1. Scoil Blitz

2. Jack Represents Dublin

3. Team News

4. Celebrating Minor Heroes

5. Other News

Scoil Blitz

The Scoil blitz will take place this Saturday June the 1st in the club. It will take place at 2pm and will take place the same day as the Champions League final, which we will be showing in the club! There will be sunshine, football, barbecues and lots more, so please be sure to come down to the club to play (if you’re 4-12) or help out (if you’re 12+)!

Jack Represents Dublin

Juvenile member Jack Kennedy has been chosen to represent Dublin and Cumann na mBunscoil against Carlow schools at half time during Sunday’s match between Carlow and Dublin. The match is on in Netwatch Cullen Park, with throw in at 3pm. This is an amazing achievement, well done Jack! Anyone heading to the game please be sure to keep an eye out for him!

Team News

Adult Ladies: Erins Isles 1-8  Scoil Uí Chonaill 1-11

A very close and tense championship game in Finglas, in which there was never more than 2 points between the teams until the final minutes.

The home side played very defensively with a double sweeper system in operation, which made it difficult to score from play. So Scoil were dependent on frees from Sinead de Burca and she scored 6 points in the first half, to leave the team in arrears, 0-7 to 1-5.   

Sinead’s frees continued to keep the team in touch but in spite of playing a strong running possession game, it was difficult to create any goal scoring opportunities.Then, after the award of another free, the Isles defence were caught off guard when Lucy Murphy shaped up to take the free. Instead of opting for the point, Lucy lobbed the ball and the ever alert Tara Kennedy outjumped the packed defence to palm the ball to the net. A long range point from regular goalkeeper, Hannah Costello who was playing in the forward line, gave the team some breathing space.

The tension eased further, when Molly Power was fouled for the umpteenth time and the referee sin binned the Isles player, The player made a few colourful comments to the referee about his parentage, and the yellow card then became red. In spite of the numerical advantage, the Scoil defence had to be wary. Jane Brooder and last year minors Sophie Gibney and Eirinn Heary matched their opponents physicality.  A last minute free from Sinead secured a hard fought win.

Under 15’s:

Scoil Ui Chonaill 7-11 Naomh Barrog 2-5

On a lovely Thursday evening on pitch 22, the lads eased to victory with a powerful performance from start to finish.

Some tremendous scores and splendid teamwork and defensive solidity were the order of the day.

It would be hard to pick any one player out.

It is clear that the extra work the lads have put in over the last year or so has really paid off.

Onwards and upwards!

Under 12’s:

Scoil Ui Chonaill 4-14 v Round Towers Clondalkin 0-8

Super performance by U12 Team again today and big thank you to our two guest players Sean (U9) & Conor (U10) today.

Despite being without several players (e.g. Alex, Diarmuid, Tadhg, Charlie, Liam, Conall, Nathan, Tadhg 2 & Finn) – The kids who showed up were absolutely immense this afternoon.

From back to front they moved the ball well but

It didn’t feel like it was going to be our day when game started, as R.T. were much sharper and had some excellent scores on the board early.

Scoil lads chipped away and we went in 2-5 v 0-5 at half time. As is the case with our lads, strong second half ensured, we ran out comfortable winners (despite opposition having several goal chances).

Some super scores on show today with Alan & Adam R’s long range scoring abilities in evidence.

Delighted to see Sean D B(U9) grab a 1st half goal also. Conor M was very grateful to see his efforts rewarded with a goal also.

We could concentrate on the scorers only but this is Team Game and the work rate from our defence & Mid proved vital to kick start our attacks. Didn’t think Luke, Fahad, Oran & Fionn could improve on last FB game …..They did!!!

Luke, Fahad, Fionn, Addi, Oran, Adam, Alan, Jack, AlexCC, Ronan, Conor, Niall, Conor (U10) & Sean (U9) – Every single one contributed to today’s win….

Regards Jp / Liam / Ronan

Under 11’s:

The weekend was a busy one for the boys with Scoil hosting a football blitz on Saturday and a hurling blitz on Sunday so no down time for kids, parents and mentors.

On Saturday we welcomed Tyrellstown and Wanderers to the club. The Under 9 boys and the Under 11 girls very helpfully stepped up to allow us to have a fourth team in the blitz as we all know that 3 teams in a blitz is not that useful.

We mixed up the Scoil kids so that we had boys and girls in each Scoil team. The Under 9 boys (Sean, Cian, Noah and Faolain – I hope I havent forgotten anyone) coped really well despite the obvious size difference and really got stuck into the game showing their skill levels and real competitive edge. We had eight of the girls (Niamh, Andrea, Aoibhinn G and Aoibhinn C, Sadbh, Caragh, Aishat and Taiya) who made a real difference particulary up front with a few good scores. The Under 11 lads competed well in all three games but despite us missing a few regulars and having to play with new players.

All the games were fairly even with wins and losses but never much between any of the teams in the blitz and medals for all.

On Sunday we hosted Kilmacud, Wild Geese and our neighbours Raheny for a hurling blitz. It was a perfect day and pitch for hurling. We played 3 games of around 30 minutes each so lots of hurling time for all. With just 10 players (Cillian, Jake, Evan, Michael, Noah, Paddy, Conor K, Ruairi, Calum and Eoghan Og) there was no rest or subbing time everybody had to keep going. We couldnt really pick any overall man of the match as kids came to the fore in different games. It was a really good day as we got to play against teams at our level and all teams were well matched. We made our traditional slow start agains Kilmacud and were a little outplayed for the first half but really came back into it in the second half. Whilst score keeping wasnt really on the agenda Kilmacud only won by a point so we were well competitive all we need to do is start better.

The games against Wild Geese and Raheny were similarly competitive with not much between the teams. As the games went on we actually got stronger, we tought they would tire out but they proved us wrong. It was a real team game with each player playing their part and doing things on the pitch that we didnt think they could do! What was really good to see from all teams was great sportsmanship where kids would call sidelines for the other team when the ref wasnt sure which way. Whilst we all want to win good sportsmanship is also really important.

It is great to see the kids getting out and the support from parents, we will be focussing on getting as much competitive games for the kids as we can over the next few weeks. 

Under 10’s:

Team John played a very evenly matched team in a highly competitive game. During a tight first half, Cody was superb in defense, getting to the ball before his opponents and clearing his lines with accurate kicks.  James Reilly’s high catching in midfield was spectacular and his long accurate kicks helped to set up many attacks.

As we began to tire in the second half, a number of positional switches were made. Eight year old Eoghan Healy, moved to midfield and delivered a brilliant performance. Despite being the smallest and youngest player on the field, he worked hard, never gave up and scored three fine points to keep the score board kicking over.

His brother Darragh joined him in midfield during the second half. Darragh cleverly closed down space when the opposition had the ball and created space by when we attacked. In addition to scoring three points, he set up a number of scores for the forwards. I have a feeling this is not the last time that we will see the Healy brothers playing together in the Scoil colours!

All-in-all it was an excellent team performance with the results of the boy’s hard work in training being evident.

Team Cormac had a tougher outing but it wasnt without its high points. Lower than usual numbers meant we played 6 a side. Craobh had a couple of very strong individual players that dominated at times, especially from kick outs. While Scoil scored steadily throughout the half, we struggled to get out from our own kick outs and Craobh would go on runs of scoring. 

At half time we had the chat that’s becoming a feature of our games and the team committed to competing harder for the ball in the second half. The kids all agreed we had done well in getting some nice scores when in possession in the first half, and so there had to be more urgency in getting to the ball first. As usual, the lads responded in the second half and the next 15 minutes was great fare. Jamie set the tone with some superb tackles and blocks, while there was some nice interplay from Matthew and Conall up front. Brodie was a powerhouse as always, but unfortunately had left his shooting boots at home and hit a number of wides that on another day would have been scores. The moment of the day though was a great score from Conall. Brodie picked up a great block from Jamie. He played a long ball over the head of Conall and his marker. Conall read it better and as the snow fell off the ball, he caught it first time as it dropped over his shoulder, burst away and slotted it between the posts. A few more scores followed for Scoil and as the temperature of the match rose and the Craobh support became animated, suddenly the effort told and Scoil ran out of puff. Craobh got back on top for the last few minutes and saw it out. 

This weekend theres a blitz at 2pm at the club and hopefully most of the lads will make it along.

Celebrating Minor Heroes

Scoil will be celebrating the amazing achievements of the Minor teams of the 60’s where the club won five minor championship titles and an under 21 title in a seven year period!

Not many members of the Club will be aware of the Scoil glory days when the Club  contested six Minor Championship Finals in eight years and won FIVE Dublin Minor Championship titles!

The Scoil also contested and won an U21 title in that period.

To revive and relive some of the memories, some of the stars of that era are having a reunion on Friday 7th June at 7.30pm in the Clubhouse.

So get out the photos, put on the memory caps and  spread the word (50 years plus is a long time)

Main contact points are: Robbie Kelleher(086 2583796), Barry Kenna (087 4196789), Bernie O Sullivan (086 0688101) and Gerry Rowley  (087 6287395)

Other News

• Oulton Tennis are hosting the Irish Vets Open Bank Holiday weekend from Friday 31st to June 3rd. Scoil have agreed to them parking cars in the Club grounds for the event, with the exception of Saturday 1st when we host our own Blitz event and Champions League Final event!
  Please consider the above if arranging matches training etc during this period.

• ‘Hurl with Scoil’ initiative will take place on the 16th and 23rd of June, with former Dublin Camogie star Áine Fanning taking training sessions. All are invited to take part. For more info please contact Ronan Murphy or Jackie Geraghty.

• Scoil Skillz will be opening up again this summer during the months of June, July and August – so get practicing!