The Stag's Voice Newsletter August 2022

Summer Camps
Ladies B Team – Shield Champions
Camogie News
Scoil Hoppers GAA Academy
“It’s Great to be Back…”
Dublin U16 Hurling Team
Club Gear
Trad Sessions return
Club House Bar
We Need You
Coffee Mornings Return
Members Corner

Summer Camps

The last of the Scoil Summer Camps took place from 15-19 August. What a week it was – there was over 120 kids in attendance over the week and they all had a great, fun filled week. For some of our younger members, it was their first Scoil camp but no doubt, it will not be their last! A huge Thank You to Thomas and his team of coaches – the dedication and commitment from each and every coach was evident from the happy faces coming off the pitch each day. Well done to everyone that helped in making the final Scoil Camp of 2022 a huge success.

Ladies B Team – Shield Champions

Our Ladies B Team came out on top in the Shield Final earlier this month in what was a hard fought, nail biting battle. The girls showed their strong team spirit on the pitch with their never die attitude and pulled off some fantastic scores especially when they were needed most. The team featured 3 of our U15 girls and the 3 girls contribution was immense.This team has a huge sense of fun and received their just reward on the evening. It was a huge evening for the Keane Family – pictured above, player Katie O’Rourke Keane with her dad Paul and her biggest supporter, Grandad, Martin Keane. Huge congratulations to the coaches, Paul Keane, Seán Costello and John Farrelly Final Score: Scoil: 2-07 Trinity Gaels: 0-10

Camogie News

There is a lot happening in our Camogie Section with some very exciting news..

Adult Camogie – Scoil 2023

Scoil intends reintroducing adult camogie at the club in 2023. For 2023 the plan is to start a social camogie team, and the club is looking for players who may be interested in joining in. Whether you are an experienced player looking to play for fun or an inexperienced player looking to give Camogie a try, then why not get in touch.

Call out is to all existing and new members with an interest in camogie. Players over 15 years are eligible to play adult camogie.

If interested in playing please contact either:David Daly (Scoil Camogie Rep) or Sinéad McDonnell (Scoil Camogie Coach) or email: scoilcamogie@gmail.com

Gaisce Presidents Awards

Any members interested in completing their Gaisce Presidents Awards, that are not being offered the opportunity in their schools please contact Sinéad Mc Donnell, the club Gaisce PAL Leader at sinead_mcd@hotmail.com https://www.gaisce.ie/

Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative to start in September

We are excited to announce that Scoil Ui Chonaill and Chluain Tarbh GAA clubs will jointly host this fantastic programme starting in September.

The Initiative takes its name from one of Ireland’s and Connacht’s most influential leaders and greatest sporting heroes, Dermot Earley (1948-2010). It is aimed at 16-18 year olds particularly those in TY. It has been developed by GAA and Foróige, to help equip young people with the skills and qualities necessary to be good leaders, and to challenge them to use these skills to improve society.

The programme is held over 3 modules, generally on Fridays, in the early evening. It runs in parallel with the school year, starting in September.

For more information see here.

Registration is now open and will close on Wednesday, 14 September. To apply to participate, please click on the following link: here

The clubs will hold an information session via zoom at 9pm on Thursday 08 September.

To join, follow this link: here

Youth Mental Health First Aid course

The Camogie Association are delighted to be running a Youth Mental Health First Aid course with Mental Health First Aid Ireland for a second year in a row.

The 2 day course will take place on Saturday, 03 September and Saturday, 10 September from 10am-4pm, with full attendance compulsory.

If you are interested in completing the course, please fill out the application form here

Scoil Hoppers GAA Academy

We are very much looking forward to welcoming back all of our younger members to the club in the very near future.

Scoil Hoppers GAA Academy will return on Saturday, 03 September at 10am.

Thomas is hosting an information evening in the Club House on Tuesday, 30 August at 7.30pm on the plans for the coming months for our Scoil Hoppers Academy.

We encourage our Hoppers parents to attend.

New members are always welcome.

“It’s Great to be Back…”

Many of our Juvenile Teams have returned to games at the weekend in both Go Games and Championship. Saturday morning kicked off with our U8’s in action, playing at home to Naomh Fionnbarra in hurling. Scoil gave a great performance and showed great team spirit.

Next up, our U10 boys took on St Finian’s again in Hurling. After the summer break, the boys were a little rusty to start with but for the second half, they really got into their stride and pulled off some fantastic scores. The team work rate was superb with all the boys really getting stuck in.

The action continued for the afternoon with our U15 Girls playing in the opening round of their Championship campaign taking on St Brigid’s.

Under 15 Division 2 Football Championship

Making amends for a heavy defeat in the league was on the minds of all the girls and management going into this first Championship game.

We started off very brightly with our forwards on fire netting a few goals early on. The midfield led by captain Catarina Almeida, was in full control for the first half with St. Brigids only managing their first score five minutes before the break.

We took the foot off the gas a little in the second half as nearly most of the team had Under 16 Championship the next day. A nice way to start off the Championship with a comfortable win.

Final Score: Scoil: 6-09 St. Brigid’s A: 2-07

Next match: Away to Thomas Davis on 10 September.

To finish the day in the club off, our U16 boys took on Whitehall in football in a challenge game. They came away with a win good win with some great skills on display. Final Score: Scoil 4-07 Whitehall 2-11

Our U11 and U12 girls were also in action on Saturday – both having away fixtures. Our U11 girls took on St Colmcilles in Go Games. Our U12 girls played Wanderers in their Championship. The girls were down at half time but pull off a superb second half to come out on top. Final Score: Scoil 5-08 Wanderers 1-06

Under 16 Division 1 Football Championship

After beating them in the league, Cuala came to Clontarf Road on Sunday with determination to gain revenge on that defeat. It was a very tough encounter with the visitors coming out of the blocks much quicker than our girls.

We went into the break 2 points down but came back stronger in the 2nd half with superb goals from Aoife Mc Ginley and Martha De Brun. Siobhan Cassidy Fagan kept Cuala at bay with some fine saves in the 2nd half to ensure we started the championship with a win.

Final Score: Scoil: 2-05 Cuala: 2-02

Next match: Away to Kilmacud Crokes A on 11 September.

Under 14 Division 4 Football Championship

A game of two halves led to a heart breaking defeat in St. Annes 22 last Thursday.

With a lot of injuries, we had six under 13’s and one Under 12 in this first Championship match.

Raheny started much the stronger netting two early goals. Some excellent saves from Aibhilin Leahy kept us in the game. It took our girls a while to get going but we finished the first half stronger and carried that form into second half.

Second half goals from Aoibhinn Cunninghan and a cracker from Caoimhe Daly brought us back into the lead. After being 10 points down at one stage, a penalty from Andrea Chapman put us in the lead for the first time with 10 minutes to go.

In the dying stages, Raheny got a lucky break with a goal from a long range effort. The girls did themselves and the great Scoil support proud in an exciting game of championship football.

Final Score: Scoil: 4-09 Raheny A: 5-08

Next match: Away to Beann Eadair 11 September.

U18 Ladies Div. 5 Football Championship

Ridgewood Swords

After four years away from football management, new Scoil Minor manager, Peter Keohane, started back with an excellent win.

Fielding a travelling party of 10 minors, 4 under 16’s, 2 Under 15’s and one Under 14, the girls did themselves and the Club proud.

The hosts were a very well drilled team and with the wind in their favour, took control of the game early on with several well taken points. A positional change moving Sorcha Mulligan into a sweeping role changed the tide in our favour as our girls finished the half very strongly. A superb solo run and goal by Caoimhe Keohane just before half time left us going into the 2nd half only 3 points down.

St. Finian’s started the 2nd half the stronger extending their lead with a few more points. The defence however, lead by full back Eve Courtney and accompanied by some tenacious defending by Andrea, Liadan, Meadhbh, Freja, Lilly & Realtin, never gave the home team a sight of a shot on our goal.

A super team move starting from our full back line was finished in superb fashion with Sorcha burying the ball in the back of their net. This gave our girls great confidence as we started picking them off with excellent points from Abbey and Sophie. As the game got stretched, Caoimhe finished them off in typical fashion as she ran direct at the opposition goal to seal an excellent win with two top class goals.

Team: Billie O’Brien, Andrea Chapman, Freja Dillon, Lilly Mc Quaid, Liadan Garner, Realtin Leahy, Meadhbh Kavanagh, Emma Mc Grane, Therese De Brun, Aine Kavanagh, Caoimhe Keohane, Abbey O’Brien, Sophie Galvin, Sorcha Mulligan, Julie Lonergan, Alannah Doherty Fannin, Eve Courtney.

Manager: Peter Keohane.

Final Score: Scoil:4-10 St. Finian’s Swords: 0-14

Next Match: Clontarf Road Monday, 5 September v O’Toole’s.

Throw In 18.45hrs

The very best of luck to all the teams for the season ahead.

Dublin U16 Hurling Team

Well done to the Dublin U16 hurling team, who won the John Doyle Shield on Sunday, 28 August beating Limerick.

Scoil player, Jack Kennedy features on this team and is pictured above, in the back row, third from the left (wearing No. 5)

Final Score: Dublin 1-16 Limerick: 2:10

Well done to Jack and the boys #clubproud

Scoil Gear

Thomas has found himself a new role!!! Thomas has kindly taken on the role of modelling our new club jacket… The jackets are available to purchase from the club shop and cost E35/40 each. Initial can also be added to the jackets when purchasing. Thomas, we think you missed your real calling…

Trad Sessions Return

Junior Trad Session (First Friday of each month)

The Junior Trad Session will return after the summer break on Friday, 02 September.

The Trad session will take place in the Clubhouse from 7pm to 8pm. All are welcome to come and join in with our Junior Trad Musicians.

Adults Trad Session (First Thursday of each month)

The Adults Trad Session will also return after the summer break on Thursday, 01 September from 9pm. All musicians are most welcome to come along and join in. Of course, those that wish to come to the club house on the evening to enjoy the music, are most welcome.

Club House Bar

Our Club House Bar is opened every Thursday evening from 9pm – all are welcome. Our Club House Bar is also available to book for Private Events. Please contact Neil Mc Dermott at scoilclg@gmail.com for further information

We Need You…

As our teams start to return to training and games across our Juvenile section, we encourage all parents to get involved with their children’s teams to assist with the smooth running of training sessions and matches.

Any small contribution, such as arriving 10 minutes before a training session/game to help with set up or staying 5 minutes afterwards to help put all items away, really does make a huge difference.

With many of our young members now playing matches on a regular basis on Saturday mornings, help is required for our Scoil Hoppers GAA Academy. It is a great way to get to know many of the club members across the various age groups as well as contributing to the future of the club.

There are many roles that you can assist – not just coaching (if you are not comfortable doing coaching) – please speak to Thomas, our GPO: 085 133 7728, Ciaran, our Scoil Hoppers Lead: 087 233 3720 or any of the coaches – help is always welcome.

There is no need to be shy! Your contribution, no matter how small, will be very much appreciated.

Coffee Mornings Return

Scoil Uí Chonaill/OCS*PPU coffee mornings will resume on:

Tuesday, 13 September from 12noon until 3pm approx. in the Clubhouse.

To mark the occasion, bar facilities will be available on the day.

Further enquiries, please contact:

Dick Murphy: 087 9295093

Gerry Rowley: 087 6287395

Members Corner

Famous GAA Quote

And Tom Cheasty breaks through with Kilkenny defenders falling around him like dying wasps.
Mícheál O’Hehir.

Stags Voice

As always, should any member wish to have Club News included in the Stags Voice, please email all information to scoil.pro.eoc@gmail.com before the 15 of the month.

Annual Registration

Annual Club Membership Subscriptions can be renewed and paid online, please see attached link: Pay Membership — Scoil Uí Chonaill (scoilgaa.com)