SENIOR HURLING

Despite a gallant comeback, the senior hurlers bowed out of the race for this year's Leinster ' B' senior championship after a 2-12 to 2-8 defeat to Mullingar CBS.

In a match played in very poor weather conditions in The Heath, a sluggish start saw the lads behind at the break by 1-9 to 3 points with all the scores coming from James Doyle, two frees and a point from play.

Sean Murphy at wing-back had an outstanding 1st half ably assisted by Paddy Abbey on the opposite flank, while Andy Beaton and Mick Murphy were the pick of an under-performing attack.

The second half saw a muchimproved performance with Jamie O'Brien at midfield and Johnny Corcoran at centre back both bringing huge improvements to their respective positions while Andy Townsend was his usual composed self in goals. Following on from points from Andy Beaton and Jamie O'Brien, a goal form the hardworking Frankie Dowling brought the lads to within four points of the Mullingar outfit.

An immediate reply from the Westmeath side opened up a significant lead again, however and despite a second goal from Barry Doyle and points from Abbey and David Corcoran, they were unable to close the gap before the final whistle sounded.

Team: Andy Townsend ( Erins Own); Martin Doyle ( Naomh eoin), John Corcoran ( Erins Own), David Galway ( Erins Own); Patrick Abbey ( Erins Own), Kevin Regan ( Naomh Brid), Sean Murphy ( Ballinkillen; David Corcoran ( Erins Own), Sean Whelan ( Naomh Brid); Mick Murphy ( Ballinkillen), James Doyle ( Erins Own), Andrew Beaton ( Erins Own); Frankie Dowling ( Ballinkillen), Barry Doyle ( Erins Own), Jamie O'Brien ( Naomh Brid). Subs: Michael Lonergan ( Barrow Rangers) for J. Corcoran ( inj.), Brian Hourihane ( Erins Own), Jamie O'Neill ( Erins Own), Michael Whelan ( Naomh Brid), Barry Cowman ( Ballinkillen).

SENIOR CAMOGIE

The senior girls were narrowly defeated in their second round match against Mountrath in a game played in atrocious conditions in Castletown last week. Despite this eight points to four defeat, the girls still have a chance of progressing to the semi-final of the senior ' B' championship depending on the result of their final fixture against Birr.

Playing with the aid of a strong wind, the girls found themselves four points to three ahead at half-time but luck was not on their side as the wind became a gale in the second half and made scoring into the elements a nearimpossible task.

Emma Brennan accounted for two of the four points with one free and a score from play while Mag Murphy and Laura Bambrick also contributed points from play. Others to play well included Emma Staunton, Maria Kehoe Sinead Kane, Jess Gleeson and Emma Flavin.

Team: Emma Staunton ( Paulstown); Sinead Kane ( Ballinkillen), Maria Kehoe ( Ballinkillen), Kerrel Clarke ( Ballinkillen); Sarah Jayne Burke ( Naomh Brid), Emma Brennan ( Naomh Brid), Abi Cole ( Paulstown); Jess Gleeson ( Paulstown), Emma Flavin ( Paulstown); Susan Williams ( Naomh Brid), Margaret Murphy ( Ballinkillen), Siobhain Lawlor ( Naomh Brid); Sarah Foley ( Naomh Brid), Laura Bambrick ( Paulstown), Orlagh Lennon ( Naomh Brid). Subs Used - Niamh Lennon ( Naomh Brid), Miriam Bambrick ( Paulstown), Laura Regan ( Naomh Brid), Alice Doran ( Naomh Brid)

UNDER-14 HURLING

A series of skills training sessions have commenced under the watchful eye of Mr. Morrissey as the u-14 hurlers begin their preparations for next year's championship. Games will commence in March but it's the continuous improvement of the skills of the game that will lead to long-term improvement.

SCHOOL TOURS

Mr. Garvey has begun preparations for two school tours to take place over the next 12 months.

A two-day trip to England is planned for next April which will take in a soccer match between Wigan and Arsenal as well as a full day in Alton Towers theme park, while a 5-6 day trip to Paris and London is being planned for the October mid-term of next year to allow ample time for students to save!

Full details are available from Mr. Garvey in the school.