Gort v Kinvara - Senior Hurling League Semi-Final - 24th September 2013

Gort 3-14
Kinvara 2-14

Gort qualified for the final of the 2013 County Senior Hurling League following a hard fought game against neighbours, Kinvara, under lights in Ardrahan this evening. Kinvara started by far the brighter and opened up a 1-05 to 1-02 lead after 20 minutes. The remaining 10 minutes of the half were totally dominated by Kinvara however and they opened up a 9 point lead at the break, leading 2-12 to 1-06. Gort were lucky to not be further behind as a Colm Callinan 21 yard free was saved on the line during the first half.
It would have been easy for Gort to throw in the towel at this point but to the credit of the lads, they decided to give a serious effort in the second half. They went out and upped the performance to a level that Kinvara just could not live with and out-scored them by 2-08 to 0-02 during the second half. To restrict Kinvara to just 2 points in the second half was a serious effort from our backs and they deserve immense credit. However, it was up front that the game was won and both Richard Cummins and Aidan Harte led the way impressively. The final will take place in the coming weeks where we will face the winners of Ardrahan and Portumna.
Gort Team:- Peter Cummins, Niall Forde, Mark McMahon, Andrew Coen, Conor Helebert, Sylvie Og Linnane, Wayne Walsh, Martin Nestor, Aidan Harte, Paul Killilea, Richard Cummins, Albert Mullins, Noel Quinn, Greg Lally, Gerry Quinn. Subs:- Aidan Helebert, Michael Cummins, Brian Quinn

Official Opening of Club Gym

Gort GAA Club recently held the official opening of our new club gym facility. The gym has been constructed in what used to be the old changing rooms in the basement of the Clubhouse. All work was carried out on a voluntary basis with the money for equipment and materials gathered from interested users of the facility. Work commenced on the gym in December 2012 and the gym was fully up and running by mid-February.
It was decided to wait until early April to hold the official opening of the gym because the gym members took the decision to dedicate the whole facility to the memory of the late Cathal Forde, Castletown, Gort, who died in London on 10th April 2012. On the day after Cathals 1st anniversary mass, Friday 12th April 2013, members of the Forde family came out to the gym and met with some of the people responsible for the work and were given a tour of the facility. A commemorative plaque was kindly sponsored by Michael Regan and this was unveiled on the day. Gort GAA Club would like to thank all who gave of their time in organising and carrying out these works which turned an unused and derelict part of our club grounds into a valuable resource of which we can all be very proud.



Members of the Gort Senior Panel at the opening



Commemorative Plaque (kindly donated by Michael Regan)



Interior of Gym 1



Interior of Gym 2



Interior of Gym 3



Interior of Gym 4



Interior of Gym 5

AGM 2013 - Report

Gort GAA Club held their Annual General Meeting on 4th January last. Outgoing Chairman, Martin Kerins, welcomed everyone in attendance and in his opening address reflected on the year gone by as being a missed opportunity for the club to have put 2 senior titles back to back. While he expressed disappointment that we had failed to retain the county senior championship, he noted that a great effort had been put in by all concerned to defend the title. He went on to wish our neighbours St. Thomas’ all the best in their forthcoming All-Ireland campaign. This was echoed and agreed by all present.

Away from the efforts of our senior team, he thanked all who had participated on the field of play on behalf of the club in 2013. He also thanked Brian Brennan on managing a very successful running of the Guaire Cup competition in 2012. He congratulated Tom Helebert and all associated with Galway’s run in the County Senior Championship in the year gone by and wished them every success in the coming year. 2012 saw the launch of an autobiography of one of our greatest ever club-men, Sylvie Linnane. The launch itself was very well attended and Martin took the opportunity of our AGM to wish Sylvie every success with the book. Finally, he thanked all sponsors who had helped out the club throughout the year, in particular, Frank Murray of Supermacs.

Outgoing Secretary, Jerry Sheehan, presented a detailed report of the clubs activities throughout the year. All areas of the club from U-6 to senior were covered in an excellent report. He thanked everyone who had contributed to the running of the club over the course of the year gone by and outlined areas for the club to work on and improve in the coming year.

After 22 years service to Gort GAA Club, Jerry announced that he would not be going forward for re-election in 2013. He said that in his opinion the club needed some fresh thoughts and ideas going forward and that he would always remain available to assist in any manner over the coming years. Martin Kerins, on behalf of all members, thanked Jerry for all his efforts over the years and told him that he had been a excellent ambassador for the club during his time as an officer.

Officers Elected:

Chairman: Martin Kerins; Vice Chairman: P.J. Flaherty; Secretary: Michael Finn; Assistant Secretary: John Nolan; Treasurer: Pat Loughnane; Assistant Treasurers: Paddy Cooke, John Quinn; P.R.O.: Alison Loughnane; Co. Board Delegate: Martin Kerins; Hurling Committee Delegate: Dermot Flaherty; Juvenile Chairman: Brian Harney; Juvenile Secretary: John Nolan; Child Protection Officer: Francis O’Connor.

Team Management 2013:

Senior: Conor O’Donovan, John John Commins, Eoghan Marren;
Intermediate: TBC;
Junior: Colie Roche;
U-21: Andy Coen, Paul Killilea;
Minor: John Connors, Gerry Lally, Francis O’Connor, Trevor Ryan .

Minor Hurling - Gort v Tommy Larkins

Gort 3-09 (18)
Tommy Larkins 4-15 (27)

Gorts run in the County Minor A Championship came to an end in Loughrea yesterday evening when they were beaten by a strong Tommy Larkins outfit in this quarter final replay. Following the draw between these two sides in Athenry last weekend, hopes were high that we could advance to the semi final stages but unfortunately nothing really went our way on the night.

The first half was even enough and despite playing against a light breeze, Gort went in level at half time on a score-line of 2-05 apiece. However, it was obvious that Gort were barely hanging onto the coat-tails of this Tommy Larkins side and in the second half they pulled away convincingly to win by 9 points. Gort, however, stayed trying hard right until the end and had reduced the deficit to 5 points with 5 minutes remaining but a 4th goal by Larkins following a superb initial save from Joe Flaherty put an end to any Gort hopes of a comeback on this occasion.

This Gort minor team had 10 of the starting team minor again next year and 7 of these are still under 16 so there is plenty to be optimistic about for the coming years at minor level.

Gort:- J. Flaherty, G. Corless, D. Grealish, S. Burke, D. O'Donoghue, Ross Burke, Ronan Burke, D. Roche, J. Grealish (0-01), C. Broderick (0-02), A. Helebert (0-01), C. Finn, J. Commins, M. Mullins (3-05), J. Harney. Subs:- G. Cahill, C. Nolan, T. O'Neill, D. Diskin, S. McCarthy

U16 Hurling - Gort v Kinvara

Gort 5-15
Kinvara 1-10

Gort progressed to the 1/4 final stages of this years U-16 A Hurling Championship with a comfortable victory over near neighbours, Kinvara, on Tuesday evening last in Gort. Backed by a large home support, the Gort team were always in control of this game throughout and despite the concession of an early goal led by 4 points at half-time on a scoreline of 3-05 to 1-07. Gorts goals were scored by Darren O'Donoghue (1) and Jack Commins (2).

In the second half, Gort extended their advantage and further goals from Darren O'Donoghue and Brian Mullins helped to secure a comprehensive victory and avenged an earlier 1st round group defeat by the same opposition. Our quarter final opponents will be Loughrea, who finished top of Group B and are undefeated in this years championship. The Gort team which lined out against Kinvara was as follows:-

Gort:- J. Flaherty, T. O'Neill, R. Burke, E. Melville, G. Cahill, C. Finn, S. McCarthy, D. O'Donoghue, J. Grealish, C. Fennessy, A. Helebert, G. Dutra, N. O'Donnell, B. Mullins, J. Commins. Subs:- L. Nolan for E. Melville, C. Finn for C. Finn, S. Crehan for A. Helebert, K. Kelly for T. O'Neill, J. O'Connor for D. O'Donoghue, S. Kelly, M. Hayes, G. Clay, D. Moran, S. Roche, C. Finnegan, A. Hogan.

Junior B Hurling - 29th June 2012 - Gort v Tynagh/Abbey/Duniry

Gort 0-12

Tynagh - Abbey / Duniry 0-14

Gort went down to a 2 point defeat against Tynagh - Abbey / Duniry in this second round game of the Junior B Hurling Championship played in Castledaly on Friday night last. Following on from the first round win against Kinvara, hopes were high that another win could be achieved.

Gort lined out with a couple of changes from the first game. Most notable was the positioning of Trevor Ryan in goal, with John Connors moved to full-forward. Dara Roche also lined out with the junior team for the first time this year following completion of his leaving cert. exams.

Scoring was very tight in the opening stages of this game and after 20 minutes the scoreline read 2 points to 1 in favour of Tynagh - Abbey / Duniry. Then in the last 10 minutes of the half there was a burst of scores from both sides meaning they went in level at half time on a scoreline of 5 points apiece. Gorts scores in this half came from David Cummins (2), John Connors (1) and 2 frees from Liam Forde.

Tynagh started the second half very strongly and got themselves into a 4 point lead before Gort started to fight back strongly in the last 10 minutes.Points from Peter Howley, Francis O'Connor & a super effort 45 yards out off his left from over near the sideline from substitute Kieran "Teak" Burke meant that with time almost up there was just 1 point in it. Unfortunately however, Tynagh - Abbey / Duniry got the last score of the game and finished up 2 point winners.

Overall, Gort should be well pleased with this performance and considering this was our third team lining out against Tynagh - Abbey / Dunirys second team they should take a lot of heart from this performance.

Gort:- T. Ryan, C. Collins, P. Connolly, C. Flaherty, G. Nolan, P. Loughnane, C. Greaney, D. Roche, P. Loughnane, F. O'Connor (0-2), P. Howley (0-1), S. Melville, L. Forde (0-5, 0-4f), J. Connors (0-1), D. Cummins (0-2). Subs:- K. Burke (0-1) for S. Melville, R. Cahill, C. Nolan.

27th June 2012 - Intermediate Hurling - Gort v Annaghdown

Gort 4-14

Annaghdown 1-09

Gorts intermediate team had a convincing 14 point win over Annaghdown in Carnmore yesterday evening. This result assures Gorts second team of intermediate status for 2013. Gort were well in control throughout this game and 1st half goals from Kaelen Higgins and Michael Mullins as well as points from Noel Quinn, Mike Finn, Wayne Walsh & Michael Mullins meant that Gort went in at half time with a 5 point lead (2-07 to 1-04).

In the second half Gort pulled away convincingly and further goals from Wayne Walsh and Noel Quinn as well as some fine points from Michael Mullins put the result beyond doubt. Best for Gort on the day were Gavin Lally, Dara Roche, Martin Moran, Wayne Walsh, Michael Mullins and Kaelen Higgins.

Gort:- G. Lally, D. Grealish, D. Linnane, D. Roche, R. Kerins, P. Loughnane, M. Moran, N. Forde, W. Walsh, M. Mullins, M. Finn, R. Burke, N. Quinn, J. Kerins, K. Higgins. Subs:- B. Quinn for K. Higgins, B. Cummins for M. Finn, S. Melville for J. Kerins, S. Coen for P. Loughnane, K. Burke for N. Quinn, T. Ryan, F. O'Connor, L. Forde, P. Howley

23rd June 2012 - Minor A Championship - Gort v Turloughmore

Gort 2-15 Turloughmore 1-10

Gort secured their second win of this years minor championship with an 8 point victory over Turloughmore in Athenry on Friday evening. This win puts Gort on 4 points after 3 games played and means that 1 more win from their remaining 3 games should be enough to secure qualification to the quarter final stages.

Gort started with the aid of the breeze and led at half-time by 1-10 to 1-06 with some fine points from Aidan Helebert, Michael Mullins & Jack Cummins. A softly conceded goal for Turloughmore by centre-forward Sean Linnane (son of former Gort hurler, Gerry Linnane) meant there was only 4 points in it at the interval.

Gort came out in the second half however and, despite playing into the wind, started to dominate around the middle of the field and pulled away worthy 8 point winners in the end.

Gort:- J. Flaherty, S. Burke, D. Grealish, G. Corless, R. Burke, D. Roche, C. Finn, M. Mullins, D. O'Donoghue, D. Diskin, A. Helebert, J. Grealish, C. Nolan, C. Broderick, J. Cummins. Subs:- G. Cahill for D. Diskin, T O'Neill for C. Nolan.

Group A of the Minor A Hurling Championship now looks like this:

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Drawn	Points For	Points Against	Score Diff.	Points
Turloughmore	5	4	1	0	90	68	+ 22	8
Athenry	4	3	1	0	65	58	+ 7	6
Gort	3	2	1	0	47	43	+ 4	4
Tynagh / Abbey-Duniry	3	1	2	0	38	41	- 3	2
Craughwell	4	1	3	0	47	58	- 11	2
Liam Mellowes	2	0	1	1	35	37	- 2	1
Castlegar	3	0	2	1	41	58	- 17	1

Gorts remaining games in the group are against Tynagh / Abbey-Duniry, Craughwell & Liam Mellowes.

14th June - Weekend Preview

This coming weekend is a quiet weekend for Gort GAA Club with no teams in action. There is, however, a potentially exciting game scheduled to be held in Gort this coming Friday evening at 7:30pm in the Junior B Championship between Beagh & St. Thomas's. Our own Junior B team have played both of these teams in recent weeks and they both look particularly strong for this grade. So anyone who is suffering from hurling withdrawal symptoms can head over to the pitch Friday evening for a look at our neighbours in action!!!
This weekend also sees Galway play Offaly in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final on Sunday in Portlaoise and Gort will be represented on the day by Tom Helebert (Trainer), Richie Cummins and Jason Grealish. Best of luck to all involved...

8th June 2012 - Weekend Preview

This weekends hurling action gets underway with the clash of Gort and our near neighbours Beagh in the Junior B League on Friday evening at 7:30pm in Gort. Both teams have been going well in the league so far. Gort have had two wins and two defeats while Beagh have played 5 games with 3 wins and 2 defeats. Gort have a couple of injury worries which mean that Liam Forde and Trevor Ryan probably will not be available for tonight's game. While the weather is promised bad, as much support as possible would be greatly appreciated. Now that we have seats in the stand, we need to start putting bums onto them!!! For those who cannot make it there will be live updates on Twitter from 7:30pm.

On Saturday at 3:30pm in Athenry, Gort play their second game of the group stages of the Senior Hurling Championship against Moycullen. A win here will put Gort through to the quarter final stages of the competition with one group game (against Tommy Larkins) remaining. Latest odds from Paddy Powers have Gort as overwhelming 1/12 favourites to win this game. Moycullen, who won last years intermediate competition, have already lost their first group game to Tommy Larkins, so really need to win this game to have any hope of progressing through to the knock-out stages of the competition. Live updates throughout the game on Twitter from 3:20pm.