11th March 2012

Mount Sion Gaa Club Notes

Mount Sion, Primary School Indoor Hurling Champions 2012

Mount Sion are back in the primary school honours stakes thanks to a brilliant overall victory in today’s finals in Kilbarry. Having qualified for the finals they were up against St Declan’s, Holy Cross and Ballygunner. Four evenly matched teams played out an extraordinary afternoon’s hurling and in the end, it took a brilliant extra time goal from captain PJ Fanning to seal victory for Mount Sion in a pulsating deciding match against a fine Ballygunner team.
The Monastery boys found themselves drawn against Holy Cross Tramore in the opening game and ironically the lads found themselves face to face with their clubmate Ben Frisby who was outstanding today in Holy Cross colours. But sentiment was put aside and after a titanic battle where a vital Conor Freeman goal proved crucial, honours were shared as the teams played out a 5-5 draw.

The second game saw Mount Sion play St Declan’s and today the boys were determined to reverse last week’s result where the Water Street boys had emerged victorious. Again the lads had to face one of their own as Seán Doocey kept the net for St Declan’s but once again the boys stuck to the job in hand and emerged victorious by 6 goals to 3. Caelin Wall again pulled off super saves at vital stages to keep the team in the game and with Kieran Hanrahan, Peter Nolan and Daniel Murphy showing super workrate and Samuel Mathe’s scoring exploits ensured victory in the end.

As results transpired the final game between Mt Sion and Ballygunner was to decide the Waterford champions for 2012. It was a decider that will live long in the memory as both sides played out a thriller that had both sets of managers at their wits end! Led brilliantly by PJ Fanning and the powerful Timi Sobowale, Mount Sion raced into a huge 5-0 lead and it appeared that victory was within touching distance. However, Ballygunner had other ideas and began to fight back. Within five minutes the lead had been wiped out as it appeared the Mount Sion boys started to tire. But the fresh legs of substitutes such as Conor Meaney and Cian O’ Grady breathed new life into the team and again the surge came and Mount Sion found themselves three goals up again. But yet again Ballygunner came and as the game entered injury time, unbelievably it was the Mount Sion lads who had to force the equaliser to take the game to extra time.

In the final minutes of extra time Ballygunner took the lead only for the impressive Samule Mathe to scramble an equaliser. In the dying seconds Mount Sion were awarded a free against the wall. Unable to swing, captain PJ Fanning played a short ball into the danger area that broke back to him and his first time pull saw the ball nestle in the Ballygunner net. The full time whistle sounded and Mount Sion, after an epic battle were champions of Waterford!

Well done to all the boys and of course their club coaches who are developing these lads into fine players. Caelin Wall’s performances in goal were praised by opposing managers and PJ Fanning’s marshalling and bravery in defence was typical of a captain’s role. Timi Sobowale was simply a powerhouse in midfield and was helped throughout by Kieran Hanrahan, Conor Meaney, Daniel Murphy and Peter Nolan throughout. Up front Samuel Mathe amassed an amazing ten goals throughout the afternoon while Conor Freeman and Cian O’ Grady scored vital goals at vital times. Congratulations to all on returning to the school as champions, they thoroughly deserved it!

Mount Sion Fun Run

On Easter Sunday 8^th April we will be holding a 5 mile fun run in aid of the Juvenile club. The run will go at 11am. Why not join in by either walking or jogging. Presentation of prizes to club winners on Sunday night with music from The Bottle Brothers. There are sponsorship cards available from the Organising Committee of Kevin Ryan, Michael Flanagan, Peter Walsh and Tina Gleeson. Cards will be distributed to players over the coming weeks. Entrance fee is €10 per Adult, €5 per youth. If you can’t do the Five mile we’ll also need stewards etc on the day. Please contact any of the organising committee if you can help out.

Camogie/Ladies Football

Training continues on Tuesday night at 7pm. We hope to see you all there.

Under 11s

Our two under 11 teams went to Carriganore last Friday night where they played one game each against Sacred Heart and Ballygunner. Our panel was split over two teams, and we faced two teams with full strength sides, with that said, our teams played some good hurling and the Sacred Heart/Mount Sion game proved great entertainment and both sides played out a draw. Well done lads, keep working hard and progressing for the City League which begins on 6^th April.

Deise Draw

The first Deise Draw of the year will take place on Friday 30^th March. Tickets can be bought from any of the promoters or from behind the bar. A list of all promoters names can be seen on the notice board in the club. Tickets are €10 per draw. This year you will have the chance to win a top prize of a car in the March draw and in the May, August and November Draw’s there will be a special draw for a €1,000 holiday voucher and €500 spending money.

Juvenile Training Times

The following are the times and venues are for juvenile hurling training:

5 to 7 year olds Children born in 2005, 2006 & 2007 takes place at 12 Noon every Saturday on the All-Weather Astro-Turf Pitch at the Club Grounds.

Juvenile Camogie Training also takes place on Saturdays at 12 noon on The All-Weather Astro-Turf Pitch at the Club Grounds.

8 & 9 year olds, Boys born in 2003 and 2004 takes place from 11am-12pm on Saturdays at the Club field.

10 & 11 year old boys takes place on a Friday nights at 6pm-7pm on the All Weather Pitch.

Looking to get your child involved in sport or meet new friends. Then bring them along to the correct age group or contact Juvenile Chairman Peter Walsh for more information. Training is 100% free and hurleys and helmets can be supplied to those who need them. Best of luck to all the children and coaches for 2012!!

Membership

Membership is now due for 2012. The following are the rates for this year. Family €50, Adult Hurling & Football Member €50, Student €30 and Social Members €15. If you haven’t already paid can you please either see our Registrar Paul Fanning or leave your name and money behind the bar. Money must be paid as soon as possible for all players and members to be registered for the coming season.

The Interview Room

This week we had Junior Footballer Eoin Swift in for this weeks Adult Interview. I’m looking for more people to take part, so if you’re interested please contact Savo ASAP. To see the lad’s answers and all the lads who have participated over the last number of months, get onto the website and look for the interview room or juvenile interview room under the news tab. www.mountsiongaa.ie . New Juvenile interviews are added every Tuesday and adult interviews are added on Thursdays.

Last Man Standing

Not many left in the Last Man Standing with a number of people falling out this week. Make sure you have your team picked before Thursday night and sent to Tina. See our “The Last Man Standing” Page on the website under the news tab to catch up with the results!

Need a venue for your party??

We have a spacious function room with private bar available for hire for all occasions including Birthdays, Christenings, Weddings, Confirmations, Communions, etc. Please contact our Bar Manager Michael Ryan for more information on 051-372648 or call up and see him. See the Function Room page on the website for pictures!! http://mountsiongaa.ie/club-complex/function-room/

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.

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.

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.