20 Bealtaine 2016

A HISTORIC DAY IN CROKE PARK

Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille enjoyed a hugely historic day in Croke Park on Monday 20^th of June. Not alone did the hurlers and camogie players reach the Cumann na mBunscol finals but both successfully returned to the school with silverware. It is a rare achievement for a school to reach a boys and girls’ finals in the one year. Add to that the cup and shield won during the football competition and Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille have won four competitions in the one school year. It is a feat that has never been achieved previously in the Cumann’s 88 year history.

CORN OLLY QUILNAN – CAMOGIE FINAL

The Gaelscoil’s travelling support were in fine voice even before referee Mary Boggan threw in the sliotar to signal the start of the Olly Quinlan final. From the opening minute onwards, it was clear that the girls understood the importance of a fast start. Despite conceding two soft goals in the opening half, the girls from Stepaside still lead by 1.05 at half time. Róisín Ní Chathasaigh scored 2-05 from midfield while Caoimhe Ní Ghrádaigh and Sophie Nic Aogáin scored a goal and a point a-piece respectively.

There was no let off in the intensity to which the Gaelscoil began the second half and was became evident early on that there would be no way back into the final for Scoil Treasa, Firhouse. Caoimhe – remarkably only in 4^th class – completed her hat-trick Róisín scored 1-02 in the second period to take her personal tally for the final to 3-07. Sophie struck the back of the net with a goal while Clodagh Nic Eochagáin pointed impressively in the concluding moments of the match.

The match ended with a comprehensive 7-09 to 3.02 scoreline in favour of the Gaelscoil. Caoimhe Ní Mhathúna (Captain) agus Róisín Ní Chathasaigh (Vice-Captain) lifted the Corn Olly Quinlan on behalf of the victors. It represented the first camogie success in the history of the school which made the victory that much sweeter.

Camogie Panel for the Final:

1 Róisín Nic Philib, 2 Doireann Ní Bhraonáin, 3 Caoimhe Ní Mhathúna (Captaen), 4 Ellen Nic Dhomhnaill, 5. Clodagh Nic Eochagáin, 6 Ava Ní Mhaonaigh, 7 Neasa Ní Mhathúna, 8 Róisín Ní Chathasaigh (Leas Captaen), 9 Caoimhe Ní Ghrádaigh, 10 Sophie Nic Aogáin, 11 Síofra Ní Dhonnchú, 12 Charlotte Ní Lionard, 13 Ingrid Ní Bhroin. Ionadaithe: 14 Abbie Nic Dhomhnaill, 15 Aoife  Nic Cartúin, 16 Ellie Ní Chuinneagáin, 17 Rachel Ní Mhurchú, 18 Clodagh Nic Cartúin, 19 Eva Nic Daid, 20 Zoe Nic Riobáird, 21 Ruth Ní hAoláin.

CORN ÁGHAIS – HURLING FINAL

The hurlers competed in the Corn Aghais final against strong opposition in the form of St John Bosco from the Navan Road. The northside team contained no fewer than three current under 13 Dublin players and many were part of a recent Féile winning team from Plunkett’s GAA Club so it was clear from the onset that Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille would have to be at their very best to get anything from the game. Match referee, Tony Lennon, threw in the sliotar at 1.30pm to start what would become an absorbing battle between two teams displaying ample skill and fierce determination. The opening half finished 1-05 a-piece with Conal Ó Riain (1-01), ColmÓ Craidhn (0-03) and David Ó hAoláin (0-01) providing the scores.

Team managers An Múinteoir Mac Muiris agus An Múinteoir Ó Dubhthaigh urged their stars to continue with the same intensity in the second half and their players heeded the advice and delivered by battling for every breaking ball. The 25 minutes of normal time had elapsed when the referee blew the whistle for a foul in favour of the boys from Stepaside. The scores stood level at the time at 1-10 a-piece. By now Conal had added a further four points to his opening half tally and Colm had an addition point to his name also. Word got to Colm that this would be the final play in the game and he steadied himself and heroically placed the sliotar over the centre of the crossbar to record a famous one point victory for Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille.

Team Captain Seán Ó Drisceoil agus Vice Captain, Seán de Búrca – who was celebrating his birthday – were presented with the cup. Many thanks to Gearóid Ó Riain (Conal’s dad) agus Turlach Ó Meachair (Cael’s dad) for all the training and assistance with the team.

It was a special day for Róisín Ní Chathasaigh who played in both games. Remarkably, she won her 9^th Cumann na mBunscol football or hurling medal, which is an all-time Dublin record.

Hurling Panel for the Final:

1 Seán de Búrca (Leas Captaen), 2 Brendan Ó Cionnaith, 3 Seán Ó Drisceoil (Captaen), 4 Jack Breathnach, 5     Jack Ó Grádaigh, 6 Liam Ó Donaile, 7       Daniel Rodin, 8 Colm Ó Craidhn, 9 Ben Mac Riobáird, 10 Conal Ó Riain, 11David Ó hAoláin, 12 Teddy Mac Liam, 13 David Bosch, 14 Evan Binley, 15 Barra Ó Faoláin. Ionadaithe: 16 Róisín Ní Chathasaigh, 17 Seán Ó hEarcáin,  18 Seán Ó Maoltuile, 19 Cael Ó Meachair, 20 Oilibhéar Ticher,  21 Macdara Ó Raghallaigh, 22 Cillian Mac Gabhann,  24 Jack Ó hUigín, 25 Garvan Ó Déaghaidh, 26 Scott Déiseach, 27 Tadhg Brúc, 28 Seán Mac Cnáimhsí, 29 Conor de Róiste, 30 Fionn Mag Eiteagáin, 31 Tom Ó Dochartaigh.