Dinner Dance 2017

Saturday was a busy day for Scoil, with the Senior Footballers training at 8.30am, juvenile games from 10am and the club clean-up throughout the day. Almost 200 of our members were rewarded for a days (and years!) hard work with the annual Dinner Dance celebration in Clontarf Castle. The craic was mighty as everyone took the opportunity to relax and unwind for the evening; with reports suggesting some of our more rambunctious members unwound til the wee hours at the traditional after party!

Chairman of five years Declan Hoban led proceedings in Clontarf Castle to introduce his successor, and second-time Chairman, Maurice ‘Mossey’ O’Connell as he ushered in the announcements of this years recipients of the Club awards;

Young Ladies Player Of The Year;
Naoise Ní Bhroin

Ladies Player Of The Year;
Gráinne Egan

Young Player Of The Year;
Conor Dixon

Junior Hurler Of The Year;
Daragh McGrath

Intermediate Hurler Of The Year;
Conor Coady

Junior Footballer Of The Year;
Declan Devane

Senior Footballer Of The Year;
Ruairi Coady

Club Person Of The Year;
Alan Cronin

Many congratulations to all this year’s winners. It is great testament to their hard work and dedication and will no doubt do nothing to hinder their future commitment!

National Club Draw: Return Tickets

Tickets may be returned to the Clubhouse on Thursday night between 8pm and 10pm and on Saturday from 11am to 12.30.
Please contact TJ Farrelly on 086-8326644 for enquiries

Meet Ladies Player of the Year Gráinne Egan

*Grá was awarded Ladies Player of the Year for the 2016 season*

How long have you been involved in Scoil Uí Chonaill?
I’ve been involved in Scoil as far back as I can remember! Have many memories of being brought out to watch my dad playing matches when I was a tiny tot

Do you have any nicknames?
Usually called Grá by my family and friends

Where do you hail from?
Raheny, Dublin

How did you come to be involved in Scoil?
It was never a question of choice to be honest. My dad was a big Scoil man and had his four daughters out on the pitch from the moment we could walk. My mam also played camogie for the club so it’s definitely a family affair!

Briefly describe your Scoil career.
I began playing when I was four or five in the Scoil Nursery and I’ve been playing on the various girls teams ever since.
I also picked myself up a job helping to coach the under 11 girl’s team at the dinner dance last year and I’ve been helping out since then. Always a good night to recruit a few extra helpers – people are much more helpful after a few drinks!

What would you say you are most known for within Scoil? i.e. what do people associate you with?
Probably for being one of the Egans! At least that seems to be the question people ask me the most!

What has been your greatest Scoil moment / achievement?
Winning the division 5 senior league 3 years ago was definitely a memorable moment.

Were you surprised to win Ladies Player of the Year at Saturday’s Dinner Dance?
Yes! I think Gus was spot on saying I’d be the most shocked person in the room! Not something I was expecting!

Do you find the awards a motivating factor?
I definitely think it’s nice that commitment and hard work is recognised by your team mates and mentors. I suppose it motivates you afterwards to keep up your commitment and dedication to the team.

What is your profession / field of study / passion?
I’m a primary school teacher so plenty of free time in the evenings for football!

What are your favourite hobbies outside of GAA?
I’m really interested in Irish music and spend a lot of my free time playing and teaching music (after my football of course!)

If you could make one addition to Scoil in any way, what would it be?
Probably an extensive gin and cocktail menu in the clubhouse and a jacuzzi and sauna in the new changing rooms if funds would allow. Relaxation is key after the hectic training sessions we’re subjected to.

What is your favourite Scoil ‘quirk’?
The impressive pot holes on the drive into the ground, only time it’s acceptable to drive erratically in zig zags.

If you close your eyes and envisage Scoil in 10 years, what do you see?
Judging by the skill, talent and dedication of the younger teams I would say the future of Scoil is in very safe hands. For the Ladies anyway I think there are some exciting times ahead. Camogie is being reintroduced into the club after an absence of more than 20 years. Honestly I envisage a club where the ladies have pushed the men teams out of the limelight!

Results & Fixtures

Congratulations to our u8 indoor hurlers who beat Raheny out in Gormanstown (postponed this Sunday).

A successful first outing for the Senior Footballers as they beat Marino College in what is now an annual warm-up fixture in Alfie Byrne; final score Scoil 3-13 Marino 1-17.

The Intermediate Hurlers are back in action this Saturday with their first match of 2017. They take on the Laois u21 team @3.30pm in Ballcolla, Co. Laois.

For fixture / match report submission, please get in touch

Other News

Please support our u14 girls team in their preparation for the Féile by buying from or baking for their bake sale on Saturday February 11th.
Members are reminded that all players must be registered for the year ahead to ensure they are adequately insured and eligible to play. Please contact respective team mentors to check if you are unsure.
The juvenile indoor hurling tournament in Gormanstown is cancelled next Sunday. More details on resumption to follow.

Finally…

We would like to reiterate our appeal for a club member to take on the role as photographer. It would be fantastic to have someone on hand at some club events to catch the memorable moments (this volunteer need not be qualified; simply interested!)

This PRO humbly concedes to the poor quality / variety of photos from Saturday night!

By scoilpro Wed 1st Feb