Thank you to everyone who supported our recent yoga and wellbeing fundraiser for the Minor and Ladies section, including those who attended on the evening and bought raffle prizes. A particular thanks to all the sponsors for the fantastic raffle prizes listed above.
It was a calm and quiet evening in the Cuala hall last Sunday, (marking a distinct change from the usual footballs and sliotars hopping off walls!) for a yoga and wellbeing event with renowned yoga instructor Dani Sheil. The event was organised as a fundraiser for the Minor Girls and Ladies sections, as well as providing a social opportunity for women from Cuala and the wider community. The event started with a chat with Dani about how she got involved in yoga and the benefits it can bring, followed by a yoga session. Tea, coffee and cakes followed along with a raffle for some fantastic prizes. A huge thank you to everyone who came along, to Dani for her expert yoga instruction, the minor girls who helped serve tea and coffee and Sharon Foley for organising the event. Finally a huge thank you to the sponsors of the fabulous raffle prizes:
Rassam Restaurant, Osteria Lucio, The Eagle, Benitos, Finnegan’s Pharmacy, One2One Solutions, Dani Sheil, Dublin GAA, Seoulista, Alison O’Driscoll Makeup Artist, Bubbas Restaruant, Brian S Nolan, Castle Pharmacy, Sandycove Pharmacy, Stronger Gym, Champs Hairdresser, Transfer Gecko, Honest Paws and Horan’s Healthstore
Congratulations to Cuala footballer Becky Clarke (pictured with second football team, back row fourth from right), who is one of 73 selected across 23 counties to participate in the 2025 Gaelic Games Asscoiations (GAA, Ladies Gaelic Football Association, Camogie Association) ‘Leading Provincial Females’ programme .
This 12-month programme, secured through the support of the Sport Ireland Women in Sport Fund, is for females who wish to develop and hone their leadership skills, while also furthering development as a coach, match official, administrator or any volunteer role in Gaelic Games.
Becky already has leadership experience and will be known to many as the facilitator of the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership programme in Cuala. She has also facilitated The Dermot Earley’ programme in Zambia when she volunteered in Nsobe in 2023. Best of luck on the programme.
To celebrate International Women’s Day this Saturday 8th March, we spoke to Cuala player Aisling Groarke. Aisling plays on our Cuala first senior football and camogie teams, while also finding time to promote our women’s games on our social media channels. We asked Aisling about her love of gaelic games, her advice for young players, and what she hopes for in future for her own game and women’s gaelic games more widely.
At what age did you start playing gaelic games?
I started playing in the Academy in Cuala, when I was five years old. My earliest memories of the sport probably aren’t actually of playing—it’s doing gymnastics on the sidelines!
What do you love most about playing camogie and gaelic football?
What I love most about Gaelic Football and Camogie is my teammates and the feeling after a difficult training session.
What do you consider to be the most challenging aspect of playing gaelic games?
I’m a dual player on the Gaelic Football and Camogie senior teams, which means we train six times a week, often with back-to-back matches. And while the physical demands are high, I’ve often found that the mental aspect can be even more challenging.
What skills do you think are important to become a successful player?
To succeed as a player, I believe determination and balance are essential. I struggle with hand-eye coordination, so I’ve often had to repeat certain skills hundreds of times before it seems to stick. This has taught me persistence and the value of hard work. I also think maintaining a balance—focusing during training whilst also remembering why I play the sport—keeps me motivated and driven to improve.
Are there any other players who have inspired you?
Sinead Murphy in Camogie and Hannah Tyrell in Gaelic Football. Sinead Murphy was always so encouraging and supportive when I came up to senior level. She always included everyone in the team activities and her physicality on the camogie pitch is something I can only strive to replicate. Hannah Tyrell has excelled in multiple sports, representing Ireland in rugby and her club and county in Gaelic football. Her kicking is unbelievable and she uses her platform to advocate for mental health. I marked her in one of my first senior matches, and was completely starstruck. That being said, every one of my teammates and coaches has inspired me along the way.
What one piece of advice would you give to young girls who are starting out learning to play the game?
Stick with it. There are times growing up when life gets so busy that giving up might seem like the easier option. However, the girls on the team are my closest friends, and they always help put things into perspective. I honestly can’t imagine where I’d be without Gaelic Games in my life.
What has been the highlight of your playing career to date?
So far, the highlight has been winning the Senior 2 Championship in camogie last year. However, I have high hopes of us winning more titles in both codes soon.
Have you any future goals you would like to achieve in your sporting career?
Many. The men’s teams have proven what Cuala is capable of, and we would love to experience that same success with the women’s teams in the years to come.
What positive developments have you seen in women’t gaelic games in recent years?
In recent years, the visibility of the LGFA and Camogie has grown significantly. Sponsors like Lidl and TG4 have created incredible opportunities for the sport to gain recognition and highlight the dedication of players. Additionally, Cuala’s one-club model ensures that the women’s section have the same opportunities as the men’s teams, which is fantastic for the growth and development of the game. I see the women’s section growing year after year, and I would love to see Croke Park’s stands fill up more and more for the women’s games to recognize the incredible athletes who play there.
Interesting fact about you that people may not know?
I did ballet until I was 18, though not sure I have much coordination to show for it!
Congratulations to long-time Cuala friend and connection Niall Scully of the Evening Herald, who was recently presented with the ‘Local Journalist of the Year award’ at the LGFA Volunteer awards (image above), as well as receiving an award from Karl O’Brien, chairperson of Dublin Camogie Board in recognition of his coverage of Dublin Camogie since 1983 (image below).
Here is what the LGFA had to say….
‘Niall Scully has been covering and promoting Ladies Football in Dublin both at club and County level coming up on four decades now….Niall has made a huge impact on our sport especially in the early years when many saw ladies football as a novelty act, Niall saw the potential of the game. His coverage back then and throughout the subsequent years gave the LGFA a profile in Dublin and played an integral part in the growth of the sport in the capital’
Niall’s passion and hard work made a similar impact on raising the profile of camogie in Dublin…
‘In 1984, Dublin camogie struggled to gain media attention…This changed when the Dublin Board reached out to the Evening Herald. Since then, journalist Niall Scully has dedicated 38 years to highlighting every aspect of Dublin camogie, becoming one of the longest-serving camogie journalists’
Cartlann Digiteach Cuala is grateful to Fintan Quill for highlighting the 10th Anniversary of the passing of a Cuala “giant” Eugene Egan
Eugene was a tireless force underpinning the development of Ladies Football both in Cuala and Dublin LGFA. A brilliant administrator, he served the Dublin LGFA proudly and efficiently as County Secretary for a number of years as well as holding the position of Irish Cultural and Language Officer up until the time of his passing.
When it came to sport however, Eugene’s first love was always Cuala and he would be delighted to see how far we have progressed as a Club with so many intercounty stars, All Ireland medal winners and All Star award winners and to see our senior team playing in Division 1 League and Championship in 2025. Eugene is one of the reasons why.
An intercounty DLGFA Eugene Egan Memorial Tournament now takes place every year in his honour, a fitting tribute to a lovely man who has left a great legacy to Dublin and Cuala. Fintan sums up Eugene’s legacy as “a true gentleman, his commitment, knowledge and great sense of humour are greatly missed by everyone who knew this remarkable man“.
Niall Scully, writing in the Irish Independent in 2014, penned this insightful reflection of Eugene –
“Eugene Egan had integrity. People trusted him. Respect was his constant companion. He was a brilliant administrator. He knew the rules. Fair play for all was his bible. He was a perfectionist. He didn’t have to press a button to get stats – he had them all in his head.
He was a kindly, friendly gent. The smile was only around the next sentence.
He did much of his best work away from the glare – late nights on the computer, keeping the engines going.
He delighted in the progress of Cuala. When Martha Byrne made it onto the Dublin senior team, Eugene was there with the banner in Belfield on the coldest of days.
He wrote some inspiring reports. Tales of matches from around the country. Not a detail was missed.
He was thrilled to see Dublin ladies football progress and prosper. And he was one of the reasons why.
The game and its people filled him with the sound of music. The sport was lucky to have him. But he felt fortunate to be involved. To be helping. He never counted the cost. And that was the only stat that ever evaded him.”
A true Giant of the Club on who’s shoulders much of our success was founded.
Cartlann Digiteach Cuala (Cuala Digital Archive) maintains an on-line archive of images and stories relating to Cuala, its ‘ancestral’ clubs and other Gaelic clubs that once operated in its area. If you have any information or material to share with us, please contact –
Michael Goodwin, +353 (0) 87 2266140, history@cualagaa.ie
We are thrilled to announce that Fintan Quill has been awarded the Leinster GAA Beko Club Champion award 2024, in a competition that seeks to recognise the hard work of volunteers and clubs throughout the Province. As part of the award each winner receives €1,000 worth of O’Neills training equipment for their club.
Ever humble, Fintan has said that he would like to accept the award on behalf of all the great mentors, coaches and volunteers that we have in Cuala. He was nominated from within the club for his kindness, respect for, and dedication to players which sets him apart as an inspirational coach, role model and leader.
Recipients will receive their awards at the Leinster Club Finals on Nov 30th. Stay tuned for photos!
The Cuala Womens Section Annual Awards Night will take place on Friday 22nd November at 7.30pm! Join us for a fantastic evening celebrating the achievements of our amazing female athletes. The event will take place at The Purty Kitchen, a cozy venue perfect for a night of fun and recognition. Get ready for a night filled with awards and great company, followed by DJ and dancing. Don’t miss out on this special occasion to honor the success, hard work and dedication of our talented women. Tickets are free but must be booked via the link below. See you there!
Cuala Womens Section Annual Awards Night Tickets, Fri 22 Nov 2024 at 19:30 | Eventbrite
The Cuala Senior Women’s Football team secured the Dublin Summer Cup on Wednesday under lights in Bray with a 2-12 to 0-09 win over Castleknock.
The win completed a great end to the season. First Senior Championship Status was secured with a win over Fox Cab, then the following Wednesday saw promotion back to League Division One and then the silverware seven days later again.
Two second-half goals from Rebecca McEvoy and Sinead Wylde were the icing on the cake after trailing by two at halftime.
With mist rolling in over the pitch, it was points raining down on Castleknock, with Gráinne O’Driscoll marking her return to action with four, the same as McEvoy, and Neala Byrne, Anna Curraoin and Lauren O’Muirí also raising a white flag.
Joint Captains on the night Gráinne Fitzsimons and Rachel Hartnett collected the trophy, hopefully, the latest in a week of wins for the club.
“They are a great group who kept the season going to the last and fully deserved the success of the last few weeks,” said Manager Mark Healy.
