A chairde,
I hope you're all enjoying the beast from the east. We've been lucky enough so far with the weather and it has not stopped the hardy SK players from training yet. Our first championship game of 2018 was played last Sunday morning with the U20 footballers beating Oranmore Maree comprehensively. The Senior football championship draw was also made last week and SK have been handed a tough draw in the new group format. Some of our camogie and ladies football teams have been in action as well. There is more info on these and lots more below…..
Cyber Bullying and Internet Safety Evenings
Míle buíochas to all those parents/guardians and teenagers who came out for our internet safety nights on Monday and Tuesday. The reaction has been really positive with all leaving far more informed and glad they attended. A huge thank you to our tireless Club Treasurer Noel Schofield for organising these talks.
Registration
A quick note on registration. Thank you all for being so accomodating with regards our switch to online registration, but a gentle remider that all members must be registered to be covered by insurance should they get injured. This is especially important at this time of year with most teams going back training and playing matches again.
To register just click the link at the bottom of this page or visit
https://www.myclubfinances.com//memberships_cart_m.asp?ll_id=398&intmf_id=3222
If you are experiencimg any difficulty, you can ring the offices of myclubfinances and ask to speak to Mary on 091506048.
Clothes Bank
Our offcial SKGAA Club Clothes Bank has finally arrived and is located just inside the gates in the Árus so if you have any unwanted clothes be sure and deposit them here and you'll be helping the club at the same time. Míle buíochas to hurling and camogie coach Clem Garvey for organising this great initiative. It is due to be emptied today after filling up already so thanks to all who have deposited clothes there. Perfect timing for the Spring Clean.
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Numbers drawn 16,17,25,29
Congratulations to joint Match 3 winners, Pat Keane and Bernie & Michael Moloney who win E75 each.
Jackpot now at €11,100. It could be you…….
Play Club Lotto by clicking on the above poster or by going to www.skgaa.ie
Out Now
On the Field
Adult Football
Well done to the U20 footballers who overcame Oranmore maree by 5-17 to 3-02 in Oranmore in Monday. There were some particularly eye catching performances including Conal Hanley, Robert Finnerty who scored a hat-trick of goals and Eoin McFadden among others. Next up is St. Michaels in the Westside in a week's time in the West Board Semi Final.
The senior footballers have been draw in a group with Annaghdown, Tuam Stars, Killanin and Bearna for the 2018 championship. Each team will play against each other once with the top two in the group progressing to the quater finals and the bottom two in each group facing relegation. The first round for SKGAA is due to take place on the 19/20th of May vs Killanin. With SK getting a bye in the second round it is likely that they will not have another championship match until August. But that is the reality of the club game now so extra emphasis will have to be put on the league and the John Dunne Cup this year during the summer especially.
Well done to Sean Armstrong and Evan Wynne who both played a part in Galway's win over Kerry in Killarney on Sunday. With 4 wins from 4, the team is on course for a league final. Up next is Monaghan in the Stadium this Sunday.
The minor footballers begin their league campaign this Saturday away to Barna at 4pm.
Adult Hurling
Junior A and U21 Hurlers train tonight Wednesday at 8.30pm. Wall Ball and Sand, bring boots and runners. Minors welcome.
Great to see 24 lads down training last week. Signs for a great year ahead, especially considering the number of players are outside of Galway due to work and college commitments.
2 members of SK Junior Hurling / Football who are representing the Club overseas. Lorcan Breen and David Mannion are on Erasmus in Marseille from NUIG for the year. They played for Provence Gaels in the French Football Championship in Paris over the weekend. Well done Lads!
Juvenile Hurling
U6/U8 Boys indoor hurling training continuing at the following times: Junior infants Saturday 2-3;
Senior infants Friday 5-6; 1st class and other boys born 2010: Friday 6-7;
U10 hurling training continues as usual 7pm in the Aras Friday night.
U11/12. training continues Fridays at the Aras, 8-9pm until Mar 23rd. Moving outdoors after Easter.
U13/U14 . Training Monday at 7pm in the Arus wallball and Sand area.
1st round of the Championship starts on March the 10th at home to St. Thomas's
U16/U15 training continues Mondays 8pm wall ball and fitness, and Saturdays 9am Cappagh (if playable). We are organising an u16 tournament in Connacht Centre of Excellence Bekan on March 3rd with teams frim Galway and Mayo. Championship starts Mon 19 March with home game v Portumna.
Salthill Knocknacarra Juvenile Hurling will hold a table Quiz in Tom Sheridans, Knocknacarra on March the 8th at 8:30pm. Lot of fun , prizes and food on the evening.
Bring your friends, or support the event by donating a spot prize. Contact Nial Murphy 086 8399996 with any queries.
Camogie
U8s train at 5pm in hall at Arus.
U9/10s train Thursday Arus at 6pm. This group will be taking part in St Patricks day parade this year so any parents available to help in the run up to or on the day would be appreciated.
U11s training on Thursdays 6pm at Arus.
U12s train Thursday 5pm at wallball area. A highly enjoyable fitness session has started for this group on Sundays at 10am in hall at Arus and will continue for next three weeks.
U14s played a very useful challenge against Sarsfields last Saturday in very chilly conditions at Tonabrucky. SK lost out narrowly in the end but performed very well against a team that will be two divisions above them in the championship. Thanks to Rahoon Newcastle for use of the pitch and clubhouse and to all the parents who helped out refereeing and provided catering on the day.
U16s have resumed training every Thursday 7.45 at wallball.
Junior training continues on Saturdays and the girls had first outing of 2018 when they played a useful challenge against Carnmore last Sunday.
Juvenile Football
U8 resumed training last Monday indoor and will continue Monday’s 7-8
U9/10/11 teams continue training in aras with great numbers back and
U11 train on Mondays until mid march with u9/10 back in Tuesday's on the wall ball which is proving a big hit with big no’s
U13/14 continue to train indoor on Tuesdays
In Marys as they gear up for start of league
U15/16 continue to train on Sundays on kingfisher
No games as pitches still closed but our u14s are travelling to Kerry next week as part of Galway Kerry league fixture and our 13/14 will host Ballyboden St Enda’s on Paddy’s weekend when the Dubs play in Pearse Stadium
Juv football predict a quiz was launched with a great response so far more tickets are available from Norman.
The Juvenile Football committee are also looking for help for the year ahead as with over 12 teams and 400 children there is a lot of work involved in running the Football Section.
As the old motto goes its better to have a lot of people do a little rather than a few people do everything so with a new year and fresh enthusiasm if any parents are willing to help out in any way be it as a one off or attend a meeting once a month for 7/8 months please contact Juvenile Football chairman Noel Tyrell on 0879506140 or email noeltyrrell@hotmail.com
Ladies Football
u16- The Team travelled out to Chilly Annaghdown on Sat. Evening. The Girls played well and was a good work out for The Team. 19 Girls turned with many crying off for different reasons. One Girl turned on Sunday morning to play a Junior friendly versus Carraroe. Another excellent indoor session took place Monday 26th with 35 Girls in attendance. Well done Con, Mike T and Other Selectors.
u12- Up to 35 girls back training at u12. Great start to the year.
u10 – u10s Football due back tonight @ 7.00pm in Arus but final decision depending on Weather forecast !
Coaching Corner
Each section now has a club coaching officer and we are working together to ensure that all coaches have opportunities to learn, develop and share their knowledge and experience, across the four codes.
Well done to participants who recently completed Foundation Level hurling/camogie (3) and Foundation Level football courses (12) and to 9 club members who attended a special 6 hour workshop delivered by SAQ Ireland on Pre-Season Fitness and Strength & Conditioning Coaching. We have begun to gather feedback from all who attend coaching events, using SurveyMonkey questionnaires – thanks to those who have done so recently, and will use this feedback to plan future coaching events.
We are planning plan to have regular events for coaches over the next few months in our club, which will combine a talk with an opportunity to socialise. We aim to have these on/close to the last Friday of the month. We will launch this coaching initiative with a special event, our first Club Coaching Forum, taking place over 2 days on Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th March. Full details will follow shortly but on Friday 23rd there will be a talk/event which will be open to the whole club with a high profile speaker, and on Saturday 24th there will be separate hurling/camogie and football coaching workshops (approx 90 minutes each). So put this date in your diary: don't miss what promises to be a most interesting event!
Meanwhile, if you are on Twitter, check out @GAAmeCoaching – excellent coaching tips, activities and plans.
Easter Hurling/Camogie Academy
The Easter Hurling/Camogie Academy takes place this year from Tuesday 3 April to Friday 6 April. The Academy welcomes all boys and girls born 2004 to 2009. Full details will be available next week, parents can then reserve a place through their age group coaches. Last Easter's Academy was an outstanding success, so make sure you don't miss out this year!
Easter Camp
Multi Activity GAA Junior Easter Camp for our younger members running from Tuesday 3 April to Friday 6 April. The camp is open to all National school children aged 5-8 years.
Running from 9.30am – 1.30pm in the Árus and cost for the week is €50. If you would like to reserve a place, please email your child’s name & age to campskgaa@gmail.com.
Children can expect a week of fun and games while improving their GAA skills.
Birthdays in the Árus
Don't forget the Árus is the number 1 venue for children's birthday parties. Contact James in the office on 09152733 to book yours today.
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
