Huge congratulations to our second ladies’ team who won their Division 3 Cup competition final vs Man O’War in great style. The match was played on our home Pitch 35 on Sunday afternoon. Fantastic photos below from Pat Walsh. Final score Clontarf 6-15 Man O’War 2-05.
Junior 1 All County Final Match Report
Captain Shane McIntyre lifts the Junior 1 Trophy for the first time in the club’s history. Photo Credit: Dan Darcy
Junior 1 All County Final
Clontarf v Templeogue Synge Street
Pitch 35, St, Anne's Park - 21/11/21
“When all will harmonise, and know it's in our hearts
The dream will realise…Heaven knows no frontiers”
The highly anticipated final was played out on our home pitch purely by the luck of the draw. Templeogue Synge Street (TSS), captained by the Galway-born broadcaster and journalist Ciarán Murphy, were looking to even the score with us as our paths crossed again. Clontarf had just edged the victory in the group stage. The TSS line-up again included Danny O’ Reilly of the Coronas with mother, Mary Black one of the many keen supporters on the “away” side of the pitch next to Mount Prospect Avenue.
On the opposite side, the massive home support faced into the low winter sun, hampering the view somewhat. Though the day was dry, the northerly breeze made shooting conditions difficult. This was very apparent as the match got started with Clontarf playing into the tricky wind and missing several chances. Though we were dominating possession, TSS massed-defence approach was paying dividends at both ends. Quick and accurate counterattacks gave them a lead of 0-3 to 0-1 at the first water break with just Kevin McGrath scoring for the home team.
The dogged pattern continued to half-time with just two more scores, one at either end, to leave Clontarf down by 2 at the break, 0-2 to 0-4. Liam Ennis kicked a much-needed score with his left boot to keep our spirits up in this phase. We knew we had the advantage of the elements in the second half but as is often said, that never won a game.
The lads got some harsh words at half-time but knew themselves they were capable of much better. The performance really took off in the third so-called championship quarter with another beauty from Liam Ennis, followed by three scores from Shane McIntyre, playing a captain’s role and a super long-range point from Seán Prendergast. Our defence and midfield were on top now limiting a tiring TSS to a single score in the period; we were glad to see that shot go above rather than underneath the crossbar though after a vital intervention from Brian Dufficy’s shoulder. DJ O’Flaherty rounded off the quarter with an exceptional 45 out on the left-hand side to leave it 0-8 to 0-5 at the second water break.
Into the fourth quarter then and a very well worked point from Karl Millar, the third sub to score, extended the lead to 4 and you could sense a famous victory was ours for the taking. Nothing ever comes easy in finals though and we failed to score again as we retreated into a more defensive shape and TSS threw caution to the wind. Thankfully, Rory Doran and Conor Mullins were in imperious form at the heart of the defence while Rory Goode’s pace and application gave us some breathing space at the other end.
Naturally enough though, we were all afraid of a possible late sucker punch, especially when TSS narrowed the lead to 3 late on. The final whistle never sounded so sweet. We had held on for a 0-9 to 0-6 victory and the raucous celebrations could begin.
What a year for our second men’s football team completing the double: first the Division 4 League title back in August against Cuala and now the most significant adult men’s football trophy in the club’s history. How fitting that we should do it on our home Pitch 35 in the Club’s 60th Anniversary year, rewarding many years of hard work by volunteers both on and off the playing fields.
Sincere thanks for the expert coaching and team management of John Treanor, Anthony Eames and Michael Murphy in their debut year. Using over 40 talented players in a 14-game-long unbeaten season is some feat. Heartiest congratulations to all involved, in any way, with this well-earned success.
Cluain Tarbh Abú!
Match Report by Pat Cunningham.
Photo Credit: Thanks to Damian O’Higgins for these fantastic photos.
A Look Back at 2021
The PRO Team has produced a short video (~7 mins) to look back on the past year of games and activities within and outside the club. This was produced for the AGM but we have had a few requests to share it out to everyone so you can all enjoy a look back at what has been a very successful year in the club.
This video is possible thanks to the great work of our volunteer photographers and videographers who come along to matches and events and take the great snaps you'll see in here, so thank you so much to all of them. But, there are also lots of team photos and captured moments that are taken and shared by mentors and members, so thank you to all of you as well. As we move into next year, please continue to take and share these wonderful memories and, if you are interested in becoming part of the growing team of snappers taking the fantastic photos, you can reply to this email (pro@clontarfgaa.com) with your details.
Make yourself a nice cuppa, grab a biccie and click below to see the video:
We hope you enjoy.
Photo Gallery: Clontarf Junior 1 Men’s Championship Semi-Final v Castleknock
Junior 1 All County Semi-Final
Clontarf vs Castleknock, 7/11/21 in Somerton.
Photos courtesy of Damian O’Higgins
PJ Lynch Anniversary Mass
The first anniversary mass for our former chairman, PJ Lynch, is on this Saturday 13th November at 5.00pm in St Gabriel's. The club, with the family, will have tea and sandwiches in the clubhouse after the mass and all are welcome.
Senior Men's Relegation Playoff
Friday 22nd October in Garristown at 7:30pm.
Please come along an support. Tickets are available from this link
https://www.universe.com/events/go-ahead-sfc-relegation-clontarf-v-st-oliver-plunketts-er-tickets-FBLCNJ
Clontarf Junior A Men vs Ballyboden Photos 10/10/2021
Men’s Junior 1 Championship Round 3 vs Ballyboden
Sunday 10th October 2021
Final Score:
Clontarf 1-14 (17)
Ballyboden 0-05 (5)
Photo Credit: Damian and Luke O’Higgins
Dermot Early Youth Leadership Initiative
Dermot Early Youth Leadership Initiative (DEYLI)
Clontarf GAA is now opening a call for participants for this exciting joint GAA/Foróige programme which enables young people (15-18 years) to develop their leadership skills and challenges them to use these skills to improve society.
The DEYL Initiative takes its name from one of Ireland's most inspirational leaders and one of Connacht's greatest Gaelic sportsmen, Dermot Earley Snr. (1948-2010), recognising his lifetime of sporting and professional achievements and his commitment to community service.
"Your attitude is more important than your ability, your motives are more important than your methods, your courage is more important than your cleverness and always have your heart in the right place.''
Dermot Earley Snr.
The Dermot Earley Youth Leadership Initiative aims:
To enable young people to develop the skills, inspiration, vision, confidence, and action plans needed to be effective leaders, both on and off the pitch
To empower young people to make a positive difference to their society through the practice of effective leadership.
The programme is aimed at young people aged 15 to 18 and will be run locally in Clontarf from October 2021 to Summer 2022. Participants do not have to be current playing members of the club. It will be delivered by local facilitators, based on a structure and resources developed by the GAA and Foróige. On completion of all 3 modules participants have the opportunity to graduate with a Foundation Certificate in Youth Leadership and Community Action, which is accredited at NFQ Level 6. Applications will be accepted on a first come first served basis.
To find out more and to apply to join the programme, please follow this link
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfsbWgg5LvycBY3k8f3nf7P5RYmBHLjUZqm22LrTc8FrOZ_Jw/viewform
GAA Healthy Clubs My Mind Matters Challenge
The Clontarf GAA Healthy Club Project is once more partnering with Irish Life to encourage club members to participate in a wellbeing challenge this October via the MyLife App that has the potential to raise €10,000 for Samaritans Ireland.
This challenge will inspire you to develop habits that boost your mental wellbeing, while contributing to a great cause – The Samaritans.
The goal is to take 30 minutes per day for yourself, 5 days a week over 3 weeks. Any activity counts, walking running, cycling, yoga, meditation etc. If participants track 30,000 days of activity Irish Life will donate €10,000 to the Samaritans (min. 30 minutes continuous activity counts as 1 day). Track your activity with a fitness wearable (e.g. Fitbit or fitness app ) connected to MyLife.
You’ll also have the opportunity to win great prizes for you and your club. Any participant who achieves our weekly targets will be entered into our weekly prize draws for:
Week 1: 25 x £50 Amazon.co.uk Gift Cards
Week 2: 30 x Fitbit Charge 4
Week 3: 5 x €500 Ireland’s Blue Book Voucher
One lucky participant will win an expert coaching & wellbeing event with Oisín McConville for their local GAA club.
How do club members & community join the challenge?
1. Download the MyLife app from the App store or Google Play store
• Apple App Store - https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/mylife-by-irish-life/id1459620652
• Google Playstore - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.irishlife.mylife
2. Register your details
3. Tap the social tab on the MyLife app, select challenges, and select GAA Healthy Clubs My Mind Matters Challenge
We encourage all Club members to get involved with the My Mind Matters Challenge and promote it amongst your friends and family.
An Cúldoras Opening Hours
The club is delighted to inform you that from this coming Wednesday 29th September, An Cúl Doras, the Club Bar, will be open from Wednesday to Sunday nights. The opening hours will be as follows:
Wednesday to Saturday: 8.30pm to 11.30pm
Sunday: 7pm to 11.30pm
The Executive are asking that all Mentor groups or sub-committees please organise their meetings for these nights. With the championship season in full swing at the moment, our teams are always welcome back after matches. Contact Kieran (0861791120) for the bar to be open earlier if required.
Members are welcome to hire our bar for birthdays, family events, etc. If a group wishes for the bar to be opened outside our opening hours, again please contact Kieran. We look forward to seeing you back in our clubhouse over the coming weeks and months as we return to some sort of normality.