A chairde,
Another week to remember for SKGAA. On Friday we launched our Strategic Plan and honoured some of our county stars who brought such success and distinction to their club and county this year. The players partook in a very successful and enjoyable tour of the local Primary Schools showing off their trophies and success and providing inspiration to the next generation of county and club stars. There was more success on Friday with the minor footballers regaining the County A title winning a third championship in four years for the club which is a fantastic achievement. There was disappointment on Sunday with our senior footballers dropping out of the semi final stage of the championship following a really good but slightly unfortunate performance vs Mountbellew Moylough. Commiserations to the U16 Ladies as well who lost the Shield Final on Sunday to a strong Oranmore side but the team have made huge progress over the past year moving up to Division 1 following success in the league earlier in the year.
Congrats to Club Referee James Molloy who has been selected to ref the County Football Final this weekend.
Congrats also to club man Kevin Johnson who managed the Ballintubber Senior Team to County Senior Football Championship success in Mayo over the weekend.
All this and much more below…………
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Ar an bPáirc
On the Field
Adult Football
Senior
Hard luck to the senior footballers who were beaten by Mountbellew Moylough in the County Semi Final on Sunday by 3 points. The lads made a great start but went in level at half time following an unlucky goal conceded and forward Evan Murphy going off with a serious injury. The lads started the second half very well again and after Andrew Butler put over 2 fantastic points from play, SK were 2 point ahead with around 15 minutes to go. But unfortunately, the lads couldn't see out the game. Having played 3 weeks in a row, including extra times and with last week's super sub Robert Walzer unavailable through injury, there wasn't enough left in the well and Mountbellew Moylough finished the stronger. Although hugely disappointing, the performance shows the huge progress made in recent years and with key players like Marcus MacDonnchadha and Shane Kelly on the way back from injury and the success of the recent minor teams, the future looks bright for SKGAA. Thanks of course must go to Anthony, Maurice, Brendan and Cian for all the hard work all year.
Sean Armstrong received a special presentation from the club last Friday to mark his retirement from the Galway team following a fantastic career spanning over 15 years in the maroon and white.
Minor
The minor footballers are County A Champions for a third time in four years following a very convincing win over holders Claregalway on Saturday in Pearse Stadium. It took the lads some time to get to grips with the game, and Claregalway started the stronger and went in a point up at the break. But Skgaa discovered their composure in the second half and gave an exhibition of attacking and direct play to romp home 9 point winners at the end. There were fantastic performaances all over the pitch but man of the match and captain Robert Walzer as well as Niall Hanahoe and Diarmuid Munroe particularly caught the eye. It's not the end of the line for the lads yet as they travel to bekan, Ballyhaunis next Tuesday evening to play Westport in the Connacht Semi Final.
Juvenile Football
U6/7 will move indoors after mid term in Nov with date and time TBC.
U8 last session for year is a blitz this Sunday morning with u9s, 10am meet in prairie with some refreshments upstairs afterwards.
U-9 training continues on tue. evening in aras & Sun. morning until end of November.
U10 training tues now finished Tuesdays with Sunday's continuing for few weeks to mid November.
U11s played in annual St Mary's tournament last Saturday losing out to eventual winners Barna by a point in a pulsating semi final. Well done to all the lads who togged out in wet conditions. U11s moved indoor for Nov for few weeks into St Mary's on Tuesdays thanks to PJ Kelly who came down to show the lads some core strength /running drills went down really well. U11s will play Westport in Pete Burke tournament on Sunday Nov 4th in Priarie and u12 will play Na Fianna from Dublin in Enda Colleran tournament on Nov 11th.
Skgaa U16 's came through a pulsating test away to Dunmore under lights in the county semi final yesterday.It was a very close encounter and the lads showed great character to close out the game and secure a seven point win. Final will be against St Michaels/Northern Gaels who battle it out next sunday morning.
Well done to Gerry Sweeney, Paul Munroe, Mike Flaherty, Richie Comer and all the lads.
Well done to the minor footballers and all their coaches from all in juv football on an excellent win in county final v Claregalway great to see excellent brand of attacking football played. Hard luck to seniors on narrow loss to Mountbellew in semi final. Best wishes to Sean Armstrong who is getting married next week also.
Adult Hurling
Under 21 Hurling
SK Under 21 Hurlers play Ballinderreen in Championship this Saturday. Throw in at 3.30 at Ballinderreen pitch. The lads beat Kinvarra back in spring and haven't played since but these lads have all been playing either Junior or Minor all year. Please Support. Training this evening, Wednesday 8.45 to 9.45 at the Aras. Wall Ball and Sand.
Juvenile Hurling:
U6 /U7/U8 Hurling
U8's ended their season with the Bekan Blitz. They played Turloughmore, Killimordaly, Carnmore, Clarenbridge, Kinvara and Loughrea and put on a very impressive display. U7's and U6's finished up on Friday with an in-house blitz. Thanks to all the parents and coaches for their support over the year, and well done to the boys. See you all once again in the new year.
U10 Hurling
The under 10s travelled with one team to the Connacht Centre of Excellence in Bekan, Mayo for a blitz v Turloughmore, Carnmore, Clarinbridge and Killimordaly. The lads played brilliant and had some cracking games. It was great experience and a great day out for all. No training this week.
U12 Hurling
U12s/U11s finished outdoor training. Starting back with Wallball for 2007 boys on Fri Nov 9th.
U14 Hurling
U13/14 on a break for mid term. Training resumes sun 11/11, Cappagh, 3-4pm for four sessions only.
Camogie
U8s have last training session before mid term ,slightly shortened due to light Thursday 6 to 6.45.
U10s are on a break this week after the finals of Cappagh Cup last week and before they start wallball after mid-term.
U15s will play division A shield final this Sunday against Davitts at 11.45 in Ardrahan. Contesting a final at this level is a great achievement so hopefully a win can finish it off nicely. Good luck to the girls ,travelling support will be vital.
AGM of the camogie section will be held Wednesday 7th November at 7pm in Aras. All parents and players are invited and encouraged to attend. This is an oppurtunity to look back on the year with an eye to the future also. It is also a chance to gain an insight into how the camogie section operates away from the pitch in relation to administration, funding etc.
A new Camogie Director is to be appointed this year as Veronica Ryan is standing down. Thanks to her for all her work over the last three years. If you are interested in the role please let the committee know in advance of the meeting or on the night. There are other committee roles also to be created or filled so if anyone would like to get involved dont be shy….maybe there is a job you could do ? See you all on the 7th November.
Ladies Football
U6/U8 Last training session for this year, treats and certs for all the girls thanks to all the coaches and parents for making a great year looking forward to next.
U10
U10 last training session this evening in the Prairie from 6-7pm, plan to have blitz games with end of season treats. Coaches would like to thank all parents for their support during a very enjoyable season.
U12
'07 SK footballers who were excellent in Shield final and lost by one point to Milltown after a magnificent display in Skehana.
SK 07 and 06 is in end of year football Blitz
Banner GAA, Oranmore GAA and SKGAA had great end of year u12 football Oct '18. Thanks to all coaches and parents who made it such a great occasion.
U14
U14 Girls preparations for Saturday's trip to play Westport GAA and later take on the Killary turf challenge are in full flow. 49 players going. Should be fun!!
U16
An excellent Training session took place Wed 17th October with 21 girls in attendance at the Prairie. Again, with Light fading fast, the Girls put in a fine effort over the hour. On Saturday, the Girls contested the Div. 1 Shield final against Oranmore. On a greasy but firm Skehana pitch, the Girls came up short against a strong Oranmore team. The good point about these Girls is that they never gave up and kept taking the game to the Opposition right up to final whistle. On the day, many things just did not work for SK. That’s Sport. The Team Management wish Orla Conlon a speedy and full recovery from her Wrist injury. Orla always gives 110% and will play any role asked of her. Many Thanks is extended to Audrey & Richard Connaughton who took Orla to the Hospital to
be seen to at the earliest opportunity.
Saturday’s match was the last match of what is generally viewed as a successful season. The Girls won the Division 2 League with a late 3 point victory over Moycullen. This victory also secured promotion to Division 1 Football. Division 1 is a bigger challenge but one the Team wanted and faced up to. While losing first match to Corofin, the Girls responded later with a fine victory over Annaghdown in the Shield Semi-final. Many of these same girls turned up and backboned the Minor Div. C Shield Final win over Carraroe in early September. While losing last Saturday was not easy, sometimes greater lessons are learned in that type of defeat.
The Manager would like to Thanks all the Parents, Selectors, First Aider, Volunteer Umpires and Coaches for their contribution over the season. Special Thanks is extended to The Jersey Washers who always ensure the Girls are wearing sweet smelling jerseys. Beats having to wear smelly sweaty damp jerseys that the Bainisteoir experienced at different times of his playing career. Sincere Thanks extended to Audrey Connaughton who took our two injured players to Hospital and ensured they were seen to as soon as practical. The
Girls and Management go into Hibernation until Feb.2019. Slan for now.
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
