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Round Towers GAA Club Clondalkin Est. 1884

Between The Posts

The Hurlers in action over local rivals Thomas Davis

Issue: March 2015

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Congratulations to Club President Tommy Keogh who was honoured as a finalist in the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA) and Council Awards Community Volunteer of the Year Award

category. It was an excellent achievement to reach the finals of the national award category and recognition of his outstanding work in the community and the club for many years.

Welcome to the relaunched and redesigned Between the Posts. This newsletter will endeavour to spread the word about what is going on both on and off the field for Round Tower GAA Club. It will complement our existing communication channels – including our website www.roundtower.ie, continuous mailings and social media sites that incorporate Facebook and Twitter. We live in an age of continuous, virtual communication but it is

important to recognise the key role a newsletter such as Between the Posts can play in imparting and also documenting Round Tower GAA Club news and information. There’s no greater evidence of this than the Between the Posts that have gone before this publication. Tom Brady’s dedication and commitment in bringing together the newsletter over a 15-year period was a remarkable accomplishment. Under his stewardship it became a club

institution. Thanks to Tom for the fantastic work and dedication that has preceded this new chapter for Between the Posts. We encourage you to alert Round Tower to any news of interest for our audiences and can do so by emailing info@roundtower.ie. Regards,

Michael McGlynnRound Tower GAA Club PRO

We had very special visitors to Round Tower GAA Club late January. The 1st class pupils of Scoil Mhuire made the short journey to visit our clubrooms. Club President Tommy Keogh was on hand to meet and greet

the pupils. Tommy told them stories of the club, its history and showed them our Members room with pictures adorning the walls of teams dating back 100 years! The boys and girls really really enjoyed their trip to the club and

for some it was an introduction to this old Clondalkin institution. We hope to see those not yet adorning the green and white hoops to be doing so after this visit. Thanks to Sally Gilligan for assisting with the visit.

President Honoured

Special Guests to Our Club House

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Congratulations to our Senior Camogie Ladies who were formally presented with the Senior 7 Camogie Championship trophy at the Annual Dublin Camogie Awards on 31st January.

Dublin County Board Chairperson Pat Martin made the presentation at the awards ceremony that took place at Westmanstown. Well done ladies!

Strong county representation for Season 2015 amongst our lady footballers. Amy Conroy, Sinead Collins and Sarah Jane Hecker are representing the club on

the Dublin Minor panel and at Under 16 level Riona McTavish has been selected. Then at Under 14 level Emma O’Malley has been selected on the panel. Round

Tower are extremely proud of the girl’s county representation and wish them success for season ahead.

Strong Towers Presence

Senior Camogie Ladies Presented with Championship Trophy

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Round Towers Intermediate footbal l music and movie quiz

Club Rooms 2nd Apri l 2015 Start 8.30pm

Tickets €10.00 each

Prizes Galore

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A second successive win in the early stages of the league season as the point kicking of Stephen McGibney propelled the Senior Footballers to a 1-17 v 1-12 victory over St Pats of Donabate, writes Mick McGlynn. Mick Hallows and Eric Finn were also to the fore in an impressive attacking display.

Midway through the second half Towers were comfortably clear and enroute for two points but that scenario was not envisaged during a tough opening half. Tom Lyons kicked our opening two points from frees but the visitors, with full forward Niall Collins who has represented Dublin at senior level in particular, kicked some outstanding scores to race into a 0-5 v 0-2 lead after 19 minutes. McGibney scored the first of his succession of scores on 19 minutes, catching and turning to finish impressively. The deficit could have escalated for Towers but Gary Cleary tipped a goalbound strike onto the crossbar, but the Donabate men did

salvage a point from the move. Towers were struggling for momentum but a brilliant three minute spell on 24 minutes brought them right back into it. Mick Hallows kicked a long-range score on the run from the right and McGibney then sold a dummy before striking accurately. Then Hallows again scored from the right to now leave the sides level. Donabate responded with a point from the 40 but

Hallows struck another excellent point and it was followed by a James Kelly score from long-range. Micheál Walsh cut in on goal and fisted over to edge Towers two

Round Tower 1-17St Pat’s of Donabate 1-12

Match Report

McGibney points Seniors to St Pat’s win

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clear. On stroke of half-time Cleary was again forced into a save but the follow-up resulted in a point. Towers held the most slender of leads at the break, 0-9 v 0-8.Towers almost netted the first straight after the restart. Finn broke from the 40 and he flicked to Walsh who palmed beyond the keeper but onto the crossbar. The follow-up was blocked but when Walsh was fouled in the next play Kelly kicked successfully from the free. Pat’s responded with a point before a Derek Murray interception in half-backs led to Ian Ward and Walsh creating an opening for the inrushing Jay Joyce. His low strike from an angle clattered off the post but McGibney followed up to tap over under pressure. The goal did come. When Murray broke a kick-out Finn put the accelerator on. His strike hit the roof of the net and the margin was now five points, 1-11 v 0-9. A Donabate midfielder broke on goal but saw his strike hit the post before Finn attacked from the right wing before laying off to McGibney to

raise the arm of the umpires once again. Murray won possession again from a kick-out and good inter-change between Hallows and Kelly then set up McGibney again to capitalize. The visitors resorted to pulling back Finn and Kelly kicked the subsequent free. This was a seven point advantage midway into second half and Towers were dominating around the middle. Lyons then won possession on Towers 40 and a great pass released Kelly in the half forwards. He played into the corner where Walsh twisted and turned his man before passing to the supporting McGibney to kick an excellent point under pressure. With two minutes remaining Donabate netted from close but it was too late and there was bit more in the Towers tank. Again in the middle Joyce won a break that enabled Hallows slip inside to McGibney to fist over closing in on goal. And it was McGibney again who rounded off Towers scoring with an excellent kick from long-range – again Hallows was instrumental.

Round Tower: Gary Cleary, Barry Keane, Mark Gahan, Shane Byrne, Tom Lyons, Ian Ward, Derek Murray, Liam Connolly, Eoghan Moore, Jason Joyce, Eric Finn, James Kelly, Micheál Walsh, Mick Hallows, Stephen McGibney. Used subs: Jason Murphy, Barry Gallagher, Mark Taylor

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Round Tower Senior Hurlers are off to a winning start in AHL3, writes Mick McGlynn. Some excellent point scoring and a decisive strike by goal-getter Eric Finn were enough to see off local rivals Thomas Davis.

Towers showed they’d missed the being out of the third tier, starting with immediate urgency. The game was not passed the minute mark when Paidi Stapleton had struck a point from the half-forwards and Jack Whelan then struck from the left sideline two minutes later. Davis almost netted with their first attack but the strike went beyond the right post of keeper Fergal McDonagh. Stapleton in the half forwards was stamping his authority on the game and seizing upon a puck-out he pointed from distance. Davis pointed their first on ten minutes before Alex

Darbey registered his first from a tight angle on the left. Eoin Walsh made a crucial interception with Davis forward set to bear down on goal and from following play the visitors struck their second point. Centre-back Gary Quinlivan found Darbey in the corner and he found the supporting Eoin

Moran to strike the fifth point for home side. Darbey lined up a free but went short to Stapleton who advanced the scoreline – 0 – 6 v 0-2. Davis tagged on two points before Stapleton

Round Tower 1-13 Thomas Davis 0-11

Match Report

Finn’s Goal The Difference

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again intervened, evading his marker from a Walsh sideline cut and driving over. Darbey struck another long-range free and then Finn, who had been relatively subdued, sprung to life on 24 minutes. He broke free on the 40 and struck powerfully beyond keeper at his near post. Two minutes later the goal was almost replicated but the result on this occasion was a Finn drive over the bar. It left Towers well in control at the break 1-9 v 0-5.

The cushion was sufficient. The second half was a more subdued affair in the scoring stakes. Brian McLaughlin registered his point on the run off his left and a pull back on

Finn enabled Darbey to capitalise. There was a ten minute lull for the home side when Davis narrowed the deficit to five – 1-11 v 0-9 – but an away success never looked likely. A goal may have created some consternation for Towers but keeper Fergal Power showed quick reflexes to block and clear the visitors best goal opportunity. McLaughlin was fouled to enable Darbey extend the advantage to six. A brilliant piece of skill from Finn – when he controlled a driven pass with a touch of the hurl and in swift movement broke away from marker – led to another free that Darbey pointed.

Round Tower: Fergal McDonagh, Niall Byrne, Shane Byrne, Luke Currivan, Pádraic ‘Podge’ McKeever, Gary Quinlivan, Eoin Walsh, Brian Gregg, Eoin Moran, Jack Whelan, Eric Finn, Paidi Stapleton, Adam Doyle, Brian McLaughlin, Alex Darbey. Used subs: Aaron Wynne, Cónán O’Broin, Adam Clarke

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18 teams and 160 girls from eight clubs around Dublin met on the Mon-astery Road on Sunday March 8th for the Under 9 girls football blitz, reports Maria Shannon.

It was a sunny but nippy Monastery Road as Round Towers welcomed seven clubs from across the city and county to play in the under nine girls football blitz.

The 18 teams were made up of 160 girls from home club Round Tower, Na Fianna, Kilmacud Crokes, St. Finians Swords, Ra-heny, Ballinteer St. Johns, Naomh Olaf and Thomas Davis.

Throw-in for the games commenced at 1pm and each team played four matches of 10 minutes each with 7 to 9 players a side. Everybody got a

game, there were unlimit-ed subs and plenty of fun was had by all.

Despite a strong enough breeze, the girls – all of whom were aged between 7 and 8 – were still going for scores and there was plenty of skill on display; kick and hand passes, side stepping, tackling, high catches and some great defending.Ken Byrne, Round Tower

Club hosts very successful Under 9 Girls Football Blitz

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Under 8 Mentor said: “This years blitz followed on from a very success-ful blitz we hosted last November that saw 15 teams participate. So the numbers participating has grown and the feedback we received from the visit-ing clubs and also parents was extremely positive. It’s really a celebration of girls football and it provides them with a brilliant opportunity to play against girls from a host of differ-ent clubs and to develop their skills in a fun setting. We are strongly focused on developing girls foot-ball at juvenile level and

this event showcases the fun and enjoyment for girls who learn the skills of Gaelic Games.”

All the girls played fan-tastically well and there were smiles all round with goody bags at the end for everyone who took part.

There were lots of vol-unteers on the day, from game co-ordinators on the three pitches to registra-tion to tea and coffee – all of whom made the day run smoothly.

Get Fresh on the Mon-astery Road sponsored

the fruit for the blitz and Bernard O’Sullivan who provided yoghurt drinks and juices for everyone on the pitch.

Round Towers would like to thank the 7 clubs, their teams, mentors and parents for travelling for Clondalkin for the blitz.

The Under 8 Girls train every Thursday at 5.45pm at Monastery Road and new players are very welcome. Contact Ken at 087 9983484, Alice at 087 0996636 or Marie at 087 6774556

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Dinner Dance & Awards

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MondayNights’ DrawResults

€100 Winners:Jonjo Byrne, Matthew Lysaght &

Margaret Biggane

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Round Tower Lotto Draw 16th March

Number drawn

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Bonus Ball

No overall winner & no bonus ball winner

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Featured Sponsor

We encourage all club members & supporters to support our sponsors.Round Tower is extremely grateful to all who sponsor the Club

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Ciáran Carr Foundation

The Ciarán Carr Foundation are delighted to feature in the first edition of the brand new Between the Posts. Part of being a Towers member is going to the Club and picking up a copy to see who is winning and who is losing, what member has been married off recently and what’s coming up on the social calendar.

This is another exciting development for Towers. Every person who lives in Clondalkin, as well as those who visit, can see that Round Tower GAA

Club is entering a new era. The Monastery Road development has brought Towers into the 21st Century with state of the art playing and training facilities. This in turn will attract young players who will grace the ranks of adult teams in years to come.

Since Ciarán’s passing we have been reminded just how special Round Towers really is. The support of club members, which has been then backbone of the Ciarán Carr Foundation, has made us eternally grateful. We hope to continue

our progress in the coming months with a number of initiatives which will give something back to the Clondalkin community and return the goodwill which has been shown to us. To keep you updated we will be regular contributors to Between the Posts and we hope you will enjoy our contributions.The Ciarán Carr Foundation would like to wish Between the Posts, and all of its contributors, the very best of luck in the coming months and years.

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Social Media

Contact us across all for mediums:- facebook.com/roundtowerclondalkin- roundtower.ie- twitter.com/rtowerstrackerand coming soon our latest format [@rtowerclondalkin] on instrgram - share you favourite round tower moments

Important Club ContactsTwo contacts for Adult Games: Bernie Cronin: 087 2256104

Shay Clifford: 086 3179077

Camogie: Laura Joyce: 087 6635222

Ladies Football: Marie Crotty: 087 6774556

Round Tower Clubhouse: 01 4592960

Juvenile GAA:James Glancy, Round Tower GPO: 086 2082561

PRO: Michael McGlynn: 087 9082970

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Upcoming Scheduled Adult Fixtures

Football

Adult Football League Division 2Saturday 11th April St Mary’s v Round Tower, Saggart: 18:00Wednesday 29th April Round Tower v Erins Isle, Monastery Road: 19:00

Adult Football League Division 4Saturday 11th AprilRound Tower v Man O War, Monastery Road: 18:00Wednesday 29th AprilClann Mhuire v Round Tower, Naul: 19:00

Adult Football League Division 7Sunday 12th AprilRound Tower v Na Gaeil Oga, Monastery Road: 11:00Tuesday 28th AprilBallymun Kickhams v Round Tower, Pairc Ciceam: 19:00

Minor Football Division 3ASunday 19th AprilUi Chonaill Fontenoy v Round Tower, Clontarf Road: 11:00

Adult Football Cup FixturesO’Broin CupRound Tower v Ballyfermot De Salle, Community Centre: 15:00Sunday 29th MarchAIB CupRound Tower v St Marys, Monastery Road: 10:30Joy CupLucan Sarsfields v Round Tower 12th Lock 29/03/2015 10:30

Parson CupBallinteer St Johns v Round Tower, Mar-ley Park: 12:00O’Broin CupSt Kevin-Killians v Round Tower, King-swood: 15:00Sunday 19th April Parson CupRound Tower v St Marys , Monastery Road 19/04/2015 11:00O’Broin CupLiffey Gaels v Round Tower, Liffey Park, 15:00

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Hurling

Adult Hurling League Division 3Sunday 29th March

Fingallians v Round Tower, Lawless Park: 10:30Saturday 18th April

Round Tower v Ballyboden St Endas, Monastery Road: 18:00

Adult Hurling League Division 9Sunday 29th March

Round Tower v O Dwyers Community Centre, 14:30Sunday 19th April

Civil Service Hurling v Round Tower, Islandbridge: 15:00

Minor Hurling League Division 3Sunday 12th April

Round Tower v St Sylvesters, Monastery Road: 11:00

Please note these are scheduled fixtures.

Matches are subject to change.

Check www.roundtower.ie and

www.dublingaa.ie also for fixtures.

Junvenile fixtures are listed on the Club website ahead of the weekend and emailed to all members & supporters.