NEWCASTLE WEST GAA
Under 21 Football Premier Co. Championship semi-final
Under 21s see off determined Pallas to set up final v Fr. Caseys
Newcastle West.....................................................................2-5
Pallasgreen…........................................................................0-7
Windy and very wet Mick Neville Park was the venue on Friday evening last for the U/21 Football Semi-Final and Eamon Phelan refereed. Ground conditions were excellent and a good crowd enjoyed a very competitive, skilful, physical encounter. We had 0-4 to spare at the end, deserved to win but made hard work of it.
The first half was low scoring 0-1 to us, Jamie Lee 3, 0-2 to Pallas 2, 8. We missed a lot, but Pallas had a share of wides also. Lady Luck smiled on us at 15 when Mark O'Sullivan's shot spun from the goalkeeper's hands and into the net. Our man of the match was midfielder Ian Corbett 17, and Jamie Lee 23 added points and we were 1-3 to 0-3 ahead at half time.
We should have moved well ahead in the 3rd quarter, but had left our shooting boots at home and 0-2, Brian O’Doherty 37, Jamies Lee 42, was what we mustered, remaining 0-3 ahead, Pallas 0-2 coming at 33 and 45.
Our failures in the scoring department nearly came back to haunt us when resilient Pallas resurrected themselves for a late challenge that gave them 0-2 at 26, and reduced our lead to 0-1. We were under a lot of pressure though, our backs dealt with it capably, but the game remained on the edge.
Minor Gary Shanahan, free scoring striker with Newcastle West AFC in the Desmond League, Premier Division, delivered the coup de grace with a super goal at 61, on the end of a text book move that started in our defence, went through midfield at pace, reached Jamie Lee, who released smartly to Gary, who had got himself free in space 15 yards from the Pallas goal, and gave the goalie no chance. Game over and into the final for the 3rd time in 4 years (in 2008 we lost to Bruff and in 2009 to Fr. Casey's).
As we said previously, this was a semi where both teams gave 100% commitment for the entire 60 minutes plus. We were the better team overall, deserved to win but, very inaccurate from play and frees, could have lost. All our lads played well, none shirking the work rate, effort, tackles etc., without which no titles are won. Midfielder Ian Corbett was man of the match, Brian Doherty, Paul Hannon, Conor Fanning, Brian O'Sullivan were very much to the fore also. But as we have said, each and everyone gave it everything on the night. Well done to all.
Team: James Stack, Conor Fanning, Brian O’Doherty, 0-1, Joey Healy, Mike Mulcahy, Paul Hannon, Brian O'Sullivan, Ian Corbett 0-1, Kieran McMahon, Jamie Lee 0-2, Timmy Nix, James Quaid, Thomas Quilligan 0-1, Mark O'Sullivan 1-0, Chris Neville. Subs: Michael O’Leary, Ronan Kelleher, Tony Quaid, Gary Shanahan 1-0, Mark Kelly, James Kelly.
In the final, scheduled for Tournafulla on Saturday next at 2.30pm, we think (confirm!) we oppose Fr. Casey's, going for a 3-in-a-row! They are the form team, having hammered Shannon Gaels in the semi and obviously are intent on creating a bit of club history. They’ll be difficult to beat. However, our lads are no pushover, they have talent, toughness, pace, experience and will do everything in their power to ensure that they don’t come away empty handed from Tour on Saturday. Hopefully all in the club will come along and support them.

UNDER 15 HURLING FOOTBALL COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS
On, off, on again is the story of the above championships. They may go ahead next weekend. We’re in the top division in football, division 2 in hurling. Monaleen are the team to beat in football, we’d fancy our chances in the hurling.

UNDER 14
Many of the team that reached the Division 1 County Hurling (lost to Na Piarsaigh), and football (defeated Monaleen), Finals are likely to be in action with the U15s.

UNDER 12
Football Finals Day
The curtain finally came down on a very busy and successful season for the U12s, when we took part in the delayed Finals Day in Mick Neville Park last Saturday.
In the first game goals from Ben Finnegan, Jack Downey, Niall MacAuliffe and Warren Coughlan gave us a good victory over Adare.
Our second game v Mungret was a much tougher task, and the game turned out to be a thriller. Captained by Jack Downey, we played with a slight breeze in the first half. Jack's dominance in the air during this opening period gave us a great start, with his midfield partner Niall McAuliffe kicking 3 fine points from play, to give us a 0-3 to 0-0 lead after 10 minutes. Mungret improved from here on, and it took a brilliant point blank save from Lee Woulfe for us to maintain our lead. Mungret piled on the pressure before half time, but were repelled by outstanding full back Donagh Enright, and his two corner men Sean Walton and Ross Donovan. We got a major boost before half time, when a long clearance from majestic centre back Brian Curtin was fielded brilliantly at the edge of the square by Blayne Aherne. Though surrounded by Mungret defenders Blayne managed to turn and crack an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net. This gave us a 6 point cushion, but as so often happens in these games, we lost concen-tration after Blayne's fantastic strike, and the dangerous Mungret centre forward scored a fine goal to leave only 3 points between us at the break, and with Mungret having the wind advantage in the second half.
However, we got off to the best possible start when Jack Downey claimed possession of the throw-in and, after a driving run through the Mungret rearguard, hammered a low shot to the net to restore our 6 point advantage.
This seemed to give the lads a great lift, and we improved all over the field. Brian Curtin continued to have a huge influence at number 6, and this encouraged wing backs Oisin Brennan and Dylan O’Connell to get forward to support our outstanding midfield partnership of Jack and Niall McAuliffe.
Mungret did get the next score, but then our speedy and skilful half forward line of Ben Finnegan, Damian Keenan and Mikey Carroll stormed into the game. A superb crossfield pass from Ben found the inrushing Mikey who found the net with a powerful drive. Never say die, Mungret replied with a point of their own, but then we sealed the game with another brilliant finish. This time Damian Keenan rose highest in an overcrowded square to punch a high ball from Darragh Collins to the back of the net.
We never looked back after Damian's spectacular effort, where the excellent Michael Collins led the full forward line all day, and where the introduction of Jack Nash and Darragh Collins provided speed and flair for the remainder of the game. Warren Coughlan got his normal goal against Adare, and was most unlucky not to get another against Mungret, but played his part in another excellent team performance. Final score was 4-3 to 1-2 in our favour, after a game of very high quality.
So after a long season where we played 20 matches, had over 30 training sessions and fantastic trips to Croke Park, Thurles, and the Gaelic Grounds, this was the last action of the 2011 season.
On behalf of myself, Mike, Sean and John, we would like to thank all the players for their huge commitment to training this year.
We would like to thank all parents for bringing the lads to training in such big numbers, and for providing great vocal support at the games.
These lads were a pleasure to deal with all year, and I have no doubt that if they show the same level of commitment in the years ahead, they will enjoy many successful years in the black and white.
Team/scorers v Adare: Lee Woulf, Sean Walton, Darragh Enright, Ross Donovan, Oisin Brennan, Brian Curtin, Dylan O’Connell, Jack Downey (captain) 1-0, Niall McAuliffe 0-3, Ben Finnegan, Damian Keenan 1-0, Mikey Carroll 1-0, Blayne Aherne 1-0, Micheal Collins, Jack Nash, Warren Coughlan, Darragh Collins.


UNDER 10
Training for the 2011 panel has concluded. Plans are afoot to start a session for the U10s of 2012. Watch this space.

UNDER 8
Training continues at the all-weather on Saturdays, 10am - 11.30am. This group, many U8 again in 2012, has made huge progress in 2011, thanks to the commitment of players and parents and to the coaching input of John Collins, Roger Hayes, Austin Geraghty and Mike Kirwan. New players, 8 and 7 years of age in 2011, are very welcome.

U6 HURLING
INDOOR TRAINING
The Newcastle West Community Centre is the venue on Fridays from 6p.m. to 7p.m. and all who are 6, 5 years of age in 2011 are welcome. The emphasis is on skill and those who attend consistently up to Christmas will be handy strikers (on the ground and sides) by the time the man with the long white beard comes down the chimney.
Indoor hurleys are supplied, a number of helmets are available to borrow and there is a charge of €2 per player to cover the cost of the Community Centre.

PRIMARY SCHOOLS FOOTBALL
SARSFIELD
CUP FINAL
West.............................0-5
City...............................3-5
There was no joy at the Gaelic Grounds last Wednesday for the West Limerick boys in this year's Inter Divisional Championship Final. The City were the better team on the night and the West gave it their all. On the West panel were the following club players: Brian Curtin (Courtenay Boys N.S.), Damian Keenan (Killoughteen N.S.), Keelan Dooley (the Courtenay), Lee Woulfe (the Courtenay) Darragh Enright (The Courtenay), Niall McAuliffe (Mahoonagh N.S.).
Congratulations to all and to mentor Diarmuid O’Connor, who is doing excellent work for hurling and football at the Courtenay school where he teaches.

ANNUAL
GENERAL MEETING
The A.G.M. of the club takes place at the club meeting rooms this Friday at 8p.m. We hope that as many people as possible will come along and join in the debate re the progress of Gaelic Games in the parish. Hopefully also more than a few will be putting their hands up when the various positions, administrative, team mentoring etc come up for grabs!

SQUASH
The game isn’t as widely played as when we had two courts up and running and both were busy. Since those days one of the courts has been turned into a meeting room/kitchenette/storage room/toilet/gym. The other continues to be used by the squash aficionados. Pat Condon is the person to contact re bookings.

RACE DAY
The annual fundraiser takes place at Limerick Racecourse on Wednesday December 28th and all support is appreciated. Tickets are €60 each and cover entry to the racecourse, race card, three course dinner, use of panoramic restaurant, tipster. In conjunction with the race day, the club is organising a raffle; tickets at €5 each, book of 5 for €20 with 11 prizes to be won as follows: 1st €1,000, 2nd €500, 3rd €300, 4th €250, 5th €250, 6th/7th €150, 8th/9th/10th/11th €100. Money raised goes towards the cost of paying for the facilities which have undergone consider-able development in recent years e.g. field drainage, all weather pitch, press box etc.

MUNSTER INTERMEDIATE HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Effin...........................0-14
Ballyduff....................0-11
The field hosted its biggest ever attendance when approximately 5,000 people passed through the turnstiles last Sunday for the much awaited final between the Limerick (intermediate) and Kerry senior champions. The game did not disappoint. It was a sporting classic from beginning to end with Effin's rags to riches story continuing. Nicky Quaid was man of the match but all the Effin players were outstanding. Also playing a blinder was our own club which had everything in order for the big day and received plenty of pats on the back for arrangements. Vice chairman Sean Roche (in the unavoidable absence of chairman Neilus Sheehy) and John Collins, secretary organised everything and they received 100% assistance from club members; a special well done to Paddy McCoy who had the field in excellent order. All in all a great day for Newcastle West GAA Club and well done to all.
Note: little separated us and Effin in the intermediate championship quarter final. Now they are into the All Ireland semi.

JUNIOR B FOOTBALL CO. CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Blackrock....................2-6
Killulta Gaels..............0-8
James Hennessy and team will look ruefully at the above result. We had the winners on the rack in the semi three weeks or so, conceded a couple of soft goals and made our exit. When opportunity knocks you must take it.

SENIOR HURLING MUSTER CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
Na Piarsaigh (Limerick v Crusheen (Clare)
On a high after Effin's intermediate championship success, Limerick hurling supporters will flock to the Gaelic Grounds next Sunday to cheer on the first time Limerick champions in their efforts to win a Munster title. It has the makings of a great game and if you cannot make it, you can tune into the dulcet, tones of our very own Liam Og Aherne on Live 95FM or follow the action on TG4.

CLUB LOTTERY
Last Monday's draw took place at the Silver Dollar Bar, Maiden Street. The numbers drawn were 8, 17, 28, 29. The jackpot of €20,000 was not won. The 5 x €40 lucky dip winners were Evan O’Connor, Ballyduff, Danny Sheehan, c/o K.McCoy, Teresa Baggott, c/o K. McCoy, Eileen O’Connor, c/o Declan O’Connor, Patricia Sheehan, c/o Martin Sheehan.
This week's jackpot is €20,000. The draw takes place at the Old Mill Bar next Monday, November 28th at 10.30p.m. The club wish to thank all who are supporting, promoting and hosting the lottery.


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