Contents:

• An Unlikely Crowd: Mammies & Babies Friday Afternoons
• Work Hard, Play Hard: Dinner Dance & Club Cleanup
• Face off: Scoil’s Eoghan McKay & Daragh Levins represent Dublin South vs Dublin North
• Spread the Opportunity: Pitchside Signage
• Meet the Members: Tom McNamee joins Scoil Senior Football Management
• Other News:
  • Registrations now due
  • Juvenile indoor hurling continues
  • Mentor Coaching
  • Gaelic for Mothers & Others

An Unlikely Crowd

Scoil Uí Chonaill Clubhouse has been the scene of a fresh gathering these past few Friday afternoons. Mags O’Sullivan, wife of Senior Football Manager Declan, has been spearheading the coming together of local mothers and babies to allow them to meet up in a spacious, safe environment and enjoy tea, coffee and maybe even a cheeky glass of wine, as the evening approaches and the husbands pop their heads in. 

“The idea was to get together and have a glass of wine and some pizza. Last week we had far more than expected, but luckily we’ve a good relationship our pizza guy and he was quick to deliver,” says Mags. “We have play mats and a high chair on hand and with all the space throughout the club, there’s always a quiet corner to retreat to if any of the little ones are tired or upset.”

There has been a great buzz in the club on a Friday, with many of the husbands dropping in for a pint later in the evening! 

The next meeting is planning for February 3rd from 2.30pm – 6.30pm and anyone interested should contact Mags on 087 9816573

Work Hard, Play Hard

All members are encouraged to attend this year’s Dinner Dance in Clontarf Castle on January 28th @8pm. This is a great chance for long-time members to catch up and newer members to forge new bonds. Always a smashing night for all (over 18!) levels of the club. 
Contact Declan Hoban (087-6539943), Joan Cushen (087-2222650), Ronan Murphy (087-9295105) or Tiarnán Crowe (087-6492316) for tickets
There will also be a club-wide cleanup @1pm on January 28th. This is a ‘many hands make light work’ project and all members should make the effort to contribute whatever time they can.

Face Off

Eoghan McKay (St. Andrews school) represents the Dublin South team and Daragh Levins (Ard Scoil Rís) the Dublin North team as the two face off in the final of the group team section of the Top Oil Leinster Post-Primary ‘A’ hurling championship this coming Sunday, 29th of January @ 3pm in Parnell Park.

Both Eoghan and Daragh are key members of the current Minor team and are set to make their mark on the Adult team this year. Although there might be a natural tendency to favour one side of the Liffey over the other, we’ll resist and wish both of our lads the very best of luck!

The victors earn an away date with Kilkenny CBS in the Leinster 1/4 Final on Saturday, 4th of February.

Spread the Opportunity

As we continue to develop and grow Scoil Uí Chonaill, we are capitalising on the fantastic opportunity our boundary walls present. Pictured above are the first of our sponsored signage and whilst we have lots of appropriate advertising space, this is among the most desirable so we are putting it to our members first before we launch a wider campaign. 

If you are interested (or know an organisation who may be) in this opportunity then please contact Killian O’Connell for details. More details on pricing will be released once our members have had an opportunity to avail of the offer.

Meet the Members: Tom McNamee

1.       How long have you been involved in Scoil Uí Chonaill?

Well, I’ve officially been on board since December 2016, but I’ve been quietly attending games for the past year so it feels like longer!

2.       Do you have any nicknames? How do you like to be addressed?

T Mac/Mac/Tom. The lads on the team are really warming to T Mac – I think that took them a little by surprise!

3.       Who do you consider your nearest and dearest? E.g. wife, kids, siblings

My wife Ann and 2 sons, Jack and Dalton, are my wonderful support network. 

4.       Where do you hail from? 

A proud Louthman, I’m from Knockbridge, south west of Dundalk. All set to beat the Dubs in the O’Byrne Cup Final on Sunday!

5.       How did you come to be involved in Scoil?

Declan O’Sullivan had been telling me about the great club he had come to work with in Dublin. He broached the subject of coming to coach the Club Seniors and work as his number two last year and having seen a lot of the games, I know it was good move as there’s certainly silverware in wait for this team!

6.       Briefly describe your goals/targets for your time in Scoil.

Quite simply; to win promotion to Division 1 and to maximise everyone’s potential! I’m very much into the specifics of people development and am looking forward to helping each player identify their best route to success.

7.       What would you say you are most known for within your existing GAA circles? i.e. what do people / will we associate you with?

Oh I’d say I’m a demon for preparation and attention to detail. Ask the Footballers!

8.       What has been your greatest GAA moment / achievement?

Winning two club Minor Division 1 championships in a row (2009+2010).

9.       What is your profession / field of study / passion?

I’m currently a Financial Advisor with New Ireland Assurance, Dawson St, Dublin.

10.   What are your favourite hobbies outside of GAA?

How would I have time for other hobbies 🙂

11.   If you could make one addition to Scoil in any way (don’t be restricted by the plausible!), what would it be?

If I could finance lights for training!

12.   What is your favourite Scoil ‘quirk’?

The urban foxes that arrive to training on a regular basis. I’m generally down a couple of hours before the lads arrive for training setting up drills etc. You get to know the local wildlife when working quietly on your own.

13.   If you close your eyes and envisage Scoil in 10 years, what do you see?

Playing Senior football in Dublin, league and championship; no doubt.

14.   If you had to describe Scoil as a country / business / non-GAA organisation, what would it be and why?

The Brown Thomas basement floor Coffee Shop; where you always feel better when you come out then you did on the way in!

15.   Finally, if you had to describe yourself as an animal, what would it be and why?

The Underdog. 
 

Tom (T Mac) is currently putting our Senior Footballers through their paces and getting them up to speed with his take on tactics (and also burning off that Christmas indulgence!) The very best of luck to T Mac and the Footballers on the season ahead.

Other News

• Members are reminded that all players must be registered for the year ahead to ensure they are adequately insured and eligible to play. Please contact respective team mentors to check if you are unsure.
   
• Juvenile indoor hurling continues in Gormanstown  for the next four Sundays. Parents should notify mentors as to the availability on a week-by-week basis. Great fun was had last week as some of our younger members experinced their fuirst ever competitive match! Pictures below
   
• Ladies Fun, Fitness & Craic continues in the Club every Wednesdays between 7pm-8pm with the Gaelic for Mothers & Others. Contact Mairead at 086 2675392 for more information.
   
• Some of our mentors were treated to some intimate coaching lessons from former Dublin Senior Hurling Manager and current Scoil Intermediate Hurling Manager Tommy Naughton last weekend as they honed their coaching skills ahead of the new season. Pictures below