It has been a busy summer of sport for many of the players and members of UL GAA. Congratulations to Barry Heffernan, Jason Forde, John McGrath and UL Beo Project Manager Gary Ryan, currently preparing for the All Ireland Senior Hurling Final with Tipperary. This follows a thrilling encounter against Galway in the semi-final. Well done also to Bill Maher, Niall Donovan and UL GAA council member Liam Kearns who helped guide Tipperary to the All-Ireland Senior Football Semi-Final stages following an impressive run of results before being narrowly beaten by Mayo.
We wish the very best of luck to Waterford duo Stephen Bennett and Jordan Henley. They are currently looking forward to the All-Ireland U21 Final against Waterford after overcoming Antrim in the penultimate round.
UL GAA was well represented by both finalists in the All-Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship, where Kilkenny overcame the challenge of Clare. Evan Cody and Alan Murphy were part of the victorious Kilkenny team, while Rory Hayes, Aidan McGuane and Kevin Hehir contributed to a spirited Banner performance.
Cathal Long, Adam Barry and Darren Brosnan represented Kerry, while Jason Forkan lined out for Mayo in the All Ireland Junior Football Final. In the end, Kerry prevailed in what was an exciting game of attacking football.
2016 has also proven to be an action packed summer for many of our female members. Orlaith McGrath, Clodagh McGrath, Niamh Hanniffy and Ciara Murphy were part of the Galway Senior Camogie panel that was desperately unlucky to lose out to Kilkenny in a nail-biting All-Ireland Semi-Final encounter that went to extra time.
In ladies football, Nicola O’Malley, Fiona McHale, Clodagh McManamon and Lisa McManamon are part of the Mayo squad, coached by DJ Collins that are through to the All-Ireland Senior Semi-Final against Dublin and we wish them the very best of luck!
Aishling O’Connell, Laura Rogers and Anna Galvin were involved with the Kerry Ladies Football team that reached the All-Ireland Quarter-Final, unfortunately getting beaten by Monaghan in a high scoring game.
A total of 11 UL players will be involved in the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Intermediate Ladies Football Championship, in what will be a repeat of the Munster Intermediate Final between Clare and Tipperary. Eva O’Dea, Laurie Ryan, Ailish Considine, Niamh O’Dea, Aoife Keane and Shauna Harvey will line out for a Clare side hoping to reverse the Munster Final result. Jen Grant, Aisling McCarthy, Siobhan Condon and Maria Curley will be doing their best to guide Tipperary to the final. Good luck to all involved in both teams!
Well done to all members representing their counties throughout the summer!
