A chairde,
This Friday 19th of October at 7pm, we will be hosting a special reception to acknowledge the achievements of some of our county representatives who achieved so much this year across all four codes. The club will make a small presentation to each of the players on the night and it will be a chance for all club members to congratulate these players, their coaches, their parents, their team mates and get their photo taken. We will also be launching our Club Strategic Plan on the night so we would encourage all club members to come along on the evening which will only go on for an hour or so. We would particularly ask parents to make a special effort to bring the younger generation along to inspire them to what can be achieved through playing with the club at all four codes.
Looking forward to seeing you all there.
Lots to report on this week: The minor footballers are through to the County Final this Saturday, after retaining the West Board title for the 5th year in a row. The seniors are through to the semi final this Sunday after another titanic battle with Milltown at the weekend. Commiserations to our U14 footballers who lost out in the County A final but there was more silverware for the Ladies' Footballers with our second (of 3) U14 teams winning their county championship. Our minor camogie team also had a good win in the championship last weekend.
All this and much more below…………
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Play Club Lotto by clicking on the above poster or by going to www.skgaa.ie
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Ar an bPáirc
On the Field
Adult Football
Senior
Congrats to the senior footballers who have qualified for the county semi final following a huge effort vs Milltown. The lads came from behind in injury time through a superb point from Sean Armstrong to force the game into extra time for the second week in a row. The teams went in level at the break of extra time, when on came Robert Waltzer, fresh from captaining the minors to West Board success the previous day to score 1-1 and give SK a 3 point win. There's no rest for the wicked and up next is Mountbellew Moylough this Sunday 1.30pm in Tuam Stadium in the semi final. Again we would ask SKGAA members to make a special effort to get to Tuam Stadium on Sunday afternoon. YOUR SUPPORT CAN HELP MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.
Minor
The minors lost to Barna in the league by 14 points and the league final by 4 points earlier in the year and were waiting 5 long months for another crack at our neighbours following months of hard work on the training fields. And the lads delivered in style in what was an extremely tight game, SK pulled away only in the final few minutes to secure a 5th West Board title in a row. But it's the big one this Saturday. A third succesive county minor A football final vs Claregalway with SK hoping to regain the title following last year's defeat. There has been nothing to seperate these sides for the past 6 years, from U14 up. The final showdown is this Saturday in Pearse Stadium at 2pm. You're support is needed. Please come along and cheer on the lads. It promises to be a great game.
Juvenile Football
U6/7 training continues on Mondays outdoor for 1 more weeks 6-7 great numbers and great to see many parents helping out. Kids will move indoors after mid term in Nov with date and time TBC.
U8s train Tuesdays in Mcgraths 6-7 and will move indoor in aras then date and time TBC.
U-9 training continues on tue. evening & Sun. morning.
Very successful Blitz was held with U8s in Priarie last Sunday with great numbers over 60 kids down which was great to see and it was great to have the Priarie for use. Plan is to have 1/2 more blitzes before the end of Nov.
U10 training tues will finish Tuesdays next week before mid term with Sunday's continuing for few weeks to mid November.
U11s will play in annual St Mary's tournament next Saturday best luck to all. U11s moving indoor for Nov for few weeks into St Mary's.
U11s will play Westport in Pete Burke tournament on Sunday Nov 4th in
Prarie and u12 will play Na Fianna from Dublin in Enda Colleran tournament on Nov 11th.
The u14A footballers played their hearts out in a highly entertaining County Final last Sunday vs. St. James's. The pitch in Caherlistrane was immaculate and set the scene for a great battle. St. James's had a dream start scoring 2 goals within 6/7 minutes but our lads fought back and despite being unlucky in not converting 3 goal opportunities went in just 2 points down (2-2 to 0-6) at half time. They also started well in the 2nd half, drawing level but St. James's responded to go back ahead. The second half was pulsating with both teams playing great football. In the closing stages St. James's scored some fine points to keep our lads at bay, and despite a great goal at the end our lads couldn't force a draw. It was great to make the final and also to have such a big crowd cheering the boys on. This is a fine squad of 28 players, that showed steady improvement over the season. There's a lot to work on, and with, in this group of boys and the clear objective is to stick together and come back even stronger next season.
Hard luck to Conor \Alan/Fergus and all the lads it was great final and great to see so many of the team on cheering on the Seniors.
Best luck to Gerry Sweeney & U16s in County semi final away to Dunmore next Tuesday evening.
Best luck to club minors in county final v Claregalway next Sat at 2pm in Pearse and our seniors in semi final Sunday v Mountbellew at 1.30 in Tuam. All support needed for both games if possible
Adult Hurling
Under 21 Hurling
Training tonight, Wednesday in the Aras at 8.45 Wall Ball and Sand. Bring Runners and Boots.
Juvenile Hurling:
U6 /U7/U8 Hurling
Season ends this weekend.
2010 boys travel to Bekan for a blitz on Saturday. No training on Friday.
2011-2014 boys: End of season blitz in the Prairie at 5:45pm on Friday.
Under 10s travel to Mayo this Saturday to represent the club in the annual Bekan tournament.
Also good luck to the 7 SK boys who are in the Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh squad for the hurling mini 7 schools finals in Loughgeorge.
U11s (2007 boys) planning a blitz with Barna on Friday, 5pm in Furbo. That will draw season to a close and we will return with Wallball training for the 2019 U12 squad in November.
A group has been set up by Coiste Iomana na Gaillimhe to review hurling fixtures and competition structures.
The brief of this group is to examine hurling fixtures and competitions structures and operations within County Galway, to consult with the various stakeholders especially the players and clubs, and to present the conclusions and recommendations to Coiste Iomana na Gaillimhe for consideration.
As part of this process they have designed an online survey which will remain open until midnight on Thursday October 18th.
The survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/62C9RJM (copy and paste link)
Camogie
U8s U8 camogie girls had a great day out and performed very well at recent blitz in Castlegar. Thanks to all the supporters that made short journey out to cheer the girls on. It means a lot at that early stage.
The U10 Cappagh Cup reaches its climax this week with the finals to be played this Thursday.
U12/13 started wallball training last week with current and former members of the Junior team coming on board to put the girls through their paces. Welcome to Maria, Evie and Aine.
U15s had a hard fought win against Carnmore last Saturday morning in county league. Remaining matches against Athenry and Ardrahan to be played in coming weeks.
Minors beat Cois Fharraige in championship on Sunday evening in Prairie. Next match tbc.
Ladies Football
U6/U8 U6 and u8 football training tonight in mcgraths field 6-7pm new parents needed to get involved because of great numbers, talk to the coaches no playing experience required
U10 training this evening, Wednesday from 6-7pm in Cappagh Park.
U12
Un 12 girls football street leagues are going great..finals tonight! Wonderful win for SK girls over St Michaels a couple of weeks ago. Shield final Sat 20th for 07 girls. Wonderful group of young footballers! Tks to un 14 girls who played un 12 girls in a very entertaining match last weekend.
U14
A great day's work out in Claregalway on Sunday saw our U14 Girls B team crowned Div 4 County Champions. A super allround squad effort ensured our girls overcame Mountbellew Moylough by 2-12 to 2-6. No more than this dedicated bunch of players deserved, they have worked very hard throughout the year and now have two pieces of silverware to show for it. Well done all. Thanks also to the many supporters who came out to cheer them on. Next up is the U14 trip away to play Westport followed by some relaxing (!!) activities in Killary Adventure Centre. Excitement is mounting…
U16
Training took place Wed 10th October with 17 girls in attendance at the Prairie. With Light fading fast, the Girls put in a fine effort over the hour. On Sunday, the Girls hosted Ballinamere from Offaly with the Visitors fielding a strong team populated with a number of 17 & 18 Year olds. On a glorious day and firm pitch, Ballinamere demonstrated that they weren’t just up for a day’s shopping or to see the Sea. SK came under sustained scoreboard pressure and did not help themselves by missing many of the opportunities they created. Half time score was Ballinamere 4-9 [21] to SK 2-0 [6]. The game became a game of two halves with SK girls scoring 5-4[19] to Ballinamere’s 2-2[8]. Final score was SK 7-4[25] to Ballinamere 6-11[29]. A Good work out for SK with the Div. 1 Shield Final pending next Saturday, 20th of October. SK’s Team was just U16 Girls and created many chances but left at least another 5 Goal chances on the pitch with a wide or the Keep making the save at short range. In fact both team hit uprights, crossbars and unfortunately side nettings. Many thanks to the Parents that prepared some light finger food, soft drinks and tea in the Long Room Kitchen after the game. It was good to host Ballinamere in this manner and they were Thankful of this gesture. Audrey Connaughton volunteered to wash the jerseys after this Challenge game.
Coaching Corner
Keep up to date with news on www.skgaa.ie and https://www.facebook.com/SalthillKnocknacarraGaaClub/ .
Also you can follow SKGAA on Twitter @skgaa and Instagram #skgaa
Is mise le meas,
Diarmaid Ó hAodha