St Martin’s win U12 Dowling Perpetual Cup
On a glorious sunny day the inaugural Dowling Perpetual Cup was won by the home side who defeated a gallant Carrickshock side.
The cup was presented to St Martin’s Bord na nOg by Tom & Marie Dowling , for an annual U12 tournament.
Both sides gave a whole hearted display of hurling in a very evenly contested final. Shane Brennan, came to the rescue of the home side on a number of occasions as he gave another consistent performance in the goal. The backline of Robert Dowling, Liam Brennan, Colm Kealy, Dan Doyle, Adam Agar and Daniel Comerford were very solid and cleared an ocean of ball all through the match.In midfield, Donal Coughlan and Justin Manning were strong and kept the ball moving to the forward line. Those forwards, Oscar Bennet, Harry Kealy, John Murphy, Ronan Shore, Darragh Coughlan and Daragh Quinlan took their scores when the chances came and harried and blocked the opposing backs in a great team effort. During the course of the game, Tommy Butler, Andrew Buggy, Daragh O’Shea, Conor Mulhall, Jack Murphy, Paul Murphy, Marcus Smith, Robyn Smith, James Carrigan, James Dowling and Willem Smith all played their part as the full panel played their hearts out to keep the Dowling Cup at home by the narrowest of margins on a scoreline of 2-6 to 2-5.
Tom Dowling then presented the cup to the winning team and also presented hurling grips to both sets of players.
Thanks to John Ryan for refereeing the match.
After the match everyone returned to the hall in Coon where refreshments were enjoyed by players and parents alike. 
Minors Move into County Semi Final
St Martins reached the Minor B County Semi Final for the first time since 2009 with a fine first half display that set them on their way to victory leading by 3-6 to 0-4 at the break.
The second half was a more even game which the young saints also won & they now face the favourites for the County Final Glenmore in the next match on Sat 29th September. Final score St Martins 3-14 0-6 Mullinavat.
Team: Jason Shore, Paddy Heffernan, Alan Kelly, Loughlin Hogan, Jack Dowling, Paddy Brennan, Adrian Farrell, Shane Kinsella, Steven Walsh, Conor Dowling, Robert Reid, James Callanan, Donal Shore, Shane Dowling, Colm O’Neill.
Subs: David Walsh, Damien Egan (Both Used), John Joe Kelly, David Healy, Richard Teehan, Tommy Quirke, Aidan Egan, Eoin Murphy, Brandon Sheehan, William Trousdell, Ronan Tynan.
Selectors: Patrick O’Flynn, Liam Dowling, Tom Shore, Seamus Tynan & Jimmy Kelly.
Umpires & Linesmen: Damien Tynan & Mark Reid
U14s take on Tullogher/Rosbercon in Championship
St Martins played Tullogher/Rosbercon in Thomastown in the U14 championship on 5th September. After creating some good chances in first half we were behind by 3 points at half time,A good team effort to the end saw use go down 1:14 to :9. Well done to all players.
Panel : Ciaran Brennan, Jason Comerford, Jack Nolan, Adam Kelly, Dean Farrell, Jack Manning, Adam Comerford, Conor Dowling, Ciaran Coady, Ciaran Fahy, Evan Stapleton, Padraig Buggy, Richard O Shea, Matthew Cullen, David Baldwin, Patrick Darcy, Ciaran Fitzpatrick Conor Moloney Conor Phelan Joey Organ.(all subs used)
Mentors : Tom Cullen Andy Dowling Martin Stapleton Micheal Brennan.
U9s play in Erin’s Own Blitz.
St. Martin’s U9 team resently played in Eirn’s own Annual U9 Hurling Festival. We played three games in the blitz. First up was James Stephen’s, then Freshford and finally our hosts Erin’s own. Our boys were honest in their effort and played their hearts out. All our U9’s lined out bar one, Tommy Flynn, who injured his ankle the evening before playing schools football in Muckalee and had to miss the blitz.
We were looked after very well by Erin’s own, they provided tea, sandwitches, chips and sausages for adults and children. Thanks to Eamonn Doyle for his hospitality.
The children, parents and coaches enjoyed a lovely (rare) sunny morning in Castlecomer.
Blitz Panel;
Sean Farrell, Aaron Meany, Oisin Kelly, Russell Kealy, Rory Buggy, Kyle Walsh, Lorcan Agar, Luke Burke, Mick Brennan, Shay Hurley, Conor Egan, Cathal Keegan,
Ciaran Nolan, Aidan Kelly, Tommy Flynn (injured)
U8s travel to Danesfort for exciting Blitz.
Our under 8’s travelled to Danesfort last sat 18th August to take part in a blitz that involved Gowran and Carrickshock. We played against all the teams and everyone played well on a good sunny morning. Danesfort were great hosts and everyone enjoyed themselves.
Team; Enda Healy, Patrick Burke, Peter Downey, Sean Hunt, Thomas Daly, Ben McCormack, Cillian Dowling, Conor Dooley, Conor Murphy, Jamie Morrissey, Adam Morrissey, Niall Shore, Ronan Walsh, Ross Dowling, Tadhg Gill, Jack Dowd, Joseph Butler, Christopher Kealy and Peter Kealy.
Minors Triumph
St Martins Minors are through to the quarter final of the championship after a fine win in Ballyragget.
Martins got off to a flyer leading by 0-10 to 0-3 as the game headed towards the end of the first half but they then conceded a goal.
Soon after the young Saints foaled themselves to leave it 1-11 to 1-4 at the break.
Despite playing against the breeze in the second half Martins actually won the half. Final score, St Martins 2-18 1-13 Galmoy/Windgap
St Martins: Jason Shore, Paddy Heffernan, Alan Kelly, Loughlin Hogan, Jack Dowling (Capt), Paddy Brennan, Adrian Farrell, Shane Kinsella, Steven Walsh, Shane Dowling, Robert Reid, James Callanan, Conor Dowling, Donal Shore, Colm O’Neill.
Subs: John Joe Kelly (Used), David Healy, David Walsh, William Trousdell, Tommy Quirke, Damien Egan, Aidan Egan, Brandon Sheehan, Eoin Murphy & Ronan Tynan.
Minors show signs of improvement
In a tight tussle at well appointed Coon, Clara emerged with victory in the dying embers of this titanic tussle.
Clara led early in the first half but St Martins showed true courage to fight back and lead 1-8 to 1-6 at the break.
In a sea-saw bout luck deserted the Saints as they spurned a number of goal chances to lose by the minimum. Final score – St Martins 1-11 2-9 Clara.
St Martins: Jason Shore, Paddy Heffernan, Alan Kelly, Loughlin Hogan, Jack Dowling, Paddy Brennan, Steven Walsh, Shane Kinsella, John Joe Kelly, Shane Dowling, James Callanan, Robert Reid, Colm O’Neill, Donal Shore, Conor Dowling.
Subs: David Walsh (used) Tommy Quirke, Damien Egan, William Trousdell, Aidan Egan, Brandon Sheehan, Eoin Murphy, Ronan Tynan
Poor Finish Costs Minors
An excellent start by St Martins saw them earn a 1-11 to 1-1 lead over Tullogher Rosbercon in Tullogher.
However a poor finish to the game cost them as they lost by 1-16 to 4-8 where many harsh lessons need to be learnt.
St Martins:
Jason Shore, Paddy Heffernan, Alan Kelly, Steven Walsh, Jack Dowling, Paddy Brennan, Richard Teehan, Shane Kinsella, James Callanan, William Trousdell, Robert Reid, Conor Dowling, Shane Dowling, Colm O’Neill, Donal Shore.
Subs: Eoin Murphy (Used) Tommy Quirke, Ronan Tynan, Conor Dowling, Aidan Egan, Damien Egan, Brandon Sheehan.
Minors run comes to an abrupt end
An early two goal blast by near neighbours Conahy was enough for them to gain victory in this minor league tie which ended St Martins run of three victories.
Till the young saints eradicate their slow starts they’ll face many tough matches. Final score, St Martins 1-5 2-10 Conahy Shamrocks
Team: Jason Shore, David Healy, Alan Kelly, Paddy Heffernan, Jack Dowling, Paddy Brennan, Loughlin Hogan, Shane Kinsella, James Callanan, William Trousdell, Shane Dowling, Steven Walsh, Brandon Sheehan, Donal Shore, Conor Dowling.
Subs; Tom Davies, Richard Teehan (used), John Joe Kelly (used). Ronan Tynan, Eoin Murphy, Tommy Quirke, Damien Egan, Conor Dowling,Aidan Egan
U 14 take on Comer at home.
Monday night 9th July say St. Martins U14 hurlers take on the group toppers Comer on Coon. With other commitments the home side found it difficult to field a full squad but mannaged it somehow. Not doubting the task ahead for one minute St. Martins lads worked well together from the throw in and managed to hold Comer to a few pucks of the ball at half time. With no subs available to call on, the boys struggled to keep up to the strength of Castlecomer but each lad fought to the bitter end and managed to find some great scores but the visitors won out in the end.
Team; Conor Phelan, Jason Comerford, Jack Nolan, Adam Kelly, Dean Farrell, Jack Manning, Adam Comerford, Conor Dowling, Cieran Fahy, Ciaran Cody, Evan Stapleton, David Baldwin, Richard O’Shea, Patrick Darcy & Joey Organ.
