GAA Report 2010
Doon G.A.A. ‘Bleisce’ article.
2010 proves to be a busy year both on and off the field. Our senior team re-commenced
training in January this year under Fergie O’Loughlin, Paddy Coleman, Tadhg Hayes, Tom Murphy and Jack O’Connell. This was due to the championship changing format. It would be based on four groups of 4, with the top two qualifying for the Quarter-Finals.
In the East Championship we qualified for the East Final with wins over Ahane,
South Liberties, Caherline and Ballybricken/Bohermore. In the East Final Murroe/Boher
were the opposition and in the end Murroe/Boher ran out eventual winners 1.16 to 1.09.
In the County League we just missed out in a place in the League Final with losses to
Murroe/Boher and Garryspillane. But five hard fought wins meant that we took second place in the group.
This was all leading nicely onto the championship with Ahane, Kilmallock and Southern Emmets (Divisional Side) in our group. Emmets were the first obstacle for us on 16th May in Claughaun. With Mike McKenna and Micheál Ryan passing late fitness tests, preparations seemed to be going well. However, from the off Emmets had us under pressure and won 1.15 to 1.10, with the goal coming from Mike Fitzgerald. The second round was played just five days after in Caherconlish 21st May. Fellow East rivals Ahane were the opposition. With Doon doing most of the hurling, they failed to get through the Ahane defence who kept in touch with frees. Doon pressed hard in the finish but Ahane won by the narrowest of margins 0.10 to 0.09. This left us in situation of being out the championship with Kilmallock left to play. This match was played on 27th June and with our lads out of the championship it was very hard to get motivated and Kilmallock had a good win over us.
With all group games now played we entered into a County Cup competition. Here we were drawn against Bruree. A win would enter us into the Semi-Final of the competition, whereas a loss would leave us fighting relegation. It was back to Caherconlish again on 13th August From the off it was clear Doon were up for the game and dominated the game throughout winning on a final score of 0.14 to 2.04. This result meant we were free from relegation andhad a semi-final of the County Cup to look forward to. September 11th saw us facing Bruff in Claughaun. This was a close game throughout with every score being fought hard for. Bruff led by two points at the break, leaving us to dig deep if the result was to be ours. The second half proved to be like the first with points being scored tit for tat. However, Doon then ralliedwith a few points in a row. This was enough to win on a scoreline of 0.13 to 0.12. This meant we were through to the final against South Liberties which was played as a curtain-raiser to the County Championship final on October 3rd. Doon started well but after ten minutes Denis Moloney had to retire due to an injury. This set us back a bit and took us a while to recover. Trailing 0.08 to 0.06 at half time, the lads were going to have to give it their all which they truly did in the second half. The deficit soon was turned around and we lead by appoint with a couple of minutes to go. South Liberties refused to go away though and pointed a late free to make a draw of the match 0.12 apiece. The reply is fixed for November 14th and hopefully by time of print Michael McKenna (Captain) we will be lifting the County Cu!. Thanks to all the players and management team for the effort through the long season.
Our Junior A’s got the season off to a great start when on April 3rd they captured the
Brian Butler Cup and after a two year absence bought it home to its rightful home defeating Caherline on a scoreline of 1.11 to 2.02 with Kevin Carey getting the important goal. In the Junior A East League we qualified for the East Final with three wins out of four. The biggest of these results was the victory over Cappamore (2.10 to 1.12). In the final we faced Kilteely/Dromkeen on June 4th in Caherconlish. Kilteely/Dromkeen ran out eventual winners 0.16 to 0.14. However, the team could not be faulted for effort and courage and were unlucky not to be on the winning side. With the Brian Butler Cup win and competing in the East League Final, the East championship was eagerly awaited. A win in this competition over Ahane and a draw with Fedamore were enough for a spot in the Semi-Final where once again Kilteely/Dromkeen were to be the opposition. Played as part of a double-header in Caherconlish on September 4th the lads were unlucky as they were defeated 1.08 to 1.05 Short some of our key players this match was always going to prove difficult, but once again the players showed great determination and focus to try and dismantle this Kilteely side. This defeat was to finish the season for the Junior A team. Doon GAA would like to thank all the players and management of Denis Barry, Brian Treacy, Denis Kennedy, Martin Hayes, and Paddy Moloney for the great work and effort put in throughout the year. (Captains rotatedthroughout the year)
In the Junior B competitions, Doon were once again very competitive. In the East League
wins over Pallasgreen, Murroe/Boher, Caherline and Ballybricken/Bohermore was not
enough to ensure a place in the final, finishing in third place just a point off the qualifiers. In the championship Pallasgreen were the opposition. Played in Doon under dreadful conditions the game finished in a draw 2.10 apiece. The replay was then played in Boher under similar conditions as the first game. Pallasgreen seemed to deal with the weather conditions better than us and were able to get the scores we couldn’t, winning 2.09 to 1.05. This result meant we another chance of progressing on in the competition but nother loss and the year would be over. Next up was South Liberties in Caherconlish and the lads showed that they weren’t finished just yet, with a great win over Liberties 1.17 to 1.03. This was followed with an equally good win over Murroe/Boher 1.13 to 0.07 on August 14th. The season was now back on track and a semi-final spot had been earned against Cappamore. Played on September 3rd in Cappamore the lads seemed well up for the match. However on the night things just didn’t seem to happen and Cappamore ran out 1.09 to 0.04 winners. This would seal our faith in the competition and the season would be over. Thanks to Mike Ryan B, Paddy Coleman, Billy McLoughlin, and Con Barry for the great effort and work during the year. (Captain: Kevin Lenihan)
This year the U/21 championship was changed from starting in late August to starting
in March. With six teams in the group and three to qualify, confidence of qualifying was high. This was not to be with the team finishing with two wins (Kilmallock & Mungret) and three losses (Na Piarsaigh, Bruff & Allaughaun Gaels). The biggest of these wins was against Kilmallock 1.12 to 1.09 and this was Kilmallocks first defeat in the competition in 5 years.
Thanks to all the players and to the management of Paddy Coleman, Mike McKenna, Mike Ryan B, Jason Ryan for their time and effort in the year. (Captain: Niall Maher)
At Minor level Doon competed in the Premier Division in a group of 5 teams. Cappamore and Pallasgreen combined this year to form Mulcair Rovers, who we beat in Doon 5.05 to 2.09 in our only competitive fixture before the Leaving Cert. After a long break we were well beaten by Na Piarsaigh in Caherdavin. We then drew away to Patrickswell and then needed to beat Mungret in Doon to qualify for the County Semi-Final. However, despite a spirited display we were beaten and that ended our involvement in the championship. Our minor panel contained a number of very young but promising players who will be more competitive next year. The management consisted of Liam Kennedy and his selectors Gerdie McGrath and Ger Ryan (A). Kevin McGrath, James O’Donovan, Jim McGrath, Denis Barry and Michael Carew also provided valuable assistance during the season. Thanks to all parents who provided refreshments when Cloyne of Cork came to Doon. Gerard McPartland captained the side while Liam Ryan (S) was a member of the Limerick Minor Panel.
Juvenile Club
It was a very busy year for our juvenile hurlers from U16’s right down to U6’s.
To begin with, our U16’s performed magnificently throughout what turned out to be a very competitive championship. The campaign began with a fine victory over a highly fancied Adare side which set a momentum for the rest of the season. Victories over Mungret, Kilmallock, and St.Patricks coupled with losses to Ballybrown, Patrickswell and Na. Piarsaigh and a draw with Bruff, saw us pitted against Ballybrown in the quarter final at home. Doon exacted sweet revenge for the earlier defeat to them and could now look forward to a semi final with Adare. This turned out to be a fantastic game, however, Doon were beaten by the narrowest of margins, the final score being Doon 3-8 to Adare 2-12. Thanks to Manager Jim McGrath, Selectors Fr.Tony Ryan, Rodgie Maher, Dinny Moloney, George Alliss, Coach James O’Donovan and all the players for their great dedication throughout the year.
Our U14’s were always going to have a very difficult task in trying to emulate the achievements of last year. Our defence of the Feile title was short lived when we were beaten in the first round by Newcastlewest. The championship however saw us record some fine victories over Murroe-Boher, Kilmallock and Patrickswell and after all first round matches were played we were drawn to play Adare in the quarter final.This turned out to be a very one-sided affair and Adare ran out comfortable winners in the end. There were some great performances to look back on throughout the season though,the game against eventual champions Monaleen being one particular highlight, and with many players under14 again next year,it should be one to look forward to. Well done to manager James O’Donovan, his selectors Ger McNamara and James Fox and all players involved.
Our U12 team were once again under the “Lifting the Treaty” structure for 2010.This is a program conceived and delivered by Limerick county board, launched in 2009, placing emphasis on full participation of all players on a non competitive basis. It replaced the traditional U12 county championship.Doon competed against very strong opposition including Mungret, Newcastlewest, Patrickswell, Na Piarsaigh, Kilmallock, Murroe-Boher and South Liberties from April through to September where the finals took place in the gaelic grounds in Limerick. Here Doon bravely took on Mungret and Monaleen and put up great performances against both. This panel grew in strength and numbers throughout the year and is very encouraging to see such commitment and dedication from our young players going forward to the U14 and U16 ranks in the coming years. Thanks to Bro. Dormer, Tim Collins, Jim McGrath, Mark Doyle and Dinny Moloney for all their work during the year.
Under the guidance of Liam Kennedy, our U10’s were put through their paces all year and this great work resulted in a very strong panel eager to train and line out for their club. They competed in many “Blitz’s” organised throughout the year against teams from Cappamore, Kilmallock, Bruff, Garryspillane, Croke/Kilfinney, South Liberties, Ballybricken, Pallasgreen and Castletown/Ballyagran. These took place on a Saturday morning where Doon would play against 3 other teams. As a result of regular and structured training, these boys showed great levels of skill and commitment in every game they competed in. Thanks to Liam for his great work and dedication.
Our U8 and U6 teams trained every Saturday morning under the guidance of Declan Ryan, Mark Doyle and Jack Hayes with help also from parents of the U8 panel. “Blitz’s” were organised for the U8 panel under the “Lifting the treaty” program which brought them up against teams from Cappamore, Bruff, Pallasgreen, Croom, Garryspillane, South Liberties and Murroe. In addition, challenge games were organised along with combination nights of hurling and football which brough great enjoyment to all involved.
This year Doon underage embarked on a very ambitious task to establish a nursery program for 4,5 and 6 year olds beginning back in January. Extensive research, preparation and organisation was put in place by Richard Bowles and John Stokes to launch this. The program attracted up to 90 children, attending Doon GAA field, Oola GAA field, Doon community center and the all-weather pitch for structured hurling and football practice each Fri. evening and Sat. mornings.
Children were divided into small groups and participated in activity stations involving exercises to develop balance, co-ordination, handling skills, movement and sport appreciation. All activity stations were outlined and demonstrated by both Richard and John, who in turn delegated 2 adults to each station, where 5-6 children could participate in each activity for 6-7 minutes. They then moved on to the next station and in the course of 1.5 hrs had participated in 8-10 stations.
The program was most effective, while at times challenging, gave great benefit and most of all provided great enjoyment to all who participated each Fri evening and Sat morning. All participants have shown great improvement and a fantastic eagerness to learn all through this program and it will be a huge advantage to them in the years to come.
A huge thanks must go to John and Richard, plus all the parents who gave their time so willingly to make this a great success.
Finally I would like to congratulate all who represented Limerick at various levels this year. They are as follows:
U17 – Liam Ryan.
U16 – Darragh Stapleton.
U15 – Stephen Ryan, Richard English, Pat Ryan, Darragh O’Donovan.
U14 – Shane O’Connell.
Primary Game – Jamie Heuston.( Munster Semi-final Cork v Limerick)
I.N.T.O. mini-sevens – Brian McPartland.( All Ireland semi-final, Waterford v Tipperary)
Declan Ryan.
Off the field saw the on-going work of the field development committee to maintain and develop the facilities. Firstly the continuing sanding and verti-draining the main pitch to keep as one of the best pitches in the county. Secondly in our efforts to help the environment, six solar panels and a showers system was installed to cater for all the hot water requirements. However the largest undertaking by our club since the development of our new ground at Toher Road, Doon in 1995 was the construction of a new indoor Hurling and Handball Alley, as well as an Outdoor Hurling wall with Astroturf.
It is hoped that the new facility will allow the club to improve the skills and participation of every one of our members but especially for our Juvenile club. The facility will also be available for use by both the C.B.S. and Mercy Convent Secondary schools in Doon whom we are delighted avail of our facilities to promote hurling and camógie in Doon and the surrounding parishes. The new facility will also allow the club to continue coaching and improving the skills of all our players over the long dark autumn and winter months. It is hoped that a handball club will be setup in the near future, and if anyone is interested please contact any club member for more details.
The following images show the original plans and some of the progress of the construction. When this article went to print the project is on schedule to be completed prior to the Race Night to raise some of the necessary funding, and this was to take place in “The Local” public house Doon on Saturday 4th December. Thanks to all who helped in any way during the construction and fundraising for these projects, and it leaves Doon GAA club with one of the most envied club facilities in county limerick.
As the year draws to a close, the club would like to thank all those who volunteer of their time to prepare and coach our Players, Managers, Selectors & First Aid. It is a credit to the club to have such a huge volunteer ethos in Doon our teams are all to benefit from this. Thanks also to our hard working Lotto Committee who give of their time very Monday night. We are greatly appreciated to our weekly sellers and buyers of the tickets as this is our main steady inflow for the running of the club. Many thanks also to those who look after the field especially Denis Kennedy, Johnny Butler & Donal Anderson. Sympathies to all those who have lost loved ones during the year.
Runai
Bearnárd Mac Conchrá