Last AHL3 Match Before Playoffs

The Adult Hurlers prepare to take on Ballyboden, St Endas on Sunday morning in the division 3 league. The game is set to start at 11am in Clontarf Road.

A win will ensure a home fixture for the playoff semi-final. Get out and show your support for the lads this Sunday. #UpScoil

Ladies Crowned League Champions

An impressive performance from the Scoil Ladies against local rivals, Raheny on Thursday evening saw them crowned league champions in an exciting game that put an end to what was a memorable year for the ladies. Scoil finished three points up at the final whistle after a thrilling game against a very strong Raheny side. #UpScoil

Scoil’s Scottish Experience

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The juvenile trip for the ages. Finbarr Maher had an idea and after six months of planning, organising, meetings, fundraising and huge time committed the Scotland trip left the children and adults with many lifetime memories. For this Finbarr, the juvenile players, mentors and parents who went on the adventure are forever grateful. Special thanks to Finbarr’s support committee (you know who you are!)

The group met on Saturday @7.45am and when the three buses pulled up the excitement levels rose a level. It was such a sight to see 150 kids and adults togged out in our new quality adidas tip. Bus 1 contained Under 10 and 11s, Bus 2 has the Under 12s while Bus 3 was the 10/12 girls and Under 13 boys.

Each player was given a souvenir passport programme to remember this special weekend. There was a good luck note from CEO of Dublin County Board, Lord Mayor of Dublin and our very own Chairman, Mossy O’Connell. The brochure contained pictures of every child and a small bio of favourite player with some interesting selections!! A copy will be available to view in the clubhouse on Saturday morning.

The journey to Belfast went well and we arrived at St Paul’s GAA not entirely braced for the cold wind that would meet us when we opened the doors of the buses. The kids were soon warmed up by their coaches and three very competitive games took place with Scoil just edging the home side in a 2-1 win count. Special mention to Liam “red jacket” Ryan for refereeing U11 game, although our experienced ref and GPO, Thomas said he would give Liam a few pointers on some big calls that were missed.

After the games it was straight on to W5 and Scoil Uí Chonaill literally took over the venue!! The kids were delighted with the various activities over the five floors and as you will see from photos, there was some great action shots by Neil… Some of the lads had a quick game of bowling before it was time to depart for the port.

We reached Belfast port in no time and after Finbarr was frisked on the lead bus, we got the all clear to board the boat. Scoil Uí Chonaill tops and jerseys dominated the crossing to Cairyan on a very quiet sailing which got a little choppy and a few of the Scoil traveling crew were laid low for a short period.

The buses split up overnighting at Ayr and Kilmarnock with everyone shattered it was up to bed and prepare for day 2.

The buses departed for Glasgow early and headed for city hall where the group had 2 hours free time. Dominic headed to parkhead for a tour of the stadium (prebooked), others went shopping, some went on the bus tour while Wayne led a group on a graveyard tour which will live long in the kids minds

Next stop was the fabulous Toryglen indoor facility and what a fantastic experience for all the kids. Our hosts, Glasgow Gaels and Scotland GAA had a blitz organized so that all of our kids would get to play. There were some excellent games and very competitive with Scoil players showing great skills throughout. The kids also represented the club with great pride and sportsmanship which was great for all to see. The players were well supported by parents in the stands who were cheering throughout the games, special mention to Tara Galvin for her encouragement of Sophie. Jennifer from Glasgow Gaels presented the club with a beautiful souvenir and hoped to have a return trip to Scoil in 2018. Scoil presented all the four Scottish clubs with footballs which was very well received!

After the games the group all headed for some food and then back to our two hotels for the night.

There was more time for some shopping on Monday morning before departing for our ferry. Andrew and Nathan had a long sprint to make sure they caught the bus which waited patiently (not!) for our last two group members. The return ferry crossing was extremely busy but was very smooth and after some heavy Belfast traffic we arrived back in the club at 8.30pm on Monday evening with all children and adults accounted for safely. #scoilontour

Scoil Gets Spooky

Saturday afternoon saw Scoil take a spooky turn as the Nursery Halloween party took over the clubhouse. There were spot prizes for the best dressed as well as plenty of Halloween games and refreshments. Congratulations to the Healy family who won ‘Best Family Costume’ Check out all the other pictures and costumes here.

Meet Gus Rock

A one time member of Ballymun Kickhams, this man saw some sense and decided to don the Scoil colours instead.He's the brains behinds our Scoil Ladies and has a new found fondness for success..... — A one time member of Ballymun Kickhams, this man saw some sense and decided to don the Scoil colours instead.

He’s the brains behinds our Scoil Ladies and has a new found fondness for success…..

How long have you been involved in Scoil Uí Chonaill?
A little over 5 years

Do you have any nicknames? How do you like to be addressed?
Gus (short for Augustine)

Where do you hail from?
I live in Artane but am originally from the north inner city. Very convenient for working in the GPO or walking to Croke Park.

How did you come to be involved in Scoil?
My daughter Nicole played with Ballymun Kickhams for a number of years where I helped out. When the ladies section folded, she moved to Scoil. The then Scoil mentors Fiachra Mac Domhnaill and Brigid Bunyan asked me to come on board and I have been involved ever since.

Briefly describe your Scoil career as a player / mentor / contributor, if any.
I am one of the mentors for the adult ladies team. I have also been the Scoil delegate to the monthly Ladies County Board meetings for the past 5 years.

What would you say you are most known for within Scoil? i.e. what do people associate you with?
Johnny’s dad.

What has been your greatest Scoil moment / achievement?
Well the ladies winning the Cup final and the league play off against Raheny was not bad. I am just as proud that the ladies team now has a greater profile in the club and that the players are starting to become more involved in the club off field activities.

What is your profession / field of study / passion?
I am retired from An Post. Not sure about the passion question, but I did get a touch excited at the final whistle of the Raheny title playoff

What are your favourite hobbies outside of GAA?
Listening to 60s music, whether it be on Spotify, my IPod or on vinyl.

If you could make one addition to Scoil in any way (don’t be restricted by the plausible!), what would it be?
Perhaps changing facilities could be provided by DCC at either of the pitches we use in St Annes Park

What is your favourite Scoil ‘quirk’?
The club is justifiably proud of its family tradition and this is best exemplified on the adult ladies team where there are 5 sets of sisters on the team

If you close your eyes and envisage Scoil in 10 years, what do you see?
With a female Chairperson (no offence intended Mossy)

Other News

Nursery Player of Week.jpg

St LOT Croke Park Final.JPG

Nursery Players of the Week – Rory, Ben, Jude and Eoghan
Congratulations to Dominic and Blaine on their super performance representing St Laurence O’Tooles in the Cumann na mBunscol Final in Croke Park on Friday morning.
The Scoil Uí Chonaill AGM will be held on Thursday 30th November in the clubhouse. All adult members are encouraged to attend and have their say in how our club is run.
Juvenile registrations are now due and can be paid online by following this link.

Team News

IN SUMMARY:

It was a disappointing weekend for our AFL2 and AFL7 sideas as they were beaten in their respective promotion playoff semi-final and final on Sunday. This year saw progress for both sides so plenty of positives to take into 2018.
Nursery continues, and welcomes newcomers as always.

LADIES

vs Raheny, Division 5 League Final, 26/10/17

Scoil 1-10 Raheny 1-7

HOW IT ALL PLAYED OUT

Joy unconfined as narrow win over Raheny secures historic League and Cup double for the Ladies Team. The team had suffered their only league loss to Raheny in the final game of the normal league season. The defeat consigned them to a league title play off against the same opposition. The game was deferred for several weeks as Raheny had a player involved with the Dublin senior panel and then competed in the Junior B Championship final.

The game was scheduled for St.Monicas excellent floodlit pitch and a large set of supporters were in attendance. The Raheny starting line up, was the same that had beaten O’Dwyers in the Championship Final, so a tough game was to be expected. Scoil and Raheny had met 4 times previously throughout the season, both sides coming out on top twice, it’d be the slimmest of margins that’d lead either side to glory.

The game started tentatively, and early exchanges of scores, had the sides at 0-3 each after 15 minutes, before a low deflected shot, escaped the reach of Hannah Costello to put Raheny a goal up. Not to be outdone however, through superb interplay from Sinead and Aoife De Burca, put Aoife in the clear and her shot dropped in over the keeper’s head. Aoife scores so many of these that we are now convinced they are intentional. The goal was followed by two trademark points from Emma Condon to give Scoil a lead of 1-5 to 1-3 at half time.

Raheny started the second half like a house on fire and scored three points in a row from frees. Then followed a moment which could have been a game changer. To the astonishment of Scoil players and supporters, Naoise Ni Bhroin was given a yellow card and sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. Naoise has many qualities, but being Philly McMahon is not one of them.

Being a player short inspired the Scoil players and they simply increased their already phenomenal efforts and only conceded 1 point during this period. They then outscored Raheny by five points to one to hold a 3 point lead with 2 minutes left on the clock. The tension was unbearable as Raheny laid siege to the Scoil goal. From a hop ball the ball fell to a Raheny forward in space, yards from the goal. We all held our breathes expecting to see the net bulge. However, as she has done all season, Hannah Costello made a miraculous point blank save. The ball was cleared, the final whistle blew and cue wild scenes of celebration from Scoil players and mentors.

There were many heroic performances against a very physical Raheny team. The De Burcas, Emma Condon and Lucy got some great scores. There was the tireless unselfish running from Grainne Egan, Hannah Leahy and Naoise. The six defenders completely snuffed out the much vaunted Raheny attack. In the midst of it all was Katie Doolin with her own version of the 11th Commandment “Thou shalt not get pass”.

It was back to the clubhouse to savour the triumph and to enjoy the pizzas courtesy of Mossie and TJ. Thanks also to the regular Thursday card players who tolerated 20 noisy and excitable ladies footballers with such good humour. It will take a while for the achievement of winning two trophies in four days to sink in.