Continue reading »]]> A win of 3.08 to 1.06 for our First Team in a practice game against Na Fianna at Islandbridge yesterday gets the team into a winning groove early in the season. Good result but a lot of improvement on first touch, fitness and general play required as we head into a number of league weekends and on to first round championship in about five weeks time.

Important Players Meeting at Islandbridge this Wednesday 8.30pm after training.

Training
7.00pm (sharp): Tonight Monday (10th) and Wed (12th)

Players Meeting
Club House Islandbridge: this Wednesday 12th Mar 8.30pm (after training)

Fixtures
30/03/2014 12:00 AHL6
Liffey Gaels v Civil Service Hurling (Liffey Park)

30/03/2014 15:00 AHL8
Erin Go Bragh v Civil Service Hurling (Hazelbury Park)

Weekend Results
Practice Game: Civil Service (First Team) 3.08 Na Fianna 1.06

Continue reading »]]> It wasn’t the start we had hoped for with defeat for both of our teams on the first day of the 2014 league campaign but we can still take some positives from the day.

In AHL6, our first team lost by a single point to St. Sylvesters. Conditions were difficult in Islandbridge with rain for most of the game and a sticky pitch. We benefitted from good pre-match preparation and dominated the early stages of the game. Although we didn’t convert that dominance into scores as much as we should have, we only conceded 1 point and had a led by 5 points at half time.

In the second half, we put a number of scoring chances wide while Sylvesters inched their way back and drew level after a long range speculative shot found its way to our net. They went ahead with 5 minutes to go and defended solidly to secure victory with a final score of 1-6 to 1-5.

The rain had cleared by the throw-in for our second team’s AHL8 game against Na Gaeil Oga. After a reasonable start we conceded three first half goals and though we probably had enough scoring chances to win in the second half, we lost with a final score of 5-3 to 3-3.

Good to see some new players make their competitive debut with us and, with other players still to return, there is good cause for optimism for our season ahead. We have no competitive fixtures for the next few weeks and plenty of work to do.

Training as usual this week on Monday and Wednesday with Mark Feeney directing the sessions to focus on a mix of skills and fitness.

Weekend Results
AHL6: Civil Service (1.04) 1.05 St. Sylvesters (0.02) 1.06
AHL8: Civil Service (0.03) 3.03 Na Gaeil Oga (3.03) 5.03

Training
Training 7.00pm (sharp): tonight Monday (3rd) and Wed (5th)

Dairy Date
Civil Service Hurling Club Golf Society (Captains Day Outing)
Palmerstown House Golf Club,
Johnstown Co. Kildare,
Friday 5th Sept 2014

Continue reading »]]> Our season started yesterday with a challange game against a young and fit Na Fianna side. Service with a mix of firsts, seconds and new recuits started slowly showing all the signs of not having caught a hurley for six months and nine years for one of our new recuits. However a spirited second half gave hope for the future. The one positive from loosing games like these is the opportunity it presents in learning more from one defeat then any number of wins. Hope our new recuits Paul Ryan, Mick Conlon and Eddie Roche enjoyed the day.

Training
Training 7.00pm (sharp): tonight Monday (17th) and Wed (19th)

Committee Meeting
Committee Meeting tonight (17th) in Clubhouse after training 8.30pm

Results
Practise Match Sunday 16th Feb. 2014 (Islandbridge 2.00pm)
Civil Service (0.03) 0.14 Na Fianna (1.09) 3.13

Fixtures
Sunday 2nd Mar 2014
AHL6: Civil Service v St. Sylvesters Islandbridge 12.00pm
AHL8: Civil Service v Na Gaeil Oga 1 Islandbridge 3.00pm

Golf Society
CSHC Golf Society Committee Meeting
Wednesday 19th at Two Sisters 9.00pm

Continue reading »]]> Annual General Meeting

A new year and a new team in charge. Last Wednesday (5th Feb) at a well attended AGM in Islandbridge outgoing chairman Declan Enright passed over the baton to Conor Bracken for the current campaign. The Club would like to thank the outgoing Committee and particularly Declan for his huge efforts as chairman in 2014 and Best Wishes and Best of Luck to new Chairman Conor Bracken and the incoming Committee in the year ahead.

The following are the principal officers elected at last Wednesdays AGM
Chairman: Conor Bracken
Vice Chairman: Martin Ryan
Secretary: Conor McCarthy
Vice Secretary: James Power
Treasurer: Gerry Butler
Vice Treasurer: Gavin Hesse
Team Trainer: Mark Feeney
P.R.O.: Darrell O’Donoghue
Co. Board Delgates: Eamon Fitzgerald, Declan Enright

Training
Training 7.00pm (sharp): tonight Monday (10th) and Wed (12th), and every Monday and Wednesday going forward.
New trainer Mark Feeney as per his address to the AGM will keep it sharp and to the point requiring everyone to be on the field by 6.50pm and ready to go at 7.00pm

Committee Meeting
This Wednesday (12th) in Clubhouse after training 8.30pm

Fixtures
Sunday 2nd Mar 2014
AHL6: Civil Service v St. Sylvesters Islandbridge 12.00pm
AHL8: Civil Service v Na Gaeil Oga 1 Islandbridge 3.00pm

Practise Match(s)
the Club are actively working on organising a practise match or matches for both teams this weekend or the weekend after before the league commences. With Cup matches being deferred to a Summer date a practise match or two will be vital in allowing the Club to hit the ground running when the league commences. A poor start has been our undoing in recent seasons. Time for a change!!!!!!

Continue reading »]]> There was some consolation when our final AHL6 fixture for 2013 produced a victory against our near neighbours Liffey Gaels on a bright mild Sunday morning in Islandbridge. The signs weren’t good with a team of 13, no subs and our man with the jerseys arrived with just a minute to throw in. Before we knew it we were four points behind after 10 minutes. However, we settled down, marked tighter and were just a point behind at half time. We clearly got the benefit of some words of wisdom from Liam Myles and Frank Martin on the sideline and dominated play from the 2nd half throw in. After a fine long range point for Conor McCarthy, the scores came quickly from some effective passing between Mark Feeney, Ger Hawkins and Conor Bracken. The visitors came looking for goals but the defence kept a clean sheet with a final score of 2-14 to 0-9. A good way to end the year and a good platform to build on for 2014. Still a cup final to be played but the date is not yet set.

Training as usual this week on Wednesday. Mella’s rip and spin classes are available in the gym to club members for those planning their winter training.

Continue reading »]]> The club was saddened to learn of the death of our former member Seamus Power on Saturday. Seamus was one of the great Civil Service hurlers in 70s and 80s, playing on that great team that won league, cup and intermediate championship titles in 1986. Seamus also played with Civil Service footballers. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Its been quiet in Islandbridge for a couple of weeks now that most of our competitive fixtures for 2012 have been played but we’re still in action. We played another challenge last week against Clan na Gael Fontenoys on a wet Thursday evening under the lights in Sean O’Moore Park. The game followed a similar pattern to when we played them recently in Islandbridge. Clan went well ahead in the first half but we made a good second half comeback. It was a competitive fast moving game right to the end with a final score of 5-14 to 4-8. Not a bad outcome as some of the Clan players are still involved in intermediate championship and clearly had the edge on pace, first touch and distribution. Only one AHL6 fixture to play v Liffey Gaels. Details to be confirmed.

Training as usual this week on Wednesday at 6.30pm sharp. Mella’s rip and spin classes are available in the gym to club members for those planning their winter training.

Continue reading »]]> Our busy week started well with victory in our AHL8 game against Crumlin in Islandbridge on Monday evening. It was a close contest all the way through with tight defending on both sides but victory was well deserved.

On Thursday evening we played a challenge against Clan na Gael Fontenoys in breezy, damp conditions on a freshly cut pitch. The visitors had built a commanding half time lead but we narrowed the gap somewhat with a solid second half comeback.

On Saturday evening in AHL6 we played St Olaf’s at Islandbridge. Despite the better start, we found ourselves a point down at half time and facing the sun and breeze in the second half. Olaf’s edged further ahead but we fought our way back with nothing separating the sides in the closing stages but a late point by the visitors gave them victory by the narrowest margin.

Our recently postponed BBQ took place on Saturday evening in Islandbridge after the game. Our masterchef Liam Myles was in full flight and with his usual efficiency fed players, wives, girlfriends and children that had gathered for this great annual club event. Many thanks to Liam and all who helped with the clubhouse cleanup earlier in the day.

The result of our recent All Ireland final score forecast competition was a win for Anita Hogan with second place shared between Niamh Forristal, Darrell O’Donoghue and Aaron O’Flaherty. Many thanks to all who supported this and other fundraising efforts during the year.

Training as usual this week on Wednesday but at 6.30pm sharp to avail of daylight.

Continue reading »]]> We had a lively challenge game with St Brigids on Monday 2nd September. We were ahead for much of the game but a couple of late goals shifted the advantage and gave a narrow victory for the visitors. We were due to be back to league action at the weekend but games were rescheduled.

Our AHL6 game against Naomh Olaf will now take place on Saturday 14th September in Islandbridge, details will be circulated on Teamer. At the time of submitting these notes, we don’t know the result of our second team AHL8 game v Crumlin in Islandbridge on Monday 9th September.

On another field of play, the CSHC Golf Society celebrated its 30th anniversary in grand style with our annual outing taking place in the KClub on Friday 6th September. Over 40 past and present players took on the Smurfit course on a fine fresh afternoon where the clouds threatened but the rain held off. Competition was tight at the top. Paschal Moran won the event and was presented with the Seamus Haugh memorial trophy. Stephen Dunne came 2nd and Tommy Carew was 3rd. Between golf, facilities, weather, food and good company, it was a great day. Many thanks to the society’s captain for 2013, Gerry Butler, and to Jim Power and their committee for organising this great occasion that brings past and present members of the club together each year on All Ireland weekend.

Our recently postponed BBQ is now to go ahead next Saturday evening in Islandbridge after the Olaf’s game. Anyone available to assist in clubhouse cleanup earlier in the afternoon would be welcome. The results of our All Ireland final score prediction competition will be in these notes next week. Training as usual this week on Wednesday at 7pm sharp.

Continue reading »]]> Its a busy week for our club with final preparations for one of the most important games for our club for some time. We take on Faugh’s in Tymon Park on Sunday 25th August at 11am in championship relegation play-off where the loser faces relegation to JHC “C”. After our recent high scoring AHL6 clash where we came off 2nd best against Faugh’s we know the challenge that now faces us. Also on Sunday, our 2nd team plays na Gaeil Óga at 3pm in the Phoenix Park in AHL8.

Training this week on Monday and Wednesday at 7pm in Islandbridge with a possible challenge game against v St Brendans on Thursday with time and venue to be confirmed. All players are asked to make a big effort to attend training this week but also with their personal preparation to be fit and ready for next Sunday.

Off the pitch, preparations continue for the Civil Service Hurling Club Golf Society annual golf outing on 6th September in the K Club. To mark the 30th anniversary of the golf society and the 90th anniversary of the club, the organisers have gone up-market and are making a major effort to have as many former players attend, to afford people the opportunity to catch up with past team-mates. Non-golfers are invited to attend the meal. Anyone interested to attend or help out in any way should contact Gerry Butler or Jim Power.

Our clubhouse clean-up and BBQ is due to take place on Saturday 7th September subject to any fixture changes for AHL games that weekend. More details on that next week.

Continue reading »]]> Its been quiet in Islandbridge, maybe a bit too quiet with small numbers at training and no games over the last two weeks. That all changes this week starting with a challenge game against St Jude’s on Monday 12th August in Islandbridge. Training will be as usual on Wednesday at 7pm with a possible extra session next weekend to be confirmed and again on Monday and Wednesday next week. This is to prepare for a crucial fixture for our first team against Faughs on Sunday 25th August where the loser faces relegation to JHC “C”.

Our second team will also be in action that weekend. All players are asked to make a big effort to attend training and work on personal fitness and skills in these two weeks.

Off the pitch, the Civil Service Hurling Club Golf Society is preparing for our annual golf outing on on 6th September. The outing is moving upmarket to the K Club this year to mark the 30th anniversary of the golf society and the 90th anniversary of the club. The organisers are making a major effort to have as many former players attend, to afford people the opportunity to catch up with past teammates. Non-golfers are invited to attend the meal. Anyone interested to attend or help out in any way should contact Gerry Butler or Jim Power.