U12 travel to Tullamore
St Martins U12s travelled to Tullamore on Sunday 9th June to play 2 matches. It was a glorious day for hurling with splendid sunshine and the teams left in high spirits.
U12 squad in Tullamore.
The Glas teamed played Clara from Offaly. It was a competitive game with good skill and fine hurling. St Martins started well and they kept the Clara forwards under control. There were fine scores taken in the first half. The lads continued this form for the second half and really enjoyed the game.
Team Jack Farrell Paul Murphy Tristan Roache Tommy Butler James Carrigan Adam Agar Cillian Bryan Josh Delahunty Dan Doyle Harry Kealy Aaron O’Dea Ronan Shore and Lorcan Agar
The dearg team played Durrow Ballinamere. St Martins started slowly in this game and conceded some easy scores but slowly the lads got into the game and by half time had become competitive. In the second half St Martins took over and showed great determination.
Team Shane Fahy James Dowling Shane Brennan Tommy Lawlor James Dowling Justin Manning Bill Dowling Shane O’Neill Darragh Coughlan William Smith Josh Dempsey Andrew Buggy & Donal Coughlan.
Both teams showed off their skills ability and determination.
A big thank you to our hosts Durrow Ballinamere as they treated the lads to tea sandwiches and refreshments after the games.
Afterwards the lads went to see their heros Kilkenny play in O’Conner Park.
Billy Nolan of Ranchers Return donated drinks and fruit for all the lads on the trip.
On the way home the bus stopped in Supermacs Portlaoise for food.
Everyone had a good day
Thank you to PJ Shore , Adrian Roache, Tom Farrell, Sean O’Neill, Adrian Dempsey, Gerry Buggy and Liam Dowling for helping out with the teams on the day.
Locals Lads do well for Schools All-Ireland Athletics
Congratulations to Jack Manning on winning the 200m All-Ireland Schools title and to John Joe Kelly on finishing just outside the medals in the Shot Putt in 4th place. Well done Lads.
U8 hosts Blitz in Coon.
U8 blitz played in coon last Saturday was played in glorious weather as we hosted Lisdowney, Danesfort and the Emeralds. All who were there had a very enjoyable day and the St. Martins players showed great skills and determination. Big thanks to Gerry and Paul who took on team management for the day, Tara, Martina and Bernadette for handing out the goodies and Benji for his work with the boys and girls at training, thanks also to our referees Shane Dowling, Damian Egan, Conor Fahy and Donal Coughlan.
Benji passing some words of encouragement.
Referee Conor keeping a close eye on the play.
Shane getting another game underway.
Best wishes to all preparing for exams
St. Martins GAA would like to extend best wishes to all preparing for their state exams at the moment and hopefully all that hard work will pay off. This can be a very stressful time so don’t hesitate to call a friend or team mate because a problem shared is a problem halved.
Best of luck to you all.
Large numbers turning out for U12 squads.
The U12s have had a great start to the year with training now taking place twice a week. The panel of 30 players are putting in a great effort. We have had two series off games so far against James Stephens and Graigue Ballycallan and we were extremely competitive in both. Preparations are going well for the U12 series of Go Games which will take place in July.
Plans are also being put in place for a trip to Offaly to play two teams before the Leinster quarter final.
We also had our first representative on a county team when Harry Kealy became the first player in the group to represent Kilkenny when he played for the primary schools football team that won a recent blitz when his team beat Westmeath, Carlow and Laois on the way to glory.
St. Martin’s young guns wear the jersey with pride………….
St Martins under 6s and under 8s had their first outing of the year when they were invited to play in a Go Games blitz by Naomh Brid on Saturday 25th June. On a glorious day for hurling the St Martins U6s split into two teams and played games against Naomh Brid and Ballinkillen.
Nicky’s U6 Lads
Niall’s U6 Lads
This was the first time that any of these players pulled on a St Martins jersey and their enthusiasm was a site to behold! Great credit must go their coaches Nicky Purcell, Danny Quirke and in particular Niall Clancy for the hours of training they are putting in with the lads on Saturday mornings.
Mattie & Benji giving the team talk
Actios from the U6s
The U8s also had two matches against the Carlow teams and again were delighted to get the chance to put their skills into practice against local opposition. Great strides continue to be made with the youngest members of our club due to the support and time that all coaches are giving to their age groups.
Halftime talk with Niall and the U6s
U16 Hurlers travel to Tom Ryall Park.
Tuesday night 7pm 14th May saw St. Martins U16 Hurling team take on Graigue Ballycallan on their home ground in what can only be described as one of the great come backs. It took St. Martins 35 minutes to put a score on the board but when they started they could not be stopped. The St. Martins could not do anything right it seemed for the first half and failing to put up any scores left themselves under serious pressure at the break with the half time score 1-4 to no score.
After some serious soul searching the second half started with Graigue Ballycallan getting a point but then St. Martin’s found their form and put away 2 quick goals and some nice points and kept the pressure on even when Graigue Ballycallan tried to respond and St. Martins ran out winners in the end with a final score of 3-6 to 1-8.
Team;
C Brennan, A Kelly, T Downey, C Dowling, P Heffernan, E Murphy, JJ Kelly, B Coady, J Manning, L. Hogan, F Dowling, C Fahy, T Quirke, S Maher, C O’Neill.
Subs;
R. Reid [used], P Buggy, E Stapleton, C Coady, J Nolan, Brandon Sheehan [injured].
Mentors;
Micheál Brennan, Andy Dowling, Ger O’Neill.
Ref; Eamon Larkin.
U8s are back in training
St. Martin’s U8 hurling panel got back into the field last Saturday 4th May. There was a great turnout and with the weather improving there is great fun to be had in the training field.
A great turnout
Training in Muckalee
U16 Hurlers take on Piltown at home.
The U16 Hurling team played Piltown in the League encounter on Friday night 3rd May last in Muckalee. The local lads started strong showing strength in all areas of the field and put up some fine scores from play as well as having great accuracy from the placed ball. Scores appeared to be matched pint for pint but the St. Martin’s lads were in control at all times and really pulled away in the second half and finished very impressively with a final score of St. Martins 2-20 to Piltown 1-9.
Team;
C Brennan, A Kelly, R Reid, T Downey, C Dowling, P Heffernan, E Murphy, JJ Kelly, B Coady, J Manning, B Sheehan, F Dowling, C Fahy, T Quirke, S Maher, C O’Neill.
Subs;
P Buggy, E Stapleton, A Comerford, C Coady, J Nolan. L Hogan.
Mentors;
Micheál Brennan, Andy Dowling, Ger O’Neill.
Ref; Ger O Grady.
U16 hurling league
Bennettsbridge were our opponents in our first home game of the year with both team on top in defence scores were hard to get we went in at half time 1, 6 to 1, 3 ahead with a different attitude for the second half the players created and got some good team scores to win on a score of st martins 3:17 Bennettsbridge 1:4
Team;
C Brennan, A Kelly, R Reid, L Hogan, C Dowling, P Heffernan, E Murphy, JJ Kelly, B Coady, J Manning, B Sheehan, F Dowling, C Fahy, T Quirke, S Maher.
Subs;
all used C O Neill, T Downey, C Coady, J Nolan.
