Hello Cuala Patrons
Nearly Easter week, long evenings and it feels like we are already playing Summer hurling. I’m lovin’ it :
- Well done to the Ladies Minor footballers who played out a cracker of a draw 5-09 to 6-06 against Kilmacud at Hyde Road on Saturday afternoon. The U16, U14 and U11 camogie teams also had good wins over the weekend.
- Very good wins for several juvenile hurling teams over the weekend including U14A’s against Balinteer and the U14 B’s against Whitehall. Great win by 2 points for under 15 hurlers in their A division clash with Na Fianna last Sunday. It’s the first time we have beaten them in this age group. Top class displays by Dara Twomey in an unaccustomed position at full back and Conal O’Ceallaigh at wing forward. Conal was awarded the Laoch na hImirte award for 3 excellent points and an all round great performance.
- U16s also had a nail-biting win over neighbours, and 2010 Feile champs, K.Crokes in the Div1 Hurling League. Trailing by 5 points with about 7 minutes to go, two late goals, both initiated by U15 David Ryan and finished by Shane Murphy and Con O’Callaghan, did the business. Cuala won by 4 points. Many great performances but Jake Malone was outstanding at center-back, showing the unerring accuracy and coolness from frees and 65s that would have graced any inter-county marksman.
- Speaking of which, outstanding display from Paul Schutte at full-back vs Tipp in the League clash in Croker last Saturday and wasn’t it good to see one David Treacy tearing a hole through the Tipp defence to knock in 1-2 with aplomb in the space of a couple of minutes.
- Last week the 3 Minor Football teams were in action, the A’s drew with Castleknock, the B’s were narrowly beaten by Ballyboden while the C’s had a good away win against Whitehall. This Sunday, the A Hurlers are away to Ballyboden and the B’s face St.Finian’s of Swords in Shankill at 11.
- There is great interest in the Easter Schools of Excellence, spurred no doubt by the fine weather. Check the website for the application forms. It will be football for U6 to U12 at Hyde Road in the first week, followed by Hurling the second. The reverse is the case for the older groups, including our Féile teams. Hurling first and then football for them at Thomastown. The courses run for four hours a day and cost €30 for members and €50 for non members. Check it out on the website.
- Cuala senior hurlers had a great victory over a strong Faughs side that had beaten league champs Crokes in the first league game on a score of 2.15 to 2.13. After a slow start, Cuala keep to their game plan and reaped the rewards with scores from Barry Connolly and a great goal from Cian Waldron to go in ahead at half time. Cuala played some excellent hurling early in the 2nd half and had an 8/9 points lead only to concede 2 late goals and make the final 5 mins a little anxious, but earned a well deserved 2 point win. Great performances from the back line as a whole with Oisin Gough, Shane Holden, Shane Kiely and young Niall O’Dowd playing like a man twice his age standing out. Barry Connolly and Adam Hudson were dominate midfield, with Connolly man of the match while Brian Fitzgerald showed great strength to score an all important goal. We wish Simon Timlin a quick recovery from a sprained his ankle in the last play of the game. Keep it up lads, there is more in that proverbial tank!
- The Cuala Comedy Night takes place at the club on Thursday 5th April featuring stars from the Republic of Telly and the Savage Eye. Again check the website for details
- Shankill Spring Clean comes to our pitches next Saturday. Players and members are asked to attend between 10 and 12 to help tidy up the woods behind the goals and hopefully find a few missing sliotars.
- Finally, congratulations to Ken O’Sullivan on being appointed to the Dublin County Board Management Committee, the ‘top table’ in the county. Ken, in his role as Cathaoirleach of Coiste na nÓg, will serve on the Committee.
Thats enough for this week – slán.
Tadhg Murphy
Cuala Communications
