Senior Footballers Secure Quarter Final Spot After Draw With Adare
Clarina was the venue for our round 5 clash with Adare in the senior football championship on Saturday evening. Our lads were on a high after impressive victories over St. Kierans and Monaleen in our 2 previous games in what was a welcome turnaround from our rocky start to the championship. We needed a win to guarantee our spot in a quarter final, but could still qualify if other results went our way. Adare on the other hand were already through to the knockout stages.
Captain Evan Sweeney was to make a welcome return to the starting 15 having missed the Monaleen game due to a hamstring injury picked up against St. Kieran’s. Sweeney was to be a straight swap for Kevin Nolan at center forward. Cathal “The Bionic Man” McMullan and Dean were also drafted into the starting 15, with Reuben and Jack Barry both ruled out.
Ruaidhrí assess his options.
Adare were quick out of the blocks registering a point from a mark within the opening minute. They added 2 more before we saw a white flag of our own being raised, Dylan popping over a lovely score off his trusty left leg on 11 minutes. Incredibly, this was to be our only score from play in the opening half. It wasn’t for the want of trying as we got into good attacking positions all throughout the half hour but just couldn’t break down our opposition's defense. Adare were showing great efficiency in front of goal at the other end with nearly every attack resulting in a point. Dylan tapped over a valuable free on the stroke of halftime to keep us within touching distance. Half time score: Na Piarsaigh 0-02 Adare 0-07
The second half took a while to kick into gear, 7 minutes to be exact. Adare were on the attack with us having 14 players within our own 65. We won a great turnover, Gordon taking possession on our 45. Adare were noticeably on the backfoot with our counter attack being put to good use. Gordon found Egan around half way with a lovely kick-pass. Evan put the head down and proceeded towards goal. He outpaced his marker but there was a wing back still in his path. Egan gave him the eyes along with a lovely shimmy, yer man had no chance. He made it all the way in past the 14 before pulling the trigger, lashing the ball to the net. A great goal.
The game played out for 15 minutes before either team registered another score. This time it was Adare’s turn and they popped over 3 points in quick succession. It wasn’t looking good for our chances. We had worked hard to play ourselves back into the tie and get within 2 points but our opponents seemed to have found their groove again.
Dylan popped up again on 57 minutes to get another hard fought point. The following moments saw us work the ball into another goal scoring position. Hogie bore down on the Adare goal, blasting the ball inches over the bar. The Caherdavin man was sprung from the bench minutes earlier and was bringing great energy to the forward unit. On the hour mark, Egan popped up with a cool point off his left. We were chipping away at Adare’s lead. 2 points in it, John O’Halloran signaled for 5 additional minutes.
With the clock ticking down, our high press on the Adare kick out was putting them under immense pressure. Egan converted his first free of the game on 63 minutes to put the minimum between the sides. Once again, we pressed their kick out. Possession was won and lost numerous times over the next 3 minutes and all looked lost when Adare found themselves attacking up our right flank with 65 minutes played. It looked like it would be blown for full time but for Gordon to win an outstanding turnover and work the ball back down the field. The ref was giving us one last chance. We worked it all the way into the opposition 21 and somehow managed to engineer a free for ourselves. Up steps Egan again to pop the resultant free over the black spot. Full time whistle blown. Final score: Na Piarsaigh 1-07 Adare 0-10
The draw saw us finish in third place in the group and qualify for the county quarter final against Fr. Caseys. The fixture is due to be played on the weekend of the 27th of September with details to be confirmed this week.
Subs used: Ian Leonard for Cathal McMullan(HT), Tommy Glynn for Dean(41 mins), Eoin Hogan(0-01) for Hula(48 mins).
Subs not used: James Linnane, Matthew Walsh, Darragh Jordan, Adam Jordan, Aaron Rush, Jamie Wilson, Louis Murphy, Stanley Dike, Colm Downey.
The Na Piarsaigh senior footballers and management that drew with Adare on Saturday evening.
Conal O'Cahalane Tournament
A brilliant day of hurling was on display in Páirc Uí Dromgúil on Sunday for the annual Conal O'Cahalane festival of hurling. 12 teams from the 6 Munster counties played over 30 games with the host coming out victorious at the end of a great day's hurling. Ballygunner of Waterford, Newport of Tipp, Na Piarsaigh of Cork, Tralee Parnell's of Kerry and Sixmilebridge of Clare all competing. A big thank you to all the parents that volunteered over the whole weekend and helped make the day such a great success.
The Na Piarsaigh boys pictured here with Conor Boylan
The lads gave stellar displays in all their games.
All Ireland winning legend Conor Boylan was on hand to present the medals to all the clubs along with Conal's brother Sean and sister Gráinne. Final thanks to Na Piarsaigh groundsmen for having the facilities in such excellent condition for the tournament.
Conal's brother Seán and sister Gráinne pictured with Conor Boylan on Sunday afternoon.
Fixtures
Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Vs Bruff, Thursday, Time & Venue TBC.
Senior Hurling Championship Vs Mungret, Sunday, 16:00, Claughaun.
Junior B Hurling Championship Vs Crecora, Sunday, 17:45, Páirc Uí Dromgúil.
A full list of upcoming fixtures can be viewed here.
