Club Notes: 14th October 2019

Last Monday’s winning lotto numbers were 2-18-27-28, and there was no winner. €20 winners were Dot Lombard, Abigail Higins, Frank Tynan, Ciara Ahearne, and Noel Tobin. Next week’s jackpot will be €2,400.

There was a bit of everything in this Junior Football Western Final played last Sunday evening in Fraher Field. Ultimately it was a game of two halves, two penalties, and in the end, a draw. As has been the case in a lot of our matches this year, we started well with points from play from Padraig Ahearne, Joe Leahy, and Edward Hynes, and two from frees from Billy Hynes, we were 5 points to nil ahead after 20 minutes. Geraldines pulled two back from frees before Shamrocks were awarded a penalty after a blatent pull down in the box (no black card). Unfortunately Chris Murphy’s effort just slid inches wide which was a huge let off for the Aglish men. We traded points from Billy Hynes (free) to leave the half time score 0-6 to 0-3 which in no way reflected our first half dominance, and the half time concensus was that this wastefulness would come back to bite us in the second half. Geraldines started the second half with much more purpose and reduced our lead with three points with Kieran Crawford pulling one back before Billy (free) and another fine score from Kieran got us back on course. Geraldines reduced our lead with another free before the second penalty of the game was awarded when Shane Roche pulled down one of their players for which he was awarded a black card. One rule for one team, another for the other. They duly dispatched the penalty to the back of the net to take the lead for the first time in the match, and suddenly they were into their stride and added two more points to give them a three point lead with about 5 minutes left. It was then that Shamrocks showed their mettle, Padraig Ahearne ( my man of the match) pulled one back from play, then Kieran Crawford who had an excellent game got another, and finally Billy Hynes, whose free taking was superb, held his nerve to slot home the equalizer from a free to send this final into a replay, which, on balance, I think we deserved. So it was a game of two halves, two penalties, but in the end sheer heart rescued a draw. The other interesting fact from the game was Shamrocks scored 7 points from play,with 5 frees, Geraldines 1-7 from frees and penalty, 2 points only from play. There were some ugly scenes after the game when one Geraldines mentor took it upon himself to start a row, and I sincerely hope this gentleman is not left on the sidelines for the replay, as unless I’m mistaken, he also received a red card during the game for kicking the ball at one of our players. The replay has been fixed for next Sunday at 7pm again in Fraher Field. I urge all our supporters to come along and give the lads a lift. They deserve it. Panel; Richie Murphy, Padraig Roche, Tommy O’ Donovan, Brian Harnedy, Jason Ahearne, Shane Roche, Adam Crawford, Joe Leahy (0-1), John Paul Lucey, Chris Murphy, Billy Hynes (0-5), Edward Lonergan, Edward Hynes 0-1), Padraig Ahearne (0-2), Kieran Crawford (0-3),  Liam Motherway, Tom Roche, Ivan O’ Neill, Ciaran O’ Keeffe, Sean Murphy, Mike Lucey, Shane Harnedy, Tim Lenehan, Tommy Goulding, Padraig Tobin, John O’ Donovan.

 

Billy Tobin was guest of honour in the Hall in Knockanore last Friday night when the Shamrocks presented him with a momento to honour his induction into the Waterford GAA Hall Of Fame in recognition of his winning the All Ireland Poc Fada 50 years ago. The club also presented Tom and Eileen Cody with a vase in recognition of their years of help and cooperation in the Shamrock Inn over the last 31 years. There were other tokens presented on the night to the Codys by the Community Council, the Hall Committee, and the Ladies club. Tea and nibbles were had afterwards, and it was a night of celebration mixed with a tinge of sadness. We would like to wish Tom and Eileen many years of happy retirement. ( Photo shows Shamrocks’ Chairman Liam Ahearne presenting a token to Billy Tobin).

 

Just to remind all supporters, the Western Final replay will be this Sunday 20th October in Fraher Field at 7pm.

 

Ballygunner’s grip on the Waterford Senior Hurling crown shows no sign of loosening as they recorded a nine point win over De La Salle last Sunday. Is there any club out there who can challenge them? We wish them good luck as they try to retain their Munster crown.