DOON GAA CLUB 2023 ROUND-UP
The highlight of the 2023 year was undoubtedly Limerick winning a historic 4 in a row and 5th All Ireland Senior title in 6 years. Sunday July 23rd saw Limerick beat Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final to achieve this memorable feat. Congratulations to our club players, Darragh O Donovan, Richie English, Barry Murphy and Adam English on this wonderful achievement. Who will ever forget some of Darragh’s man of the match performances in this year’s campaign.
On the club scene winning our first minor hurling title since 2015 was the standout moment. With the new split season in its second year, it is proving difficult for clubs to know how to organise the early part of the year, with few matches of real importance being played before the start of August and then competitions being played off very quickly to completion.
2023 was a strange year for our adult teams with an unprecedented number of serious long-term injuries to key players depleting our senior team before any championship started, these injuries in turn affected all of our adult teams with players having to step up from junior to senior and junior B to junior A. On top
of this we had to change our senior management team before the championship started causing further upheaval.
During the early part of the year, we played in the County League, winning the East Division which took us through to the County competition. In the semifinal we beat Adare in a highly entertaining game played in Bruff. After a bad start we got the better of Kilmallock to win the County Senior League. This competition was played without our county players and gave an opportunity to new and younger players to get ready for the senior grade.
In the senior championship group games, our results were very mixed as management and players tried to restructure the team due to all the injuries and try to play to a different gameplan that suited the players available to us. In the first round we shipped a very heavy defeat to Kilmallock and morale and expectations within the club were at a low point. In fairness to the players and management they remained positive and worked extremely hard at training, oblivious to any outside talk. In round 2 the team delivered a performance nobody saw coming when we defeated Patrickswell. Round 3 saw us take another heavy defeat to Na Piarsaigh and again it was heads down in training to try get back on track. We defeated Kildimo in round 4 and Ahane in round 5 to qualify for the quarter final. In the quarter final, a very strong second half saw us comfortably overcome Mungret to set up a semi-final meeting with Na Piarsaigh. Played in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday 14th October and in front of a national TV audience on RTE, this was a day of heartbreak. The players gave it everything on the day, giving us a huge performance, The game finished level at full time, level again after extra time and level after the first penalty shoot-out. The game was eventually decided on sudden death penalties where we agonisingly lost out. This was an awful way to exit the championship, on a day when a few highly questionable refereeing decisions went against us.
Our Junior A team suffered a knock-on effect from all the long-term injuries and were denied a number of players who had to step up to the senior team. We were drawn in the hardest championship group and after narrow losses to Dromcollogher/Broadford and Mungret, and wins over Blackrock, Rathkeale
and Bruff we narrowly lost out on qualifying for the quarter final. However, by finishing 3rd in the group, we have put ourselves in a position to be in the Premier Junior competition for 2024, should that go ahead as planned.
Our Junior B team qualified for the East semi-final where we lost out to Murroe Boher after a great game.
At the time of writing this article, our U21 team have yet to commence their 2023 campaign. With weather going against games, it looks like all this competition will have to be played on astroturf pitches. We have been drawn ina group with Ballybrown, Mungret, Ahane and Newcastle west, with the top 2
progressing to the County semifinals.
Off the field of play, a number of improvements have been carried out to our grounds, with the replacement of the fence between our 2 pitches and the new dugouts being a major improvement to our facilities. In addition, the new club crest painted on our hurling wall and the art work in the stand carried out by local artist Brendan Fahey, with the kind sponsorship of the Seosamh Mac Donncha foundation add significantly to the visible look of the grounds.
Our Healthy Club committee continues the great work they are doing and are constantly challenging themselves to go further. Our Club Lotto continues to be our main fundraiser and I wish to thank our outstanding committee for all the hard work they put in. Also, to all of our supporters who continue to support our
Lotto every week, a big thank you.
Doon GAA Underage Report 2023
U17
Our U17’s had a great year. The Mr. Binman U17 Hurling League was played early in the year before the exams. Doon beat Garryspillane and Murroe Boher in the group stage to qualify for the final on the 10th May against Na Piarsaigh. The final was played on the 10th May in Rathbane with Doon coming out the
winners on a scoreline of 6-18 to 0-13. Doon’s first game in the Championship was a win against Garryspillane on the 19th July. This was followed up with a win over Na Piarsaigh, a draw with Murroe Boher, a loss to Monaleen and a win over Ahane in the group stages. This was enough to qualify for the County Semi-Final against Murroe Boher. Doon prevailed on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-14 in a very close fought encounter qualifying for the County Final.
The Final was played in Cappamore on the 14th October. This was a great game with Doon coming out on top by the bare minimum on a scoreline ofDoon 1-11 to Monaleen 0-13. Congratulations to players and management.
U15
Doon were grouped with Murroe/ Boher and Kilmallock in the Feile na nGael competition but didn’t make it through the rounds on the day. In the Championship, Doon had wins over Monaleen and Murroe/Boher, draws against Ahane and Ballybrown and losses to Mungret, Na Piarsaigh and Kilmallock. This was enough to qualify for the County Shield Semi-Final which Doon lost to Ballybrown.
U13
Our U13’s qualified for the Division 1 Shield Final after a tough campaign which included a win over Kilmallock and a draw with Ballybrown.
The Shield Final was played on the 17th August in Rathbane with Doon emerging victorious on a scoreline of Doon 1-8 to Kilmallock 1-6
U12
Our U12 team won the Darren Hickey memorial tournament hosted by Rathdowney Erril GAA in Laois. This was a great day out and we would like to thank Rathdowney / Erril for inviting us to compete in this great event.
U6s – U11s
Our younger players played consistently in leagues and blitzes throughout the Summer and trained hard with the help of a large number of volunteers and coaches. The work which is being done both in schools and at the pitch on Saturday mornings is exceptional and great credit is due to all who volunteer
and help out. Our Cúl Camp held in July was a great success. The weather held good and the kids had a great time.
Thanks to all who helped throughout the year. DR & PS
Doon Camogie
In the 2022/23 season there were 23 Adults and 61 youths taking part in competitions from U8s through Junior. For the season the camogie Chairman was John Hayes, Secretary Kevin Ryan, Registrar Rosemary Thomas, and Children’s officer Trish Fahey.
Doon Junior Camogie Team 2023
The Junior A camogie team had an excellent season. They competed in the Intermediate League winning against Newcastle West and Killeedy and losing narrowly against Cappamore and Ballybrown. After an initial difficult start to the championship, they recovered to win against Ballybrown and ended winning the plate final against Mungret St Pauls 3:10 to 1:17. The managers were Anthony Fahy, Jack Cummins and Caroline Bradshaw. The captain was Kathleen Bradshaw and player of the match was awarded Aoibheann Flint.
The u16s also had a great year taking part in League and Championship, reaching the plate final in the League for 12 a side. In the 12 a side cup championship they were in a group with Adare, Kilmallock, Croagh/Kilfinny and Cappamore. They progressed very well throughout under the guidance of their managers Denise Maher and Miriam Hayes.
The under 14s were excellent throughout the season and improved greatly. As of end of October 2023 (time of writing) they are in a three-way playoff for second place in the round robin of the Treaty Championship with Ballybrown and Adare. They showed great team effort. Managers were John Stokes, Anthony
Fahey and Kevin Ryan.
The u12’s were managed by John Stokes and Tadhg Hayes and played in the Group 4 league from 22ndAugust through 19th of September over 5 rounds with Treaty Gaels, Pallasgreen, Cappamore, Murroe Boher and Glenroe. This league is not competitive and Doon U12’s had a great turnout and very enjoyable games.
The u8’s and u10’s displayed amazing team performances and took part in the non-competitive Limerick camogie Development Autumn Leagues. The progress throughout the year was immense. They had blitzes away in Murroe, Galbally and Pallasgreen to name a few. The trainers were Mike Fitzgerald, Norma Bargary and Brian Treacy.
A number of Doon players made the Limerick County team panels from U14 upwards and would like to congratulate them on their performances. In addition, a large number of U13s from Doon took part in the camogie development squads targeted to this age group and also participated in a number of Blitzes most recently at Patrickswell in October.
We would like to thank all those involved in training and management and to parents for bringing players to games across the county. Finally, we would like to wish all at Doon Camogie and their families a happy and healthy Christmas and a peaceful 2024.
By Hannah Ryan and Aishling Stokes
East Limerick Gaels Award – 16th December 2022
Michael O’Connell - Doon
Doon’s recipient of this award is Michael O’Connell. Michaels’s life as a member of our club has been a history of unmatched service as administrator, team management, fundraiser and volunteer in every aspect of the activities of the club for all his adult life. Any attempt to quantify his work will fail to do him justice. Michael was born in Gortavalla where he still lives. He has a brother John, who has been resident in the U.S.A for many years.
Michael is married to Maura from Lickadoon, Ballyneety in South Liberties country. They have two sons, Con and Jack; and a daughter Áine. Michael first was a player U-14 in 1975 - ‘77, and U-16 in ‘77. Michael from there gradually became a vital member of the workers that every club needs.
During the late 1980’s, the possibility of a new G.A.A grounds adjacent to Doon village became a reality. This involved much fundraising and Michaelwas at the forefront of this.
Fundraising is necessary work that clubs have to undertake to improve facilities and involves a huge commitment from members to be successful. Michael worked tirelessly on every project. Turf saving and delivery, timber cutting and ticket selling across Munster. In the late ‘go’s, Michael became involved in the administration of the club as secretary and was an excellent officer from 1999 to 2004. In 2019, he served as vice chairman.
In the mid ‘90’s, Doon like a lot of clubs decided to start a club lotto. Money is always necessary for a club to function properly and from the start Michael and his wife Maura were the driving force and week in and week out they were present at the draw to ensure everything was in order. In all the years they have
been ever present and absolutely vital to the successful running of it.
In recent years they have been joined by son Jack who is also an outstanding club worker and club treasurer 2017/2018. Jack has also held the position of secretary Co Bord na nÓg. Son Con was a senior goalkeeper after coming through the underage ranks. He is now a resident of Kilkenny and won a county Inter Championship this October as a member of Danesford squad.
A further talent of Michael is that he is a valued member of Eamon Stapleton’s match of the day team as umpire.
As these few lines show Michael’s contribution to our club over the last 40- plus years cannot be overstated. He is the heart and soul of Doon club. We aremost fortunate to have him and his family at our back at all times.
East Limerick Gaels Awards in association with St. Ailbes Credit Union
presentation to Michael O’Connell, Gurtavalla. Photo L-R Pat O’Toole, Gerard
Lonergan, Michael O’Connell, Michael Clarke and John O’Connor.