Archive for April, 2009
Strictly DVD Launch Tonight
Friday, April 24th, 2009Strictly Outtakes Video
Friday, April 24th, 2009The Clash of the Ash
Friday, April 24th, 2009Cuchulainn, Jack Lynch, Bertie Ahern and even Noel McGinn have played it, yes hurling. Hurling is one of the oldest of Irish sports dating back to pre-Christian times and one of the fastest field games in the world and we in Cappagh have a bit of a long history of the game. Our first recorded senior title was back in 1906, so over a hundred years of ash being clashed in our wee parish.
We are in one of the privileged positions that we have hurling in the area and one of the few if not only real dual clubs in the county. This ‘doubling up’ in games does bring about clashes in fixtures but also benefits to the people playing by giving people the chance to be introduced to the game and more of a rounded approach to what the GAA is promoting. Having hurling, football and handball just leaves the club short of camogie in providing all the Gaelic Games for one single club, maybe that’s for the future. We have managed to produce duel players to a high level with both Vinney Owens and Terence McCann playing County hurling and football in the not to recent past. Vinny also went on to be the only Tyrone player to play in the Railway Cup final, so the games can live together.
Since Mick Cunningham, of the same family as our main sponsors tonight, Strathroy Dairy, drove on a hurling revival in both the club and the county hurling has given us titles in the 40s, 50s, 70s and most recently glory years in the 90s when three senior and one league title was secured. Our last major title won was an Under 21 championship in 1996 so what are we doing about improving things? Well, like all elements in the club, more personnel are needed and we seem to be getting off the ground again. Concentrating at under 10 and under 12 we have already competed in two indoor blitzs with two teams in each competition with teams from all over the west of Ulster. Barry McCaul, Brian McGurk, Pauric Quinn and Niall McKenna are chipping away at the coaching with promises of some of the players of the 90s hoping to give a helping hand so hopefully we are walking again and with more assistance we might break into a jog.
The senior team under the Cappagh Gaels banner are playing in the Ulster and Tyrone Leagues and have acquitted themselves well over the past year. Like most teams they are being run by a small and loyal band of supporters and have suffered by the lack of underage development over the years. The seniors compete, contend and most importantly enjoy the game.
The way forward now is to try and build on what has been restarted, get our coaching methods up to date, get more people involved, get the children out and keep the game alive in this parish as the history is there.
Keep on hurling!
U14 boys football upcoming fixtures
Friday, April 24th, 2009Saturday 25th April : Cappagh v Dromore @ 2pm
Tuesday 5th May : Omagh v Cappagh @ 7.15pm
Tuesday 12th May : Cappagh v Naomh Mhuire (Championship Qtr Final) @ 7.15pm
Handballing in Cappagh
Friday, April 24th, 2009You don’t know what goes on behind closed doors and, in the case of handball in this club, there is a quiet revolution happening which most people are not aware.
The facilities are in constant use with a wide age range participating. In 2008 the club won three county titles in Division One, Two and Three. Once again well done to Barney McAleer, Ciaran Carland and Brian McCrory on their achievement’.
Not alone is handball a great game in its own right but it also provides a great way to keep fit. A good few of our senior footballers are now taking up the sport in the off-season.
The young of the club are very enthusiastic. I’m sure we could recruit more if they knew how good the game is.
Overall the game of handball in the club is flourishing and in 2009 the number of Killyclogher players in the Tyrone league has increased from last year. Thanks must be given to Barney McAleer for his efforts, though as alway we should remember he could also do with a Helping Hand.
U10 to U14 hurling training
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009U10 to U14 hurling training continues on Tuesday evenings with a 5.30pm start.
Scor news
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009The Scór ideal in Cumann Lúthchleas Gael began in 1969 in Cork when the notion of a winter activity for the clubs of Ireland was born.
A quote from the GAA website on cultural activities in the GAA states “In the Official Guide of the Gaelic Athletic Association Rule 4 states as a clear objective the following: The Association shall actively support the Irish language, traditional Irish dancing, music, song and other aspects of Irish culture.”
With the birth of Scór in 1969 the GAA through its clubs has become actively involved in promoting Irish culture in a meaningful and enjoyable manner. Language and culture are amongst the most important elements of Irish heritage. The GAA, through its many clubs throughout the country and through Scór nÓg and Scór Sinsear, has played a significant part in the revival of our culture and heritage in creating an understanding and interest in its importance. Scór competitions commence in each county with clubs competing to represent their county in one of the many different Scór events. County winners go through to the Provincial Finals with the winners at that stage qualifying for the All-Ireland Finals.
Scór is divided in two sections. Scór na nÓg caters for the younger GAA members while Scór Sinsear caters for adults members. The national finals of both Scór na nÓg and Scór Sinsear are a wonderful occasion and winning a national title is a tremendous honour for any club.
Since the beginnings of Scór Killyclogher has had a major involvement in Scór competitions within the county. Recently compiled records show that Killyclogher won its first County Titles at Scór na nÓg level in 1976 with victories at Tráth na gCeist and Nuachleas. This trend was to continue to the present day with a total of fifty six county title being amassed. Details of Ulster titles is not know but is felt that the number is significant. Records being compiled at the moment will confirm this fact.
At All Ireland level the club is the proud holders of five All Ireland titles. The first of these was won in Dublin in 1991 at Ceol Uirlise with Paul McGlinchey, Barry McLaughlin
and Raphael McDonald. The next title was not to come for a further ten years when the Rince Foirne team, at Scór Sinsear, won an All Ireland title in Killarney in 2001. This was followed quickly in our centenary year, 2004, with a Nuachleas title won in Castlebar. The next was our first at Scór na nÓg level, with a Ballad Group title won in 2007 in Athlone. This was followed by or fifth title which was won in Killarney in 2008 with a novelty act. At time of printing the club has four disciplines going forward to the Ulster final in Swatragh on next Saturday night- 28th March at 7.30 pm. The culture officers have high hopes for the competitors and with a bit of luck could be in Killarney on 18th April for yet another All Ireland Final. All Ireland Medalists in Scór Sinsear disciplines in Coill an Chlochair at different disciplines. (Ceol Uirlise, Rince Foirne and Nuachleas)
Paul McGlinchey, Barry McLaughlin, Raphael McDonald, Patricia Mullan, Paula Judge, Nicola Barbour, Laura Beattie, Paul Kelly, Adrian Doherty,Dominic McCanny, Dermot Curran, Anne Kelly, Bernie McMullen, Eddie McCrystal, Sean Collins, Jimmy Carrigan, Kieran McMullen, Enda McCrory, Ryan Ward and Noel McGinn
Culture Officers Patricia Mullan and Paula Clarke have spear headed the Scór movement in Killyclogher virtually from the start and have been involved both as competitors and administrators for the club in the winning of most of the County titles.
Sisters are doing it for themselves
Thursday, April 23rd, 2009Cappagh Ladies has become well established within Killyclogher GAC since 2003 where we initially entered competitive games at U14, U16 and Senior levels. It continues to grow throughout the years along with the talent of the many players representing our club.
The success of Cappagh ladies was evident from its 2nd year in formation in 2004 when our U14’s reached the Grade II championship final against Sigersons, narrowly missing out after extra time. That same year we hosted the U14 team from Bishop Challoner Catholic School in Birmingham as part of the U14 Feile. The senior and U16 team soon followed suit in being promoted to Grade II in 2005. However, our minors took competition to a new level in 2006 by progressing to Grade I football, setting the standards for all other age groups. The talent of our players was soon acknowledged when our first representatives where selected at County level in 2005 with Naomi McAnulla playing for U14 county team and Tracey Wallace being selected for the minor panel.
Cappagh contributed even further to the county teams with girls being selected at all levels. In 2006, Grainne McGread and Teri McCusker where selected for U14 county team and Donna Donnelly gained a place on the minor county panel. In 2007, Teri McCusker, and Aisling Porter represented us in the U14 county panel, Naomi McAnulla, Aideen O’Neill and Naoise Devlin were selected for the U16 county team and Clodagh Poyntz, Stephanie Patterson, Stephanie McGinn and Naomi NcAnulla were selected for the minor county team. This trend continued last year with Teri McCusker representing Cappagh Ladies in the U14A county team that won the Ulster Championship and Molly Keenan and Aoibhean Bradley playing for the U14B county team.
A noteable success in 2008 was our players who were on the winning Loreto Grammar team that participated in the U16 All Ireland Schools final (Naomi McAnulla, Teri McCusker, Naoise Devlin, Una Mc Cullagh and Leanne McCrossan with Naomi gaining the title of ‘player of the match’) and our representation on the County minor team that won the Ulster Championship and missed out in the All Ireland final to Dublin.
Cappagh Ladies continuing to progress and grow on its strengths of having such a large number of talented footballers. We have started the year with large numbers in attendance at training, guided by the support from some of our senior men, Gary Wallace, Ciaran Carland and Eoin Bradley, who kindly agreed to manage the minor and senior panels in 2009.
U14 boys football update
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009General
Played 7 games in the League, won 5 – 2nd place.
Beat a very spirited Carrickmore team to get through to the Quarter-finals of the league where we will play Naomh Mhuire on Tuesday 12th May at 7.15pm.
Early exit from the Feile.
Latest News
The team has experienced difficult times lately. Last Wednesday night, they were defeated by Errigal Ciaran by a margin of 4pts. While it was disappointing, it was still understandable – 5 regular starters were missing from the setup. However, on a bright side, the boys who stepped up to the mark, did very well, and can be very proud of their performances. This was only the second defeat in the League, and the team finds itself comfortably placed 2nd with three games to play.
Saturday past (18th April) brought very little in terms of consolation for Wednesday’s defeat. A very difficult win against an ambitious Loughmacrory team was followed by defeat to Fintona. The performance of these two teams demonstrates how narrow the margin is between Grade 1 and Grade 2 football. Fintona contested the group final against Donaghmore – Donaghmore were the eventual winners.
The next game is Tuesday 21st April against Strabane.
Fixtures
Saturday 25th April : Cappagh v Dromore @ 2pm
Tuesday 5th May : Omagh v Cappagh @ 7.15pm
Tuesday 12th May : Cappagh v Naomh Mhuire (Championship Qtr Final) @ 7.15pm
The Future’s bright
Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
The future's bright!
Gaelic football in Cappagh has come a long way in recent years. The club now provides a structured coaching programme, by GAA accredited and vetted coaches, from 6 to 18 years of age. There are currently over 220 registered youth players in Cappagh.
Over sixty 6, 7 and 8 year olds are currently attending FUNdamentals coaching every ednesday from 7-8pm in Sacred heart College Gym. This is being led by club coaches Terry McCann, Gary Sloan, Brian McGinn, Brian Furey, Sean Kelly, Brian McCaffrey and John Coney and a growing band of enthusiastic parents.
Thanks to the dedication of Feargal McDonald and Sean Kelly the U10 footballers have been training all winter long either on the pitch or in Omagh Leisure Centre. The numbers have remained strong indicating the enjoyment and interest these boys have to play Gaelic football. They are all looking forward to the blitzes starting again on 25th April.
The U12 squad will start training at the end of March for the U12 league competition which starts 15th of June. They will be coached by John Coney, Michael McAleer, Frank Sweeney and Barry O’Connor. This is a large group of players but thanks to the Go Games 10 a side format on shortened pitches every child gets to play. The days of warming the bench are gone in Tyrone for youth at U8, U10 and U12 level.
The U14 team have been training hard since January and at the time of writing have won their opening two league games with a 1-1 to 0-12 away win to Carrickmore and a 0-4 to 3-11 away win to Errigal Ciaran. This team brought a County title to the club in 2008 at U13 level so hopes are high for 2009.
The U16 team has started training under the watchful eye of Mark Kelly with their league competitions scheduled to start on 27th June. The Management team has been working hard with our minor team since 28th January with an eye to the league starting on 29th March. This squad of players have brought success to our club in the past at U14 Feile, U15 League and U15 County and Provincial Plate Og Sport so we wish them well in their quest for honours in 2009. Training attendance and work rate has been excellent which augurs well for the year ahead.
Interest in Gaelic football in Cappagh Parish is at an all time high with ever increasing numbers participating at all levels and the huge numbers attending at our U8 FUNdamentals coaching every Wednesday evening shows that Gaelic games appeal to the very youngest of our community. This hopefully will lead to a lifelong interest in our club and county. With the growing participation also of parents the GAA is again demonstrating that it is the best placed organisation we have for strengthening community links throughout the entire parish.
We are indeed fortunate that we have a strong team of volunteers who gladly give of their time to promote Gaelic games to the youth of our parish. They are all “putting their own little bit back” the way someone did before them. This epitomises what the GAA is really all about – not the winning of trophies but the active community participation of people from all areas of the parish, from Knockmoyle, through Strathroy, Killyclogher out to Mountfield. Whilst we have a sturdy band of volunteers we always welcome new or old members to come and join us. So, please don’t wait to be asked just come along.
