Contents

• Summer of #ScoilSkillz
• Video of the Week: Opening Ceremony
• Ladies Section Fundraiser
• Summer Camps
• Arizona State University…in Scoil
• Meet Joan Cushen
• Team News
• Fixtures

Summer of #ScoilSkillz

Some quality #scoilskillz here from u10 hurler Adam Ryan on Saturday morning! 

It’s so important that all our players (young & old!) take the time between training sessions to get their own skills sessions in. So this year, we’re making it the Summer of #ScoilSkillz!

To celebrate we want our members to upload videos (of whatever length you like) of themselves or other players practicing their skills. They can be the most basic of skills or the most outlandish trick shots – as long as there is a hurl, football or sliotar involved!

Upload the videos to Facebook or Instagram and tag the Scoil page with the hashtag #ScoilSkillz to be in with a chance to be our monthly winner! Details of monthly prizes to follow…

Future club star Jack Kennedy followed suit!

The get the ball (or sliotar!) rolling, the first 10 videos uploaded will win 2 free passes to the ‘Heffo’s Army and The Rise of Dublin GAA‘ exhibit in the The Little Museum of Dublin!

One of our Adult Hurlers decided to show it wasn’t just the young lads with a trick up their sleeves!

Ladies and Footballers get your entries in!

Video of the Week: Opening Ceremony

Ladies Section Fundraiser

SAVE THE DATE!
Root our your Miami Vice shirt!  More info to follow for the Ladies Section Fundraiser…

Summer Camps

The Easter camp last week was hugely successful with 120 children taking part! Summer will fly in so never too early 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

Arizona State University…in Scoil

Ross Bissett has arranged the visit of a group of photojournalism students from Arizona State University, here on a cultural immersion tour. They would love to witness a practice match or training session where they can take some photos for their project. They’ll be at the club 7-8pm Monday 29th May. Let’s make them feel welcome!

Meet Joan Cushen

How long have you been involved in Scoil Uí Chonaill?
40 Years (Oh I feel so old)

Do you have any nicknames? How do you like to be addressed?
Joan or Joanie is fine

Where do you hail from?
Born in Wicklow, live in Drumcondra

How did you come to be involved in Scoil?
In 1977 I was playing Camogie for Maryfield school, my brother Tommy & others wanted to start camogie so the Scoil lads could meet some lovely girls, the Scoil lads were very shy !!!

The Camogie section started with a large number of Maryfield girls together with sisters & friends of club members. (A number of relationships blossomed off the pitch resulting in many ” happy “marriages )

Briefly describe your Scoil career as a player / mentor / contributor, if any.
Played from 1977 – 1993 winning Intermediate &  Senior Championships

Mentored Juvenile Hurling team from U10 – U16, (Seamus Fennessy & I claim credit for the lads of 96)

Served on committees & helped in various aspects of club.

What would you say you are most known for within Scoil? i.e. what do people associate you with?
Camogie & more recently for club revamp & annoying people looking for their help on some club venture.

What has been your greatest Scoil moment / achievement?
I have had many great moments & achievements with Scoil but it has to be the year 1989 when I captained the Scoil camogie team that went on to win the Senior A County Championship & then in November of that year made Matt the happiest man alive when I said “ I do “

If my memory is correct this was also the year when Scoil were about the only club in Dublin playing Senior A in Camogie, Hurling & Football

Currently, while I don’t always love watching the matches, I love & am very proud of Barry playing Hurling & Football for the club & hope he together with Alva & Daragh will get as much enjoyment & the good memories that Matt & I have.  

What is your profession / field of study / passion?
I work for the Workplace Relations Commission

What are your favourite hobbies outside of GAA?
Tennis, Walking, Cooking, Baking & I am a complete Coffee Shop/Eatery addict getting as excited as a kids at Christmas when I come upon a new one

If you could make one addition to Scoil in any way (don’t be restricted by the plausible!), what would it be?
All weather pitch with floodlights

What is your favourite Scoil ‘quirk’?
The “unbias” umpires waving their hands/walking sticks in favour of Scoil

If you close your eyes and envisage Scoil in 10 years, what do you see?
I’m dreaming big & going back to 1989 with Scoil girls & guys playing senior Hurling, Football & Camogie.

Finally, if you had to describe yourself as an animal, what would it be and why?
I am a Leo so I will have to say a Lion, big, bold & vicious but really just a pussy cat!

Team News

Intermediate Hurling

Thomas Davis 0-13 Scoil 0-12

The Hurlers unbeaten run came to an end with a disappointing loss to on Saturday evening. However, they are taking the positives and preparing for the next League game vs St Peregrines.

#UpScoil

Junior Hurling

St Sylvesters 2-08 Scoil 0-09

On a barmy Sunday afternoon at Broomfield the Junior Hurling Championship commenced as Scoil travelled to meet St Sylvesters.

Scoil fielded its strongest team available on the day and what has proving positive in the past with this junior Hurling team is its never say never attitude.

In a competitively contested first half both defences proved formidable with Mark Cunningham, Richie Flavin and Conor Farrelly excelling in the full back line with our half back line of Ciaran De Buca, Davy Condon and Daragh McGrath providing great cover across the middle third.

Kevin Farrell and Shane Cotter provided some great linkage between defence and attack with David Kennedy, Conor Ennis and young Mossy providing exciting attacking options with Kennedy and Ennis working the score board in Scoil’s favour.

Half time saw the score line of 4pts to 3pts in Syls favour proving the competitive defensive edge to the open half.

Shaun Doolin thundered well into the opening period of the second half with Ennis adding to his personal tally of 2 points, along with another from Kennedy.

Unfortunately, the 3rd quarter of the match turned in the favour for Syls as they found the back of the Scoil net twice and playing up the hill became a hill to hard to climb for Scoil.

A big push by Scoil in the final ten minutes seen a number goal chances been created with Mossy having a goal bound strike cleared of the line. 

Great team effort from young and old on behalf of Scoil but unfortunately the tremendous effort couldn’t get the result wanted.

A special mention must go to the Minors Conor Farrelly, Conor Ennis, David Kennedy and Thomas(Mossy)O’Connell who had already played a minor football in the morning on what was probably the hottest day of the year

Next up is a home Championship game v Crokes on the 8th of June.

 #UpScoil

Ladies Football

Scoil 2-13 Raheny 2-3

The ladies were back on the winning track with a comfortable win against Raheny in the Cup. A good start from the team scoring 5 unanswered points before Raheny could register a score. The Raheny goalkeeper, apart from making a number of excellent saves, was causing trouble for Scoil with her quick restarts. From one of these kickouts Raheny scored a breakaway goal and in spite of having the lions share of possession in the first half, we found ourselves up by only 5 points at the interval. 

An excellent solo point from midfield maestro Ciara McComish on the restart put the team on the front foot again. Tremendous pressure from the forwards on the Raheny kickouts in the second half yielded plenty of attacking possession, which saw Scoil kept the scoreboard ticking over. An impressive tally of 1-4 from centre forward Lucy Murphy proved to be the winning of the game, with the Donegal dynamo finding herself on the end of plenty of Scoil’s quick attacking moves. 

Next up is a home league game vs old foes Clontarf on Wednesday 10/05 at 7.30pm.

#UpScoil

Minor Ladies

Following four weeks of trials Scoil minors Anna Power, Caoimhe de Buitlear and Hannah Leahy have been chosen to represent Dublin on the U17 Development Squad of 32 players. This squad will train throughout the summer and take part in a U17 inter-county blitz in the autumn.

#UpScoil

Minor Boys

Scoil (Isles of the Sea) vs Peregrines

Last Sunday saw Scoil minors travel to Peregrines for their top vs bottom of the table encounter on a scorching hot morning.

Scoil were on top throughout and had some fine performances. Conor Ennis, in his new-found role of midfielder, showed he can score points as well as goals, and not only that – he also managed to save a goal off his own goal line! His partner in midfield, Eoghan McKay scored two goals – one lovely one punched into the net à la Bernard Brogan. Our top scorer of the day was Tomás O’Connell managing to bag an impressive 2-1.

That makes it 6 from 6 for the team and keeps them top of the table with 3 matches to go.

Team: Evan Caulfield (1-0), Conor Power, Conor Farrelly, Ruairi Corrigan, Sam Callan, Rohan van der Akker, Connor Barnes, Eoghan McKay (2-0), Conor Ennis (1-2), Aaron Linnane, Robert Kennedy (0-5), David Kennedy (0-1), Darragh Corcoran (0-2), Conor Rimmer (1-0), Tomás O’Connell (2-1). Subs: Matthew O’Rourke, Scott Collopy (1-1), Patrick Duffy (1-0).

Minors have an MHL2 match against Castleknock next Sunday 14th May at 11am in Ringsend Park.

#UpScoil

U9 Camogie

On a lovely Monday evening the Scoil u9’s camogie teams took on a physically strong Trinity Gaels squad. The girls performed exceptionally well despite some tiredness due to a busy communion weekend.

The girl’s skills are really developing and they showed a willingness to try to strike the sliotar out of hand which will pay dividends down the line.

There were some excellent performances from the players on team Dave. Sadhbh made a number of excellent saves and her long puck outs put Scoil on the front foot. Cliodhna in defence shows get ability to rise and strike the ball. Caoimhe, Emilie, Ella and Abigail battled like warriors while Martha delivered a beautifully crisp strike resulting in the winning goal for Scoil.

The players on Team Sean were equally as good contributing to an excellent team effort. It was great to see some of the skills that were practiced in training being put to use under pressure in a game. Trinity Gaels had no answer to Aishat who apart from her determination is showing the benefit of extra practice at home. Caragh was tigerish around the field and won every 50/50 battle. Niamh and Sabhdh were excellent in midfield while Lauren cleared a ton of ball at the back. Emily, Aoibhinn and Aibhilin showed off all the skills (they must have learned something from John Kelly!).

#UpScoil

U8

Strong wind ends reign

After starring against na Fianna in our previous home game, we found the going tough against a strong Castleknock team on Saturday. Our challenge was compounded by a number of players and mentors being unavailable due to First Holy Communications and other commitments.

The skies above Clontarf were clear blue at throw-in but the bitterly cold wind militated against our usual expansive game.

The Amber team started brightly under the tutelage of guest coaches Jackie Geraghty and Sean Leahy. Early in the first game, we lost one of our key players Shay who was very brave after getting a whack on his knee. Castleknock were then able to take advantage of their numerical advantage. Despite the conditions and being outnumbered, Priya had another excellent performance, running all over field, getting close to her opponents and making hard tackles.

The Maroon team were managed by camogie star Meabh de Burca and Brendan Allen. In common with the Amber team, the Maroons started the day well but had a dip in performance in the middle before finishing strongly. Joya had a great game, making some excellent tackles and striking the sliotar long into the forwards. From the improvement in their striking, it is clear that Joya and Priya have been practicing their skills at home.

The Blue team started the first game well pinning Castleknock into their own half without quite managing to convert the territorial advantage into scores. But in the second half the team completely switched off and let in some soft uncontested goals. The team remained on the back foot for the first half of the second match and it was time for some harsh words from the coach. The team agreed they would chase harder and tackle harder and this they did. Aided by some great defending by Danny and some long puck outs by Aoibhinn they turned the tide. The team agreed to give everything in the 3rd and last game and they were true to their word. Better late than never, every player turned up for the game and a good performance was capped by a brace of superbly taken goals by Milly.

A big thank you to the guest coaches for helping us out.  Hopefully, this won’t be your last involvement with this exception group of kids.

Next outing: Away to Na Fianna (Mobhi Rd) – meet there at 11:10 sharp.

#UpScoil

Nursery

Scoil Uí Chonaill Under 7s (Scoil Academy) played their first gaelic football game of the year against Whitehall Colmcille last Saturday. Despite clashing with some family events including Holy Communions, there was a great turn out of 17 players in a bitterly cold Collins Avenue. The support provided by parents and family was much appreciated by the players and coaches.

We divided in 2 teams and played 3 games against strong Whitehall teams. Even though it was our first ‘competitive’ football outing, all players showed great determination and a range of skills. It was really pleasing for the coaches to see the kids staying the their positions and using the kick pass as well as hand passing throughout all the games. All the training both at the club and at home is really paying off. Keep up the good work and we will be playing more games before the summer break.

There is additional training for children born in 2010 on Wednesday nights in the club from 7pm to 8pm. The purpose of this is to get these kids ready for matches as they will by playing this year and ultimately for the under 8s league games next year.

Nursery continues as usual for everyone this Saturday morning at 10am. It was great to see parents joining in with training last Saturday and feel free to help out anytime. Congrats to our players of the week. As always new players are welcome to join in and have fun.

#UpScoil

Fixtures