St Patricks 3-15

Kilbride 2-8

Tuesday 31^st August

Venue: Roundwood

The first of the Junior Championship Semi Finals were played on Tuesday evening in Roundwood.  Fresh from their win over Clara in the group stages, St Patricks ladies were heading into their third semi final in three years having lost the previous two.  Kilbride, who were in the senior ranks last year, and looking to bounce straight back to the top flight, were slight favourites to progress to the Final.  Referee Keith Tighe, who refereed the All Ireland Ladies Senior Final in 2008, got the game underway with a good crowd in attendance.

St Patricks started the brighter of the two but had left their shooting boots at home with four wides in the first ten minutes.  They did register a couple of points through Laura Manley and Niamh O’Brien but Kilbride responded to even the game up.  After twelve minutes St Pats corner forward Niamh O’Brien made a darting run through the centre and was fed the ball by Sarah Delahunt, O’Brien duly stuck the ball away for the opening goal of the game.  A couple of frees by both sides and some better shooting from the St Pats forwards left Kilbride trailing by 7 points at half time, by no means a comfortable lead for the Wicklow Town side.

Kilbride came shooting out of the blocks after half time and registered a fine goal, worked from midfield by County captain Caitriona McKeon.  However the response from St Pats was to be the turning point in this close game.  They scored 1-4 in quick succession and this effectively ended Kilbride’s chances of progressing to the final.  A few late scores from both sides in an action packed game left the final score at 3-15 to 2-8 in favour of St Patricks.  McKeon had a fine game at midfield for Kilbride, supported well by Walsh in the half forwards.  St Pats captain Liz Malone had another lung busting hour at midfield and was abily assisted by Redmond and Manley in the forward line.  St Patricks now move on to the County Final to face old rivals Baltinglass.

Sunday 5th September 2010
At Avondale: Avondale V Bray Emmets 7.30p.m.
At Baltinglass: Baltinglass V St. Kevins 10.30a.m.

Wednesday 8th September 2010
At Rathnew: Rathnew V Baltinglass 7p.m
At Bray: Bray Emmets V Eire Óg 7.30p.m.

Kilmac/Enniskerry 2-11

Bray Emmets 0-11

In Eire Óg – Referee Jimmy Kelly

Eire Óg, Greystones provided perfect playing conditions for the Junior Championship Semi Final as a spirited Kilmac/Enniskerry second half performance was enough to beat a tidy Bray Emmets side writes Peadar Smith.

Bray Emmets had their tales up following a replay win over Avondale in Ashford last Thursday but found themselves 0-3 no score down after the opening exchanges.  Andrew Molloy was showing well in the centre of the park and Aaron Creavin was lively in his first Hurling Championship start in attack.  Any hopes Kilmac/Enniskerry had that they were in for an easy evening were blown away in a 20 minute spell that seen Bray rack up 0-4 without reply with the impressive Collie Byrne leading the attack.  The Bray goalkeeper was bombing his puck outs down the field and the half back line of Noel Driver, Clint Donohue and Jason Doyle were under serious pressure with some top class defending on show to deny Bray and win vital possession.  At half time the scores were level at 0-5 apiece and with the conditions remaining warm fitness appeared to be key in a tight battle.

At half time following some home truths and a call for passion, heart and 30 minutes of nonstop work from within their own camp Kilmac/Enniskerry set out with intent.  Despite conceding the first few scores the signs were there that the men from the villages were about to click.  Damien Driver was finding his target every time with a great display of distribution from the goals.  Shane Vickers and Molloy were imposing themselves in the middle of the park with the wing forwards Jason Driver and Ger Driver getting on the breaks which provided the platform to attack.  Two quick fire goals from Christy Fox and Ger Driver turned the game on its head and provided Kilmac/Enniskerry with the scent of victory.  Indiscipline crept into the Bray game and a number of frees followed which Peadar Donohue converted with top class precision.  Bray to their credit continued to attack and rattled off some fine scores before it became clear they would need a goal.  The Kilmac/Enniskerry fullback line of Alan O’Brien, Garreth Power and Ger Blackbyrne held firm to keep the oncoming forwards at arm’s length.  With just minutes left on the clock the referee awarded Bray a penalty with just five point s in the game.  Christy Fox who was now operating at full back took his place on the line and saved brilliantly to deny Bray the opportunity of a last ditch comeback.  An insurance point with time up put 6 between the teams and when Jimmy Kelly called for the ball the score line read Kilmac/Enniskerry2-11 Bray Emmets 0-11.

Details of the final against Carnew Emmets to follow.

Team: Damien Driver, Alan O’Brien, Garreth Power, Ger Blackbyrne, Jason Doyle, Clint Donohue, Noel Driver, Shane Vickers, Andrew Molloy, Jason Driver, Christy Fox, Ger Driver, Aaron Creavin, Peadar Donohue, John Driver

Subs: Barry Driver, Kevin Molloy, Dean Lally, Colin Mullen.

Manager: Mick Priestly

Selector: Pat Lally

Hurling: The hurlers had a disappointing outing last Friday against Newcastle in the championship and were well beaten in the end.

Ladies Football:   The Ladies had a great win in the league last Wednesday away to Barndarrig.  The final score was Kilcoole 2-5 Barndarrig 1-2.  Training continues on Mondays and Wednesdays at 7pm.

Club gear:  Club gear which includes jackets, hoodies, shorts, socks, t-shirts, gear bags etc, is available to order,  for information on prices and to order gear contact Noeleen on 086-8111843.

The new club website, www.kilcoolegaa.ie , is being updated on a regular basis, be sure to check it out!

If you are a Vodafone customer you can help support the club for free, just log onto vodafone.ie, select support your GAA club, select St. Patrick’s Kilcoole and add your details.  Vodafone will then give our club 5% of your monthly bill, whether you’re bill pay or prepaid, at no extra cost to you.

Mick O’Dwyer has requested another 10 days to decide if he will remain as the manager of the Wicklow Senior Footballers which was granted at a County Board meeting this evening.  Indications are positive that the Kerry maestro will remain at the helm but the Waterville native has requested additional time before committing.

Michael Murphy, Secretary of the County board confirmed that the Garden County will have a decision of September 9^th.

Speculation has linked O’Dwyer with the hot seat in a number of other Counties but the man who masterminded Wicklow’s most successful ever campaign never ruled out remaining with the Garden County.

Wicklow GAA Online will break the story as it develops further.

Click Here for Baltinglass V Bray Emmets

Click Here for St. Patricks V Kiltegan

Click Here for Rathnew V Donard/Glen

Click Here for Blessington V Stratford/Grangecon