present. We have to congratulate our lads for their tenacity and refusal to give in to earlier setbacks. Also we must take into account that in this year of 2024 we did not have a fully functioning under 15 team in Clonkill or indeed Westmeath due to the under age limits being changed.
Our Panel was as follows, James Nea, Peter Raleigh, Adam Slevin Kiernan, Jake Raeside, Killian Raleigh, M.J. Long, Ciaran McGrath, Aaron Connaire, Conor Cleary, Colm Clinton, Michael Brennan, Eoghan Daly, Ben Loughlin, Eli Greene, Sean Maleady, James McHugh, Adam Hughes, Oisin Keena, Matthew O’Brien, Odran McColgan, Ben Kelleghan Flynn, Aidan Tuite, Conor Raleigh.
Also well done to all the mentors Sean Loughlin, Joe Daly Steven Cleary and Martin Long and to Slevins Coaches for the very responsible job of taking care of a large number of young lads on a long days mission. Also to Declan Leonard, and the many supporters that made their way to County Wexford for what was a rewarding day.
Reports from our PRO Michael Muldoon
