Patrickswell NS win The Mayor's Cup

Patrickswell NS: 3-5
Limerick City: 2-2

The Olo Cup panel increased in number by one for today's Mayor's Cup final. The 'one' in question was Jack Gorman, who was promoted to the panel following his outstanding performance in the Under 11 A final last week.
Another thing that increased in number by one today was Patrickswell's haul of trophies. At the Gaelic Grounds, the Patrickswell NS Under 13s overcame a gallant Limerick City side in the Mayor's Cup final and brought the trophy back to the school for the first time ever.
Limerick City deservedly led 2-1 to 1-2 at half time. Their team spirit and hurling skills (polished with care over the past few weeks by trainers Ger Downes, Shane O Neill... and our own Paul O Connor) were very much in evidence. Without a doubt, the team selected from schools throughout the City Division, proved to be Patrickswell's toughest opponents to date. Patrickswell's first half scores came from Cian Gorman (0-1), Clive Kirby (1-0) and Calvin Carroll (0-1, free).
A switch in the second half saw Paul Kelly go into goals while Adam Carrig moved out the field. This change  turned the tide in favour of the Well. Kelly made two brilliant saves to keep the City at bay while Carrig, Neil Byrnes, Patrick Kirby and Cian Fitz cleared a lot of ball. They were well assisted by Tomas Crowe, Jordan McCarthy, Martin Murray, and the Kerins's, Cormac and Niall.
Patrickswell's equalising point came early in the second half. It was scored by Cian Gorman, a young man in Fourth Class who has a bright future in the game. The first goal of the second half came from a familiar source. It was scored by a player with a deft touch, a very useful burst of speed--and an eye for goal. That player was Clive Kirby who booted the sliotar to the roof of the net in a manner The Gooch would have been proud of! He got great support from the players around him, namely: Carroll, Cian Enright, Martin Murray, Darren O Flaherty, John Kirby and Kyle McCarthy.
The goal that secured the result for the Well came from supersub, Nathan McGrath who got a vital touch to the ball at exactly the right moment. The Well had two more points from play before the final whistle was blown. Both were scored by P.J. Foley.
The 2013 Mayor's Cup final was a hard-fought, top quality match from start to finish. It was worthy of the occasion. The Mayor of Limerick, Mr. Gerry McLoughlin who once carried a rugby ball, his teammates and the entire English pack over the try-line in a famous victory over England, said it "gladdened my heart" to be present at the Gaelic Grounds on such a special occasion. He said that both sides played with great skill and passion and that the City side had really put it up to Patrickswell. He added, "Patrickswell did well to come back and win the game. They have a great hurling tradition in Patrickswell and from next year Patrickswell will actually become part of the City! Finally, it is a pleasure to present the Mayor's Cup to joint captains of Patrickswell, Clive Kirby and Neil Byrnes."
The Mayor presented both sets of players with their medals. The City players also received specially commissioned polo shirts to mark the honour of being selected to play for the City side.

A. Carrig, C Crowe, N. Byrnes, J. McCarthy, P. Buston, C. Carroll (0-1), P. Kirby, C. Fitzgerasld, C Kerins, C. Enright, C. Kirby (2-0), K. McCarthy, C. Gorman (0-2), P.J. Foley (0-2), D. O Flaherty, J. Kirby, N. Kerins, M.. Murray, N. McGrath (1-0), J. Gorman