Weekly Club Notes - 5th Sept 2024

Last weekend saw us suffer a 2 point defeat to Ballina in the county championship. In a game where we had a number of goal opportunities ourselves it was 2 Ballina strikes in the second half which swung the game in their favour. In a scrappy affair Ballina started brightest, claiming the first 3 points of the game. Upperchurch then began to take charge, scoring 5 of the remaining 6 points in the half to go into the break 1 point in the lead. The 2nd half saw us gradually stretch the advantage and when we led by 9 points to 6 with 10 minutes remaining it looked like we were in control of things. Ballina found the net though after some defensive errors and after scoring a following point they were now in the lead. Upperchurch now began to hunt the equalizer and push players forward, but a quick turnover and break saw Ballina go the length of the field and strike a second goal with normal time almost up. From there they were able to see out the game and defeat us 2-7 to 0-9. The result sees us finish bottom of the group of 3 teams but free from relegation as no teams are being demoted from senior this year.

The draw for the county quarter finals will be made once the winner of this Sunday's preliminary quarter final between Cashel & Boherlahan is known. The quarter finals are fixed for weekend of September 14th.

Our intermediate team face Skeheenarinky in the relegation semi final to be played on the weekend of September 14th. Full fixture details in the coming days.

UNDER 19 HURLING

Congratulations to our u19 team who claimed the mid title in pulsating fashion, defeating Drom & Inch after extra time on Wednesday night. A Drom goal in the first minute put them in charge and they held a lead throughout the first half, going into the half time break 5 points ahead. We hit the ground running in the second half though, scoring 10 of the first 12 points to be 3 ahead with 10 minutes remaining. Drom were not beaten though and responded with the final 3 points of the game to draw the teams level and take it to extra time. Upperchurch made the brighter start to extra time but it was Drom who again found the net to leave the sides still deadlocked at the 10 minute interval. When Drom netted again midway through the second half of extra time to take a 4 point lead it seemed the tie was theirs. However Upperchurch responded swiftly and clinically, with a well engineered Philip O'Dwyer goal followed almost immediately by another green flag from Toby Corbett to put us 2 points ahead. From there we managed the lead and claimed the title on a scoreline after extra time of 2-28 to 3-23. Well done to all involved on a great display. There is little time to rest as the county semi final is scheduled for this Sunday 8th as we face Kilruane MacDonaghs at 3pm in Templederry.

JUVENILE CLUB
Commiserations to our u17 hurlers who lost the mid semi final to Holycross last Sunday despite putting up a fine display. Like the u19 team extra time was required to decide the outcome. Best of luck to our U13 hurlers who this Saturday contest the Mid G2 final where they will face Loughmore-Castleiney.

ACTIVE RETIREMENT
Upperchurch Drombane Active Retirement are organising a 3 day tour visiting Dublin & the Boyne Valley from 8th-10th October. The tour includes visits to the Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin Cemetery, Francis Ledwidge Museum, Newgrange, Battle of The Boyne Visitor Centre and An Gobha Blacksmith of the Boyne Valley. Overnight accommodation for 2 nights will be provided in Knightsbrook Spa & Golf Hotel, Trim. Cost which includes accommodation, transport, dinner and both nights and entry to all attractions is €315 per person sharing or €390 per single room. To book contact Mairead on 086-8625466 or Kathleen on 085-2635838 by September 11th.

Thanks to all who have signed up so far to our New Field Benefactor Scheme. To help cover the cost of providing a 2nd full pitch, a juvenile field and the provision of car parking facilities in Drombane we are inviting supporters to help us and become a benefactor. Patrons will be able to support the scheme by bank transfer, subscribing in person with a committee member or payment online via our club website. You can find full details on our website: https://upperchurchdrombanegaa.ie/new-field-benefactor-scheme These new facilities will be of major benefit to both our juvenile & adult teams as well as the ladies of Slieve Felim Rapparees for many years to come.

You can now play the Premier Co-Op Lotto online at http://upperchurchdrombanegaa.ie/draws and help support Upperchurch Drombane Juvenile GAA.  Last week there was no winner of the €10,200 jackpot. There were 2 match 3 winners who receive €75 each. The jackpot for next week now resets to €10,400 Tickets must be bought by 8pm on Tuesday to be in the draw. You can also buy tickets at Ryan's Shop, Drombane Co-Op, Pa's Bar, Kinane's Pub or Oliver Ryan's Pub.

A range of club merchandise can be purchased from the O’Neills website. The link for the shop is: https://www.oneills.com/shop-by-team/gaa/ireland/upperchurch-drombane-gaa.html. We also now have a new shop with Bourke Sports: https://bourkesports.ie/collections/upperchurch-drombane-gaa

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