Monday
Our U15 hurlers were in action in the Limerick A PPS competition against Colaiste na Trocaire. The game was played in tricky underfoot conditions in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale and ball handling errors and slippages were plaguing both sides in the opening exchanges. Causeway settled the better and we were ahead at the break largely thanks to goals from Cian Whyte & Evan Diggins. The second half saw lapses of concentration creep into our game and our Limerick opponents pulled into the lead. Despite rallying again we could not quite find the scores needed and were disappointed to lose out by 3. It was a great experience for our lads to test themselves against the strongest opposition and we know that we can mix it with the best of them going forward. This group continue preparing for their opening Munster fixture later this month.
Tuesday
An excellent performance today from our U19 Girls team in the All-Ireland Quarter final play offs. The first of the two games was always going to be a tough ask, with Carrigtwohill having two Irish internationals on their squad. Ella Diggins opened the scoring for Causeway getting fouled on a made lay up and scoring the free throw which was followed by a basket from Kelly Forristal yet Carrigtwohill went up 12-5 at the end of the first quarter. The intensity upped in the second quarter with Ava Daly and Megan Barrett making lay ups thanks to rebounds from Holly Boyle and Aoife Moriary. The second quarter ended 25-17. The third quarter saw Carrigtwohill really hit their stride and unfortunately it became too much of an uphill battle after this and the Cork side saw the game out 46-30 winners.
The girls only had a 15 minute break before having to play a second game. It looked like this game was over after the first quarter, with Pres Athenry leading 15-4. At one stage in the second quarter the Galway side went up 22-4 but after a time out and a couple of tweaks, Causeway fought back with ferocious strength, like they have done all year and started playing to their full potential. Scores from Hazel Cantillon and Holly Boyle settled the girls. A notable mention to Kelly Forristal who was exceptional on defence and it was her steals that got us a lot of baskets on the fast breaks. Abbie Elbell shot the lights out in this game, with three 3 pointers which put a huge dent in the scoreline. The second quarter ended 23-17. Sarah Diggins opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 3 pointer and with Katelyn Mahony, Megan Barrett, Holly Boyle and Paige Murphy putting a shift in defensively, the quarter ended 26-27 in favour of the Galway sode. It was a tough battle in the last quarter but thankfully the girls were able to see the game out in a very dramatic ending to the game, winning on the narrowest of margins 34-33.
Unfortunately as Carrigtwohill won both of their games, they go through to the All-Ireland Semi finals. However, the girls should be proud of themselves for how hard they fought not just today but all year. The work rate and effort they put in this year was incredible and they should be proud of themselves.
A special mention to our 6th year Abbie Elbell, Sarah Diggins, Megan Barrett and Ella Diggins who played their last school game today. Since first year these girls have been a credit to school basketball and have portrayed exemplary behavior, serving as an inspiration for the younger girls coming up. Well done girls for getting this far in the competition.
Wednesday
Congrats to the Senior Football Team who produced a battling performance against a very tough physical Buttevant side in Rathkeale today in the Munster Quarter finals. Causeway were under pressure with the Cork side being a strong physical presence in the opening exchanges. A strong breeze at the Cork schools backs meant Causeway found themselves under pressure but with Jake Segal and Billy Moriarty outstanding at the back and the forwards putting in a great amount of work. Causeway battled to make it 5-5 at the break.
The second half started evenly with it going to 7 points a piece before Causeway upped the ante and had a purple patch with scores from Jake Segal, John Curtin, Sean Ross and Dylan Costello putting Causeway 3 up with ten to go. A superb two pointer from Jack Enright then pushed Causeway further ahead before Buttevant pulled it back to 0-15 0-10 at the final whistle.
Well done to all players and coach who have given their everything to reach this stage of the competition. Preparations now turn to the Munster semi final which is due for Friday 23rd
Last Wednesday, it was back out on the driving range in Ballybunion for our young golfers.
The rain and cold did not stop our students loving the game of golf. Massive thanks to Brian @ Ballybunion Golf Club for the lessons.
Thursday
Congrats to our Senior Boys Soccer team who were in action against Desmond College on Thursday in Tralee. Our boys started the game very strongly by stringing together nice phases of play and creating a series of chances. Our early pressure paid off when Daithí Nolan, a third-year student stepping up to the senior ranks, played a lovely through ball from midfield which found Cody Goggin who expertly slotted the ball past the on-rushing keeper. The boys kept the pressure on and Dylan Costello found himself on the end of our goalkeeper, Evan O' Sullivan's long ball and squeezed the ball past the opposition goalkeeper to put us two ahead. Our defenders Conor McElligott, Jayden Condon, John Curtin, Fionn Houlihan and another third year stepping up to the senior ranks Brendan Duggan kept control of the game at the back to help shut out any Desmond attack. Just before the half time whistle, Dylan Costello's corner came back out to him where he unleashed a sensational half volley on the outside of the right boot that swerved into the far top right-hand corner. Rumour has it, Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson is looking for the footage of the goal before the March World Cup play-off squad announcement. The lads went into the half time break in great form. As the second half started, we got a little over confident and conceded a goal to make it 3-1. Desmond then put plenty of pressure on us. We gave away a penalty, but goalkeeper Evan added a penalty save to his earlier assist. Billy Moriarty, captain Richard Casey, subs Cillian Foley and Robert O' Shea kept the game under control which allowed us to see out the game and claim victory. Well done to all players today as we move on to the next round of the competition. Many thanks to our TY helpers/photographers: Ava Kennelly, Danielle Roche, Emily Fealy, Davina Galway and Abbie Lynch for their great help as always on the day.
Friday
Our TY's participated in an ICGG course today. Hopefully their local clubs can benefit from their learnings today. Well done to all who participated. They were a fantastic group with some great insight into coaching.