Cumann Baire
na Statsheirbhise

Round 2 of the championship was a mixed bag for the club. The first team was defeated by Scoil Ui Chonaill on Tuesday evening in JHC B. The teams were closely matched in the first half and only 2 points separated the sides at half time. As the second half progressed it seems we struggled to make and take scoring chances and Scoil pulled away in the last quarter to win by a margin of 3-12 to 3-5.

Our second team on the other hand had a great win on Thursday in JHC E over Castleknock in Somerton Park. It was a determined performance where a mixture of solid defence and good free taking gave us the competitive edge. We were 3 points ahead at half time but Juan’s goal with his first touch of the second half and further pressure in the opponents’ half saw our lead open to 9 points at one stage. Castleknock came in pursuit of goals in the closing stages with former Civil Service legend Kevin McCambridge leading the charge. However, with a couple of legends of our own, our defence held out and we went on to win by 1-11 to 1-6.

Round 3 in two weeks (Sunday 19th May) will now be very crucial. It is very important that all players attend all training sessions leading to these games, Monday and Wednesday same time (7pm on the pitch).

This is a really important week for our club with two critical championship fixtures. On Tues 30th April, our first team plays Scoil Ui Chonaill at Islandbridge in JHC B and on Thursday 2nd May our second team takes on Castleknock at Somerton Park. Both games throw in at 7.15pm. All support will be welcome at each game. We beat Scoil Ui Chonaill in cup competition earlier this year by the narrowest margin. However, championship is a different event. Our experience of playing Scoil in recent years is of tough games against a fast physical youthful team and a huge effort will be required by all in that encounter.

Our 2nd team’s recent game against Castleknock at Somerton Park should remind us of the enormous challenge ahead on Thursday. We want to put our first round defeats behind us, prepare properly and get back to winning ways. All players are asked to respond promptly to Teamer requests and to be at the correct venue properly prepared in plenty of time for each game.

There will be no training on Wednesday night. Our next session is on Monday 6th May.

The Committee met last week. One of the main items for discussion was our forthcoming and now annual “night at the dogs” fund-raiser. Details will be in these notes in the weeks ahead. Any members who have not yet paid their subscription should please do so asap.

We knew that our first round of championship would be tough and we weren’t mistaken. Our first team played away against O’Tooles in JHC B at Blunden Drive where the home side had an effective mix of experience and youthful speed. Only 2 points separated the sides at half time but as the sun came out and the pitch dried, O’Tooles moved the ball more effectively and built up a commanding lead with two early second half goals from incisive runs and well taken points. Although we got two goals to back, we couldn’t bridge the gap and eventually lost to 3-16 to 3-7.

Our second team played St Patrick’s of Donabate in JHC E in Islandbridge. The visitors were 3 points ahead at half time mostly as a result of some well taken frees and a favourable breeze but midway through the second half the sides were level. It looked like a win was within our grasp but luck was certainly not on our side. We applied plenty of pressure on the St Patrick’s defence and some goalkeeping heroics kept out two seemingly certain goals but then we conceded two late goals on two quick breaks by the opposition and lost with a final score of 3-9 to 1-11.

We know the standard we need to achieve to compete at these levels. Training continues as usual this week on Monday with an internal challenge game and Wednesday. Players are to be togged out on the pitch for 7pm sharp. The Committee meets on Wednesday 24th April after training at 8.30pm. Any members who have not yet paid their subscription should please do so asap.

We have a big week ahead with both teams in action in the first round of the championship on Sunday 21st April. Our first team plays away against O’Tooles in JHC B at Blunden Drive at 11am while the second team will take on St Patrick’s of Donabate in JHC E in Islandbridge at 3pm. All players are asked to respond promptly to Teamer requests for availability. We put our disappointment in the first round of the leagues behind us and continued our championship preparations with good training sessions last week.

We played a lively challenge game against Ballyboden at Islandbridge on Sunday morning. Our team was a mixture of both first and team players available. The visitors won by 1-13 to 2-7 but there was great effort and determination shown by all players in very testing windy conditions.

Training continues as usual this week on Monday with an internal challenge game and Wednesday. Players are to be togged out on the pitch for 7pm sharp. In this final week before the championship, the Chairman hopes all members will give their best at training and in their individual preparation for the important fixtures next Sunday.

We didn’t get to start our league campaign for 2013 this weekend as all games were called off on Friday. Our 2nd team has yet to play a competitive fixture this season but the first team has already seen plenty of action.

On the bank holiday Monday 18th March, we followed up on the recent victory over St Sylvesters when we defeated Whitehall Colmcille’s in the Faugh’s Cup semi final by the narrowest margin 1-9 to 1-8. It was a close contest throughout with both defences allowing few scoring chances from play. Most scores came from frees and 65s. Adrian Mordant showed great skill in scoring two points from sideline cuts, having done the same in the previous game. We were two points down at half time but it was level in the closing stages and looked like it was heading for a draw until Ger Hawkins grabbed what proved to be the winning score in the dying minutes.

Training continues as usual this week at 7pm on Monday night in the gym and on Wednesday on the pitch with a mix of hurling drills with a strength and conditioning session at 7pm sharp. Players are again asked to respond promptly to Teamer requests. A lot of matches will be coming up after Easter with midweek fixtures and the championship to follow in a few weeks.

We got off to a great start with victory in our first competitive fixture of the year over St. Sylvesters in Islandbridge in the Corn Fág a Bealach on Sunday. Conditions were as good as you could ask for at this time of year. The ball moved quickly on the ground and the game was played at a lively pace. The teams were well matched in the early stages but two goals before half time gave us a margin that the visitors could not close.

Adrian Mordant was top scorer with solid freetaking and two exceptional second half points from sideline cuts. However, the manager reckoned the man of the match performance was by Dan Cosgrave at full back who dealt effectively with everything that was thrown at him.

Training continues as usual this week at 7pm on Monday night in the gym and on Wednesday on the pitch with a mix of hurling drills with a strength and conditioning session at 7pm sharp.

Our next round of competetitive fixtures is on the weekend of 24th March so all members should make sure to be available.

The first competitive hurling of 2013 took place in a lively challenge match with Setanta on Sunday 24th February. The pitch was a bit bumpy and the morning was cold but from the throw in to the final whistle the game was played at fast pace and competitive spirit with Setanta winning by 4-15 to 3-12. There were plenty of mistakes on both sides but it was a good opportunity to prepare for competitions ahead.

Next weekend our first team hosts St Sylvesters in Islandbridge at 11am in the Corn Fág a Bealach. Players are all asked to respond promptly to requests on Teamer for availability. The second team has a bye in the Eddie Barron Shield this weekend so hopefully some will be available to support the first team on Sunday morning.

Training continues as usual this week at 7pm on Monday night in the gym and on Wednesday on the pitch with a mix of hurling drills with a strength and conditioning session at 7pm sharp.

On Wednesday 27th Feb. at 8.30pm there will be a short meeting in the clubhouse to deal with Training, Team Panels, and upcomming games.

Best of luck to two of our members (Gary “the bruiser” Daly and Eamon “the rebel” Fitz) taking to the ring in a white collar boxing event in Croke Park on Friday 1st March.

As usual at this time of year, annual club membership subscriptions are due.

Its back to business in Islandbridge for 2013. Circuit training in the gym on Mondays at 7pm and training on Wednesdays on the pitch at 7pm continue this week. Don’t forget boots and helmets for the Wednesday session. All members need to get the boots back on again and be both ready and available for our first competitive action which begins with cup fixtures on the weekend of 3rd March.

In preparation, we have a challenge game against Setanta on Sunday 24th February at 11am in Islandbridge. Players are asked to respond promptly to Teamer requests for availability for fixtures.

Our club AGM took place on Wednesday 13th February at our clubhouse. Thanks to all who attended. A changing of the guard sees Limerick native Declan Enright taking over from outgoing Chairman Gerry Butler. Conor McCarthy continues as Secretary and E.J. Daly as treasurer. Although not as well attended as last year, there was a strong body of members solidly committed to push ahead in 2013 and willing to take on new responsibilities on the incoming committee. The discussions reflected many perennial themes for a players’ club which include our approach to fitness and training, competitive ambition for the year ahead, the importance of bringing on new members to build up our first team, match day support tasks and club finances. Diarmuid Hogan turning 40 got a mention under “other business”. Congrats!