Chicago Update

As you read this, a small team from the Club is in Chicago meeting our partners for the event in September! As we mentioned in our first announcement of the fundraiser, Club members are welcome to travel but we are conscious of the timing and the cost.

The Gala event is still 8 months away but in order to manage capacity, we would like to hear from anyone in the club who has an intention of attending. We may or may not be able to get a group rate for travel, hotel etc.

Please express your interest by Friday February 16th by emailing either Niamh or Ramona directly (expression of interest does not commit you to a booking or any expense at this point). They would be happy to follow up and chat through the plans in more detail.

By the end of February we will let you know if it is better to book on your own or as a group.

We estimate the cost per person will be €1,500 (flight, accommodation and attendance at the event) plus spending for 4/5 days approximately.

Contact:

Niamh Murphy @ niamhmurphy255@gmail.com

Ramona Kennedy @ ramonaorourke@eircom.net

National Club Draw

A big thank you to everyone who got involved in the National Club Draw by organising / selling tickets! This draw is a great opportunity to raise funds for the Club – your support and effort is greatly appreciated. Total ticket sales to be announced shortly.

Team Gear Reminder

Reminder to all teams that any new gear must follow the Club’s new guidelines. With Feile approaching, please contact the PRO – scoil.pro.eoc@gmail.com for guidance before ordering any gear.

GAA Code of Conduct

At Scoil, we aim to provide a friendly and safe environment for everyone – so that we can enjoy all that the GAA has to offer.

With the new season fast approaching, why not freshen up on the GAA’s Code of Behaviour?

Get Linked with Scoil!

In the run up to Chicago 2018 – we are encouraging all members to follow the Scoil Uí Chonaill LinkedIn page. If you haven’t already, please add your role in the Club – be it Chairperson, Siopa worker or team mentor!

Meet Liam Egan

A Scoil veteran with a lifetimes worth of successes and tales, winner of the best prize that any GAA community has to offer, now he's happily enjoying the pleasures of retirement! — A Scoil veteran with a lifetimes worth of successes and tales, winner of the best prize that any GAA community has to offer, now he’s happily enjoying the pleasures of retirement!

How long have you been involved in Scoil Uí Chonaill?
55 short years now

Do you have any nicknames? How do you like to be addressed?
Liamo is the short for Liam. Also, the bank manager used to call me Mr Egan until I paid him off.

Where do you hail from? i.e. county, country, suburb etc.
Born in Portlaoise and parents moved to Dublin when I was three

How did you come to be involved in Scoil?
Through O’Connell Schools. My father, Dick Egan, was a great GAA man and was heavily involved in our juvenile years. Our mother, Agnes, who is still cheering on the Scoil at 95, kept us all in good shape lining out.

Briefly describe your Scoil career as a player / mentor / contributor, if any.
Magnificent!! Won plenty, lost plenty but the social engagement was and still is a big influence in my life. I always felt that giving back is important and necessary, especially in an amateur community organization. I met my wife, and mother of our five children, Kathy through the GAA. Best prize of all.

What would you say you are most known for within Scoil? i.e. what do people associate you with?
That’s a hard one….maybe the lad that went off to Chicago and brought a wife back to Ireland when everybody else was scurrying to get out west! I never have to be asked twice to sing a song either!

What has been your greatest Scoil moment / achievement?
Winning back senior football Div 1 status again in 1978 after the Dublin County Board changed the league structure to deny us promotion in 1977. That paved the way for the championship successes of the 1980’s.

What is your profession / field of study / passion?
I’m a retired business man of the Irish Food Industry, our largest contributor to the local economy!! I love to cook and eat good food….a side view will prove that!!

What are your favourite hobbies outside of GAA?
Traveling, since retirement four years ago, is number one. I also love cycling and if I’m ever gone missing, I’ll be in Dingle!!

What is your favoutire sporting moment / sportsperson?
Ah so many now. As a spectator, Stephen Cluxton’s point at the finish of the 2011 final v Kerry will always raise the hairs on the back of your neck! Our family of seven were all at the game and it will be a Day never to be forgotten.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you in Scoil?
I remember going out to play a senior football game v St Annes, Bohernabreena, in 1974 (a day trip back then) The ref didn’t appear so both teams tossed and they won! During the second half, and we were winning well, the ref attempted to send off one of his own players. An altercation erupted and the entire St Anne’s team, subs, supporters etc etc became embroiled in a mid field battle. Our lads regrouped and, in our Scoil Jearseys, adjourned to the bar to watch the conclusion of a World Cup encounter! True Story!!!

If Scoil was a country, what would it be? Why?
Austria…..small population, well managed economy, low crime rate, happpy citizens that can occasionally get one over on our bigger allies in life. We could do with boosting our tourist trade going forward!

What is your favourite Scoil ‘quirk’? e.g. the Geese on the pitch
Pot holes, and I’m not even from Cavan

If you could make one addition to Scoil in any way (don’t be restricted by the plausible!), what would it be?
I have visited many GAA clubs around the country in my day, all with community based schools, local churches, pubs and shops to sell lotto and raffle tickets from and hundreds of houses to hang flags from on big days! I would love to see us get closer to a model such as that, whilst protecting our unique identity!

Want to feature in the Stag’s Voice?

As a Club, we really pride ourselves in the close-knit community that we have at Scoil Uí Chonaill – help us in our effort in getting to know all of our members by filling out the Meet the Member’s Questionnaire!

Team News

Nursey

Nursery was back again at O’Connell school hall last Saturday. There was a great bunch of coaches present – including some newbies! New members welcome as always!