Juniors lose out

A goal at the final whistle secured a 2^nd chance for O’Loughlin Gaels as this All County Junior League Quarter Final had to go to extra time.  This game opened up with gusto as both teams opened their accounts with wides.  However, once each side settled, the scores came.  There were great passages of play as St. Martin’s dominated the first half but with a lot of missed chances the half time score stood at 0-6 to O’Loughlins 0-5.  The second half saw O’Loughlin Gaels getting 2 lucky goals.   St. Martin’s had advanced their lead with two points before O’Loughlins first goal came to level the game after the loss of Luke Maher and Aidan Lawlor to injury which somewhat weakened the home-side.  Martin’s worked hard to increase their lead once more to three points.  Lady luck deserted them when a high ball dropping in around the goal and a overhead pull by Martin Dowling, connected beautifully,  just sailed the wrong side of the net.  Then in the 4^th minute of injury time, O’Loughlins were awarded a sideline cut which was worked in and ended in the back of the net to steal a draw game.  Extra time ensued, and with both legs and light fading fast, topped with controversial decisions, O’Loughlins outscored St. Martin’s by a point at half time of extra time.  The eventual winners added a further 3 points to seal their victory by 4 points on a score-line of 2-11 to 0-13.

Team: Jason Shore, Brian Cadigan, Brendan Maher, Aidan Murphy, Paddy Dowling, Aidan Lawlor, Mick Morrissey, Noel D’Arcy, Bryan Byrne, Luke Maher Michael Mulhall, David Breen, Shane Kinsella, Brian Mulhall, Martin Dowling.

Subs: Donal Shore, Eugene Maher, Ciarán Brennan, Jack Dowling

Scorers: Shane Kinsella 0-5, Brian Mulhall 0-3, David Breen 0-2, Bryan Byrne 0-1, Jason Shore 0-1 Donal Shore 0-1.

Selectors: Anthony Maher, Nicholas Purcell, Aidan Lawlor

Referee: Peter Burke

22nd June 2013

First Round win in Aylward Cup

In the first round of the Aylward Cup, St. Martin’s travelled to Thomastown on a fine evening for hurling.  Thomastown were the first to settle and got into a rhythm notching up 0-6 but points from Canice Maher, Robert Shore and Bryan Byrne kept us in touch.  Our luck changed when Colin McGrath gave a great puck out that was gathered in by Brian Mulhall who laid off a good pass to Robert Shore who found the back of the net to raise our first green flag.  With our lads getting a welcoming boost from this, Thomastown chanced a short puck out but it didn’t quite work out for the them.  Canice Maher won the puck out and drilled home another goal into the top corner of the net.  St. Martin’s extended their lead another 4 points to leave the half time score 2-6 to 07.  The second half opened with the losers fighting hard to draw back the deficit tagging on 2 points while the winners went through a bad shooting spell.  However, John Mulhall worked hard to win ball and shot 4 unanswered points before Thomastown came back into fighting mode with 2 points from frees.  In the closing minutes, each side added a point a piece.  St. Martin’s were unlucky not to get another goal when Brian Mulhall raced towards goal from 20 metres out but was tackled and the ball hit the side netting.  However, with each player giving their all, St. Martin’s ran out winners on a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-12.

Team: Colin McGrath, Brendan Maher, Ollie Walsh, Shane Cadigan, Niall Moran, Bryan Byrne (0-2), James Maher, James Dowling, Mick Morrissey, Luke Maher, Canice Maher (1-1), Brian Mulhall, Robert Shore (1-2), John Maher (0-3), Paddy Dowling.

Subs: John Mulhall (0-4), Jason Shore, Aidan Murphy, Brian Cadigan, Noel D’arcy, David Breen, Thomas Walsh

Team Management: Charlie Carter (Manager), Selectors: Richie McCarthy and Aidan Lawlor.

Referee: Maurice Flynn

18th June 2013

Dates for your Diary!

The annual Tom Kinsella Memorial Tournament will take place on Saturday 29th of June with Clara taking on Oulart the Ballagh in the first semi-final in Coon at 7:00pm. On Sunday 30th, St. Martin’s will take on neighbours Erin’s Own of Castlecomer in the second semi-final in Coon, once again at 7:00pm.  The final is fixed for mid July pending  fixtures and results.

Junior A’s win by the slimmest of margins

On a wet evening, scoring two goals would almost suggest one would be home and dry.  However, this Junior A game between St. Martin’s and Carlow Town suggested otherwise.  St. Martin’s were first to take the initiative with a pass from Eugene Maher to Tom Morrissey opening our account with a point.  With the sides trading points compliments of Luke Maher and Tom Morrissey, it was level pegging at 0-4 a piece when Conor Kinsella finished a pass from Tom Morrissey to the net leaving us up by a goal at half time. 1-6 to 0-6.  The second half opened up with Carlow Town running at us and closing the gap with a goal of their own and a point to take the lead for the first time in the game.  However, our lads weren’t going to surrender that easily and with a point from Ciaran Brennan and a pointed free from Eugene Maher, we took the lead back by the slimmest of margins.  With each side digging their heels in, St. Martin’s fought hard and our break came when Tom Morrissey caught a great ball at mid field, raced through the defence and from 20 metres out blasted the ball to the net to leave four points in it with 3 minutes left.  Carlow Town were not one’s to lie down and put the pressure on our backs who did well to keep their advances out only conceding 3 points to leave the final score 2-11 to 1-13.

Team: Jason Shore, Nicholas Purcell, Martin Dowling, Thomas Walsh, Ruairí Kinsella, Aidan Lawlor, Paddy Dowling, Luke Maher, James Kelly, Ciaran Brennan, Tom Morrissey, Damien Tynan, Eugene Maher, Conor Kinsella, David Walsh.

Subs: Dave Dooley, Damien Egan, Ronan Tynan, Aidan Egan.

Scorers: Luke Maher 0-6, Tom Morrissey 1-2,  Eugene Maher 0-2, Conor Kinsella 1-0, Ciaran Brennan 0-1

Selectors: Seamus Tynan, John Ryan, Nicholas Purcell

Referee: Paul Hunston

12th June 2013

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Junior’s hold on for draw

Our Junior Team travelled to Mooncoin on Saturday evening in the all county league.  Playing with the win in the first half Martins went in a half time 1-11 to 1-06.  Following the start of the second half Martins increased their lead with a goal by David Breen.  Mooncoin continued to put the pressure on and the Final score was 2-14 each.

Team; Jason Shore, Brian Cadigan,Brendan Maher, Aidan Murphy, Mick Morrissey, Aidan Lawlor, Thomas Walsh, Brian Byrne, Luke Maher, David Breen, Micheal Mulhall, Kieran Kelly, Eugene Maher, Martin Dowling, Conor Kinsella. Sub: Nicky Purcell used.

Selectors; Aidan Lawlor, Anthony Maher, Nicky Purcell.

Referee;  Jim Fitzgerald.

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