16th October 2011

Mount Sion Gaa Club Notes

County Junior Hurling Final

History was made not only for it being the first County Final to be played under lights in Waterford. But also the last time we won the County Final at this grade, it was our first, way back in 1934. A gap of 77 years! These were the days of the great John Keane, Paddy Duggan, Paddy Greene and co. Well renowned names not only in our club but in Waterford and Ireland. For a club of our great tradition and success it would be questioned why we never won the title since. Though we have competed in several finals since, we never managed to capture it.

A super second half performance first day out brought the game to a replay and set up a clash 6 days later! A strong breeze and a heavy mist swept down into the complex at the new Carriganore venue with a large amount of Mount Sion and Tallow fans in attendance. Sion in the familiar colours of blue and white and Tallow in their yellow and blue. Sion opened the scoring through a sweet strike from Dan Kelly. The one they call Pappy Bowe marked his return from a serious injury suffered earlier in the year, with a beautiful strike off his right hand-side to give Sion their second point. But Tallow opened their account with a goal which was buried into the left hand corner of the Sion goal! Some would have said that this man’s legs were gone, but Barry Browne showed he has plenty left in the tank when he turned his man and headed towards goal, to blast home in familiar fashion to get Sion’s first goal of the game. Tallow and Browne went point for point with Pappy pointing and Dan Kelly grabbing Sion’s second goal. Tallow finished the first half scoring with a point to give Sion a four point lead at the break.

Some thought a four point lead with the breeze wasn’t enough. But with Sion’s backs to the wall and playing into the strong breeze in the second half, they relished the challenge and after a slight set-back with Tallow drawing level with a quick goal and a point. Gavin Carroll drove over a point and when Babs Browne riffled home for his second goal, Sion were truly in the driving seat! Sion began to totally dominate all over the pitch and our rock solid engine Michael Power working tirelessly in the middle of the park. Our half backline of the great Jess Kehoe (who gave another man of the match performance), Peter Penkert and Lee Thornton were all stopping the supply to Tallow’s inside line. Carroll pointed again and he set up Joey Sinnott for the score of the game.

Browne pointed and Tallow replied. Dan Kelly struck over and substitute Eoin Fanning banged home from close range to totally kill off all thoughts of a Tallow comeback and give Sion a nine point win. To leave the score Mount Sion 4-9 to Tallow 2-6.

It must be said that one main reasons to this success of this team was the lovely blend of youth and experience with no more than four 17 year olds on the panel and some elder lemons such as Paraic Fanning at the age of 40, Brian Flannery, Seamus Nolan, Eoin Fanning and Barry Browne also present. Well done to all lads on this great win.

Personally on behalf of the team, I’d like to thank Manager Michael Flanagan, Trainer Philip Flynn and Selectors Peter Roche and Brian Hennessey for all their efforts throughout the year. Also to First Aid men, Vinny O’Neill and Garry Cunningham!! No stones were left unturned and full credit also must go all the lads for their efforts and support throughout the year. Great win lads and we can hope that Footballers can go on and complete the double. Also thanks to Ciaran Sheridan and Ciaran Fallon for all the pictures they supplied to us! Particularly Ciaran Fallon who made himself available on the night and is available for Professional Sports Photography. Please contact him on 087-6595425.

Under 16 Football

We were also in another County final this week, but this time it was our Under 16s who were in action. Our opponents where no other than Dunhill/Fenor and the venue was Fraher Field. It should be noted that why drag two eastern teams to Fraher Field, while we have plenty of top quality pitches in the east, its common sense, but as we know common sense is not very common!

After what was a fine performance against Kilrossanty which saw us win comfortably we were all set to take on Dunhill/Fenor, who already scored a high win over us in the league part of the championship. For a C Division final it was intense and the level of skill was second to none on both sides with the small group of spectators fully enjoying the quality of the game. With a much improved performance from the first day out we trailed at half time by five points.

Dunhill/Fenor reopened the scoring with a goal, but Sion responded with a point through Sean Walsh. It wasn’t until the twentieth minute that the next score was got by our opponents. Lee Crowley pulled back a goal for Mount Sion two minutes later. Dunhill/Fenor replied with a goal with Darren Gray pulling back a point just as time was up. Final score Mount Sion 1-7 to Dunhill/Fenor 3-8. Hard luck lads. Also thanks to all your coaches Eoin Fanning, Pat Kelly, David Thornton and Sean Power for all your efforts during the year!

Fancy Dress

This coming Halloween bank holiday weekend on Saturday 29^th October we will be hosting a Fancy Dress Party for all. To get in the mood we want everyone to dress up in costume. Its €5 entry on the door if you are dressed in costume, if you’re not its €8. All money raised goes towards our Juvenile Club. Music on the night is from Seattle and there will be prizes for the best dressed and special drinks promotions run throughout the night.

Ladies Circuit Training

The adult Camogie and Ladies Football teams will continue to train on Tuesday nights at 7pm. All girls are asked to attend and bring runners. Training is fun, enjoyable and free and it’s a great way to keep in shape during the winter season. Pass the word around and if some of our lady club members would like to join in, ye are more than welcome to come along.

County Board Draw

The County Board will be running a big draw with the main prize being a fabulous Nissan Qashqai, plus various cash prizes. You can get tickets to the draw from behind the bar. Tickets are €20 each. The funds raised will be used to aid Waterford teams training and development.

Juvenile Camogie

The girls will continue to train on Saturday mornings at 12noon to 1pm If you know of any girls who would like to take up camogie as a new activity why not bring them along next Saturday. All activities are free of charge and hurleys and helmets can be supplied for those who don’t have them.

The Interview Room

Stephen Greene provides us with this week’s interview!! To find Stephen’s answers and what he has to say, log onto the website and look for the interview room under the news tab. www.mountsiongaa.ie . Also this week we started a Juvenile Interview Room. Dylan Sheridan was this week’s candidate. Juvenile interviews are updated on Tuesdays and adult ones are done on Thursdays! If you would like to take part, have a chat with Savo.

Chess Club

Chess club takes place every Tuesday night in the club at 9:30pm. We hope to see the regular faces and some new ones up next Tuesday.

Irish Dancing

Irish dancing class for beginners takes place this Wednesday at 6.30pm in the hall in the club. Its cost €5 for the hour and children from 4 upwards are more than welcome to come along. Classes are run by Dawn McGrath and she hopes to see ye all there.

Darts & Cards

Darts and Cards for club members. Come along and join in the fun. Darts takes place every Thursday night with Cards on Friday nights, both starting around 10pm. Great prizes on offer!! All Club Members are welcome. Also there is a Poker League running on Wednesday nights. Registration is at 8:30pm and it starts at 8:45pm. This week’s winner was Kenny Stafford who is now in second place behind Ricky Freeman who’s lead is now just down to three points, which sets up a very interesting game next week. All the weekly league scores and overall scores are on the website. Please see http://mountsiongaa.ie/news/poker-league for more information.

Training Times

Here are the training times for next Saturday. New players are always welcome and hurleys and helmets can be supplied to those who don’t have any. Also please note training is free of charge and parents are more than welcome to come along and watch.

9 & 10 year olds (born in 2001 & 2002). – 10.30am to 12 noon. Coached by Damien Frisby, Roy McGrath Seamus Nolan, Shane O Grady and George O Grady.

5 & 6 year old (born in 2005 & 2006) – 12 noon to 1pm. Coached by Peter Walsh, Lindsay Grace, James Dunphy and Martin Walsh.

7 & 8 year olds (born in 2003 & 2004) – 1pm-2pm. Coached by Nicky Mackey, John O Keeffe, Michael Frisby and Eric Curran.

If you have any queries just telephone Peter Walsh on 087-1355359.

Fixtures

Junior Football Final v Sliabh gCua in Fraher Field at 3:30pm on Saturday 29^th October.

Keep an eye on the website calendar for any fixtures.

Notes for Paper & Website

If you have any Cnoc Sion notes or announcements for the paper or website please contact Owen Sauvage by email owen@mountsiongaa.ie or text your notes to 087-9706387 before 8pm Sunday night. You can also submit your notes through the website on the news tab. The website features a calendar so you can keep up to date with all the latest fixtures and events.