By Shay Connolly
By Shay Connolly |
New teams take to the fields as U16s reach Championship final
It’s not that long since the last edition but we have plenty to report about. One of the highlights since I spoke to you last (which was during the recession) was the emergence of the U9 Camogie team. This is the first time in many a year (since before the last recession) that we fielded a camogie team at such a young age. Proudly prepared by stalwarts Lisa Murray, Elaine McDonnell and Janet White over the last twelve months (roughly since this recession started), they took to the field in Sean Moore Park on Sunday April 19th. Their opponents were Good Counsel and a wonderful hour ensued where all the girls had a great time in displaying the skills of this country’s ancient craft. They continue training each Tuesday and Thursday night at 6.00 and anybody wanting to join in the fun please contact Lisa Murray at 087-2801541. Their next match is on May 24th. Another highlight was the fantastic achievement as we go to press of the U16 footballers who have reached the U16 Dublin Championship Final, which will take place shortly with date and venue to be decided. The road to the final started out some weeks back with a home win against St Sylvester’s from Malahide. The lads received the worst draw possible in the next round when they drew defending champions Thomas Davis out of the hat, and up in their patch no less! But not to be undone, the Clansmen travelled to Tallaght and came away with a three point win– 2-9 to 1-9. This was an outstanding performance against all the odds and was highlighted by the excellent work of midfield pairing: Jordan Barnes and Jay McCarthy together with an incredible save from Lee Weafer right at the death that won the honours. The semi-final draw was no easier when we drew St Anne’s away in Bohernabreena. Once again, we set out on the journey to represent our villages in Dublin South East (which has been hit by the recession also, may I add). On a stormy, windy day we led by 0-9 to 1-1 at the break, having played with the tornado in the first half. We increased that lead immediately after half-time to lead by 6 points. But after this it was backs-to-the-wall stuff as wave after wave of St Anne’s attacks came at us like a charging ferocious tiger. (where did I hear of that animal before?) But we caught them all in our mouths, chewed them up and spat them back out again and left the Bohernabreena battle field with a two point win: 0-11 to 1-6. So now the guys have dressed themselves down and are busy preparing for D Day– the day that we hope will see our proud name etched on another championship trophy. Best of luck lads! Yet another first was the lining out of the present U10 girls’ football team in their first competitive match. On Friday May 8th the girls entertained St Anne’s in Ringsend Park and were victorious with a score of 30 pts to 25 pts. Well done mentors, Niamh and Martin Vaughan, Leo O’Hora and Dave Walsh as well as all the mothers and fathers concerned. My match report for this edition is the U16 Hurlers who played St Peregrine’s at home on April 25th. In this match the lads at last got their campaign off to a winning start with a comprehensive win over St Peregrine’s. The return of some of the stars from injury saw the lads play a very economical and skilful game. Leading by 5 points at half time having played against the wind they pulled away in the second half to record their first win in three in this campaign. Ciaran Diviney, Robert Lacey, Des Soon, Dylan Lacey, Dean Coleman, Michael Gilroy and David Nangle all starred. For me, the highlight of the game was Dean Coleman’s superbly taken goal. After a scramble in the goalmouth, Peregrine’s cleared their lines out to about the 20 metre line. Dean was first to react. He lifted the sliotar with his back to goal and turning, struck a rasper through a crowded goalmouth to rattle the bottom corner of the net. Dean did his now-accustomed warrior dance of high fives as all the lads joined in. After the goal went in, the young St Peregrine’s goalkeeper dropped his hurley to applaud Dean’s wonderful strike, an example of real sportsmanship. The Senior hurlers, who are playing in the Junior A Championship, have got their campaign off to a winning start with three wins out of three. The first against Cuala in Sean Moore Park on Wednesday evening 22/4/09 saw the Fontenoy Fighters leading by 5 points at half-time, having played against the wind in the first half. The boys pulled away in the second half to win on a score line of 2-12 to 0-6 with two well-taken goals from Anto Quinlan and Neil O’Regan. Three days later the same crew were out again in the second round where O’Toole’s was the opposition in St Anne’s Park. It followed much the same pattern as the first game with the Clans lads securing victory on a 1-11 to 0-4 score line with an expertly-taken goal from Oran Burke. Get well wishes to Thomas Joyce who broke a couple of fingers and who underwent surgery during the week. Also get well wishes to Johnny Sadlier and ‘Nodge’ John O’Leary who both suffered blood pressure attacks during these two games. The prognosis from the County Board is that they have to rest for a month. In the third game against Na Fianna in Mobhi Road the tie was very much in the balance until up stepped Anto Quinlan to put over three great points in the last five minutes to earn victory and leave them top of the championship table. Inter Footballers are having a see-saw season to date. They had what can only be described as an excellent win against much-fancied St Peregrine’s in Sean Moore Park. They faced what seemed a much less daunting task a week later, playing at home to Thomas Davis. Unfortunately, there was a downward trend (just like the economy, stupid) in their fortunes in just a week’s time and they duly flopped to a nine-point defeat. There has been a recovery since in the value of their shares but the long, mysterious saga of this team’s erratic trading continues to the bafflement of all. Adult Camogie girls are going great guns altogether and don’t resemble a recession at all! Unbeaten this season to date their latest conquest was Naomh Mearnog on a score line of 3-5 to 0-0. In a match played in extremely challenging conditions Clans were on top throughout. They dominated midfield and created a platform for the forwards to get the required scores. Ann-Marie Roche excelled for Clans and was well backed up by Rebecca Collins, Elaine McDonnell, Lynn Dunne and Anne Corscadden. Our U14 Ladies Football Team took part in last weekend’s Feile and we were placed in an extremely competitive preliminary group along with St. Peregrine’s, Templeogue, Synge Street & Naomh Barróg. Our preparations had not been great as we had played no competitive games prior to the Feile, whereas our opponents had at least two league games prior to the competition starting. The planned venue for this competition had been the Cuala grounds in Dalkey but due to unplayable pitches and the high numbers involved, Clanna Gael Fontenoy was asked to host our section and we were only too delighted to oblige. Our first game saw us against a much-fancied Templeogue team who had numerous under-age inter county players in their ranks, and while the match was very competitive, Templeogue proved to be a little too strong for our girls and we lost on a scoreline of 4:3 to 2:1 Our second game saw us up against St Peregrine’s and once again they proved to be too strong for us. Although, having 15 wides in the game, we didn’t really give ourselves much chance and St Peregrine’s ran out deserved winners. Although we could not now qualify for the next stage of the competition, our final game was important to our opponents as they had beaten the other two teams and expected to wrap things up with a comprehensive victory over Clanna Gael Fontenoy and finish the group undefeated. But, finally, the Clans turned up and with a great display of pride and toughness along with a huge amount of skill, the previously unbeaten Naomh Barróg were beaten by 13 points and although it still meant we were eliminated, Naomh Barróg would subsequently have to rely on a play-off to reach the semi-final. One wonders what might have been if the real Clans had shown up from the start. Players that excelled for Clans throughout the day and deserve a mention were; Ruth Shaw, Nicole Rushe, Becky Kemple, Daire Power, Jessi Hogan, Niamh Gorman and Stacey Flood.
This is a novel and unique attempt to raise funds. They are hosting a mock wedding in the Club Hall on Saturday May 23rd. Walking up the aisle will be the former Laois Rose and present adult footballer, Claire Sutton. Her intended husband is none other than runner-up in Mr. Ireland 2008 and present Adult Hurler, John ‘Nhoj’ ‘Ironman’ O’Leary. Rumours have it that they have been practising the honeymoon night for the past month and the pair of them look very tired indeed of late. Bridesmaids are none other than the evergreen Noeleen Neville (who by the way is practising for the real one with son Martin and Lynn in the autumn) and present Dublin Senior Ladies Footballer Kim Flood. Groomsmen are Johnny Sad and Collie Sadder (who also by the way is testing for his own with Donna in the New Year). Speaking of weddings, Adult Footballer Colm McGarvey has asked me to state that rumours of his wedding to Camogie player Sharon Gerathy are highly exaggerated. He says that they have talked about it all right but due to the present recession they have left it on the long finger. The other fundraiser is a Race Night for the ever busy Juvenile Section. This will take place in the upstairs lounge on Friday May 19th with first race at 8.30. This promises to be a great night. How you can help: Buy a Horse! For €30 you can ‘buy’ a horse in one of the races– and get to name the horse, trainer, jockey and owner. The horses will all be listed in the Race card on the night and the winning ‘owner’ in each race will receive a prize. There are eight horses available in each race. Horses are on sale from all the coaches. The Camogie fundraisers of last month turned out be great craic all together. The quiz night was a huge success.The duck race was won by Vicky’s Vixen, owned by Vicky Costelloe who graciously returned the prize fund of €250.00 to the Camogie section. Fair play Vicky. Sponsor a race! For €100 you, your family, your company– or any company or business you know– can sponsor one of the eight races on the night. The race will be named by you, listed in the Race Card and you’ll present the winner of the race with their prize. Let your team coach know if you want to sponsor a race or email kjobyrne@hotmail.com RTE’s flagship programme, Morning Ireland paid a visit to the club on Wednesday 1st April 2009. The Country’s main radio station had heard about the ‘Education Through Sport’ programme that the club operates together with Trinity College. Trinity College’s GAA teams have access to our floodlit facilities for training and matches; in return they are giving grinds to our Junior Cert student members. This scheme started last year and ten students and club members who took part in the grind sessions received certificates at a reception day in Trinity College. The boys and their parents were shown around the college, including its lecture rooms and laboratories, to give them a feel for the place.
The piece went out on the Morning Ireland radio programme at 8.20am prime-time and to date has received rave reviews from all quarters. Club Manager, Shay Connolly brought all the listeners through the concept of this project and the club are delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile endeavour. Maybe troubled Minister for Education, Batt O’Keeffe will drop in to us and we might be able to give some clues regarding Education Reform! The Feile team on page 32 is as follows. Back row, left to right: Kerry Joyce, Becky Kemple, Jessi Hogan, Laura Dunne, Sarah Cleary, Hayley Ward, Daire Power, Niamh Gorman, Ruth Shaw. Front row : Fiona Kelly, Stacey Flood, Nicole Rushe, Deborah Barry, Kate O’Malley, Shauna McDonnell, Eimer Linehan. Bottom: Donnacha McDonagh and Ken O’Byrne put the under-fives through their paces. |
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Hi All. I promise not to make reference to the dreaded R word (recession) in this article as people are telling me that I am flogging this to death and making people more depressed than they actually should be.
There are a number of Fundraisers coming up (not due to the recession as we have to fundraise all the time. In effect you could say that the Club are always in a recession). First up is the Ladies Football fundraiser.
These ten students are now doing honours papers in the Leaving Certificate in the subjects they got grinds for last year. It is doubtful it this would have occurred had they not partaken in this scheme. This year’s students have just completed their sessions, which take place in the Club’s Offices immediately after their Gaelic training. The theme of this project is ‘that those who train together can educate together’. It is intended to extend this programme to more teams in the autumn.