Minor Footballers show great strength.
For the fourth time this year St Martins made the journey to Mullinavat for the minor football quarter final.
St Martins made a blistering start and were 2-5 to 0-2 up after 20 minutes. They eventually made it to half time with a 2-6 to 0-3 advantage but could have being further clear except for taking some poor options in attack.
Mullinavat started the second half scoring 1-2 on the trot but St Martins ended the game as a contest with a flurry of attacks that ended with 2-2 being gained on the score Bord.
Final score St Martins 5-10 2-5 Mullinavat
St Martins: Conor Fahy, Loughlin Hogan, Robert Reid, Alan Kelly, Shane Kinsella, Richard Teehan, David Walsh, Adrian Farrell (Capt), Brandon Sheehan, Conor Dowling, Patrick Brennan, John Joe Kelly, Mark Dowling, Jason Shore, Shane Dowling.
Subs: Brian Cody, Finn Dowling, Damien Egan, Aidan Egan, Tommy Quirke, Ronan Tynan.
Ref: John Minogue (Thomastown)
St. Martin’s meet Clara in Football Championship.
St Martins qualified for the minor championship quarter final with a fine win over Clara in Coon.
The locals raced into an early lead and extended it to be up 1-10 to 0-0 at halftime.
A couple of early goals at the start of the second half saw the game over as a contest and they now face next Mullinavat next week who already defeated St Martins in the league.
Final score; St Martins 4-15 2-3 Clara
St Martins: Conor Fahy, Loughlin Hogan, Robert Reid, Alan Kelly, Shane Kinsella, Richard Teehan, David Walsh, Brandon Sheehan, Adrian Farrell (C), Conor Dowling, Patrick Brennan, John Joe Kelly, Mark Dowling, Jason Shore, Shane Dowling.
Subs: Ronan Tynan, William Trousell, Aaron Healy, Tom Davies, Damien Egan, Aidan Egan, Sean Maher, Tommy Quirke, Tommy Downey.
Colm O’Neill & Eoin Murphy (both injured)
Spirited second half not enough.
St. Martin’s under 21’s made the short journey to Jenkinstown, to take on Tullaroan in the Quarter Final of the North U.21 B Hurling Championship. On a cold day, with a young team which included 10 minors, Martin’s went ahead with scores from Ruairí Kinsella and Shane Kinsella after 10 minutes.(0-4 to 0-3). However, after that, Martin’s found it hard to come by scores as Tullaroan raced into a 12 points to 6 lead at half time. The deficit could have been more as Jason Shore made a great save mid way through the first half when Bill Cuddihy tried for goal. The second half saw a more determined St. Martin’s side come out fighting. However, the men in red and green received a setback when Dave Dooley suffered a head injury and had to be taken off. Shane Kinsella (3), Donal Shore and David Breen whittled the deficit down to three points before Tullaroan hit the jackpot with a pointed free and a goal. Bryan Byrne closed the scoring account with a point before the full time whistle signalled the end for Tullaroan to win on a scoreline of 1-16 to 0-12.
St. Martin’s: J. Shore, S. Egan, T. Walsh, R. Teehan, J. Dowling, B. Byrne (0-1), P. Brennan, L. Maher, S. Kinsella (0-8), A. Farrell, D. Breen (0-1), C. Dowling, D. Shore (0-1), R. Kinsella (0-1), D. Dooley.
Subs: D. Walsh (used), T. Walsh, R. Tynan, D. Egan(used), A. Egan, M. Dowling, A. Kelly.
Team Management: Seamus Tynan, Richard Nolan, Conor Kinsella, Martin Dowling.
Referee: Paddy Bowden.
09th November 2013.
U12s travel to Croke Park to view the Compromise Rules.
The U12s had a great night out at the Ireland V Australia compromise rules in Croke Park. One of the crew was certainly getting into the spirit of things with his Luminous green wig ! While the match wasn’t very competitive the lads got a great kick out of cheering all the Irish scores and waving their green flags that were provided by the series sponsor.
Some images from The Senior Hurling Semi Final of 2013.
Thank you to Zac Casstevens for these photos.
A huge crowd turned out in Muckalee Saturday night to cheer on both teams in the Kilkenny Minor B County Camogie Final in what turned out to be a magnificent contest between St Martin’s and Conahy/Freshford in a repeat of the league final. A super performance by the St. Martin’s girls saw them complete a league/championship double to thrill the huge local following. Congratulations and well done to the girls of St. Martin’s Camogie Club and all involved with the team.
Martin’s shade u.21 battle
In a wet Jenkinstown, St. Martin’s and Danesfort squared up to each in the preliminary round of the North U.21 Roinn B Hurling Championship. Luckily enough, the rain had eased off before the whistle started proceedings. Within half a minute, the first score was on the board when Luke Maher won the throw in and passed to David Breen. Before he could be tackled, Breen swiftly delivered the ball to Donal Shore to get Martin’s first point. Danesfort took their time to settle but once they did, they powered ahead with scores from a Ger Dunne free and a good point from Paddy Hickey. St. Martin’s had to battle hard for their next score which came by way of a Shane Kinsella free to put the sides’ level. With Paddy Hickey leading the Danesfort charge, they shot four unanswered points from the sticks of Colm Phelan, Cillian Treacy (2) and a pointed free from their instrumental Ger Dunne to go four points up (0-6 to 0-2). The momentum was very much with Danesfort. However, in the 22nd minute, when Dave Dooley was fouled in the square, net minder Jason Shore was called upon to take the resultant penalty for St. Martin’s. He smashed it home past Patrick Tynan and his defenders to put one between the sides. Less than a minute later, Conor Dowling and Gary Tynan traded points. Jack Bruton finished the first half scoring with a point for Danesfort to leave the half time score Danesfort 0-8, St. Martin’s 1-3.
It took until the 6th minute of the second half for the next score when Ger Dunne shot a lovely point for his side to put four between them. However, Martin’s Shane Kinsella pointed from a free near the sideline to narrow the gap again. While Danesfort went through somewhat of a dry spell, St. Martin’s upped their game to claw back the deficit with further scores from Shane Kinsella to bring the sides level once again. With each side really putting their hearts into the game, it was clear this was going to be a close finish. Gary Tynan hit back with a point for his side to go up by one as David Breen negated that score when he was set up by Shane Kinsella. While both sides fought doggedly, Luke Maher and Colm Phelan traded points as they remained level. There was no separating the sides as Dave Dooley shot over a fine point and Ger Dunne pointed a free. It seemed like Danesfort might take the spoils when Ger Dunne went in for goal but his shot went wide. It was a frantic race to the end as both sides struggled to gain the upper hand but it was Luke Maher who shot the winning point for St. Martin’s in 60th minute. Danesfort will be disappointed with themselves as they missed a few chances that could have won the game as St. Martin’s won on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-12.
Scorers: St. Martin’s: S. Kinsella (0-4, 3f), Luke Maher (0-2), D. Shore (0-1), J. Shore (1-0), C. Dowling (0-1), D. Breen (0-1), D. Dooley (0-1)
Danesfort: G. Dunne (0-4, 3f), G. Tynan (0-2), C. Treacy (0-2), C. Phelan (0-2), P. Hickey (0-1), J. Bruton (0-1)
Teams: St. Martin’s: J. Shore, S. Egan, T. Walsh, R. Kinsella, J. Dowling, B. Byrne, P. Brennan, L. Maher, S. Kinsella, A. Farrell, D. Breen, C. Dowling, D. Shore, D. Dooley, J. Callinan. Subs: R. Teehan (used), D. Walsh (used), A. Egan, D. Egan, A. Kelly, E. Mahony, R. Tynan
Danesfort: P. Tynan, J. Tynan, C. O’Neill, D. Knox, R. Leahy, D. Sheehan, B. O’Connor, P. Hickey, G. Tynan, C. Phelan, C. Mullally, G. Dunne, J. Bruton, C. Treacy, S. McKenna. Subs: B. Cullen (used), H. Bruton (used), D. Fitzpatrick (used).
Team Management: Seamus Tynan, Richard Nolan, Martin Dowling, Conor Kinsella.
Referee: Eugene Ryan
26th October 2013
Martin’s claim Aylward Cup
St. Martin’s lined out with what looked like a skeleton team as they took on O’Loughlin Gaels in the Aylward Cup final this afternoon in Jenkinstown. With Ollie Walsh been the only defender and both midfielders missing from last weekend’s semi-final, the country men went four points up with scores from Canice Maher, Luke Maher, and Jason Shore. With the hard working Noel D’arcy, (even though pitted against County Star Brian Hogan), was causing the city men a lot of problems at this stage, and created the space to find Mick Morrissey on an overlap who shot a fine point before O’ Loughlin’s registered their first score. Within two minutes the sides were level when Seamie Cummins got a goal for his side. (0-4 to 1-1) However, the Martin’s men did not shy away from the challenge. After receiving a good clearance from the lively Jack Dowling, David Breen shot a fine point while Shane Kinsella laid off a great pass to Robert Shore to ease their side ahead and net minder Colin McGrath blasted a 20m free past the O’Loughlins goalie. (1-6 to 1-1) Whilst the city side remained quiet on the scoring front, David Breen set Luke Maher up for a point and Colin McGrath pointed another free to go 7 points to the good. However, that was the last score for Martin’s before half time as O’ Loughlin’s added three points to leave the half time score St. Martin’s 1-8 O’ Loughlin’s 1-4.
The second half opened with the opposition coming out with determination to steal the lead. Backed by a stiff wind, within a minute, they had the deficit down to 3 points. Veteran John Maher was introduced and straight away made an impact setting up David Breen for a point before he added a point of his own from a free, whilst the able McGrath was called upon again to point a long range free. O’ Loughlin’s had added four of their own points in the meantime to leave three between them once more. (1-11 to 1-8) David Breen slotted another point that was deflected over the bar by the city side’s goalie. Less than a minute later, Robert Shore crossed the ball into John Maher who doubled on it overhead, passed the advancing keeper. The hard working John Mulhall, based in the back’s today, gave a good pass to Luke Maher from the near side to put four points between the sides. A bit of a safety net one would think but O’Loughlins had very different ideas. Jack Nolan bore down on goal and finished it to the net to leave four points the difference. (2-13 to 2-9) Not ones to sit back, Paddy Dowling immediately set up Canice Maher to get a score back for the eventual winners. (2-14 to 2-9) Martin Comerford shot a fine point to reduce the deficit to two making for a nervous few minutes towards the end. The backs did well throughout with corner backs Aidan Murphy and Brian Cadigan making some fine clearances. Just in the last minute, O’ Loughlin’s bore down on goal as Colin McGrath made a great save from a fine shot from Seamie Cummins and with the rebound looking destined for the net, McGrath somehow turned it around the post for a 65. Aidan Murphy cleared the resulting 65 just as full time whistle sounded. St. Martin’s collected the Alyward Cup on a scoreline of 2-15 to O’ Loughlin Gaels 2-13.
Team: Colin McGrath (1-2), Aidan Murphy, Ollie Walsh, Brian Cadigan, Jack Dowling, John Mulhall, Mick Morrissey (0-1), Luke Maher (0-3), Paddy Dowling, David Breen (0-4), Noel D’arcy, Canice Maher (0-2), Shane Kinsella, Robert Shore (0-1), Jason Shore (0-1)
Sub: John Maher (1-1)
Team Management: Charlie Carter, Richie McCarthy, Aidan Lawlor.
Referee: Eugene Ryan
19th October 2013
Huge disappointment for Seniors
This afternoon in Nowlan Park, in front of a large crowd, St. Martin’s took on Clara in the St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior County Semi-Final. In what was dubbed as a local derby, it was John Maher who got St. Martin’s on the scoreboard with a point from play. His next point was from a free some four minutes later. In that four minutes, Clara were notching up three points of their own to leave Martin’s trailing by a point. It was not until the 11th minute that the men from the hills came by their next score. John Maher laid off a nice pass from the new stand side over to John Mulhall on the far side who finished it nicely over the bar to reduce the deficit to two points. Coming up to midway through the half, that deficit was quashed as the talented veteran John Maher had the vision to spot Canice Maher running through the middle who took the pass and rattled the back of the net. John Maher added another pointed free to put two points between the sides. Martin’s got two chances at goal before the end of the half. The first came when James Dowling sent a bullet off the crossbar that was gathered up and pointed by David Breen. The second came when Robert Shore’s shot narrowly went wide. The half time score stood at St. Martin’s 1-6 Clara 0-8. Clara came out in the second half with all guns blazing but points from John Maher and John Mulhall who made sure the opponents didn’t get too far ahead. Points from Robert Shore and John Mulhall levelled the game. (1-11 to 0-14). However, Clara went 5 points ahead with a goal batted in by James Nolan. (1-11 to 1-16) Martin’s battled hard to reduce the deficit with two pointed free’s from John Maher and another by John Mulhall. Colin McGrath dropped in a free into the square with time almost up but it could not be converted. Alas, it was all in vein as Clara were victorious on a scoreline of 1-17 to St. Martin’s 1-14.
Team: Colin McGrath, Niall Moran, Ollie Walsh, Shane Cadigan, James Maher, Paddy Nolan, Bryan Byrne, James Dowling, Thomas Breen, Canice Maher (1-0), Brian Mulhall, David Breen (0-1), John Mulhall (0-4), John Maher (0-8), Robert Shore (0-1).
Subs: Jason Shore, Paul Maher, Michael Morrissey, Brendan Maher, Shane Kinsella, Luke Maher, Noel D’arcy, Aidan Murphy, Brian Cadigan, Paddy Dowling, Donal Shore, Eugene Maher, Jack Dowling, Eoin McGrath, Joe Maher, Ronan Maher.
Team Management: Charlie Carter (Manager) Richie McCarthy, Aidan Lawler (Selectors)
Referee: Gavin Quilty
13th October 2013
Courage sees Martin’s through.
This afternoon in a packed St. Lachtain’s Park, St. Martin’s and James Stephen’s clashed for the second time this season. Eoin Larkin started proceedings by putting his Village side up a point from a free. That was to be their only score for almost 12 minutes. In the meantime, St. Martin’s went 4 points up courtesy of John Maher been accurate on free’s and John Mulhall pointing from the far sideline, along with Colin McGrath scoring a long range free. Been 3 points down, James Stephen’s turned the deficit around to a one point advantage with 4 pointed free’s, all from the stick of Eoin Larkin. The country men were not behind for long as Canice Maher won a puck out and laid a great ball off to Eoin McGrath who finished it over the bar to level the game. Niall Tyrell got a point from play and Eoin Larkin, once again, pointed from a free to put James Stephen’s 2 up. Mick Morrissey won a free when he was pulled down and Colin McGrath stepped up to the mark to reduce the deficit once more. St. Martin’s went ahead shortly before half time when the aforementioned Colin McGrath sent a rasper of a penalty to the back of the net. Eoin Larkin and John Mulhall exchanged scores leaving the half time score St. Martin’s 1-7 James Stephen’s 0-9. The second half was every bit as close as the first half with the sides exchanging scores with Eoin Larkin converting free’s for the city side while John Maher, Canice Maher and Colin McGrath kept the men from the hills ahead on the scoreboard. However, with just two points between the sides, Martin’s suffered a blow when a defender was sent off with a second yellow card. Eoin Larkin shot over the resulting free and Matthew Ruth levelled the sides with a point from play. St. Martin’s were rocked when Diarmuid Cody sent the ball to the back of the net to put his side a goal up. With 7 minutes left on the clock and 14 men, Martin’s did not hang their heads. Instead they battled and kept fighting. When St. Martin’s were awarded a 21 yard free, Colin McGrath was once again called upon. He stepped up and blasted the ball to the roof of the net. With time almost up, the city side had an opportunity to take the spoils when the hard working Bryan Byrne was harshly adjudged to have over-carried but Larkin’s free veered wide. The steady John Maher finished the game with a pointed free from 75m for St. Martin’s when Thomas Breen was fouled after a magnificent catch. They now march on to the County Semi-Finals on a scoreline of St. Martin’s 2-14 to James Stephen’s 1-16.
Team: Colin McGrath (2-3), James Maher, Ollie Walsh, Shane Cadigan, Bryan Byrne, Paddy Nolan, Michael Morrissey, James Dowling, Thomas Breen, Canice Maher (0-1), Eoin McGrath (0-1), David Breen, John Maher (0-7), John Mulhall (0-2), Robert Shore.
Subs: Jason Shore, Niall Moran, Brian Mulhall, Paul Maher, Brendan Maher, Noel D’arcy, Aidan Murphy, Brian Cadigan, Paddy Dowling, Shane Kinsella, Luke Maher Donal Shore, Eugene Maher, Martin Dowling, Jack Dowling, Joe Maher (inj), Ronan Maher (inj).
Team Management: Charlie Carter, Richie McCarthy, Aidan Lawlor.
Referee: Richard Dowling.
29th September 2013.
