COOLERA/ STRANDHILL

UNDER 8 Go- Games ON Wednesday 24th May, 36 young footballers turned out for our U8 game with Eastern Harps. IT was a bright sunny evening and all the boys and girls got to play at least two quarters of the game. THE lotto numbers drawn on Monday May 15th were 2, 23, 29 and 30. There was no jackpot winner, nor were there any Match Three winners. The jackpot is now € 2000. The lotto draw takes place at 9pm every Monday night in Coolera/ Strandhill GAA Club House, Ransboro Park. THERE was great excitement in Markievicz Pk. last Tuesday evening when both under 10 mixed and under 12 girls teams won the Community Games County Finals. The under 10s were in the final having beaten Rosses Point, St. Mary’s and St. Feichin’s along the way. In the final they faced a very strong Curry side, a team that had scored sic goals in their semi- final. Despite this quality our boys were to dominate the first half, holding their opponents score- less. A resurgent Curry staged a serious comeback in the second half and the Coolera boys showed great composure to hold off the challenge, eventually running out winners by 3- 06 to 1- 06. Captain for the night Cathal Gilligan was presented with the cup afterwards. The under 12 girls emulated their clubmates with a good win over St. Mary’s in their final. In a relatively close first half, it was the scoring power of Orna Murphy that paved the way for victory, accounting for 1- 04 of the half- time tally of 2- 05. Eva White’s goal and a point from Alana Wilson made up the remainder. The third quarter saw the girls take control and six more goals ( three from Alana, two from Clodagh Martyn and another from Orna) killed off the St. Mary’s hopes. Luisa Mooney rounded off the scoring with her first point of the year. Afterwards Breda Martyn presented the cup to Ellen Walsh, who, unfortunately could not play due to injury. The under 14 girls had a comprehensive victory over Ballisodare last Tuesday. In a one- sided encounter the girls played some great football, particularly in the second half. There were good performances throughout the team, and it augurs well for the future that the team is improving with each game. Score; 13- 04 to 2- 05. OUR under 11/ 12 boys had a tough match with neighbours St. Mary’s last Tuesday. Both teams were to end on the losing side, despite their best efforts. Next up is a home tie with St. John’s on June 13th. CONGRATULATIONS to Thomas Kinane, Shane O’ Loughlin and Oisin Whelan who represented their schools on the Sligo Primary Schools Hurling All- Stars team that participated in the Connacht Blitz last week in Galway. Hopefully it was the first of many future appearances in the county colours for the boys. A last gasp goal deprived our juniors of a third victory when they played Drumcliffe/ Rosses Point in Oxfield last Saturday. Level at half- time ( 1- 05 to 0- 08), the teams exchanged points throughout the second half, before Coolera- Starndhill opened up a two point lead, scores coming from Kieran Prior, Martin Savage, David Kilrehill and Seán Callaghan. However, just as time was up the home side broke through the defence to shoot to the roof of the net to clinch the win. Next up is a home tie with St. John’s on the 11th at 12.00. THE under 12 girls brought their league campaign to a close with a victory over Shamrock Gaels in the A Shield Final. In what was a new departure for the LGFA County all under 12 teams got to play in Markievicz Park on Saturday 3rd June, and a total of eight finals were played. Our girls were in the A Shield final, having lost out on a place in the Cup final. They got off to a very good start and led by 4 points to no score at the end of the first quarter. It was a lead that they never relinquished, and a dominant third quarter saw them extend the lead and they eventually won on a score of 15 to 4. Orna Murphy and Eva White dominated from the start. Orna’s endless running through the opposition defence led to her scoring eleven points. Eva’s high catching and ability to gain possession ensured the Shamrock Gaels forwards were deprived of scoring opportunities, while also contributing three points herself. Aoife Gormley’s versatility meant that she could move from midfield to full back when playing into the wind to add height to the defence. She was well supported by Nessa O’ Sullivan whose positional sense meant that very little ball got through. OUR senior footballers had a very good win over St. John’s in Stenson Park on Sunday. The teams were level on points in joint second place in the league going into this match, so a good result was crucial to maintain the push for promotion. The score was 3- 13 to 0- 08 at full time. Next up is a Benson Cup match against the same opposition on Saturday evening. SINCERE sympathy is extended to the Kilfeather family on the death of Eddie Kilfeather, and also to Gerry Flynn on the death of his brother Joe. Ar dheis Dé go raibh siad.