Contents

• Sponsorship Opportunity
• Summer of #ScoilSkillz – Congrats Fionn!
• Ladies Section Fundraiser
• Summer Camps
• Taoiseach Thank You
• Other News
• Meet Molly Power
• Team News
• Fixtures

Sponsorship Opportunity

You may have noticed the pitch side advertising from our very generous sponsors that appeared in the grounds over the last few months. 

Pitch side advertising is a great opportunity for organisations to raise their profile in the community & in the club, in addition to providing the club with much needed funds. The costs are very reasonable and work out at about 8 EUR per week for a 3 year term. If you know of a company that might be interested in sponsoring a pitch side banner in Scoil Uí Chonaill grounds we would be delighted to talk with them and outline the benefits.

Please contact Aidan Mulvey @ 086-1450407 or Killian O’Connell @ 087-2072866 for further information or with potential opportunities.

Summer of #ScoilSkillz – Congrats Fionn!

Well done to u10 Fionn ‘Swish’ Daly who garnered 42% of the votes to win a €50 O’Neills voucher! 164 members had their say in the #ScoilSkillz May winner!

Get your entries in now to be in with a chance to win the next prize of a €50 O’Neills voucher!

Let’s appreciate Fionn’s #ScoilSkillz one last time:

Ladies Section Fundraiser

There’s a great buzz buildiogn in anticipation of the Ladies ‘Beach Ball’ event.

The organising committee are expecting a packed house so please be sure to buy your ticket in advance!

Check out their latest promo video below:

Summer Camps

With summer upon us, it’s time to book with our GPO Thomas at 085 113 7728

Cul camp 24-28th July
Multi sports 15-18th Aug
Club camp 21-25th Aug

Taoiseach Thank You

We received a very gracious thank you letter from An Taoiseach Enda Kenny this week…complete with an ‘Up The Dubs’!

Scoil also got several positive mentions in The Dáil this week as they discussed the Inner City.

Other News

GRMA Initiative

GRMA (go raibh maith agat) is the new GAA Membership Card and rewards programme enabling GAA Members and supporters to avail of rewards and offers as a ‘thank you’ or ‘go raibh maith agat’ for engaging in GAA activities and going to games.
Sign up here

Best of Luck!

To our Junior and Leaving Cert students who will be sitting exams next week #UpStudies!

Enjoy J1ers!

All the best to our members heading off on J1s for the summer. Watch out for that ‘J1 Tonne’! 

Meet Molly Power

How long have you been involved in Scoil Uí Chonaill?
Around 10 years

Do you have any nicknames? How do you like to be addressed?
Usually called Mol or Mols

Where do you hail from?
Marino, Dublin

How did you come to be involved in Scoil?
My earliest memory with Scoil was coming down to the summer camps with my cousin, Maeve and younger sister, Anna. We always had such a good time, I guess that, as well as my dad was what encouraged me to first join Scoil, which was at U10s.

Briefly describe your Scoil career as a player / mentor / contributor, if any.
I’ve played on underage teams; winning shields, the odd championship and the Feile. I first started playing for the ladies team when I was about 15/16, been playing ever since. The girls that I used to consider the more senior players I would now call good friends.

Apart from being a player, I’m involved with the coaching of the newly formed Mothers and Others team. They’re such a lovely and enthusiastic group of women, training is always such good craic! Recently joined the executive… always good to have a few more female voices.

What would you say you are most known for within Scoil? i.e. what do people associate you with?
Hmm probably for being the small fast one on the pitch. Or Gerry Power’s daughter.

What has been your greatest Scoil moment / achievement?
Greatest achievement would have to be winning the Feile in 2011. We were the first group of girls to do it in Scoil jerseys. Richie Egan’s team talks and celebrations on the day were pretty memorable alright. Also, winning the championship in my last ever minor game, along with Naoise Ni Bhroin, was by far one of my favorite Scoil memories.

What is your profession / field of study / passion?
French and Sociology student at Trinity College Dublin.

What are your favourite hobbies outside of GAA?
I also play hockey and basketball. I coach girls basketball in Mount Temple school. Love languages and travelling, next stop is Barcelona for a music festival. 

If you could make one addition to Scoil in any way (don’t be restricted by the plausible!), what would it be?
Club photographers at more of everyone’s games, to catch more moments like this one:

What is your favourite Scoil ‘quirk’?
How we’ve so many family members involved in the one adult ladies team. I’m lucky that I get to play alongside my sister or cousin and have my dad there as a coach too.
….that or Gus Rock’s screams and “yaahoos” from the sideline.

If you close your eyes and envisage Scoil in 10 years, what do you see?
A club that’s grown in size and numbers, yet still has the same close community aspect as before. I see the ladies playing at senior level along with the footballers and hurlers, as well as having a strong underage section. By then, I’d say Aideen O’Connell will have thrown in the dancing shoes and come back to where she belongs.

Team News

AFL2

Scoil 0-14 v Na Fianna 1-10. St Mobhi Road, 24th May.

Whatever it is about these two teams, but we certainly bring out the best in each other.There has only been the bare minimum between us almost every time we play.

This was another epic. Scoil started better and probably should have been more ahead than the 0-9 to 0-5 at halftime. Although we came out of the traps quickly and added on two more points, a soft goal let Na Fianna back in. Shortly after, they went ahead. Louis Costello was sprung from the bench to steady things with two amazing catches under pressure and another superb lay off.

Going in to injury time, we were a point down. A magnificent point from Eoin O’Carroll levelled matters and in the dying seconds, the aforesaid Louis Costello capped a great display when slotting the winner.

The word “character” is used a lot to describe this team and they never cease to amaze- decimated by injuries and with their backs to the wall, all of the many supporters there were in awe at the never say die attitude which has us at three out of three in this very tough league.

Scoil 0-10  Naomh Mearnog 0-08, Clontarf, 27th May.

The heavy rains on Saturday certainly helped the pitch, which was in great condition for this game.

Although the storm had passed, underfoot conditions were greasy, making it difficult for all.

Scoil played with the wind and, after a scrappy first half, led by 0-06 to 0-05 at the half.

Against the wind, we drove on and carried the game to our opponents. Mearnog cracked under the unceasing pressure and their lack of discipline saw them concede numerous handy frees, all of which were converted by Niall O’Doherty.

Our defence performed very well and the Mearnog forwards got nothing easy.

Our fitness told in the end and we kept possession to run the clock down.

#UpScoil

The very best of luck to Louis Costello in his travels to Canada for a spell. Louis will be greatly missed; both as a player and a friendly face!

AFL7

St. Mary’s Saggart 1-13 Scoil 1-13; 23rd May 2017

Scoil travelled out to Saggart on Tuesday evening for the fourth league game of the season. This was very much a game of two halves. Scoil were slow out of the blocks and for the majority of the 1st half were a yard or so off the pace of the home team, which was reflected in the half –time score line of 1-11 to 1-04.  Scoil  regrouped at half time and came out firing on all cylinders for the 2nd half, with wave after wave of attack, which was built on the back of ferocious but fair defending and also a massive midfield effort.  The grit and determination shown by the Scoil team to get back into the game was hugely encouraging and the contributions of minor players Robert Kennedy and Eoghan McKay played no small part in the Scoil fightback to earn a well-deserved point.

Scoil 2-9 Liffey Gaels 1-10; 28th May 2017

On an overcast but balmy Sunday morning Scoil welcomed Liffey Gaels to Clontarf. It was clear from the throw-in that the Scoil defence and midfield units had brought the intensity from the previous league game into this encounter and turned over ball after ball from the Gael’s forward line, with both clean and crisp near-hand tackling from individual players and swarm tackling whenever the opportunity arose.   The two teams were very evenly matched with Scoil one point up at the half time break (0-6 to 0-5).  The defensive effort continued in the 2nd half and provided the platform to get the ball to into the Scoil half and full forward lines, who began to increase the pressure on the opposing defenders.  Gael’s fought back however and were two points up with c.5 minutes left on the clock. Scoil kept calm heads and continued to look threatening in every attacking movement and would eventually come out with a two point win thanks to an excellent chip over the keeper in the dying minutes by the Kerry maestro Declan Devane. Special mention to a big contribution once again from the minor players (Robert Kennedy, Eoghan McKay, Sam Callan and Conor Ennis) who demonstrated strength, skill and awareness to greatly assist in the win.

#UpScoil

The very best of luck to Shaun Doolin and Shane Corry as they set off on J1 for the summer. Enjoy lads!

Ladies Football

Scoil Ui Chonaill 2-19 Kilmacud Crokes 2-3

Drawn away to Kilmacud in the first round of the Championship, the only team to have beaten Scoil this year, it was always going to be a big challenge for the girls. Added to this, injuries to a number of regulars including 2016 Player and Young Player of the year Grainne Egan and Naoise Ni Bhroin, it was to be a true test of our strength in depth. 

The team made their usual fast start and were leading by 7 points after fifteen minutes. In spite of good combination play from the forwards, a succession of guilt edged chances were missed. A long range goal from Emily McMullen and another from Lucy Murphy gave the scoreboard a fairer reflection of the first half play. Two quick goals from Kilmacud just before halftime brought them back into the game. 

Undeterred, the team were on top in the second half through the midfield dominance of Aoife De Burca and darting runs from halfbacks Orlaith Egan and Caelinn Ni Bhroin, who along with Anna Power were making their first starts with the adult team. Again numerous chances were missed but Kilmacud were outscored by 9 points in the second half to give Scoil the early advantage in the Championship group.

Next up is another Junior B Championship game vs Na Fianna in 13 St.Annes on Wednesday 31st May at 7.30pm.

 #UpScoil

U14 Girls

We had no match this week. Well done though to Sadhbh Ní Philibin and Reailtin Leahy who performed with the National Children’s choir in Canamís le Chéile in the National Concert Hall on Sunday night proving that they are more than just footballers. Well done girls. Good luck to our 2004 girls who with some under twelve players  take on Whitehall in a challenge match on Thursday. 

 #UpScoil

U13s

Game called off due to rain

#UpScoil

U11 Football

Scoil 8-4 St Margarets 2-1

A great rainy win for the u11s football crew this week with a huge 8 Goals & 4 Points to 2 goals & 1 point for our crew vs St Margarets!!

A heated affair a few weeks ago in a blitz saw a rematch on Saturday vs St Margarets which didn’t disappoint.

Remember the heaviest of heavy showers @ 11am last Saturday? Well that was exactly when we played this game and we got SOAKED!

Disgusting conditions and some excellent team play on show saw us get a comfortable victory with some great team play throughout the game! Special mention to Cillian who saw very little action outside rainfall in goal!  Hopefully all the lads have dried off! Good dedication from the parents too braving the weather to support the team.

#UpScoil

U10 Football

Scoil Uí Chonaill U10 Footballers were Singing in the Rain today with x2 wins away to Craomh Ciarans

TEAM Liam Ryan:

Scoil Under 10s travelled up the road to play Craomh Ciaran’s this morning in Maypark- thankfully the game was switched to 10am and avoided the rain! Scoil started off very slow and were on the back foot from the start to a very strong CC side. After some reorganising from the sideline the team finally settled at the end of the 1st half. It was great to see so many players score today. Ronan & Liam were particularly happy to see some of the hard work in training on display during the game today – some great inter link play lead to some brilliant scores. Alex & Fionn made cameo appearances in the forwards today and scored some great points. Score of the game came from Calvin with a fisted goal when it looked like the ball was going wide.  Best team performance of the year. Well done lads.

TEAM Jp Courtney:

Poor start against a determined CC side who put two superb points on board in first 5 minutes, despite ourselves and with a bit of luck we managed to pull level before half time.

Thankfully the lads stepped up their game second half and playing down hill helped as the kids quickly took control. Conal was outstanding today and worked his socks off with Conor getting some fantastic scores in front of a proud Dad/Granddad. Not going to name check all but was very pleased to see Finn B sheperding their forward out of play, when score looked on.

Thankfully the soccer skills were limited today and lads played as a Team which is all you can ask of them but theyneed to keep practicing their skills every day! 

We as Mentors and Parents can become some what complacent when watching this particular  group of kids,  which is a pity, as they are a special bunch of kids, who in the main are 100% focused on doing well for Themselves/Their Team mates /Their Coaches/Scoil Ui Chonaill & more importantly for you (Parents).  So help them out and get out for even half an hour to practice their skills, with view to driving them on.  

Roll on Scotland Trip!!

#UpScoil

U9 Girls Football 

The U9’s Girls Football team faced a tough assignment away to Ballymum on Sunday. Ever up for a challenge the girls performed superbly to come away with a well earned victory.

Lauren produced her best performance of the season and was a real handful for the Ballymum defenders. Laura and Emily were busy in the forward line while Caoimhe chipped in with some fine scores. Cliodhna showed her versatility with a solid display in goal and a clinical performance up front in the second half. 

A quality midfield of Eabha, Niamh and Aibhalinn were well in control and delivered excellent ball to the forward line.

Caragh, Abbey and Emilie typified the fighting spirt in the team and were always first to the ball. Sadhbh put in a strong performance with some brilliant clearances from the back. Overall the team have much to be pleased with. 

#UpScoil

U9 Boys Football

The boys had the misfortune to play just as the summer monsoons arrived over Clontarf. It was quite literally a washout. Despite the monsoon and because our opposition Castleknock showed up and wanted to play we gave it a go. Your truly (Brendan) got the short straw and had to ref the game but in the true spirit of things all the other coaches and the kids got equally wet. 

The boys were competitive and got some good scores. Seoirse was well up for a game and knocked over a couple of points. Killian pulled off some great saves despite the ball being like a bar of wet soap. David put in a good shift at midfield and must have had glue on his new gloves to be able to catch the ball every time. 

In the other match Scoil performed even better overcoming Castleknock quite easily. The two Conor’s put over a few scores and Aibhleen made a few good saves in goal. Team spirit was good and the team is showing good signs and beginning to play moylikena unit. 

Unlike other clubs our boys come from 5 or 6 different schools so we need to work a bit harder to get them to play as a team but training sessions are really begiyto pay off in this regard. 

Unfortunately at half time as the rain was still lashing it down both teams agreed to abandon as conditions were becoming unplayable. 

#UpScoil

U8 Football

Scores rain in for Scoil.

A late downpour couldn’t dampen Scoil spirits after a good showing against Fingallians. Most pleasing of all was that all 3 Scoil teams were equally competitive. The kids are beginning to show an understanding of match play; marking when not in possession and finding space to receive the ball when in possession. There was a notable improvement too in kicking which has been a big focus over the past couple of weeks.

The Ambers played well with every player keeping close to their opponents and trying hard throughout all games. Oisín was excellent in defence, making several important blocks and tackles to protect the goal. He also gave long, accurate passes to bring his forwards into play.  Paddy Pringle made some terrific saves in goal before looking up to pass to team mates in space on the wings.

Darragh had a really solid game for the Maroons. As well as scoring a tidy point, he tackled hard, held his position well and picked out the right passes. Cody similarly won a lot of breaking ball and scored a monster point from near the halfway line.

Finally for the Blues, Aoibhinn put in a very versatile performance, making an impression in every position from goals to forward. Jamie, meanwhile, won a lot of ball for the team with some text book tackling.

While individual skills are clearly on the up, some of the passing that impressed earlier in the season was less evident. Always good to have something to work on! Well done to all the kids on a good day for the u8s.

 #UpScoil

Nursery

Nursery continues as usual for everyone this Saturday morning at 10am. Parents are always welcome to join in and help out with training.
As always new players are welcome to join in and have fun. Scoil Academy (for those born in 2010) continue training on Wednesday evenings at 7pm.

 #UpScoil

Fixtures