Salins

In Community Games Limekiln won the 4 titles, (i.e. under13 & 15 boys & girls). The boys went on to take silver in the Leinsters, both losing out to Wexford teams.

 In the National Feile for underage players, held this year in Clara G.A.A. club, Clara Co. Offaly, Limekiln, having entered teams in all six categories, achieved silver in the under 13 girls and under 16 mixed, both beaten by the Heath.  Picked for an exhibition game in Croke Park ( 30/8/2009), on back of their Feile performances were Dylin Clerkin, James Dillon, Adas Bastys, Afrim Hoxha, Molly Meade, Robyn Meade, Kaitainni O'Connell, Diana Russ & Kellie McGhee.

In the All Ireland Minor Championship our Ladies & Mens teams failed to progress beyond the early stages. The Mixed team redressed the balance somewhat by beating the Heath in the Final. (more about that match later).

  At Senior level our best performance was by the Men, losing in the semis by 4 runs to the eventual champions Erne Eagles. Our Ladies and Mixed teams going out early. For the first time since their inception, Limekiln failed to gain an All Star award.

  Due to a late date change for the James O'Connor cup our Senior Men could not travel. Despite the same change for the Gary Kelly cup our Ladies participated and after a series of games played in bad weather, met and defeated St. Clares 8-1 in the final. Well done the Ladies.   

On three Sundays in a row, Dene Duggan  captained a team to the top( in three different competitions), a remarkable performance by any standards.     

 First up was our own “Limekiln Challenge Cup”, held on the 27^th.Sept.  in Tymon Park. This was a great day, with decent weather, plenty of refreshments and some tough matches. After progressing through the preliminary rounds and a playoff game, the Limekiln team captained by Dene, contested the final against Cuchullains of Ballon Co. Carlow.  After a closely fought match, Limekiln scored the winning run when a Darren Goode hit brought Shane Molloy racing home.  The game was probably lost by the visitors on two overthrows to Carmel Maloney on 1^st. Base, which the home side took full advantage of. Carmel was the top performer for the visitors, with five outs and 1 run scored. For the home team, Shane Molloy showed what a fine leadoff hitter he is, with a 100% on base rate and a 75% scoring rate. ( 3 runs including the winner.) Top fielder for Limekiln was Darren Goode with 6 outs. Team selections, Cuchullains :-: Carmel Moloney 1/B,  Joey Abbey Pitcher, Alex O’Brien catcher, Matty Dowling o/f  Irene O’Byrne i/f. John Brennan o/f. Chantelle Cole 2/b. Stephen Kirwan o/f. Nicky Brennan 3/b. Craig Doyle Sub.            Limekiln :-: Shane Molloy o/f, Nicole Rock 3/b, Darren Goode o/f, Mick O’Connell C,  Dene Duggan P, Shannon Kelly o/f, Shauna Reilly1/b, Stephen Rock o/f, Marian Hughes 2/b.We thank everyone who took part on the day and helped to make for a hugely enjoyable event .It was great to see so many former players joining in.

On the following Sunday (4^th. Oct.) , Dene led out the Minor team to face The Heath in the All Ireland Minor Mixed Final, played at St. Endas  ground  in Ballyboden. For four innings, Limekiln played almost perfect rounders. But in the 5^th with the winning post in sight, began to leak runs. Nerves of both players and supporters became frayed before the ship was steadied and Limekiln ran out worthy winners by 13 runs to 10. Man of the match being Dene  himself, having accounted for the first 8 outs. This was an outstanding win for Limekiln who struggled in the recent past to make any impression at underage level against the Heath.  Limekiln line up :-: Shauna Reilly 1/b, Shannon Kelly 2/b, Megan McKevitt 3/b, Craig O’Doherty catcher, Dene Duggan captain & pitcher, Stephen Rock o/f, Philip Hudson o/f, Darragh Clerkin o/f, Yvonne  Healy o/f. Subs Dylan Clerkin, James Dillon & Nicole Rock.       

The hat-trick of wins came when Limekiln paid a visit to Ballon for a blitz competition to commemorate 125 years of the G.A.A. on Sunday11-10-09. Limekiln were pitted in the final, against their rivals of two weeks back, Cuchullains. In the first two innings, although fielding well, because of failing to sparkle at bat,  having loaded the bases twice without bringing a runner home, Limekiln trailed by 4 runs to nil . The fight back began with the introduction of Adam Riordan to the batting line-up. Adam hit a fine out field drive and although caught out, brought home Eddie Healy, to record Limekilns first run.  The fight back continued and with the last inning remaining, Limekiln led 5 runs to 4. Cuchullains at bat, scored the equalling score for three out, leaving Limekiln needing 1 to win. That winning run coming appropriately, when Dene Duggan,  raced home from 2^nd base, in a nail biting finish, from a hit by Darren Goode, who for the second time in two games against Cuchullains, had batted in the winning run.  This was a great win in a thrilling match, with top class performances from players on both sides. It would be wrong to single any one player for special mention in this game, suffice to say it was a fitting finale to the season. Limekiln team :-: Eddie Healy jnr. (catcher), Laura Donnelly 1/b, Lizzie Maguire 2/b, Marion Hughes 3/b, Craig O’Doherty o/f, Darren Goode o/f, Christine Kelly o/f,  Shane Molly o/f, Ami Kett sub, Adam Riordan sub, and as pitcher, the outstanding player over the last 3 weeks and surely favourite for player of the year Dene Duggan. Well done Limekiln for a fantastic finish to the season. We thank Cuchullains for hosting this event celebrating 125 years of the G.A.A.  Our best wishes to Carmel Maloney, Cuchullains 1/b minder, who was injured during the game and we hope for a speedy recovery to this fine player.