1. Scoil Stars
2. Child Protection Officer Update
3. Ladies Football
4. Enda Kenny Visits O’Connells
5. Cúl Camps Forms
6. Team News
7. Fixtures
8. Other News

Scoil Stars

This past weekend saw the beginning of the amazing initiative ‘Scoil Stars’. This initiative seeks to include children of all abilities to come down and enjoy the wonderful games of gaelic football and hurling. The idea is inclusivity for all, with children who have additional needs particularly catered for. Special thanks must be extended to the organisers of the event Jackie Geraghty, Sean Leahy, Darren Benham, Ronan Murphy and Aifric Ni Neachtain. Their continued commitment to the club has not gone unnoticed and is truly appreciated. Up Scoil!

Child Protection Officer Update

All coaches/mentors/helpers must have GAA Garda vetting and the Summer break is ideal time to get your affairs in order. It’s a simple process. Contact me @ 0863122130/ aideenlawlor@hotmail.com with proof of ID and address. I send the online link and GAA get back to you with the application form. At the moment it’s valid for 5 years.

The club will be scheduling a child protection course for September. This is mandatory for all helpers/coaches/mentors. If anyone would like to be put on the list for this course. Please contact Aideen Lawlor.

Finally, a new piece of information is that children can no longer wear regular glasses on the pitch and in a recent camogie match a child was not allowed to play her match with the girl wearing glasses.

Ladies Football

Scoil Uí Chonaill B 8-9 Erins Isle 3-7

Pride of place for the adult ladies goes to the B team who had an impressive win in their opening Cup game. The team did not have a game for a number of weeks due to State examinations.They got off to a good start with a couple of long range points in the driving rain from Aideen Naughton. Before the opposition could reply, goals in quick succession from Aideen,Caoimhe de Buitlear and Maggie O`Donovan put them in total control.The Scoil defence was also well on top with Ashling O`Leary, Caoimhe Mulligan and Martha Clarke dominating their direct opponents.

It was great to see Caoimhe Ni Bhroin, who has not played for a few years make her return to playing football with Scoil. She marked her comeback with a fine display and capped it off with a fine solo point. In contrast, Maggie O`Donovan was making her final appearance for Scoil ladies before she emigrates to Australia. If Maggie takes her football boots, she might be able to form a Scoil sevens with the number of former Scoil players over there. It is farewell also to Aoife Murphy who is heading back to Tipperary. We send them our best wishes and hope that perhaps they will come back to play with the Scoil Ladies again.

Man O War 1-11 Scoil ui Chonaill 1-9

An agonising 2 points defeat for the A team away to Man O War in the Cup competition. The defeat was all the more disappointing as Scoil had lead from the start until conceding the last 3 scores of the game, Nevertheless this was a tremendous team performance against a Man O War who had racked up some huge scores in their previous games.

Despite playing against the wind and up the hill in the first half, Scoil went into an early lead with excellent points from Tara Kennedy, Lucy Murphy and Molly Power. Against the strong wind the defence were under considerable pressure but tenacious defending from Nicole Rock, Hannah Carr and Katie Doolan frustrated Man O War. Izzie Dillon in goal made a couple of fine saves and was coolness personified under the high ball. Just before half time, a great team move ended with Lucy putting Caelinn Ni Bhroin in the clear and she finished to the net.

The team continued to play possession football and midway through the second half held a 6 point lead but Man O War are a very experienced side and used this experience to gradually reduce the lead and finally get in front. They also resorted to cynical fouling whenever Scoil looked like scoring. A last minute sending off for a tough tackle on Molly, as she was in full flight, made no difference to the result..

In spite of the disappointment of losing, this was a very encouraging performance, considering a number of first choice players were missing. Well done to under 16 players, Eve Courtney, Sadhbh Murphy and Holly O`Rourke who performed creditably in a difficult game.

Enda Kenny Visits O’Connell’s

OCS were very fortunate to have Enda Kenny in to visit the school this week. He was presenting a cheque on behalf of Scoil as part of the Chicago oneness event. Enda got to meet some of the boys that play with the club that are in OCS as was treated to some fantastic singing by the OCS choir. Enda spoke about the North East inner city iniative and how it was great to see the boys doing so well.

Cúl Camps Forms

Forms for this Summer’s Cúl Camps can be found at this link!

Team News

U12’s: SCOIL (3-3) v Erins Isle (0-3)

A higher power sent us fantastic weather for our last official U12 football league game before the summer break.

Despite missing some of our key players already, our task was made that little bit harder with a few late no shows, due to illness, no lift & no gear etc

Erins got off to a great start and were quickly 0-2 up after 10 mins. The boys held firm and eventually rewarded with two super goals from Birthday Boy Adam & Alex C.

Scoil weren’t having it all their own way as Erins proved to be very tough cookies aided by their boisterous support, driving them on.

No matter!! Excellent defending from Fahad, Ronan (who had brilliant game today) & Luke in goal were definitely up for the challenge. Conor, Conall, Nathan, Alan & Addi were excellent also and their vital interceptions either stopped Erins scoring or led to our scores with Alex C grabbing another clinical goal before himself, Adam & Liam picked off some really well worked/taken points – nestled between Erins only point of 2nd half.

For me, the best part of today was the incredible desire to work hard for each other with majority of scores coming from playing all the way from our backs/goalie. The team shipped some heavy tackles/challenges with Adam, Alan & Fahad receiving the lions share.

Lads learnt their lessonfrom last weekend’s Naas FB Blitz & didn’t take the bait, fall out with ref or opposition – They just played ball & were justly rewarded with the win.

Finn and James (league debut) came on late on for Aurelien & Alex C.C. and all four worked hard to pull open gaps for our HF/Mid line.

Great way to finish up the 1st half of season (Unbeaten in both FB & Hurling League games)
Well done Lads – Very Proud of you all.

Hopefully the next part of season proves just as fruitful😎😎😎

Regards Jp / Liam / Ronan

U8’s:
Last hurling league match of 2018/19 season against Ná Fianna. We had three teams in Scoil colours on Saturday for a gripping, tight encounter with this club who have to boast the nicest pitches in the North Side!

Team Alan took a while to get settled with players not always staying in their positions in the first game. However this was some great performances- Orla Kelly played a great game in defence and Roisin was able to make some great saves. Eoghan and Simon were a formidable duo in the second game and this helped to put Scoil on the scoreboard on several occasions. Rio, Daniel and Jason all played great and were able to show they could be in any position.

Team Patrick had a steady performance from their team with special mention once more this week for Shane Bodie who found the net a few times. Sam despite an early injury played on and alongside Malik gave 100% during their two competitive matches. Conal, Rory, Alannah and Gene also contributed to the team in various positions and helped to ensure that there was no chance of Ná Fianna scoring in the second game and also added to our score board.

Team Aideen/Tom were very consistent throughout and battled for every ball and did not give Ná Fianna too many scoring opportunities. Ryan once more showed he has a great eye for the ball in goals and stopped some great shots. There were some lovely long strikes from Aisling. Senan and Tyler also gave 100% too and played great together. By being ready and staying in his position to his delight, Liam scored a couple of goals.

The Sunday mornings in Gormonstown College indoor hurling tournament in the winter certainly paid off last Saturday.

Treats provided very kindly by Ná Fianna marked the end of a great season for our under 8s.

Subject to coaches availability there will be training over the Summer months. Details to follow.

Have a nice Summer,

Aideen

U7’s/Nursery:

With the good weather our numbers have shot up and the training has been super both at nursery and U7s. Our U7s match play has been fantastic with all kids showing great determination and skill levels. It’s great to see the kids and coaches hardwork in training paying off….

It’s great to welcome all our new members over the last few weeks. New members include Seanán, Ailbhe, Tadhg, Holden, Polly Jean, Kai, Karolina to mention a few.

This Saturday is our last nursery until the 24th August. Our U7s will continue training on Monday from the 8th July until 29th July. More info will be posted on WhatsApp.

A final big thank you to all the parents who have got the kids to training over the last 10 months, well done to you all.

Well done to all our players of the week over the few weeks. They did great.

Fixtures

Senior Hurling: Home to Sylvester’s Saturday 29th June at 6.30pm.

Junior Hurling: Away to Fingallians Sunday 30th June at 3.00pm.

Other News

• The bar will be open this Saturday after our senior hurlers match against Sylvesters.
• Clubhouse is available for bookings and is the ideal venue for parties and events. Please contact Cliona Crowe at 0872530006 for all enquiries.