Cuala GAA Monthly News 1976 – A Familiar Story

We promised you another helping of Magazines from times past so here we go again.

The year is 1976 and the March publication from Cuala G.A.A. is in the hands of editor Noel O’Donoghue. He penned a report on his recent trip to Belfast covering items that have ironically come back into the current news agenda (“every follower of Gaelic Games should visit Casement“) but also reported about events that we hope will never recur.

Runaí Joe Mooney was chasing Subs and promising austerity (plus ca change) but offering some relief (“hurls broken in matches will be replaced at no charge”) though we wonder whether this introduced any moral hazzard?

Of course we had lots of news that seems familiar today with reports of sucesses of the various teams – and made-up of so many still-familiar names

  • Mick Dunphy on Juveniles
  • John Bailey on the (“Dynamos”) Junior Hurlers
  • Jimmy Doyle on Intermediate Hurlers
  • Peter Burke on Junior Football
  • Mikey Sheanon on U21 Football
  • Joe Mooney U21 Hurling
  • Mrs Priest on Social Activities – and offering some poetic advice too.

And news too of Naomh Mhuire – still an independent Camogie club at the time but, by this time, already closely associated with Cuala; they formally joined Cuala in 1979.

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Cuala At Oireachtas – Integration

Cuala at Oireachtas with Steering Group for Integration

Cuala players Aisling Groarke and Cormac Spain were in Leinster House on Wednesday to present a statement to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media alongside the Steering Group for Integration in a public session to discuss “integration of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association and Camogie Association with the Gaelic Athletic Association”. The players were invited to attend as representatives of LGFA, Camogie Association and GAA players nationwide following engagement of Cuala with the Steering Group for Integration last year.

Their statement with regards to Integration is now on the public record and can be read in full here, while the presentation can be watched back on video published on the Oireachtas website (Wednesday 10th April, Committee Room 1, video commencing at 13:50).

This was a privilege for the players and club to input into discussions on Integration at such a level. Thank you to Cormac, Aisling and Club Secretary Colm Small who also attended.

Pictured are Colm Small (Cuala Club Secretary), Aisling Groarke (Adult Player), Mary McAleese (Chair of the Integration Project), and Cormac Spain (Adult Player).

An Bothán

An Bothán – A New Social Space at Cuala

After many hours of hard work the old Cuala gym has been turned into an inviting social space complete with pool table, comfortable seating, water colour, tv and some inspirational artwork. Some of the eagle-eyed among you might even spot the old bar lights repurposed which give an added bit of atmosphere! Many thanks to Dave Kennedy who was instrumental in the development of this space. Check out a little video of the room here.

We have answered some FAQs anyone may have on the room….

Who/What is the room for? 
The room is designed to be a space for members over 18 years of age to relax and socialise. Members over 16 years of age are also welcome as long as there is also an adult present who is compliant with vetting and Safefguarding.

Do I need to book the room?
As we want this to be an informal social space, the room is not on the Booking Scheduling System. Anyone using the room should simply sign the ‘Sign In Book’ available at the entrance.

However if other meeting rooms (Analysis room and the Board Room) are not available and a room is needed the space may be used for a one-off session. In this case there is a sign for the door “ROOM NOT AVAILABLE AT PRESENT” located on shelf inside the door.

Anything else I should know?
We want everyone to enjoy the space and simply request that respect is given for other members in leaving the room as it is found. Thank you!

Six Nations Fundraiser Results

Ireland won the 6 Nations Championship but who won our forecast?

Well, it looks like we have a few serious rugby tipsters in our club, judging by the final outcome. Just to remind ourselves the challenge was to forecast the result of all games, based on a handicap, with a tiebreaker to predict the total number of tries across the entire tournament.

The competition got tremendous support with 618 entries all looking to show off their rugby knowledge, their forecasting skills and to bank the 1000 euros prize.

With 1 point for each correct forecast the maximum points on offer was 15. And for the record (and the tiebreaker if required) the total actual tries scored across the tournament was 79.

When the final whistle sounded on the final match, we had 4 entries on a score of 13 correct forecasts from the 15 games played. Considering some of the surprise results this was an amazing achievement and must be better than the predictions from some of the professional pundits.

So, with 4 entries tied on 13 points the tiebreaker came into play. Two of the 4 predicted 80 tries and two predicted 86. That’s how close it was. So, even after the tiebreaker, we ended up with 2 entries tied for the top spot.

Congratulations to the official winners, who will split the prize and celebrate with 500 euro each.

Maurice O’Callaghan 

Colum Sheanon

Unlucky but shout-out for Michael Fitzsimons and Cillian Cronin who only lost out on the tiebreaker.

For the record, the top 4 on 13 points had a big chasing pack on the final leaderboard:

9 entries ended on 12 points.

22 entries ended on 11 points.

42 entries ended on 10 points.

Final Leaderboard:  https://cualagaa.ie/leaderboard-2/

Credit to James Power and Dave Kennedy, the main organisers behind the scenes who set it all up, did lots of number crunching to track the competition and maintain the leaderboard. Months of work!

And finally, thanks to all players, club members and friends who supported this fundraiser for the Men’s Adult Football section. It is much appreciated and a valuable contribution towards the increasing financial costs of running the 4 competitive teams.

A Personal Message Of Thanks To Ken Fitzgerald And Dave Kennedy

A personal message:

As a longstanding member of Cuala GAA, I would like to express my appreciation to Ken Fitzgerald and Dave Kennedy for the work and commitment that they have given to the club.

Ken has been the backbone of the Juvenile Development in Cuala, and in no small way has contributed to the increased number of children playing Gaelic Games in the Club and in the area. This is down to his hard work and dedication, as he has proven over the years to be a fabulous coach, leader, and person. On a personal note, I would like to thank him for all the help and support he gave me and the Project over the years. I have worked with Ken for over 30 years. He has been a great work colleague, fellow player, but most of all a great friend. I wish him and his family all the best as he takes on his new role.

I would also like to thank Dave for his work as club administrator. This was an enormous role that he took on with such enthusiasm and determination. I am sure everybody has great appreciation for his ability to organise and control such a big club. I want to thank him for his support and help with the SSIP and all aspects of the club.

I also want to thank him for his work in the club, developing the Gym, the Analysis room, and the social room. (It reminds me of the JFK saying ‘Ask not what your club can do for you, but what you can do for your club.) He has carried this out voluntary and it just shows the calibre and dedication of the man. I am sure generations of players will reap the benefit of his work.

Well, done to you both, and I wish you all the best in the future.

Damian Byrne.

A Short Note From Ken Fitzgerald…

A short note from Ken Fitzgerald…

Hi folks,

Just a short note to let you know that I have decided to retire from my role as club coach/youth development officer in Cuala.

I’ll finish on March 22nd, but my last day will be March 15th as I intend to take a week annual leave from 18th to 22nd.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all the support and confidence shown in me during my time in the role.

I will continue my voluntary involvement with Cuala via my sons’ teams.

I wish Cuala all the best for the future and hope I’m leaving it in a stronger position than I found it.

Thanks.

Le gach dea-ghuí

Ken

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It’s difficult to sum up Ken’s immense contribution to the club and community in a few words, but we’d like to take this opportunity to thank Ken for everything. His impact in virtually every aspect of Cuala down through the years is clear to see. Go raibh míle maith agat as gach aon rud, agus go n-éirí leat sa todhchaí!

Cuala Casements Monthly Newsletter – June 1972

We first brought you news about an old cuala Casements Newsletter back in 2015. At the time we anticipated bringing you more but somehow Cartlann Digiteach Cuala never quite got around to it. So we’re delighted to put that right and resume publication.  The next ones are compliments of Paul Hogan and Lorcan O’Raghailligh who we thank for taking the trouble to share them.

Two things strike us about these publications. Firstly, the great pride and enthusiasm shown by everyone who contributed to the magazines. Not much has changed, we hear you say.

Secondly, given todays digital/immediate publication capabilities, you can only be amazed at the effort that went into the production process. This was at a time when there were no word processors, no computers, no photocopiers, no clip art or image processing capabilities. You didnt even need electric power. The magazine would have been meticulously “typed as a drift” (oops, discard page and start over) “typed as a draft” to make sure the layout was right and then re-typed onto wax-coated Stencils. Illustrations were hand drawn, even individual fadas had to be added by hand. The page stencil was then mounted on a pre-inked Roneo machine which would be cranked onto as many blank sheets as the intended circulation required. Stacks of pages where then compiled and stapled. (See more on Roneos here ).

So, eventually, one for everyone in the audience – but only when the audience showed up in person – and with a “new 10p” (ask Grandad) to pay for it

It makes our current Cuala Weekly News seem like a walk in the park.

Here’s one from June 1972.  Well worth a read, if only to learn about the Cuala/CBS Eblana “Magnificanet Seven”.  And watch out for more next month.

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New Players Social Room

New Player’s Social Room

Lots of members asking about whats happening with the old gym room – work on converting this space is almost complete, so please be patient!

The room has had a complete makeover and will be the new Player’s Social Room – a room for player’s to meet up, watch a match on the big screen, play some board games, pool or darts or just chill!

This completes a series of major refurbishments  around the clubhouse which were approved by Coiste – these included;-  new shop / video analysis / meeting room, new members gym and indoor astro surface all completed during 2023.

Some of our senior Camogie & Men’s Football players testing the pool table before final lock down !

Cuala Annual Awards

What a fantastic night last Saturday in the Royal Marine Hotel for the Annual Cuala Awards night sponsored by Amgen, where we had the opportunity to honour and recognise the best of Cuala in 2023. A huge thank you as always to AMGEN for their valued support of our club. Special thanks also to the Royal Marine Hotel as our hosts for the evening and to our organising committee of Dermot Malone, Damian McKeown, Breda Kennedy and Angi Crispe. Finally thank you to Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh who acted as MC, Joe and Nic for entertainment, Liam Madden for photography, and to everyone who attended.

Pictured are AMGEN’s Paul Greene with Dublin players Jennifer Dunne, Jessica Tobin, Grainne Fitzsimons and Martha Byrne. Photo credit: Liam Madden

Comhgairdeas to our 2023 Cuala Award Winners:

Manager of the Year Award – Colmán O’Drisceoil

Ladies Football Young Player of the Year Award – Caoimhe Brady

Men’s Football Young Player of the Year Award – Dave O’Dowd and Cillian Dunne

Ladies Football Player of the Year Award – Fiona Craddock

Men’s Football Player of the Year Award – Cal Doran

Adult Camogie Young Player of the Year Award – Jennifer Sheeran

Adult Hurling Young Player of the Year Award – Jamie Conroy

Adult Hurling Player of the Year Award – Eoghan O’Callaghan

AMGEN Team of the Year Award – Women’s 3rd Football Team

Special Presentation to Michael Fitzsimons and Jennifer Dunne

Club Person of the Year Award – Joyce Groarke

Cuala Men’s Football Fundraiser

Cuala Men’s Football – 6 Nations Forecast

Predict the handicap adjusted winner for each game in the 2024 Six-Nations Rugby Competition and win a cash prize of €1,000.

The entry with the most amount of correct predictions will be the winner.

Click Image below to Enter: