7thJOHN LYNCH MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT: The Rock Club UNDER 10 season will finish with the participation of our boys in the 7th annual John Lynch Memorial Tournament. It will take place on SATURDAY next (28th). A much-looked-forward-to football blitz will be a fitting end to a great season. 16 teams will take part: Na Stacaigh, Na Mistéalaigh, Ballymac, Na Gaeil, Churchill, Killarney Legion, Castleisland Desmonds, Milltown, Listowel Emmets, Kilmacud Crokes, St Judes, Naas, Bearna (Conamara), Douglas, Glanmire, St Finbarrs. 5 different counties will be represented: Kerry (9), Cork (3), Galway (1), Kildare (1) and Dublin
(2). VOLUNTEERS URGENTLY REQUIRED! Please contact Chairman Shane (086 6063230) if you can make yourself available to help with the organising of the 500+ players and their mentors. What a spectacle it will be to see so many young footballers togged out in their club colours in what is always marked on the club calendar as a vibrant and joyful occasion le peil den scoth. This special event, in memory of the late John Lynch, has a history of great engagement and backing from our own Black‘n’Amber members. Ar scáth a chéile a mhairimid agus is maol gualainn gan deartháir! Táimid ag súil agus ag tnúth go mór leis an ócáid! Both Caherslee and Connolly Park fields will be in use. A piper-led parade will take place from Caherslee to Connolly Park as the day’s events unfold. The support of Cara Credit Union is immensely appreciated. (D.Ó Loinsigh)
CLUB ALL-STARS: Our All-Stars came out in great numbers last Sunday as we went through our drills for the final time this year. It felt a little premature to be finishing our season as the sun shone brightly and as our players took part in the session with the same enthusiasm that one would expect at the beginning of the season. We completed our morning with an awards’ ceremony and a party for our deserving team. Austin Stack Club All-Stars sessions are designed to help neurodivergent children to connect and flourish while playing sports. So, if you want your child to increase his/her social participation, make friends and gain confidence, come along and join us at the commencement of our new season in the New Year. Beidh fáilte is céad roimh chách. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all at The Rock Club….organisers, coaches, volunteers, parents and, most importantly, each and every child….who supported us or participated in our activities throughout the year. We look forward to seeing you all after the winter break…..in 2024. (Cathal Ó Sé)
CONNOLLY PARK ON SUNDAY LAST: 120 boys graced the Connolly Park pitches on Sunday morning last for the final football action of our 2023 season. Our thanks to Adrienne McLoughlin who has posted an album of photos on the website gallery as well as a short summary of the day’s finals.
FAOI 7: Our Sunday morning outdoor sessions are over for now! Thanks to boys, parents and mentors for all their great work and great efforts throughout the season.
FAOI 9: (i) Great U9 football was played last Sunday in Connolly Park….our last outdoor football for 2023. It was Finals’ Day and the Bracker ‘Regan Cup was earnestly fought for. What excitement! The atmosphere was electric!! The skills of our U9 boys were on view and we were not disappointed!! Thanks to boys, parents and mentors for all the efforts throughout the season.
FAOI 11: (i) Last Saturday (21st) we welcomed the U11 boys from the Monaleen Club, Limerick. This Kerry/Limerick clash produced brilliant and exciting football! ‘We had 32 boys involved in a cracking hour’s high-class football against a really strong Monaleen team,’ stated one experienced and long-serving Rock mentor. (ii) On Sunday last (22nd), the following day, the finals of the John Galvin Cup and the Garry Fernane Cup competitions took place. The standard of play was excellent…..heart, skill and ambition were to the fore…..boys fought for every ball as if their lives were at stake!! Medals were presented and pizza was enjoyed by all! Well done, everybody! What a busy season it’s been! (Colm Ó Mongáin)
FAOI 13: Our U13 season has now ended. Don’t forget, parents and/or boys, to send us your feedback on the season’s activities. It would be greatly appreciated by our U13 mentors; all ideas and opinions will be considered and will greatly help in our planning for 2024. (Dan Ahern)
FAOI 14/15: Boys, don’t forget your regular individual workouts and exercises during your ‘off’ season! Remember….we want to be stronger next year! Thanks to our dedicated coaches/mentors: Theo Ó Duigín (bainisteoir), Pa Laide, Frankie Murphy, Ger Hobbert, Ronan Kavanagh, Morgan O Connell. (Ger Hobbert)
GAELCHOLÁISTE: (i) Bhí díomá mór ar ár gcispheileadóirí tar éis dhá chluiche fhíochmhara in aghaidh na Faiche….Faoi 16A agus ag leibhéal na sinsear….cé gur sheas Luke Ó Chathasaigh agus Rory Ó Loinsigh an fód go cróga. The Green lads were relentless in their attacking and they marginally edged out both our teams on our new school court. Sin ráite, siamsaíocht den chéad scoth a bhí ann do phobal na scoile. Mí-ádh agus comhbhrón libh, a bhuachaillí! Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach! (ii) Tá an-áthas fós ar iománaithe an Ghaelcholáiste tar éis a mbua iontach v Coláiste Eoin Bosca. Éacht! Bhí Rory Ó Loinsigh agus Gavin Ó Cathasaigh ar an bpainéal. Óóóó….dá mbeadh iománaíocht ag ár gClub! (D.Ó Loinsigh)
CORN UÍ MHUIRÍ: Best wish to The Rock boys in their upcoming Corn Uí Mhuirí competition games….The Green v Hamilton High and Cnoc an tSeabhaic v Áth a’Chóíste.
CLUB LOTTO: Thanks to the business people who support our club lotto: (i) Kirby’s Brogue Inn, The Rock; (ii) Siopa de Barra, An Charraig; (iii) Commane’s Bookshop (PC Books), The Rock; (iv) O’Flynn Interiors, The Rock; (v) Hussey’s Deli and Newsagency, Prince’s Quay; (vi) The Burger Shack, Monavalley.
CLUB SHOP: For club gear go to www.oneills.com
IRELAND v SCOTLAND: ‘Well done’ to the hurlers of Ireland in their recent Hurling-Shinty International i bPáirc Esler (Co. an Dúín) on Saturday last. Scór…Éire: 0-22; Albain: 2-08. Óóóó….dá mbeadh an cluiche sciliúil á imirt in/ag ár gClub!