Happy New Year to you all and I hope you all enjoyed the break and the ‘seasonal’ weather.

Congratulations to the 1999?s (U10?s) who participated in the St James Gaels’ run “John Humphrey Memorial Tournament” on the 27th and 28th of December. Having beaten St Annes, St James Gales and Castlenock in the preliminary round, the Cuala lads were pitted against Thomas Davis in the semi final. History was about to repeat itself. In a game of incredible intensity and skill, the Cuala lads repeated the successes of the 1998?s last year, and edged out Davis by a point after extra time. This was not a game for the faint hearted with the Cuala lads putting in every ounce of effort imaginable. Victory came at a price, however. Notwithstanding the phenomenal effort put in against St Vincents in the final, Vincents won by a solitary goal coming late in the 2nd half. The Cuala lads played with great pride, determination and skill throughout. The semi final was reckoned by all to be the highlight of the Tournament. Cuala’s Sean McDonald was picked out by the organisers as player of the Tournament with reference being made by the Gaels Chairman to Sean’s likeness to the late Great Mick Holden. As in all games, it’s about team effort and the 1999?s certainly did their Club proud.

Feile Girls Selling Cookies – The Under 14 girls will be selling homemade cookies on Saturday mornings at Hyde Rd to fund raise for their Feile year. Please support their efforts as Feile is an expensive undertaking.

Juvenile Registration will take place on Saturday 9th from 9:30-11 in the Cuala Bar. Details of fees and the forms are on the web at https://cualagaa.ie/aboutmenu/memb.html. Parents are encouraged to download, print and fill prior to arriving on the day to speed up registration. All players must be registered otherwise they will not be able to participate in games or training for insurance reasons.

Cuala coaches – the Cuala Coaching Conference will also occur on Saturday morning from 11:30 to 3pm. The conference is based on a Games Approach to Coaching concentrating on your Winter Training Plan and Coaching Sessions. Cuala Coaching is also launching the Cuala Coaching CD (which includes Cuala Player Pathway, how to coach a skill and hurling & football skills cards and much more). Guests speakers include Mick O’Dwyer (Kerry Hero and current Wicklow Manager), Angela O’Sullivan Chartered Physiotherapist M.Sc, MISCP, MSOM looking at Injury Prevention and Core Training and Leinster Council Coach – Ciaran Muldowney. Cost €30 p.p.See attached Flyer. For more information contact Ken Fitzgerald at 087 6830296 or Willie Braine at 086 0266506.

Coaches – to ensure player safety Hurling Helmets must be worn by ALL HURLERS from the 1st January 2010. It is essential that this rule is fully observed and implemented for both Hurling Matches and Hurling Training Sessions. This is both GAA and Cuala Policy and An Coiste expect that all players and team managers/mentors will fully comply with the rule. Please ensure that this instruction is communicated to all players within your games section.

Please find attached, memos detailing the procedure for reclaiming medical expenses under the Official GAA Injury Scheme. These are important documents for parents or players so please read carefully.