Meet our Club Person of the Year – Sandra Curtin
Have you any background in the GAA?
I didn’t grow up in a GAA family, my Dad did play for Harmonstown Parnells as they were known then when he was younger but team sports for girls weren’t widely available when I was growing up and I wasn’t encouraged in that direction.
How did you join the club?
My husband, Aidan being from Kerry, he was anxious that the girls got immersed in GAA as early as possible! Certainly, I have to attribute our attendance at nursery to Ciary Leahy who pestered me for a year at Scoil Neasain to come down on a Saturday morning to Scoil Ui Chonaill!
From the very first day arriving down, we received such a warm welcome, I think it was one of the most special things about Scoil, we were absorbed into the club as soon as we walked in the door, I remember my first day I met Niamh in the bar and she invited me to get involved straight away.
How did you get involved with running teams?
My husband Aidan got involved with the nursery and 2009 and 2011 teams straight away as we have Aoife and Roisin on each. I think my very first involvement as John Kelly getting me dragged in to help put helmets on children in the nursery, from there, I got into helping out on Saturday mornings when my youngest, Fionnuala was old enough to join in (which was as soon as she could walk!). I got involved in helping out on the social side of things in organising the Halloween event and in assisting Ronan with the Santa visit for the children until passing the mantel to Christine.
About 7 or 8 years ago, a group of the club mams got together and under the organisation of Mairead O’Sullivan, we started the Gaelic for Mothers and Others team. We started training in dark Novembers night, Johnny Rock introduced us to a few skills before Nicole Rock and Sinead de Burca took us on to coach us for the next few years. At the moment, we are looking for guest coaches each week, if anyone wants to volunteer an hour at 8pm any Wednesday, we are happy to have you!
This is all a long-winded way of getting to the point that I’m now part of the coaching team for the 2014 Girls Team. As all the juvenile teams, they are dual codes but we could do with some help on the camogie side. We want to keep our 17 girls playing until they can join the senior team in football and the senior camogie team that will be ready in the next year or two.
Favourite thing about the club?
My favourite thing has to be the ‘Scoil spirit’, everyone is always ready to encourage and pitch in to help out. It’s always easy to organise an event, be it the Awards night in Clontarf Castle or a Feile Fundraiser or Charity Cake Sale – there is always endless pairs of hands pitching in.
What’s your vision for Scoil?
I would love for Scoil to have a senior team in both codes where women of all abilities can play either competitively and/or for fun. That these women can then feed into coaching the younger kids as they come up and that we continue to have the great communication between the mentors on both men and women’s sides that we have today.
Under 8s Hit the Beach
Well done to the Under 8 Mentors who had summer beach training, the first of which started with burgers and sausages. Well done to Simon, Pat and Coaches on organising which has proved very popular with the kids.
Under 14 Dublin Camogie
Well done to Alex and Sorcha who played for the Dublin Under 14 Camogie team against Galway.
Summer Camps
A great week of fun was had last week at our first camp in the club. The weather was kind to us and the kids came out each day smiling which is a credit to Aimee and her team of coaches. Our next camp takes place on Monday 8th July in Alfie Byrne road from 10am – 2pm. Our final camp takes place in August.
Nursery Summer Break
Our final nursery training and Scoil Stars training took place last weekend. Although the rain came, it didnt stop a big crowd coming down to the club. Thanks to all our volunteer coaches for their had work over the past six months. Looking forward to seeing everyone back in September.
Adult Championships
Our adult teams will commence championship action shortly with our adult hurlers first up away to Commercials on Saturday 13th July at 6.15 in Rathcoole against Commercials. Our Mens Senior footballers are in championship action on the 10th August at home to St Pats Donabate at 6.15pm.
Our Ladies make their Intermediate Championship debut on the 14th August away to Parnells in Chanel at 7.15pm.
Great to a big club support for our adult teams. #upscoil
Dubs Ladies Minors come to the club
The Dublin Ladies Minor team had a end of season get together in the club recently. It was great to see so much Scoil involvement with Alex coaching, Daria part of the backroom team and of course Catarina and Martha in the squad.
Scoil Man second fastest in the country at 800 meters
Congrats to former player, Cillian Kirwan on finishing in second place in the National Athletics championship.
Trad Sessions
Dates for the diaries for our very popular Trad Sessions.
Family Sessions – Friday night
- 6th September
- 4th October
- 1st November
- 6th December
Adult Sessions – Thursday nights
- 5th September
- 3rd October
- 7th November
- 5th December
Under 14 Girls Camogie League Winners
Congrats to our Under 14 Camogie team who went through their League unbeaten to win the title.
Under 15 Girls Camogie League Winners
Congrats to our Under 15 Camogie team who also went through their League unbeaten to win the title.
Scoil Neasain win Schools Title at Croke Park
Congrats to the big Scoil contingent who were on the Scoil Neasain team who won their Schools title in Croke Park in June.
Thank You Caoimhe
Caoimhe Crowe has been working for the club as support GPO in our schools. Caoimhe finished at the end of term and the Club Executive would like to thank Caoimhe for her work on behalf of the club.
Urgent – 75 Years of Scoil Ui Chonaill
Final call for content for book to celebrate 75 years of Scoil Ui Chonaill GAA Club. If you would like to ensure your story, photograph, memorabilia or special moments/memories are included in the book please contact Susan Naughton at the following email – naughtos@outlook.com with details as soon as possible.
Memory Lane #proudpast
A few familiar faces in this photo including our current Vice Chairman! Thinking of the Carroll and Judge families who were a massive part of the club.
