GAA Report 1995
1995 will be remembered as one of the most successful years the Club has
experienced in a long time. The highlight of the year came on September 24th
when the County Minor 'A' Title was captured after a sixteen year wait. En route
to the decider, this team defeated Cappamore, Monaleen, Patrickswell, Bruff and
Ballybrown. Our opponents in the final were neighbours, Cappamore and at the end
of an entertaining hours hurling a gallant Doon team emerged winners on a
scoreline Doon 2-8, Cappamore 0-5. Indeed, this team had the distinction of
going through the entire playing season unbeaten.
The Junior Team grabbed the headlines on September 17th when they became the
first ever second string Team to capture the East title. Ahane were defeated in
the first round while South Liberties proved no match for this team in the
semi-final. Fedamore were the opposition in the final which ended in a draw 1 -
11 to 3 - 5. The replay saw Doon win on the unusual scoreline 2-12 to 4 - 1. In
the County quarter-final we were beaten six points by Dromin-Athlacca. This team
also won the Brian Butler Cup beating Ahane in the final, but lost the League
decider to Ahane after extra time. Ballybricken defeated us in round one of the
Intermediate championship.
The senior team were pitted with South Liberties, Cappamore and Kilmallock in
the championship. The first game saw Doon hold many people's favourites for the
county title, Kilmallock, to a draw. They followed this performance with fine
wins over South Liberties and Cappamore to finish top of the group and book a
place in the County quarter-final. However, in this game, Adare ran out easy
winners over a disappointing Doon side. South Liberties ended our interest in
the East championship in a high scoring game, while the team narrowly lost a
place in the final rounds of the County League. The Club's third string Junior
'B' side had another successful season. The East League crown was retained
beating Cappamore in the final. Bruree provided tough opposition in the County
semi-final and our opponents in the final were West Champions Kileedy. At the
end of a thrilling game we held onto our League crown by six points, 2 - 12 to 2
- 6. In the Championship, Cappamore were beaten in round one. Murroe-Boher
proved no match for a rampant Doon side which was winning their seventh East
Title in a row. However, Galbally ended our interest in the championship in the
semi-final, vinning by the narrowest of margins. The U.21 Team had a great year.
In the East semi-final Pallasgreen were defeated. Cappamore were our opponents
in the final and the many people vho turned up expecting a thriller weren't to
be disappointed. The final score read 2 - 7 to 2 - 6 in our favour thus
capturing our fourth East Crown in five years. The South winners, Bruree,
provided strong opposition in the County semi-final but a whole-hearted display
from a Doon team, hungry for victory saw us qualify for the county-final on a
scoreline 2 - 12 to 2 - 6, in which we lost by two points to Na Piarsaigh, 2 - 6
to 1 - 7.
The U.16 team were somewhat surprise packets in the championship, winning
five games, drawing two and losing just one. They finished top of their group
and met Croom in the semi-final. On the day, however, Doon played below their
best and a stronger Croom team emerged winners by two points . The U. 15 and U.
13 teams have not yet completed their competitions. The U. 12 team regained
their East Crown beating Ahane in the Final. The U. 14 team relinquished their
East Title when going under to Pallasgreen in the final. They were denied their
sixth East crown in a row when Pallasgreen scored the winning goal deep in
injury time.
Our dressing rooms are nearing completion. Fund-raising events continued
throughout the year - a race night in the Spring, a two day golf-classic in June
and our Sale of Work in October and all three were a major success. The Club
would like to express its gratitude to all our supporters who attended games and
the above fundraisers.
A word of thanks also to all those who subscribe to the Limerick G.A.A.
Development Draw and who support our weekly Lotto in conjunction with Bilboa
Athletic Club. And so we look forward to 1996, with, hopefully, some more
success on the playing fields and, of course, the official opening of our new
Dressing Rooms.
Michael Ryan, P.R.O.
ALL-IRELAND SUCCESS FOR DOON C.B.S.
Sunday May 7th, 1995 will long be remembered in Doon. Supporters travelled
by buses and cars to Navan for the All-Ireland (B) Colleges Hurling Final. The
local C.B.S. side defeated St. Pats, Maghera to bring the first ever All-Ireland
Hurling title to Doon.
This team had spent five years together in school having mixed fortunes on the
hurling field. Three good championship runs had brought them to Rice Cup
semi-final (U.14), Pearse Cup (U.15) and Dr. Kinnane Cup (U.Sixteen and a half)
final. However, a mixture of inexperience and ill luck had prevented them from
winning these competitions outright. Last September they came together for their
first training session of the year and from the outset it was clear that this
year they meant to go all the way.
The Limerick championship was first. A first round victory over St. Clements
(5-12 to 3-6) brought us to a semi-final meeting with Charleville C.B.S. On a
very wet day in Doon, James Butler with a spectacular goal, helped us to a
narrow 1-9 to 2-3 victory. Limerick C.B.S., Sexton Street provided the
opposition in the final in Cappamore. This game was quite close up to the three
quarter stage, but the final 15 minutes belonged to Doon and they ran out easy
winners 1-15 to 0-8. Annacarty lad Paul Keane accepted the famed Dr. Keane Cup
from Joe McGrath and first trophy of the year was secured. In the Munster
Colleges campaign we proved much too strong for St. Patrick's Academy, Mallow.
Ballingarry (Tipperary) proved stiffer opposition but in the end Doon ran out
winners, on the score 2-14 to 0-8. The crunch game was in the semi-final against
Cashel Community College. Tipperary Senior Hurler, Andy Moloney was their-big
star, but on a windy day over in Cappawhite, Bernard Crowe covered himself in
glory when he completely mastered the Tipperary star. Don Anderson scored an
important goal just before half time and second half scores from Eugene O'Neill
and Niall Hayes helped us to a well deserved victory on the score 2-15 to 0-7.
We had now qualified for the Munster Final (Corn Phadraig). De La Salle Hospital
provided the opposition. An all-Limerick Munster final drew a large crowd to
Caherconlish. It was to be Eugene O'Neill's day. The Doon full-forward scored
two early goals and when Hospital threw everything at Doon in the second half,
he was to be seen covering deep into his own defence and sending long clearances
up field that provided scores for Sean Ryan and Niall Hayes. David Enright at
right half-back had a storming game and others to catch the eye were John A.
Mclnerney at full-back, Pierce Kennedy in the corner and Francis Carr. Victory
for Doon by 4-14 to 2-6 and great celebrations followed the return of An Corn
Phadraig for the first time since 1967. An interested spectator in Caherconlish
that day was Donal O'Brien from Cappamore. This past pupil of Doon C.B.S. had
led Enniscorthy C.B.S. to Leinster honours and now he brought them to face his
old school in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Nowlan Park Kilkenny was the venue and heroic performances from James
O'Brien, Paul Keane, Eamonn Stapleton and Eugene O'Neill helped Doon to victory.
Two outstanding memories of that day were a great save by Seamus Coffey, just
before half-time, and two late goals poached by Don Anderson, to clinch victory.
Doon had qualified for the All-Ireland final by a 3-8 to 1-5 margin.
All-Ireland day saw an exodus of people from Doon, Cappamore, Boher, Cappawhite
and Annacarty. All roads led to Navan. In a masterly performance Doon proved
much too strong for the Northerners and victory was achieved, thanks to a 5-11
to 1-3 scoreline. James Butler from Boher slammed four goals past a hapless
Derry goal-keeper to crown a great day for Doon. On their return to Doon the
team were led through the village by the Cashel Pipe Band and celebrations began
in earnest in the local Community Hall. Br. Malone congratulated the team and
supporters and thanked all those who had helped the team through sponsorship.
And so a memorable year in Doon C.B.S. came to a close. Sean Ryan and Eugene
O'Neill went on to play for Tipperary Minors, while Michael Leahy, Niall Hayes
and Eamonn Stapleton played for Limerick. When Doon and Cappamore clashed in the
Limerick Co. Minor Final, many of those who were team mates on the school side
found themselves now in opposition. The Panel of players who made history by
winning the first ever All-Ireland for Doon C.B.S. were:
Seamus Coffey (Cappamore), James O'Brien (Doon), John A. Mclnerney (Cappamore),
Pierce Kennedy (Doon), David Enright (Doon), Francis Carr (Sean Treacys), Paul
Keane (Annacarty), Eamonn Stapleton (Doon), Bernard Crowe (Doon), Sean Ryan (Cappawhite),
Michael Leahy (Cappamore), Niall Hayes (Cappamore), James Butler (Boher), Eugene
O'Neill (Cappawhite), Don Anderson (Doon), Seamus Ryan (Cappamore), Kieran
Hickey (Cappamore), James McLoughlin (Doon), Jonathan Burke (Doon), Eoghan Burke
(Cappamore), Justin Cranley (Knockavilla)
Doon C.B.S. senior hurling team created history on November 15th when they
overcame the challenge of St. Finbar's College, Cork, to reach the Harty Cup
semi-final. The Team consists of players from Doon, Cappamore, Cappawhite, Boher,
Pallasgreen, Sean Treacys and is backboned by 8 members of last years
All-Ireland (B) winning Team. The Team is managed by Eddie Burke and Liam Ryan.
Eddie Bourke