June 2017
Dear Club Supporter,
It’s been a while since we have put pen to paper regarding a newsletter. However, in the background lots of work has been on-going, and this newsletter presents an opportunity to provide an update on same. …“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said”. On this note, Crotta O’Neills welcomes all feedback pertaining to the Club newsletter or otherwise. This feedback can be provided to all Club Officials.
Communication – new Club phone. A new Club phone has been acquired and this is now up and running. All Club members should now be receiving weekly texts on all fixtures and results. Again, any feedback that would enhance this service would be welcome. As always, regular updates about the Club’s activities are posted to the website and Facebook and now that playing season is well under way, there is plenty to view. The website’s address is crottagaa.club so browse to the website and have a look! Also keep an eye on the Club’s Facebook.
Last Man Standing Competition. Congratulations to Causeway and Kerry Senior Hurler Stephen Murphy on winning the Crotta O’Neills Last Man Standing competition based on the Premier League. Stephen wins €700. A special thank you to the Club members who initiated and maintained the competition over its term.
Sponsors. Crotta O’Neills is delighted to have the following sponsors on board in 2017:
Kilflynn Kitchens and Sliding Wardrobes take up the sponsorship of Coiste na nOg.
Cashell Solicitors continue to sponsor the Minor team.
And Nolan Concrete takes up sponsorship of the Senior and Intermediate Teams.
Once again, the Club would like to acknowledge and thank all its sponsors.
Club and Field Development. Make hay whilst the sun shines … is probably the best way to introduce all the work that has been on-going at Dromakee over the past number of weeks. The Club would like to extend it’s gratitude to all the volunteers and their commitment and energy over the last number of weeks in taking advantage of the fine weather and making progress in developing our Club and its amenities.
The dressing rooms have undergone a facelift. Firstly, the shower facilities in both dressing rooms have been upgraded – a new tank, new mixing valve and new booster pump have been installed. To support both the plumbing and electrical work, a new lock away timber unit was fitted to protect the new system. Next steps will see an upgrade of the electrical work required to support the new water heating system that has been installed and completion of the necessary timber work. Secondly, a lot of work has been on-going in relation to the plastering of the external walls of the dressing rooms over the past number of weeks. This work is almost complete. Fantastic work is also being done on the grounds at Dromakee. Sincere thanks to all the Club members and members of the community who have given their spare time, expertise, tools and machinery. The work on the boundary perimeter fencing is currently underway and will be completed soon. The ball stopping/flood lighting net poles have been put in place and the old pitch perimeter fencing has been removed in order to create a larger training area. The next stage is to get Allmans back to complete the training areas with expected completion timelines in the next month. This is dependent upon both the weather and contractor availability. With all this work completed coupled with the ongoing maintenance of the main field/pitch surface to ensure it is of a standard to support a full playing season, the project is on target for Dromakee to be opened in 2018.
Coiste na nOg News. A great night was had at the Coiste na nOg awards night with special guests Austin Gleeson and Derek McGrath. Medals were presented to Blitz winners at U-10 and U-11, U-12, 13, 14 North Kerry B, U-14 County Feile B, and U-16 County Shield. It was a wonderful evening for all whom attended and the Club was proud to have such esteemed guests to present to the future players of the Club. Our U-6’s and U-8’s had their first challenge match with our neighbours in Abbeydorney – the sun shone and it was an evening of sport and fun. Our U-12’s had a great start to the season with their trip to Croke Park on Wednesday 19th April. It involved a tour of Croke Park and then 3 twenty minute games on the pitch itself. They did their Club proud – they played some fine hurling and behaved so well. It was a wonderful family day out and all the players will forever have wonderful memories of that day. Huge thanks goes to all who helped organise and make possible this trip. Our U-14’s have played some great hurling in the recent Feile competition narrowly losing out by 1 point to Ballyduff on a beautiful sunny day in Abbeydorney on May 01st. Our U-16’s contested the County League Division 1 final on Friday 12th May against Ballyheigue. It was a very close, exciting and sporting game. The venue was Causeway and Ballyheigue came out on top on a score line of 3-11 to 3-08. Thanks to all the mentors who attended the Mentor workshop, the purpose of which was to bring together all mentors within the Club and discuss what we can do better to improve the Club and ensure our players are happy. A lot was discussed and we hope to continue to make improvements and ensure hurling is first and foremost fun for our young players.
Beyond our Club. Continued success to our under age, minor and senior players who are making fantastic contributions and achieving great success at Inter County and All-Ireland levels across the fields of hurling, football, camogie and boxing. The Kerry U-17 Hurlers defeated West Limerick by 3-14 to 0-13 in the Celtic Challenge U-17 Cup on 10th May in Newcastle West. Well done to the Kerry U-17 hurlers, especially the Crotta players Darragh O’Donoghue, Micheal Kennedy and Eamon Rohan, with Paul O’Donoghue a selector with the Kerry side. Barry O’Mahony has had two solid performances at midfield with the Kerry Minor Football Team against Clare (in Tralee) and Cork (in Pairc Ui Rinn) over the past number of weeks. Kerry was victorious in both games. Aaron McElligott and Donnacha Sayers have both achieved All-Ireland success in their field of boxing. Within 2 years, they have won 4 Munster titles and 2 All Ireland titles between them. Whilst the Kerry Senior Hurlers interest in the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship came to an end on Sunday 14th May with a defeat to Laois, throughout the campaign, Crotta was well represented by Sean Weir, Jordan Conway and Shane Nolan on the Kerry team, with Tomas O’Connor and Adrian Mahony being members of the panel. The Kerry Camogie team were crowned Munster Champions after a 1 point victory over Cork by 0-14 to 1.10 on Sunday 14th May in Killeedy near Newcastle West. Congratulations to the girls & their management team, especially Crotta players Megan Weir, Aoife Behan (Capt.) and Jackie Hogan.
Best of Luck to all members of the community who are in the middle of exams or are preparing for the State Examinations in the month of June.
Don’t’ forget to play the Crotta Lotto – it is in excess of €9,000!!!
Save the Date – Saturday August 26th 2017. More details to follow!!!