Garryowen FC Notes
w.e. 04th May 2008
The much anticipated AIB League semi final clash of
Garryowen and Shannon takes place on Saturday in Coonagh at the later time of
3.00. (eta). To facilitate what surely will be the biggest crowd of the season
attending a club rugby match, a new access road will be opened for the day. Travelling out the Condell Road you will
meet the Clonmacken Roundabout. Take a LEFT at this roundabout (not right as
this will only take you back down towards Ivan’s Cross) and proceed along the
access road currently in place for the new tunnel. This will lead you into the
back of Shannon RFC’s ground. There will be no
access through the normal route at Coonagh Cross/Elm Motors. However, after the
game, exit will be by both routes. Please cooperate with the stewards
on the approach to this roundabout. Both sides are awaiting clearance on a
number of players involved with Munster.
Just as Andrew McNamara is doing in Shannon, I
am urging all our supporters to come out dressed in light blue and white.
Scarves, hats, jerseys, fleeces, polo shirts, track suits…whatever it is, wear
it. Parents and under age players are especially welcome. Nothing stirs the
hearts of players more than to see the next generation of players urging them
on. This promises to be a fascinating contest displaying all the best in club
rugby in Limerick. A veterans Tournament is
taking place on Saturday and Sunday in Dooradoyle at 11.30. This event has
attracted a number of overseas teams but the good news is that they all will be
traveling to Coonagh for the game. Cyril Downes informs that there will be the
usual festivities back in Dooradoyle later that evening, stamina permitting.
There was double disappointment for our 3rd XV and U20 sides who
both lost their games last Thursday night. In the J2 Final a last minute UCC
try broke the hearts of the players and they went down 13-11 at Tom Clifford
Park. A try from Anthony Gahan and two Diarmuid Waters penalties seemed to have
done the trick as we led 8-6 with time ticking away. However the College had
one last throw of the dice to snatch a try at the death. Well done to all our
players and coaches Niall, Padraig and Andrew who kept the players together for
such a long season. Meanwhile back in Dooradoyle our U20’s never quite came to
grips with Young Munster who were full value for their 24-15 win in the NM Cup
semi final. Despite being well behind on the hour mark, tries from Mike O’Shea,
Diarmuid McMahon and a conversion and penalty from Colm Downes put them within
distance of the black and amber. The well drilled visitors were having none of
that and eased home to end our interest in the competition. Andrew Bermingham
and Mark Fitzgerald deserve huge credit as they worked very hard during the
year bringing on a lot of young players. The under age cup season is in full
swing. Our U14’s qualified to meet Thomond in the NM Cup Final this Thursday
evening at 7.00 in Crescent Comprehensive following a fine 22-10 win over Shannon in Coonagh on Monday evening. Alex Fitzgerald 2,
Michael Horgan and Evan O’Callaghan were the try scorers and Eoin Sheedy added
one conversion. The U16’s defeated UL Bohemians 7-0 in a cracker of a NM Cup
quarter final and now meet Ennis in the semi final this Thursday at 7.00 in
Dooradoyle. However our U13’s were narrowly beaten 13-12 by Young Munster in
their NM Cup game and visitors Newcastlewest had a well deserved 15-5 win also
in the NM Cup in Dooradoyle. They seek him here, they seek there. Who could I
be talking about but none other than the great Dr. Michael Lucey. What a servant he has been to our club and
indeed Limerick GAA teams over a lifetime. A fantastic clubman, sportsmen but
most of all gentleman, he clocked up another milestone last weekend when he reached
three score and ten. Congratulations and sincerest thanks from all the players,
coaches, committees, members and his many friends in Garryowen FC