Round Towers G.F.C

PHOTOS 4TH JULY BLITZ

2009-07-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

It looks as though I have run out of my allocated space for photos as I am unable to upload any more... Will sort out and get rest on Blog

Dodger

U12s BLITZ - PECKHAM RYE - 4TH JULY 2009 PHOTOS. ROUND TOWERS U12s (&U10S), THOMAS MCCURTAINS, DULWICH HARPS & TIR CHONAILL GAELS

2009-07-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

U12 BLITZ - PECKHAM RYE - 4TH JULY 2009

2009-07-05T04:22:00.000-07:00

'On this day' - American Colonies Declare Independent 4th July 1776

Peckham Rye is a treat at the best of times, and I will say worth the journey over from Morden, but on Saturday last it was a delight and a hive of activity with a mini festival in full flow when I arrived just after midday.

The day was glorious - the sun beamed down from on high and for Round Towers U12s it shone brightly on all of them as they put in a most entertaining and tremendous performance and WON THE BLITZ.!!!!!!!!!!!!! The boys and girls were just brilliant in the final. The winning panel consisted of both U12s and U10s which made it doubly enjoyable to see the two younger panels demonstrating how well they have learned the Gaelic skills and how competitive they are. Dave Clarke has to be very proud of his U10 panel. All that hard work has paid off and it was particularly good to see Dave being able to watch his son play for a change. As for Danny O'Donovan and his very able c0-conspirator, Sean McInness, who are in charge of the U12s, - well they are a credit to them.

I have been hearing since the season began from Danny and Sean that they were very happy with their panel of U12s and felt their boys and girls could give a good account of themselves on the pitch. The U12s narrowly lost out to Tir Chonaill Gaels the previous weekend with a last minute goal from the Gaels to secure a win. That was last week though; they enjoyed the sweet smell of victory this weekend. RT did not disappoint yesterday and that was for sure. It was marvellous to witness the beaming smiles on the lovely faces of all those U12 and U10s, the coaches, Danny O'Donovan, Dave Clarke and Sean McInness together with all the parents and followers who were there to support their heroes.

Four clubs participated in the Blitz. They were

Round Towers

Dulwich Harps

Thomas McCurtains

Tir Chonaill Gaels

The first game of the afternoon was between Dulwich Harps v Thomas McCurtains.

Dulwich started really well and I thought they would wipe McCurtains off the pitch. As is customary, Dulwich fielded a set of fine boys, who as always, showed great confident and determination to win. Dulwich were dominant in the first half and McCurtains in some respects looked a bit intimidated by their opponents who looked as though they would surely win the game. I personally felt that if McCurtains' boys could keep the ball down, bearing in mind the height within the Dulwich panel, they could change the game bearing in mind skill was apparent within their ranks; not that it was in any way lacking within Dulwich but McCurtains needed a rethink at the break. Low and behold, McCurtains came out in the second half a different team. They were unrecognisable from the first half - but very pleasant to witness; the ball did not go into the air from McC's boots; they retained possession and were rewarded for their efforts - the ball obliged by going into the back of the net and a revival was evident. McCurtains' boys kept their heads and scores piled on the board giving them a deserved victory at the final whistle

The final score was

Thomas McCurtains 2 goals 4 points
Dulwich Harps 2 goals 0 points

McCurtains eagerly awaited the result of the second game between

Our very own Round Towers and Tir Chonaill Gaels

This game did not produce many points and indeed no goals and in some respects was a bit uneventful. Just saying what I saw - however see below............ Neither team seemed to be able to get the ball where they wanted it but persevered to the end. RT were delighted to see 4 of their shots go nicely between the posts with only one positive result for Tir Chonaill Gaels. The final result went our way

Round Towers 4 points
Tir Chonaill Gaels 1 point

THE FINAL CLASH WAS BETWEEN OUR VERY OWN

Round Towers v Thomas McCurtains

This final game was a most entertaining and enjoyable view. I do believe that RT were so delighted to find themselves in the final that they were not going to give away the game lightly.

Both teams demonstrated that they had learned the necessary skills very well indeed and it was apparent that both panels really wanted to win. It made for a good spectacle. Our boys and girls were superior on the day and RT's determination to win resulted in a display of fantastic skills; awareness of where the ball was; where their opponents were; nearly always first to the ball; successful in converting their efforts to produce goals and points....... You name it, they had it. RT were great. Thomas McCurtains came alive towards the end and put two deserved goals in the back of our net. We had, however, already done the necessary hard work, which paid off as RT had the better score at the end of the game. Our boys and girls deserved to win. I was delighted that I ventured over to Peckham and was awarded with a treat of a game and RT winning the BLITZ. WELL DONE.

It's great to see the many parents who support the U10s and U12s. Special praise for Danny O'Donovan, Dave Clarke and Sean McInness. You guys have done a superb job and should be really proud of yourselves. All that hard work and time given up to RT definitely provided a good bonus yesterday.

On a slightly lighter note, it was fun to watch Dave who, this time, had checked the weather forecast and came prepared for the sun. Dave was sporting what could best be described as 'Paris cat walk dessert rat' head gear. I am of course referring to a previous Blitz up in Greenford when Dave forgot his hat and returned with a bit of sun stroke. Not this time though - have a look at the pics. Danny also paid heed to the forecast and came dressed for sun and, just in case weather conditions changed suddenly and a sand storm arrived he brought his 'dessert' goggles - those goggles look as though they could multi task!!!! This is a joke and should be taken in the manner in which it is intended. My pics will bear my comments out boys. Sean, as always, dressed in a most appropriate manner with the RT shirt on ..........

Finally, I would like to comment on one of our parent's good sportsmanship. I was positioned near a chap who cheered RT with great enthusiasm, but who also commented very favourably on our opponents' efforts and consistently said 'well done', 'bad luck number 10, 8, etc' when one of our opponents showed good play and skills or had a near miss. I was shouting like mad for the Towers but could not but notice what a good example this parent showed. It's great to have such a good attitude to our childrens' games and I guess we should all try to take a page out of his book and be a bit more like him. I refer to none other than Brian McNulty.

Mags Cremin made a great umpire - see photos and I also met Joe English who has been supporting the Gaelic ladies for many years now. He is organising a
FUNDRAISING JAMBOREE in support of Dulwich Harps under-age Girls' and London Ladies Team) which will be held at
ADDISCOMBE CATHOLIC SOCIAL CLUB Bingham Road Addiscombe CR0 7EN on Friday 17th July 2009 from 8 pm.

Entertainment with Fingar and Bernie. Contact Joe 020 8659 5625 for tickets.

Joe extracted £5 from me and Mags for tickets, but promised to give our Club and our blog a mention at the event.

RACE NIGHT - FRIDAY 26th JUNE 2009

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Race Night has come and gone for another year - 'what relief that is', many parents will say. Well, to tell the truth it started a bit feeble with very few bodies appearing at the starting post at 7 pm but low and behold by 8 pm the tables were filling up and it looked like we would have a good race meeting. There was a great turn out from the U12 and U10 panels and a splattering from the U14/U16.

The good news was that those who attended were very generous. The kids had a brilliant night. It was great to see and hear the excitment as they cheered each race in the hope that THEIR horse would come in first. The parents, grandparents and friends who were there were not shy when it came to placing bets.

Danny O'Donovan very kindly stood tall and conducted the auction. Great job Danny given that the supporters in the hall had already done a great job supporting the various races . Danny may have missed his vocation and perhaps should have considered auctioneering as a profession. Thank you.

Many thanks also to Sean McInness who stood firm at the entrance and extracted as much as possible from all as they walked through the door by way of buying Tri Cast numbers. Two lucky chaps scooped the £150.00 and later ploughed back some of their booty by contributing at the auction.

Maggie, you were a star as was Declan. Race sheets were well organised. I know that Jerry chased sponsors also so well done to all. Michael Maher, as always, put a big effort into the event. How you stretch yourself about the place so much is a bit of a mystery but you do it........ Rose stood in (sorry sat in) at the Tote and then volunteered her husband for the final few races - again great thanks.

Many thanks to the Old Ruts for agreeing to allow us back this year. It was a lovely evening and no better place to hold an event that there.

Our sponsors cannot be forgotten. They are seriously generous and we should try to support them if we can. The sponsors were - in no particular order -

KEVIN ENGLISH

KENT & ROBERTS (NORTH CHEAM)

WEST CHART LTD

THE MURPHY GROUP

CAPPAGH

FUTUREPRO COACHING

PADDY POWER

PARADIGM PROPERTY CONSULTING

S.M. GLAZING

If I have forgotten anyone, do forgive......not intentional I can assure you.

RT U16 V Dulwich H 23.6.09 Photos

2009-07-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

RT U16 V DULWICH HARPS 23rd JUNE 2009

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Dulwich came a visiting in their rather nice white bus and demolished us on the night. Dare I actually say, I believe that technically we are a better team but the Dulwich boys had the advantage of size, knowing each other's every move from playing together regularly and a very evident clear belief in their ability to win. They just 'know' that they are going to conquer. Shame they were all so scared of the spiders in our ultra modern dressing rooms!!.

Regardless, we showed some lovely movement at times but sadly these lovely moves did not result in points on the board. There was a bit of an incident towards the end of the match involving a Dulwich chap who decided he wanted to put the boot in literally. It seems the ref sent off the wrong chap. I have a question. ????? If an incident erupts where a boy is on the ground (it does not matter which team that boy comes from) and an opposing team player decides to put the boot in, is it totally unacceptable that a parent goes on to the pitch in order to intervene? I would mention that the ref was not near the incident at the time. The ref in question took charge of the game in a very efficient manner but, as can happen, simply was not near the incident when it started. I would like some comments please. I am not at all trying to be controversial but would actually like genuine comments and views. What is the current protocol? Is there a correct protocol in these situations? I bet I get no comments as I suspect that I am a lone voice in the dark and my blogs will be read in 100 years time by someone......................................

On a very positive note, I understand that Pat Winston of Dulwich took decisive action after the match and banned the boy in question for a month. This has been reported to me third hand and therefore if this is incorrect I apologise but if it is correct, then I take my hat off to Pat Winston and commend him on his action. All our guys are liable to make mistakes and the only way they learn is by being checked and corrected. The really nice thing was at the end of a heavily contested match all the boys were more than happy to shake hands with each other with beaming smiles on their faces. Boys from both teams formed a combined South London team and therefore know each other from their travels to Ireland .

Well done Dulwich.

Photos to follow

30/06/09
by Dodger
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Round Towers U16 v Tir Chonaill Gaels - Greenford - 20th June 2009

2009-06-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-06-15T14:54:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-06-14T06:03:00.000-07:00

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

Welcome to Round Towers

2009-05-10T14:12:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Round Towers G.F.C blog. Here you can read and comment on news and information on games, players and scores.

Round Towers are one of the biggest clubs in London and as well as underage football consist of 3 adult mens teams, we are made up of a successful Senior team, a Reserve team and have also a formidable all British born Junior team who compete for the McArdle Cup.