Round Towers U16 v Tir Chonaill Gaels - Greenford - 20th June 2009

Final Score Towers - 6 goals and 4 points to Gaels 13 points

We travelled up to Greenford with our U16 panel of boys yesterday to face the Gaels in what was a most enjoyable watch for all who were on the side line supporting the Towers' boys.

We had the full management committee in attendance with Michael Maher, Declan Egan and Jerry O'Leary.

The Towers started really well and put together some fine passing which paid off with their shooters finishing off the job by putting the ball where we all wanted to see it - in the back of the net.

The team comprised many of the boys from last year's successful U14 panel plus a superb set of boys from the U14s

Edward Howford, Kieran Howard, William Rainbow, Sean Bennett, James McInnes, Joe Fortune and Michael White

It was great to see that the U14 boys were not at all intimated by their older opponents and as a result played a key part in their team's victory, particularly one player who, for me, was the MAN OF THE MATCH........ Our superative goalie - MICHAEL WHITE, who protected his goal with his life and allowed NOTHING to go past him.

While his brother made sure our goal was secure, Joe White did his job by ensuring that the ball did find the back of the Gaels' net - Joe's final tally was 3 goals with others coming from Mark O'Leary's boot (Mark celebrated his 15th birthday yesterday), our Captain, Josh Bargary, and the sweet boot of Ben Checklit. Points are always very important and these were provided by George Ransom, Edward Halford, Joe White and Ben Checklit.

The boys in defence did their job and hazzled the Gaels who looked as though they were going to put a few in our net but together the U16 won the day. There is great comradie between all the boys and is clear to see for those of us who have a joy of watching you guys win. Well done to all.

Our U16s will meet their great rivals, Dulwich Harps in Mitcham on this Tuesday evening. The game starts at 7 pm.

Blitz - Poulters Park Mitcham - Sat 13th June 2009 - U12

Danny O'Donovan and Sean McInnes should be very happy chappies as I understand their outstanding U12 panel of boys and girls sent Dulwich Harps home with their tails between their legs on Saturday last having BEATEN them by a point. Well done to all the boys and girls on the U12s panel and to the management who must have done some forward planning in order to succeed against a Dulwich team. No doubt, Dulwich will be looking forward to meeting RT again but for the moment enjoy the sweet taste of victory.

St Clarets also attended the Blitz on Sat last and drew against Dulwich in their game

U14 Round Towers v St Kiernans

I hear that the U14S took a bit of a hammering against St Kierans at Poulters Park. I know that the U14 have talent in there so keep at it and you will get the right result in the end.

U10 Blitz - Mill Hill North London, Sunday 14th June 2009

Dave Clarke took a panel up to Mill Hill to participate in a Blitz. Unfortunately, our guys and girls were a bit off form and did not perform as well as Dave knows they can. The last Blitz held at Poulters Park saw the U10s demolish all their opposition and looked unstoppable. It was a very hot day though last Sunday and a couple of the guys were ill. To top it all, Dave forgot his hat so had to lie down for a while when he finally got home to Wimbledon - nothing a few chilled beers wouldn't cure Dave. Joke, joke of course Dave - you are always there to coach the kids and take them far and wide for games, Blitz the lot. I hope the kids and parents appreciate your efforts particularly as your boy plays in the U12s and you give your time to the U10s. What a Kildare star you are.


U16 PANEL

Michael Maher and Declan Egan attempted to take a training session tonight in Poulters Park. It was not to be though as the elements stepped in with thunder, lighting and rain that we never thought could be up above. Training was abandoned and the boys took shelter in the club house awaiting parents. The U16 will be playing in North London this forthcoming Saturday in Greenford so good luck to them. I got a puncture on the way back but who cares it got sorted.....


RACE NIGHT - 26th June Old Ruts Poplar Road Wimbledon 7 -11PM

Just another reminder in case anyone single soul may have got this far down. Come along and have a bit of fun on the night.

This is my very first blog and therefore any guidance, assistance or criticism (always up for a bit of that) would be appreciated and warmly received as they say......

Here goes


First things first - we need your money please...... in return a fun night will be promised at our
RACE NIGHT Friday 26th June 7-11 pm Old Ruts Rugby Club Poplar Road Wimbledon SW19

Any one who reads this better attend and support us as we desperately need the money to keep the Minors c ontinuing in the manner they have become accustomed to. It is our one annual night to extract money from our kids and their parents' pockets. We need bottles, chocs etc for the raffle so again let us know if a search of those hidden cupboards reaps any useful item that could be converted into money for us and is just taking up space in your house.


And now to the rest back or the beginning...


Round Towers is very lucky to have a team of very committed people, who are prepared to give up their valuable tiime in order to coach the boys and girls, keep Gaelic football alive and well and hopefully beat our able competitors within London - particularly North London not to mention our old rivals Dulwich

We charge the boys and girls a very low subscription each year and in return give them the opportunity to train, play games, travel to Ireland to play the natives who give them the best reception and hospitality.


2008 U14 Trip to Dublin

I was privilaged to travel over last year with the U14 boys accompanied by Michael (we must win) Maher, Jerry (a real genuine jackeen) O'Leary, Steve (the best fun) Dulley and a lots of supportive parents who travelled over for a truly fab weekend in Dublin. We (Round Towers) entertained the boys in style also. Fair dues to Jerry who put a major effort into organising the trip and obviously knew his way round the fair city. The boys got a tremendous reception in Drumcondra where they played and won their game. The Dubs were amazed at how skillful our guys were and how well behaved. I noted several young female enthusiasts who showed a bit of interest in the London visitors......

We took the boys to Grafton Street for a spot of shopping and also to Croke Park where the Irish soccer team were playing an international friendly. Oh nearly forgot the bowling trip as well. Those guys were treated like princes let me tell you.

Eventhough we lost our game played on the Sunday to our gracious hosts - it was yet again a great opportunity to stand tall with the other London reps and parents as the guys played their socks off and played the game as it should be played. I think it would be fair to say that the Dubs felt a bit lucky and relieved to win against us. The afternoon was capped nicely with a BBQ put on by our superb hosts who know the meaning of having a laugh.

We returned on the Monday morning with a plane full of very happy and chatty boys who did themselves proud. I hope the boys realise how much these trips cost and pay the club back by continuing their support and turning up for training and games. There is always a pay back in every avenue of life...........

I think it is difficult for the boys sometimes as soccer is obviously the main game on this side of the water. However, I believe that soccer and Gaelic can live very happily together and indeed compliment each other. I feel that we should keep hammering the message to the local soccer clubs telling them how their boys would benefit by taking up gaelie football and of course how we would gain by having them on our teams

Blitz

The U12 and U10 boys and girls have been having some great Blitz weekends. I would appreciate feelback by means of emails from the managers who attend the Blitz with details of how they went. From the accounts I have had, Round Towers have been doing really well. More will appear in coming weeks re Blitz

Dave Clarke chatting to Dulwich manager

I understand that Dulwich are 'in talks' with Dave Clarke, our able U10s coach with a view to arranging a few friendly. It would be great for the kids to play a couple of games as otherwise it could probably get a bit boring just training all the time.


Mike Bushell - BBC Breakfast 13th June 2009

Breakfast time on a Saturday will never be the same again now that Michael Maher and Ollie Bennett have become overnight TV stars. Not forgetting Declan Egan who should expect to have the Country board asking him to give advice on coaching skills 'as seen on the BBC'.... I think it is fair to say that the publicity will do us and Gaelic Football no harm at all.

More later ............ Let me have comments please as I am new to this game but will always try something new so