Reports from Under age tournaments
GAA Schools Day
Friday 24th April was designated GAA Schools Day as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations and the club decided to host a blitz tournament for four local schools to partake in.
The schools involved were Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin, Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain, Edmund Rice and Holy Family Primary and each school was invited to bring two 5-a-side teams with the intention being that they all played one another with a larger scale match to take place after lunch. Each school was also given the aid of having a Pearse's mentor assigned to them for the day. Thankfully the rain held off for the majority of the day and we witnessed some excellent Gaelic Football from all the teams. Scores of games were irrelevant as the focus was on bringing together youth in our community so they could have the chance to partake in an occasion such as this and following all the games each child was presented with a boxed medal to mark the occasion.
The schools involved must be congratulated in the commitment they have shown to Gaelic Games and many of our underage players come from within these schools. A big thank you is due to the teachers for bringing their pupils along for the day and the children themselves for providing us with a wonderful spectacle.
Friday 24th April was designated GAA Schools Day as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations and the club decided to host a blitz tournament for four local schools to partake in.
The schools involved were Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin, Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain, Edmund Rice and Holy Family Primary and each school was invited to bring two 5-a-side teams with the intention being that they all played one another with a larger scale match to take place after lunch. Each school was also given the aid of having a Pearse's mentor assigned to them for the day. Thankfully the rain held off for the majority of the day and we witnessed some excellent Gaelic Football from all the teams. Scores of games were irrelevant as the focus was on bringing together youth in our community so they could have the chance to partake in an occasion such as this and following all the games each child was presented with a boxed medal to mark the occasion.
The schools involved must be congratulated in the commitment they have shown to Gaelic Games and many of our underage players come from within these schools. A big thank you is due to the teachers for bringing their pupils along for the day and the children themselves for providing us with a wonderful spectacle.
JOE CAHILL MEMORIAL SHIELD
On Sat 10th April the fifth annual Joe Cahill Memorial Shield was hosted by O'Donnell's and for the first time our under-12 team were invited to participate.
A fine spring morning saw the usual excellent club turnout at McRory Park with some of our more enthusiastic female Gaels coming along to provide support and also take part in the pre-tournament parade. The tournament itself was a eight team affair with two groups of four and only one team from each group to qualify for the prestigious finale.
Pearse's group saw them facing Gort na Mona, Lagmore Gaels and local rivals, Ardoyne. First up was Gort na Mona and a magnificent performance by Brendan Hamill, amongst others, saw Na Piarsaigh emerge with a win. Further success was anticipated against Lagmore Gaels and indeed the backline of Cummings, Turley and Lavery held their opponents completely scoreless with Daniel Moore and young Hamill once again being amongst the scorers. With one game left, mentors Donaghy and Fitzsimons let the players know that they were one step away form reaching the final. It seemed to be plain sailing for most of the match, Mícheál McGreevy and Eoghan Hegarty both got on the scoresheet and Pearse's were unlucky not to score a couple of goals. However disaster struck with little more than five minutes remaining as Ardoyne scored a deflected goal which left Declan O'Neill with no chance in goals. Pearse's threw everything at their rivals in the closing five minutes yet the Ardoyne youngsters held on to win a pulsating gane by a point. By virtue of Pearse's, Gort na Mona and Ardoyne each having two victories it came down to goal difference to decide which team would contest the final and sadly both the North Belfast Gaels missed out as Gort na Mona went through to a decider against St.John's which they ended up losing.
Mentors Manuel Donaghy and Colm Fitzsimons repeatedly explain to their teams the need for respect and discipline and once again each and every player was a credit to the club they were representing. The turnout of club members to support them was great to see as it provides the players with added incentive to perform well and no doubt the club will be invited back next year for another attempt at the trophy.
PEARSES TEAM FOR JOE CAHILL MEMORIAL SHIELD
Declan O'Neill Martin Lavery Ciaran Turley Jonathan Cummings Caitlin O'Rourke Cillian McCooey Conan Kane Naoise Ó Cuilín Mac Aoidh Daniel Moore Ryan Sewell Brendan Hamill Cormac O'Neill Leanne McDonald Mícheál McGreevy Eoghan Hegarty Michael Thompson Ruairí Cash
On Sat 10th April the fifth annual Joe Cahill Memorial Shield was hosted by O'Donnell's and for the first time our under-12 team were invited to participate.
A fine spring morning saw the usual excellent club turnout at McRory Park with some of our more enthusiastic female Gaels coming along to provide support and also take part in the pre-tournament parade. The tournament itself was a eight team affair with two groups of four and only one team from each group to qualify for the prestigious finale.
Pearse's group saw them facing Gort na Mona, Lagmore Gaels and local rivals, Ardoyne. First up was Gort na Mona and a magnificent performance by Brendan Hamill, amongst others, saw Na Piarsaigh emerge with a win. Further success was anticipated against Lagmore Gaels and indeed the backline of Cummings, Turley and Lavery held their opponents completely scoreless with Daniel Moore and young Hamill once again being amongst the scorers. With one game left, mentors Donaghy and Fitzsimons let the players know that they were one step away form reaching the final. It seemed to be plain sailing for most of the match, Mícheál McGreevy and Eoghan Hegarty both got on the scoresheet and Pearse's were unlucky not to score a couple of goals. However disaster struck with little more than five minutes remaining as Ardoyne scored a deflected goal which left Declan O'Neill with no chance in goals. Pearse's threw everything at their rivals in the closing five minutes yet the Ardoyne youngsters held on to win a pulsating gane by a point. By virtue of Pearse's, Gort na Mona and Ardoyne each having two victories it came down to goal difference to decide which team would contest the final and sadly both the North Belfast Gaels missed out as Gort na Mona went through to a decider against St.John's which they ended up losing.
Mentors Manuel Donaghy and Colm Fitzsimons repeatedly explain to their teams the need for respect and discipline and once again each and every player was a credit to the club they were representing. The turnout of club members to support them was great to see as it provides the players with added incentive to perform well and no doubt the club will be invited back next year for another attempt at the trophy.
PEARSES TEAM FOR JOE CAHILL MEMORIAL SHIELD
Declan O'Neill Martin Lavery Ciaran Turley Jonathan Cummings Caitlin O'Rourke Cillian McCooey Conan Kane Naoise Ó Cuilín Mac Aoidh Daniel Moore Ryan Sewell Brendan Hamill Cormac O'Neill Leanne McDonald Mícheál McGreevy Eoghan Hegarty Michael Thompson Ruairí Cash
Feile Na nGael 2009
Pearse's 1-4 Gort na Mona 1-3
They came, they saw, they conquered! After the whole fiasco leading up to the Féile final our young Gaels showed they were more than worthy of a place in the Casement Park final with an exciting win over a much older and experienced Gort na Mona team.
Four points from Patrick McGreevy and a stuning late goal form Declan Turley were the scorers on the night but every single player played his part in this victory, from Matthew McKillen to Eoin O'Neill, from James Proctor to Conor Davidson, each one rose to the challenge and refused to buckle to the pressure they were under. The confidence instilled in them in their management team was none more recognisable than when Jonathan Cummings was shouldered when awaiting to take a free, his response was simply to usher the opposition player away knowing his side were gaining the upper hand.
The fans in attendance were in full voice throughout the game and were kept on the edges of their seats, the scoring may have been light but the drama was certainly heavy. After conceding two early points the lads crept back into the game and before half-time scored three consecutive points, all from the hurl of Patrick McGreevy from placed balls. Following a point and a fortuituous goal from the opposition McGreevy rattled the bar with a 24-yard free which resulted in a point and though tiring on a heavy pitch, Pearse's never give up and kept fighting to the final whistle. 90 seconds were left on the referee's watch when McGreevy shipped a tackle and flicked it on to the advancing half-back Turley, he steadied himself and struck the sliotar sweetly, the crowd rose to their feet and watched as it moved towards the top corner of the Gort na Mona goal, the umpire raised the green flag and the fans erupted with delight. Deegall showed a touch of emotion himself when going to his knees following the goal yet it paled into comparison with the players reactions when the final whistle blew shortly after.
A deserved victory after a sterling workman-like performance, and they can be proud to call themselves champions. However one question remains, when will someone teach our girls to sing in tune?
Na Piarsiagh Abú
They came, they saw, they conquered! After the whole fiasco leading up to the Féile final our young Gaels showed they were more than worthy of a place in the Casement Park final with an exciting win over a much older and experienced Gort na Mona team.
Four points from Patrick McGreevy and a stuning late goal form Declan Turley were the scorers on the night but every single player played his part in this victory, from Matthew McKillen to Eoin O'Neill, from James Proctor to Conor Davidson, each one rose to the challenge and refused to buckle to the pressure they were under. The confidence instilled in them in their management team was none more recognisable than when Jonathan Cummings was shouldered when awaiting to take a free, his response was simply to usher the opposition player away knowing his side were gaining the upper hand.
The fans in attendance were in full voice throughout the game and were kept on the edges of their seats, the scoring may have been light but the drama was certainly heavy. After conceding two early points the lads crept back into the game and before half-time scored three consecutive points, all from the hurl of Patrick McGreevy from placed balls. Following a point and a fortuituous goal from the opposition McGreevy rattled the bar with a 24-yard free which resulted in a point and though tiring on a heavy pitch, Pearse's never give up and kept fighting to the final whistle. 90 seconds were left on the referee's watch when McGreevy shipped a tackle and flicked it on to the advancing half-back Turley, he steadied himself and struck the sliotar sweetly, the crowd rose to their feet and watched as it moved towards the top corner of the Gort na Mona goal, the umpire raised the green flag and the fans erupted with delight. Deegall showed a touch of emotion himself when going to his knees following the goal yet it paled into comparison with the players reactions when the final whistle blew shortly after.
A deserved victory after a sterling workman-like performance, and they can be proud to call themselves champions. However one question remains, when will someone teach our girls to sing in tune?
Na Piarsiagh Abú
Under 10's in Newry
PEARSES’ UNDER-10 SHOCK THEM ALL On Saturday 6th June 2009, Pearses’ under-10’s travelled down to Newry to take part in the Cumann Sheáin Mhistéil Annual Under-10 blitz, called the unofficial All-Ireland as it is the biggest tournament of its kind in Ireland. Forty teams enter the Annual event and last years tournament was won by Dublin clubs, Na Fianna and Lucan Sarsfields. The teams were separated into eight groups of five with winner going on to play for the John Mitchel GFC Shield and the runners-up playing for the Paddy McAleavey Memorial Plate. In Pearses’ group were Down teams, Carryduff and Mayobridge and Armagh teams, Shane O’Neills and Clann Eireann. Pearses’ 3-3 Carryduff 2-3 -A tense opener against Carryduff ended in a three-point victory as a Jay Benson point and 1-2 from Piaras McVarnock give them a three-point half time lead. Further goals from Lee Curran and Michael Thompson give them breathing space before a late Carryduff rally.Pearses’ 1-3 Clann Eireann 3-5 –Pearses’ found their second game a much harder tie as they beaten by a tough Armagh outfit in Clann Eireann. A Michael Moyes goal started them well but the Armagh team proved to be a strong side. It has to be said some strange refereeing decisions took place including the referee’s refusal to stop the game while a Pearses’ player was injured, this resulted in a Clann Eireann goal. Points from McVarnick and Daniel Moore were too late to close the gap.Pearses’ 4-2 Shane O’Neill’s 2-3 –Another Armagh side were Pearse’s next opponents and after a slow start a blistering hat-trick of goals from young Moyes in a five-minute spell give them an unassailable lead, McVarnick weighed in with another goal and Pearse’s never looked like being beaten. Conor McAuley and Owen Brophy were starting to form a good understanding in the backline and created a solid defence. Points from Eoghan Hegarty and Michael Thompson cemented the victory.Pearses’ v Maypbridge –The decisive last group game was due to be against Mayobridge(Down) but sadly they opted to forfeit, whether it was because they were slightly scared of facing the North Belfast Gaels or because they couldn’t qualify is unknown but it did put Pearses’ through to the quarter-final.Quarter-final- Pearses’ 4-5 St.Peregrine’s 2-1 –It was the Dublin side up next and it looked like Pearses’ were facing a much physically bigger side. They settled well and went three pints ahead early on through McVarnick(0-2) and Dylan Whiteway(0-1), the Dublin side were finding it hard to get any rhythm as they facing a very tenacious North Belfast side. Three points was still the gap as the second half started until another hat-trick hero emerged, this time it was Eoghan Hegarty with some predatory strikes and the boys seemed home and dry. Briefly the Dublin lads threatened a comeback but with Daniel Moore now moved to centre-half forward to give him some freedom, he was able to calmly score a couple of points to stop any hopes of a comeback with McVarnick’s goal being the final nail in the coffin.Semi-final- Pearses’ 1-5 Newry Shamrocks 0-4 –the semi-final pitted Pearses’ against hometown opposition and it proved a very tense affair. Both teams shared points early on until Rónán Cash put Pearses’ ahead, it was obvious that both teams knew a final place was at stake and two late first half points gave the home side a one-point half time lead. The half-time break seemed to galvanise Pearses’ and they controlled the majority of the second half, Piaras McVarnick once again rattles over a couple of points and Eoghan Hegarty once again found the back of the net after good work by Daniel Moore. The final couple of minutes were tense but Na Phairsaigh held on for a hard-earned victory and reached the final.Final- Pearses’ 3-3 Killeavy 1-6 –At 5.20pm, fully seven hours after their first game, Pearses’ under-10 took the field for the final of the Paddy McAleavey Memorial Plate. It was an exciting game from start to finish and both teams began to show signs of fatigue after their long day. McVarnick settled the early Pearses’ nerves and Rónán Cash also pointed and celebrated with his doubled-handed fist pump. Killeavy were no pushovers though and took the lead as the game approached half-time though another goal by Michael Moyes brought Pearses’ to within two points as the half-time whistle blew. At half-time the under-10 mentors, Colm Fitzsimons, Manuel Donaghy and Michael O’Neill, explained to the lads how far they had came and no matter what happened they would go home heroes but the lads stated that they didn’t want to settle for second place. The second half saw a Pearses’ resurgence, Daniel Moore closed the gap and then Rónán Cash fed Conor Reid who left the keeper with no chance. A further point from McVarnick and yet another goal from Hegarty give the North Belfast team a nice lead and they seemed easy winners, however Killeavy wouldn’t go down fighting and three successive points brought the game ever closer. An outstanding point blank save from Jay Benson with only a couple of minutes to go proved to be Killeavy’s final chance and when the final whistle blew there were scenes of hysteria on the pitch and sidelines. Deserved winners on a day when nothing was expected of them and captain Mícheál McGreevy reeived the shield shortly after. It’s hard to pick out one outstanding player as the boys showed incredible heart and character and proved they could play as a team when it mattered. Some credit must go to the three previous stated mentors but the real credit goes to the boys that done it on the pitch and another fantastic day for the boys in green and gold.Pearses’; J.Benson, C.McAuley, O.Brophy, C.Kane, A.Flynn, M.McGreevy, R.Sewell, D.Whiteway, P.McVarnick, L.Curran, D.Moore, R.Cash, M.Thompson, E.Hegarty, C.McVicker, C.Reid, C.Loughran, M.Moys, C.Molloy, T.McFarlane, C.Black