SKGAA Newsletter 21/6/17

 

 

A chairde,

 

Another emotional roller coaster of a week in SKGAA. The U14 camogie team had an amazing weekend reaching an All Ireland Final after beating 6 other teams at the National tournament but were pipped by Naas at the final hurdle. The club are extremely proud of the players, coaches and organisers for all the incredible hard work they've put in over the past year. It was heartbreak for the senior footballers who stole defeat from the jaws of victory on Saturday, getting hit for 2 late goals. The lads will now go into the third round in mid August. Elsewhere there was more silverware picked up by the U12 footballers and the U14 ladies footballers. All details given below….

 

Unfortunately the Galway footballers' training session scheduled to take place in the Prairie tomorrow has been postponed. The team's management said that they hope to re-arrange in the upcoming weeks if possible.

 

There is an Office Space now available for rent at the Árus. Anyone interested should contact Árus Manager James Molloy on 091527333 or 0871635814. If you know anyone who might be interested, please pass on the info. Private Office Space in prime location with free parking, wifi and all mod cons available…..

 

SKGAA played its part on Tuesday for World Refugee Day by hosting a group less fortunate than us who are here due to difficult circumstances in their homelands.

A great day was had by all,mainly due to the weather, with a disco in the main hall, native African music upstairs and a fantastic range of local cuisine from the various countries where the people come from.

All the food was eaten al fresco on the balcony such was the heat, and a raffle was had to finish up. 

Ronan McNulty the community Garda popped in to say hello and mingle so all in all everybody left the Arus in great spirits. It shall be done again!!

A few photos are on the Arus facebook page.

 

The next outing will take place on the 30th June in Galway.  Anyone interested should contact Ger Mulholland (0861283674) or Mike Flaherty (0861700913) for more details. 

 

Tickets for the Leinster Hurling Final on 2nd July will be available from Pearse Stadium from 10am on Monday next. Tickets will be sold on a first come first served basis on receipt of payment

Under the new ticket management system we cannot reserve or print tickets without receipt of payment. 

Please note the ticketing information below.

 

Leinster S.H.C. Final –Wexford v Galway @ 4.00pm

& Electric Ireland Leinster MHC Final @ 2.00pm

CROKE PARK – 2nd July 2017

Wexford v Galway @ 4.00pm

Electric Ireland Leinster MHC Final @ 2.00pm

 

GENERAL

Hogan Stand (No Concession) – €35

Cusack Stand – €35

Davin Stand – €35

 

Hogan/Cusack/Davin Stand – €40 on the day of the game

 

FAMILY TICKETS:-

1 Adult and 2 Juveniles etc.

Family Tickets are only available for Cusack and Davin Stands

Adults – €35 Juveniles – €5

You are permitted to purchase 2 Juveniles ticket with every 1 Adult Ticket purchased

 

Students & Senior Citizens (Cusack & Davin Stand Only):-

Purchase full price tickets and on the day of the match they can claim a rebate of €10 when they produce appropriate I.D. at Block D, Stiles 1 to 5 in the Cusack Stand (Rebate can only be claimed on entry into the stadium via BLOCK D prior to ENTERING THE STADIUM)

 

Wheelchair Tickets:-

The Wheelchair Ticket are free of charge and the Assistant's ticket is €35

 

GROUP PASSES:- GROUP PASSES (Under 16's) – DAVIN STAND ONLY

Groups Passes are provided for groups of Juveniles U-16 €5 each (you are permitted to bring 1 adult free with every ten Juveniles) any additional adults pay full price for their tickets. See Application Form attached

 

Tickets on sale now from participating Centra and Supervalu GAA Ticket sales outlets.

 

 

Numbers drawn 16,17,24,30

No winner this week

Play SKGAA Lotto here: https://www.locallotto.ie/play_newa.asp?ll_id=398&PC=0&RP=#wizard_example-box 

 

You can now play SKGAA lotto in all the local bars in the area. Be sure and give it a plug to your friends and others when your out during the week. Míle buíochas. 

 

The senior footballers lost out to Tuam Stars on Saturday. It was a day for clichés: A game of two halves, Goals win games etc.. The lads played super stuff in the first half and led 10 points to 2 at half time. But in reality they should have been further ahead, with good goal chances missed and saved. It was battle in the second half, with SKGAA weathering the storm until the last 5 minutes when 2 quick goals by Tuam turned the game on it's head. The lads were bitterly disappointed but all is not lost. The lads are still well in the Championship and go to third round proper now rather than the quarter finals. They will play their next match in mid A ugust at the earliest. Final score SKGAA 0-12, Tuam Stars 2-10. 

 

Junior championship  this Friday vs Leitir Mór in Leitir Mór at 8pm.

 

The lads lost out to Barna in an entertaining match in the Prairie last Wednesday in the torrential rain. Again goals cost SKGAA with Barna scoring 4. Final score SKGAA 0-16 Barna 4-11. Next up is Spiddal this Saturday at 7pm away. 

 

 

U9's travelled to Trim and Croke Park last Sunday. We left the Árus early Sunday morning and headed to Trim where we played their U10s in a blitz. Afterwards Trim had tea and sandwiches in their very impressive club house. We then headed to Croke Park to do a tour of the stadium and museum.  We had 58 people travel on the day. Thanks to all the kids, who did the club proud, and all the parents. Training resumes after the street leagues for the last 4 weeks. We are playing Barna in Cappagh on Tuesday 27th. Thanks to Gary Dunne for organising his home town to play.

 

U10s travelled to Tullamore Offaly last Sunday and played blitz v Offaly champions Tullamore .3 SKGAA teams all playing 3 excellent games overcoming the Offaly lads in sweltering conditions. Martin Mannion playing a blinder as coach and waterboy! Tullamore offered the customary tea sambos and treats to us all and a big thanks to all for generous hospitality.Then it was onto Portlaoise to cheer on Galway hurlers v Offaly. In Sahara like conditions we enjoyed the game altho it was very one sided. One of the biggest cheers of the day was when the lads did the Icelandic handclap led by David Kilraine & Sam Finneran ! We couldn't get back to the Ajr conditioned bus quick enough and we had a mighty sing song on way home with a pit-stop at Galway Plaza. 

Huge thanks to Declan Brian Martin & Michael and other parents who travelled and to all lads (38) who represented the club very well both on and off the pitch.

 

U12's beat Barna (3.08 to 1.04) in Pearse Stadium last week to reclaim City and West Shield (3.08 – 1.04). We lead through out the game with strong displays all over the field in very wet conditions. Two early goals set us up well but SKGAA definitely deserved the win overall. 

The U12 county league starts on July 2nd. SKGAA are planning on entering 3 teams between U11 & U12 panels in order to maximise playing time for all players. 

SKGAA U14's bet Barna 3-16 to 2-3 on Sunday. Top of the table with full points after 5 games. Best luck to Noel and all team and parents who are Travelling on Saturday to Regional Féile in Sligo.

 

 

The U14b Footballers had a great win Monday night (away) v Killannin in the Championship. Earlier in the year at Féile the corresponding fixture ended in a heavy defeat, but right from the throw-in this time our lads showed a determination to stick at it, especially playing into the strong breeze in the first half. Killannin deservedly went 1-5 to 0-1 up, but our lads clawed their way back to go in at half time only 3-5 to 2-3 down. Killannin started the second half well with a goal and a few points but from there on in it was all Salthill Knocknacarra. The backs were immense throughout, well aided by a hard working and effective midfield. Up front the passing and score taking was at times like what you'd see at u16 or above. It finished 6-8 to 4-9 to our lads, a richly enjoyed and deserved win.

U15/16 no games due to junior cert but well done to the 5 U16s players who made the Ted Webb squad and best luck. U16s are through to championship quarter finajs to be held in July. 

 

 Everyone is getting back to normal life after the excitement of Feile last weekend in Wexford. The girls represented  their club, families and themselves impressively in the manner they performed on and behaved off the field. We played 6 matches over the three days winning 5 and losing the final to a very strong and skilful Naas team. The quality of the camogie served up by the girls was top class and provided excellent entertainment and excitement for all the supporters. The management team  would like to thank the girls for making it such an enjoyable and rewarding weekend. We would also like to thank the parents and supporters , including the bus driver, for enthusiastically following the team and for all the help they provided both at the weekend and in the months leading up to Feile. 

A huge amount of time and work went into  making the weekend the success it was. Thanks to the management team of Gerry Kelly, John Burke and Elaine Kelly who prepared the team so well  and the organisation committee members Gerard Wall, Sinead Madden, Aine Patten, Susan Murray, Veronica Ryan and  Fiona Cahill who worked so hard to make sure everything was in place in advance of the weekend. Also thank you to Cathal and Beatrice McGinley, photographer Alan Kelly , Tom Keane , Maccon Keane and Willie Madden who assisted around the matches. Thanks to anyone who posted match updates and photos during the tournament. These were much appreciated and  eagerly waited on by those back in the parish. Apologies if we have left anyone out.

Sincere thank you to all the sponsors listed whose contributions in advance of  the weekend were invaluable and much appreciated . In addition to those detailed, thanks to Clada Minerals for supplying  the water that was badly needed in the Mediterranean conditions of the south east.

 

 

 

A big thank you also to our host club, Buffers Alley for their hospitality and friendliness and making us feel very welcome in a very beautiful part of the country. The BBQ and presentation event organised by the hosts on Saturday evening was truly humbling. All the girls  enjoyed staying with their host families and some didn’t want to come home they were having such a great time.

Finally……,there will be no U14 training this week.

 

In other news….

U12s had a win last  Monday evening in Prairie against St Thomas’ to reach the Div. 3 Shield final.

 

A win for U16s this Friday against Portumna will see them into championship semis.

 

Juniors registered an impressive win against a traditionally strong Cois Fharraige team last Thursday in a challenge match. Good preparation for  the first round of the Junior B championship against Liam Mellows in the Prairie this Sunday at 7pm. All support welcome as the two county league finalists meet once again.

 

 

 

Training returns to usual slot of 8pm, Prairie, Wednesday for Adult  Hurlers this week. 

No Championship  match this weekend.

Challenge match this weekend vs Castlebar at 3pm in the Prairie. TBC, keep an eye on website for update. 

 

Minor Championship resumes  this weekend as the Leaving Cert is finished.  SK have important match vs Ballinasloe at 6.30, this Saturday at Cappagh Park/Prairie Get out and support the lads! 

 

U6 Hurling 

U6 Hurling is taking a small break 

For a few weeks.

 

U8's played a blitz v Barna Furbo last Friday. Many thanks to them for hosting us. We had a great evening of hurling in the sun. Final session this Friday in McGraths will be a mini blitz.

 

 

U10's training on Friday in Cappagh Park at 6pm. We are playing a challenge vs Micheal Breathnachs in Inverin on Sunday morning. 

 

We travelled to Annaghdown last Saturday morning and had a great game of hurling. We done to the boys on a good win .  

We are playing St.Thomas, in the Prairie on Saturday morning at 11am.

 

The U13 team got their first win of the Championship last Monday evening against St. Thomas' . We had a good start playing with the wind in our backs and had a 6 point lead heading to the break.  But the boys from south Galway manged to get a very lucky goal .  Half time score was 0-06 to 1-00. St. Thomas' soon leveled the game at 0-06 to 1-03 and our boys had to work hard playing in to a stiff breeze , and that they did, in the last 6 minutes we managed to score 2 points to 1 and win on a final score of 0-08 to 1-04 . It was a great win for the boys and some great scores . 

Next up is an away match to Cois Fharraige in Spiddal on Monday evening at 6:45pm. 

 

U16's training on Thursday evening.   U16 semi-final v Oranmore is provisional booked for the 4th july venue tbc.

 

Hard luck to Seanie Joyce playing with the Galway McDonagh in the Semi-final last Friday evening in Kilbeacanty.  They lost after extra time to the Galway Maroons. 

 

County News – Best of luck to Emma Madden and Laura Kelly in their bid to secure the u14 All Ireland Football Title against Kerry, July 1st, Nenagh, 1.30pm.  Emma and Laura were this week presented with a pair of new club tracksuit pants by club senior Galway star Sean Armstrong on account of their great achievements. 

 

 

Junior – Best of luck to the Juniors who take on Micheal Breathnachs this Saturday in the League Shield Final. All support welcome! 

 

u14 – The Girls came good on Monday evening the 19th when they comprehensively beat Glenamaddy in the Division 2 Shield Final. The final score was SK 2-8  Glenamaddy / Williamstown 0-5.

Story of the Game was that two committed team went at it from the Throw in. SK went defensively at the start and weathered the first 10 mins with our own attack making little progress. Team management made some positional switches and brought the County players to the key Pinch areas where they started to dominate and in the end, SK had a good firm grip on the Game. These Girls deserve great credit as earlier in the league, they drew with GW in their home pitch.

This concludes the league program though two games were left not played. Matches against 1st and 2nd in the table did not take place. During this league campaign, the SK U14s remained unbeaten.

What's Next : Training and Preparation for the Championship that starts in July.   Also, we wish Emma Madden and Laura Kelly good luck as they set out to win The All Ireland u14 Football when they take on Kerry in Nenagh on 1st July 2017.  Good Luck. 

 

 

u12 – U12 Girls finished up their successful league campaign with a party last Friday in the Prairie + Aras. Much fun (and sugar…) was had by all. Thanks to all who contributed. Summer break from training now until mid July. But the girls should still practice their ball skills at home as both teams will need to hit the championship ground running in August. Enjoy the break.

Keep up to date with news on www.skgaa.ie and https://www.facebook.com/SalthillKnocknacarraGaaClub/ . Also you can follow SKGAA on Twitter @skgaa

 

Is mise le meas,

Diarmaid Ó hAodha