This has been a very busy team. They started on Sunday 11 June when they went out to Monaleen to play their fifth match in the Jack Lyons U-14 Hurling championship.
Mungret St. Pauls 2-3 Monaleen 1-7
While Mungret St. Pauls got the goals it was Monaleen who got the win by the minimum.
They were busy preparing for the busy weekend in Wexford.
It was a long trip to the Sunny South East but the exciting chatter made it feel shorter. When they arrived they were greeted by their hosts Danesfort. The opening match was against Craanford from Co. Wexford where Mungret St. Pauls put them through their paces and took the win with ease. Mungret St. Pauls 4.10 Craanford 0.01. The second match that night was a tighter game with Mungret St. Pauls leading 6 points going in at half time the Co. Armagh team, Keady, struggled to catch up with our spirted players. Mungret St. Pauls 2.14 Keady 1.04.
After a relaxing night they arrived in Rathnure to play their hosts in a top of the group clash. This was a tight game as half time was called with host club Rathnure and Mungret St. Pauls on a tie of 3 points each. Mungret St. Pauls came out fired up for the second half and with great determination they denied Rathnure scoring chances while popping over their own points and smashing the back of the net with a goal to top the group.
Mungret St. Pauls 1.08 Rathure 0.04
They were straight into the quarter finals where they were to play Danesfort from neighbouring Co. Kilkenny. A wonderful display of skill and determination carried Mungret St. Pauls past a good Danesfort team. Mungret St. Pauls went at their Kilkenny opponents from the start and picked off a number of great points. Danesfort pegged on a goal to draw things level. This drove on our young charges who added 3 extra points to leave the score 0.6 to 1.0 at half time. With the encouragement of a large travelling band of supporters they started the second half with great vigor and put over a number of well taken points. We did not have it all our own in the second period and some stern defending from our backline kept Danesfort from getting back into the game. With tired legs from our 3 tough previous games and searing heat, the men at the helm made a number of shrewd changes to invigor the side. The results were immediately seen as we drove on to put the game beyond our opponents to finish on a scoreline of 1-12 to 1-0.
They were looking forward to the cup semi final on Sunday against St Vincent's from Dublin in St Aidens Ferns.
This was the match that took our players down. It was the third day in and the sun was at its best, with our players putting their best effort into each match there was not much energy left in the reserve. By half time Mungret St. Pauls had not broken the score board while St. Vincents a decent score in. Mungret St. Pauls dug deep and finished off this game with their heads held high putting over 5 points but the Dubs took the game onto the final.
Mungret St Pauls 0-5 St. Vinvents 2-7
We would like to acknowledge our great hosts who welcomed each child into their homes and took great care of our boys while they were in Wexford, they even washed the jerseys. We hope the friendships made can be a great excuse to travel to Wexford again.
A big Thank you to our coaches who have guided the players to be and do their best on the pitch, to the parents and many supporters who traveled to get behind the boys in each of their games. It was fantastic for the boys to see the support from Mungret St. Pauls. Thank you to Brian O'Halloran our onsite reporter and photographer.
Lastly we have to say Well Done to this bunch of young lads from 1 to 24 have been a source of great pride to the club. They have hurled fantastically and have been great sportsmen, keep up the good work.
Photos available on our Website by clicking HERE