Seniors started the League with a hard earned but deserved win over Kilannin at Kilannin on Saturday last. Over the years at this venue, Claregalway teams have often found it difficult to get a result and this game followed a familiar pattern. The score was 1-13 to 2-8. We got off to a flying start when, from the throw-in, the ball was centred to Adrian Faherty and his blistering shot crossed the goal line despite the goalie’s valiant effort to save. We led by 1-3 to 0-3 after ten minutes but Killannin hit a spell of dominance resulting in two goals and the scores were level at 1-6 to 2-3 on 20 minutes. Both sides then traded points with little between the teams and we held a one point lead at half-time, 1-10 to 2-6. The second half was also closely contested and two points by Killannin early on put them in the lead until Paul McGuinness levelled with 10 minutes remaining. It was then that the experience of James Nallen and the move outfield of Michael Evans helped to turn the tide in our favour for a strong finish. We were awarded two close-in trees which were converted by Paul McGuinness and Danny Cummins to clinch the result. In this display Claregalway showed that they had players with the ability to rise to the demands of the occasion as shown by the response to the two goals conceded in the first half and by regaining the lead at half-time.
Team: Brian O’Donoghue, Michael Evans, Adrian Moran, Joe Kearney, Joe Garrett, Stephen Cunniffe, Conor Costello, Barry Cullinane, James Nallen, Martin Kelly (0-3, two frees), David Heaney, Danny Cummins (0-3, one free), Brian Moran (0-1), Adrian Faherty (1-3, two 45’s), Paul McGuinness (0-3, one free). Subs: John Paul O’Connell, Ronan O’Flynn, Anthony Watson.
Junior A’s had a comfortable win by 3-15 to 0-7 over Caltra in the North Board Division 3 game at Claregalway on Sunday last. We dominated the game from the start and the high work rate of our players in all positions was a feature of this display.
Team: Robert Moran, Micky Brennan, Anthony Watson, Diarmuid Gavin, Colm O’Hagan, Conor Costello, Michael Evans (2-1), Brian Day, Mark O’Sullivan, Peter Divilly, Michael Noonan (0-1), Eoin Feeney (0-1), Mathew Moran (0-1), Enda O’Connell (1-5), Gerry Cheevers (0-4). Subs: Kenny Hansberry, Barry McGrath (0-1), Niall Clarke, John Evans, Colm Brennan (0-1).
Juvenile Football: Most age groups are now up and running with a few games under their belts.
Under 8 group: Please watch out for communication from John Morrin in coming week or so as to actual start up and venue.
U10 Group will commence initially on Thursday evening and Padraic Fitzmaurice will advise by text.
Tom Culkeen has had the U11 team out for past few weeks in Knockdoemore with their training time now moving to 6.30pm on Thursday evenings at same venue. They had Annaghdown as visitors for an initial game at weekend with both groups turning in fine performances.
Tony Goldrick and the U13 group already have two City League wins chalked up with an excellent game played last weekend against Salthill. Preparations are now up an running for Feile in three weeks time. This year we will be based in the group at Corofin.
Under 12 group have also commenced training at the Centre and John Kilmartin has all the details.
The Under 16 Group commenced their League campaign on Tuesday last in Claregalway renewing rivalry with neighbours Corofin.
All team groups will be circulated with details on registration in the coming week.
Please look for this years special offer where the Club will pay your family membership for the year, details with each team manager.
Finally the Juvenile club extend congratulations to our U14 Girls team who have retained their Feile title in fine style at the weekend. We look forward to a big Club outing in Cork in July in defence of their All- Ireland Title.
Youth Disco “CDG” will be held in the Community Centre on Friday April 1st. from 9pm until midnight with full supervision. Proceeds in aid of the Leisure Centre and groups using the Centre. Following on from the success of last week’s event, we look forward to a big crowd again. Contact 086 2566333 for any further information.
Lotto numbers this week : 1 16 19 23. One match three winner received €200, Mary Delaney, Lackagh. The sellers weekly prize went to Eoin Conroy. The jackpot is now reset to €2740 and the next draw is in the Grealishe’s on the April 4th.
