Pride of place goes to our U13 hurlers who’ve gone and done it again – winning the Div 1 Hurling Championship for the 2nd year in a row by beating Kilmacud Crokes in the final game. There was some controversy when these teams met last year over disputed goals etc, but this year no video analysis is required and the Cuala lads ran out deserving winners. The full match report is on the website so check it out.Well done lads – a tremendous achievement and well done to the management team of Braine, Treacy, Gibney and O’Sullivan. A good last weekend overall with our U11 (1997s) camogie team finishing their league campaign with a big win over local rivals Kilmacud Crokes, our U10 footballers (1998s) with a big win away against Lucan Sarsfields in the quater final of the Shield competition and our U12 D2 (1996s) girls reaching the final of the football Shield competition with a narrow victory away against St. Margarets Round Towers. Unfortunately, our U12 D3 (1997) girls were beaten despite a wholehearted performance against Innisfails in their football Shield quarter final. No competitive games this weekend although our U8 (2000) girls are entered in a camogie Blitz in the Phoenix Park on Sunday.
The U10’s sent out a good team to Kilmacud last Sunday for what turned out to be a magnificent afternoon of hurling. On a wet and stormy afternoon it was straight into action against a Kilmacud Crokes team who caught Cuala a bit cold, winning 1-4 to 1-1 with the Cuala scores coming from Joe Mahoney and Emmet Murphy. Kilmacud went on to win the blitz outright. Next up was a date with the might of former Cork champions Newtownshandrum, home of the famous Ben and Jerry O’Connor. A point down Cuala got a penalty with two minutes to go. The defence lined the goalmouth as Cuala mentors whispered words of encouragement to Diarmait Maas as he composed himself. “Take the point and get the draw” was one opinion but how many times will we have the chance to claim a scalp as prized as this. Diarmait looked, stepped up, raised the sliotar in a perfect arc and drove the ball into the back of the net. Brave, accurate, and a winning move that will live long in the mind of those who were there to witness it. Tiredness kicked in for third match against Gorey going down 1-5 to 1-1, but we came out hard and fast in our last game against Lucan and blew them away with scores from Fionn O’Drisceoil, Jack Hartnett, Rory McMahon, Fionn Myres and Emmet Murphy in a 1-5 to 0-1 victory to send us home tired but happy five hours after arriving. Kilmacud were perfect hosts with sausage and chips for the lads (of all ages) and a special plaque which team captain for the Lucan game, Stephen McDonnell proudly held aloft. Special thanks to the lads who gave their all, to the parents who supported them and especially to those who came along to support the team even though their own lads hadn’t made it on this occasion.
Cuala U11A and B Hurlers defeated by Fingallians at Clonkeen last Saturday. Great performances put in by a large number of players. Weather permitting, there will be a hurling and football skills competition at Clonkeen this Saturday.
Well done to the U12 Hurlers who recorded another strong win against a fancied Whitehall team last Saturday in Clonkeen.
There will be a full Juvenile Committee Meeting at 9.30pm on Tuesday, November 4th. All age groups need to be represented and to submit their report for the Juvenile AGM which takes place in the Cuala Hall at 8.30pm on Tuesday, November 11th.
Congrats to the U16 Hurlers on winning the B Shield Final last Saturday. Playing in Shankill against Commercials, the Cuala lads showed a lot of class, particularly in the 1st half, and excellent defensive qualities in the 2nd half to withstand a spirited fight back by the opposition. Cuala ran out 10 point winners on a score line of 3-11 to 2-4.
Best of luck to the Senior Hurlers who play St. Judes in Belfield at 3PM this Saturday in their final Championship Play-off game. All support welcome.
October Coaching Newsletter attached – essential reading for coaches and mentors of all ages.
23 October 2008
