Photo of Patrickswell NS Mayor's Cup-Winning Team

Patrickswell N.S. 2013 Olo Cup & Mayor's Cup winners

Mayor Gerry McLoughlin presents the Mayor's Cup to Patrickswell NS joint captains, Neil Byrnes & Clive Kirby

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

Mayor's Cup Final

Patrickswell NS
v
Limerick City Selection (Managed by Ger Downes and Limerick senior hurler, Shane O Neill)

The Mayor's Cup final will take place at the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday, June 12th. The throw in is at 2.00 pm. Mayor Gerry McLoughlin will present medals to all the participants at 3.00 pm. This match is an annual contest between the Olo Cup champions (that's Patrickswell NS, this year!) and a selection of players from schools in the City Division who were sent for trials for the Mackey Cup.

Limerick v Tipperary - the Patrickswell N.S. Connection

Sarah Gillane and Calvin Carroll, who played against Tipperary for the Limerick Primary Game camogie and hurling teams respectively on Sunday, June 9th, 2013. They are pictured here at the Gaelic Grounds with teachers Mr. Crowe and Mr. O Connor,  members of the Limerick management team.

The Limerick Primary Game Camogie team that played Tipperary on Sunday, June 9th.. Sixth Class student, Sarah Gillane is in the back row

The Limerick Primary Game Hurling team that defeateded Tipperary 3-0 to 2-1 on Sunday, June 9th, 2013.. Sixth Class student, Calvin Carroll is in the front row

Champions on the Double!!

Patrickswell N.S. 3-7
Milford N.S.        0-2
Congratulations to Mr. Bulfin and his team of warriors who won the City Under 11 A Hurling title today, in scorching sunshine in St. Patrick's GAA field.  In last month's league match between the same two sides, Milford NS won by 25 points, so there was very good reason to expect them to carry on in today's final from where they left off last time around.
Patrickswell NS hadn't read the script, however, and from the throw in they got stuck in, challenged for every ball, turned lost causes into successes and ran their hearts out in their efforts to do themselves justice--and do their school proud.
The Well started brightly with a point from play and a point from a free by Patrick Kirby (captain). The captain led by example from midfield. He was an excellent outlet for goalkeeper Nathan Conway's clever puck-outs and gave a great display of man-markng when it was necessary to do so. He finished as the day's top scorer with 2 goals and five points. Both goals were quality strikes which came at the end of incisive runs through the MIlford defence.
Niall Kerins gave a swashbuckling performance in midfield and took on the job of marking Milford's strongest player with gusto. The fact that he dominated his man from start to finish and moved a lot of ball forward in the process was critical to the team's overall success.
In defence the Gormans--Jack and Cian--were outstanding. Jack's powerful clearances and Cian's solo runs relieved pressure time after time. Conor Chu looked after his corner in a very unfussy manner and put his body on the line on more than one occasion. Wing back Eoin Harmon was another who caught the eye, both for his silky skills and the vital clearances he made when the Well were under severe pressure. Full back, Josh Carey gave a great performance in the anchor position. His clever reading of the game rescued his teammates on more than one occasion.
Patrick Kiely gave a solid display in midfield, as did half forwards, Jake Carey, John Kirby and Evan Munnelly. John Kirby scored 2 super points for his side and was the only player from 3rd Class to play (and score) on both the Under 11 A and Olo Cup finals. Paul Lynch, Jamie Byrnes and Adam McNamara and super-sub Jack McNamara in the full forward line were diligent in their duties throughout and caused plenty of problems for their opposite numbers.
The result was some turnaround in the space of a few short weeks! The boys in blue and gold played with heart and discipline throughout. They hurled with passion and their manager, Mr. Bufin, coach, Gary Kirby and special hurling consultant, Sam Bulfin were very proud of them indeed! Their parents, teachers and supporters were thrilled with their performance too.
And, there was no doubt about it, the best team won on the day. Come on the 'Well!!!

Team: 1. Nathan Conway 2. Conor Chu 3. Josh carey 4. Jack Gorman 5. Cian Gorman 6. Patrick Kiely 7. Eoin Harmon 8. Patrick Kiely 9. Niall Kerins 10. Jake Carey 11. John Kirby 12. Evan Munnelly 13. Paul Lynch 14. Jamie Byrnes 15. Adam McNamara 16. Jack McNamara 17. Sean Fitzgerald

Scorers: P. Kirby (2-5), J. Byrnes (1-0), J. Kirby (0-2)

Mayor's Cup & Leader Cup

Olo Cup Champions, Patrickswell NS take on a City selection in the 2013 Mayor's Cup final in the Gaelic Grounds at 2.00 pm next Wednesday (June 12th) Medals will be presented to all players after the match by Mayor of Limerick, Mr.Gerry McLoughlin.
The Leader Cup will be contested at the Gaelic Grounds on Tuesday, June 18th. This is the Limrick Primary Schools County Championship. The City will be represented by Patrickswell N.S. Our lads will meet the champions of West Limerick (Adare or Croagh) at 1.00 pm in the first semi-final. The winners will play the winners of the East Lk v South Lk semi-final in the Leader Cup final, immediately afterwards.
Counting the Olo Cup final, that's three appearances in the Gaelic Grounds for our Under 13 hurlers in the one season! This is the first time the school has had this honour.

Under 11 A Hurling Final

Best of luck to the U-11 hurlers today in their final v Milford NS. The match will start at 1.00 pm (Friday, June 7th). Venue: St. Patrick's GAA Field (Rhebogue). Milford won the corresponding league fixture between the sides last month and go into the final as favourites. Here's hoping Mr. Bulfin's team can emulate the Patrickswell NS Under 13s who reversed their league loss v Scoil Chríost Rí to win the Olo Cup Final last week.