Cuala agus Cumann na mBunscol

Imreofar Craobhacha Camógaíochta agus Iomana Chumann na mBunscol i bPáirc an Chrócaigh Dé Luain agus Dé Máirt seo chughainn, 9 agus 10 Meitheamh.

Ar an Luan ag 13.20 imreoidh Carysfort le Denis Monaghan agus Orla O Brien i gCraobh Chorn Harry Conlon i gcoinne Loretto Deilginis lena múinteoir Derek Saville, mar a bhfuil Fiona McKenna ina príomhoide.  Go n-éirí go geal leis an dá scoil.

Agus ar Super-Tuesday feicfimid:

10.00 buachaillí Ghaelscoil na Fuinseoige, mar a bhfuil Cathaoirleach Cuala Aisling Uí Fhéich ina príomhoide, i gCorn JMOB.

11.10 cailíní Scoil Lorcáin, mar a bhfuil Colmán Ó Drisceoil ina phríomhoide, ag imirt camógaíochta i gCorn Fintan Walsh.

12.10 cailíní Divine Word, mar a bhfuil leasChathaoirleach Cuala John Sheanon ina Phríomhoide, i gCorn Bhean Uí Phuirséil

14.20 buachaillí Bhaile Eoin/ Johnstown leis na múinteoirí Emmet Murphy, Micheál Kelly agus Ciara Byrne ag imirt i gCorn Frank Cahill.

Tá sé iontach an méid seo scoileanna a bhfuil baint láidir ag Cuala leo, agus go speisialta an méid sin páistí a imríonn le Cuala ag fail deiseanna imirt i bPáirc an Chrócaigh.  Is léiriú é seo ar an obair iontach atá ar siúl le blianta ag Cuala agus ag fochumainn eile sa chontae maidir leis na cluichí Gaelacha do bhuachaillí agus do chailíní.  Go n-éirí go geal leo go léir.  Míle buíochas leis na múinteoirí a chaitheann a gcuid ama féin le cur chun cinn na gcluichí Gaelacha sa cheantar.

Cuala abú.  Cumann na mBunscol abú.

 

Grianghraif: Scoil Lorcáin thuas agus Loreto thíos

Africa Day at Cuala

Cuala is delighted to be hosting an event for Africa Day this Saturday 24th May, in partnership with DLR. Africa Day is the annual worldwide celebration of the people, cultures, and potential of the African continent. Damian Byrne of Cuala’s Sport and Social Integration Project (SSIP) is pictured above, 2nd from right, at the recent event launch with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Important Notice from GAA – Sliotars and Concussion Guidance

  1. Sliotars 
    • Clubs are reminded that only  Fluorescent Yello/High-Vis sliotars from an official GAA Licensee should be used in any official game or training session. A list of approved SMART and Match Sliotar Licensees for 2025 is stored here
    • At its most recent meeting (25ú Aibreán), Ard Chomhairle took the decision to utilise SMART Sliotars in all Club Championship Semi-Finals and Finals in 2025 at all adult Junior, Intermediate and Senior Grades. (https://www.gaa.ie/my-gaa/getting-involved/sliotar)
    • Licensed SMART Sliotars are the same as Licensed Match Sliotars, except that they have a chip embedded in their core which can be read by the Foireann App (once the permission has been added to the user’s account) and is used for verification purposes – i.e., confirms that the sliotar meets the specifications as set out in Rule.
    • The rationale behind introducing the SMART Sliotar in the club game, as well as the inter-county game (where it has been successfully utilised since 2022) is based around the following: (i) to ensure that sliotars comply with standards and testing as set out by Central Council and perform on a consistent basis (ii) to help ensure that sliotar production and supply chain practices meet the standards as set out by the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry, and, (iii) to help eliminate sliotar counterfeiting and illegal use of the GAA logo
    • There are five Official GAA SMART Sliotar Licensees – Bourke, Cummins, O’Meara, O’Neills and Green Fields. No other brand is licensed to provide SMART Sliotars currently.
    • Counties will be asked to nominate a Smart Sliotar Coordinator to help facilitate this at the County Championship Semi-Final and Final stages. Counties can either provide the SMART Sliotars for each game, or clubs can provide their own and a mixture of both teams’ be used. Only SMART Sliotars that have been provided and successfully scanned in advance should be used. We will be asking match officials and their teams and/or county administrators to assist with the scanning process. To obtain the Smart Sliotar Scanning Function on your Foireann Account, email eoghan.tuohey@gaa.ie
    • Scanning Functionality: Once permission has been granted, the “Smart Sliotar Scanning” functionality will appear on the users’ Foireann profile, after clicking “More” when logged into the app. Once pressed, the phone can be held against the “Smart Sliotar” red logo on the sliotar for a number of seconds and will either show Tá (valid Smart Sliotar) or Níl (invalid sliotar – but should be attempted again to verify). If an unsuccessful scan or error message appears, the user should re-attempt the scan.

 

  1. Updated Concussion Guidelines
    • The GAA’s Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee has, in recent months, published an updated Guidance Document and Information Poster on Concussion. We encourage all Club Members to familiarise themselves with these updated resources here – https://learning.gaa.ie/concussion
  1. Head High Challenges & Neck Restraints – Central Council Guideline
    • Following a lengthy consultation process, the GAA’s Medical, Scientific and Welfare Committee, and Standing Committee on Playing Rules, recommended to Central Council that the following actions constitute dangerous behaviour to an opponent and should be treated as a Category III Infraction:
    • To strike, or attempt to strike an opponent to the head or face
    • To interfere with, or apply any form of restraint to the neck or throat area of an opponent
    • The MSWC, in the context of best international guidance on concussion in sport (https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/57/11/695) believes the timing of this advice to be prudent.
    • All key stakeholders involved at all levels of the Association, including – players, match officials, coaches, medics and volunteers should pay particular attention to any – head on head, shoulder on head or elbow on head contact in any tackle attempt, along with any form of neck restraint or interference with the neck and throat area, and the above relevant rules should be enforced within this context.

 

Cuala and Dublin Minor A Leinster Champions

Congratulations/comhgairdeas to Cuala’s Katie Hayes, vice-captain of the Dublin Minor A Football team, and teammate Rebecca McEvoy who helped Dublin clinch the Leinster LGFA Minor title last Monday, bridging an eight year gap since Dublin were last crowned Provincial A Minor champions. Rebecca and Katie are pictured above with Cuala supporters.

2025 Leading Provincial Females Programme

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.

Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative

This year’s cohort of Cuala Transition Year students participating in the Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative (DEYLI) have just completed their second module, presenting their group research projects at Cathal Brugha Barracks on 14th March.

Now in its 10th year at Cuala, the DEYL initiative honors Dermot Earley’s legacy of sporting and professional achievements, alongside his commitment to community service. A partnership between the GAA, Foróige, and the University of Galway, the program equips young people with essential leadership skills, empowering them to reach their full potential and make a positive impact on the world around them.

GAA members aged 15-18 can participate in this yearlong programme, earning a FETAC Level 6 third-level qualification in Youth Leadership and Community Action from the University of Galway. This unique programme not only honours the values Dermot Earley embodied, but also instills them in a new generation of young Irish leaders. The programme consists of three modules two of which are facilitated, and one is undertaken by the young people independently.

The event at Cathal Brugha Barracks was opened by a former DEYLI graduate, 2nd Lieutenant Finn Richardson (pictured below left). Finn reflected on his experience in the 2018 programme and introduced our students who presented on a range of topics – Public Transport, Burnout in Sport, Pitches4Cuala, Loneliness, Respect for Referees and Gender Inequality in Sport. Dermot Early’s daughter, Ann Marie (pictured below right) was blown away with the standard of the presentations!

Students are now starting on their Module 3 projects and hope to graduate at the University of Galway in November.

A huge thanks to the facilitators of the programme – in particular Kevin Spain (pictured below centre) and Patricia Sheehan who have been leading the programme at Cuala since 2014!

Lá Féile Padraig

Cuala was well-represented at the Dun Laoghaire St. Patrick’s Day parade this year with our Senior Men’s Footballers receiving the honour of acting as Grand Marshall’s for this year’s event, with their silverware on show (Pictured below, Cllr Lorraine Hall, Cuala Chairperson Aisling Fay, and Senior Men’s Football captain James Power). Following closely behind in the procession were our 2016 and 2017 Academy year groups who were decked in a sea of red and white, with of course a touch of green. It was a pleasure to participate with so many community groups in this wonderful local event. With thanks to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

AMGEN Bursary Award Winners.

AMGEN and Cuala were delighted to announce the winners of the AMGEN Educational Bursary Awards at a ceremony at AMGEN Pottery Road this week. The bursaries are for Cuala members who are currently engaging in third level studies in STEM and Healthcare. The overall winner was Claire Harrison (centre) with Conor Groarke, Anna Simpson, Cormac Flavin and Charlie McMorrow also receiving awards.

Congratulations to all the winners and wishing you the best of luck in your studies. A sincere thank you to AMGEN for generously sponsoring these bursaries and to Cuala Secretary Colm Small and the AMGEN team for steering the selection process.

2024 Season Club Awards Night

On Saturday 1st Febuary, Cuala hosted its annual Club Awards Night at the Royal Marine Hotel. And there was lots to celebrate. Unsurprisingly the Men’s Senior Football Team were honoured with the biggest award of the night, Team of the Year, after succeeding in claiming the Dublin, Leinster and All Ireland Club Championship titles, in a historic journey that is unlikely to ever be forgotten.

The recipients were presented with their awards by Cuala Chairperson, Aisling Fay, with Rob Hartnett doing a fantastic job as MC for the night. In addition to the award winners (see the full list below), recognition was given to all the silverware brought home by Cuala teams right across the juvenile and adult sections, a testament to the success of the year.

For images of the night browse the gallery here (best viewed on larger screens), https://cualagaa.ie/gallery/

Award Winners 2024 Season 

Manager of the Year: Senior Men’s Football Management Team

2024 Ladies Football Young Player of the Year: Sarah Dunne

2024 Adult Men’s Football Young Player of the Year: Charlie McMorrow

2024 Ladies Football Player of the Year: Ciara O’Shea

2024 Men’s Football Player of the Year: Con O’Callaghan

2024 Adult Camogie Young Player of the Year: Iseult Ni Craith

2024 Adult Hurling Young Player of the Year: Conor Groarke

2024 Adult Camogie Player of the Year: Sinéad Murphy and Sinéad Wylde

2024 Adult Hurling Player of the Year: Diarmaid O’Floinn

Chairperson’s Award: Hilary Thomson and Linda Mahon

Club Person of the Year: Enda McGowan

Congratulations to each and every one of these very deserving recipients, and best of luck to all our teams in 2025!

Reconvened Clubhouse Redevelopment SGM Tuesday 17th December 8pm

In light of the recent announcement of grant funding, the Home4Cuala clubhouse redevelopment project is now at a very important stage. The reconvened Special General Meeting (SGM) will take place on Tuesday 17th December at 8pm in the Royal Marine Hotel where members are going to decide on whether to progress to the next stage of the project, or not.
The next (penultimate) phase will essentially be the final due diligence phase of (i) settling the detail of the final design spec (ii) tendering the contracts (iii) settling the terms of our new lease and the terms of the construction contracts. This next phase is essential and requires your support. Please see your member email for full details of the motion. There will subsequently be a final approval motion for members to consider later next year before the construction contracts are actually signed.
It is a very important decision for the club and a major investment in the future. It will be a short meeting with one item on the agenda and prescribed amount of time for contributions. Expect it to be over in less than 1 hour.
Irrespective of your opinion on the project, we would ask members to attend the SGM if it is at all possible for you to do so.
Míle buíochas,
An Coiste, Cuala.

Please note the following information regarding SGM, quorum and voting rights:

  •  The rules are as per the GAA Club Constitution and are therefore not those from Cuala or An Coiste, Cuala.
  • We are bound by the GAA Club Constitution. We as a Club signed up to this a few years back.
  •  Only Full paid-up members are entitled to vote. For the year we are in, these members must have paid their club membership by 31 March 2024. Within ‘Family Memberships’ a parent(s)/guardian(s) that has paid the Full Membership (Ordinary) fee will be entitled to vote. Any family member over 18 (from 1 January 2024) that is included in that ‘Family Membership’ and has paid the Full Membership fee by 31 March 2024 will be entitled to vote.
  • “Only Full Members, whose membership fees are paid up to date in accordance with Code 8, and who are not suspended or disqualified under this Constitution, Rules or the Official Guide and Codes, shall be eligible to vote at a General Meeting. The onus shall be on the member to prove that the member has paid their subscription.”
  • Social Members, Temp. Members and Youth/Juvenile Members do not have a vote.
  • There is no voting by proxy. Voting should be in person and the count based on those present and entitled to vote.
  • A quorum is required for an AGM and SGM. “No business shall be transacted at any General Meeting unless a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. Save as herein otherwise provided, fifteen per cent of Full Members eligible to vote shall be a quorum at a General Meeting, subject to a minimum of 15 members being present.”
  • “A Special General Meeting may be called by the Executive Committee at any time, provided ten days clear notice, in writing, shall be given to the members, specifying the purpose of such Special General Meeting.”
  • “If within half an hour after the time appointed for a General Meeting, a quorum of members is not present, the meeting if convened on the requisition of members shall be dissolved; in any other case it shall stand adjourned and be rearranged at a date and time to be decided by the Executive Committee, provided the reconvened meeting takes place within 14 days of the original meeting; and if at the reconvened meeting a quorum of members is not present within half an hour after the time appointed for the meeting, the members then present shall be a quorum.”