Loss of two Club
Stalwarts
It was with great sadness that we learned of
the death of former club president Peter Cooney. For over 40 years Peter was
Mr. Coolera. His field was the pitch. His shed was the dressing room. He lined
the pitch. He collected the players, and brought them home again in his grey
mini-van, often fitting an entire team in it. As a former Club Secretary, he
did all the paperwork by hand, long before the introduction of technology. As
well as his connection with our club Peter was also synonymous with Coolera
Community Games.
In a weekend when we were saddened by the news
of Peter Cooney's death, the club was dealt a double blow with the passing of
current club president Seán Sweeney. Seán was a club legend, and was also
extremely proud to be Sligo’s Greatest supporter. With the passing of two
senior club members at the weekend, added to the death last year of Seamus
Martyn, it really signals the end of an era in the club. Ar dheis Dé go raibh
siad.
Under 14 Féile
Connacht
is hosting the Féile na nÓg competition in June this year, with Sligo one of
the host counties. The Féile na nÓg is a club competition at U14 level where
teams from every county in Ireland, as well as overseas, participate. This year
it’s planned to have a record number of 160 Teams. Preparations are now
commencing for this event and Coolera Strandhill has entered two U14 teams –
one boy’s and one girl’s, and will be participating in the competition which
takes place from 28th to 30th June. Hosting is a key part
of the ethos of Féile, and we will be hosting a boy’s and a girl’s team from
outside of Sligo. We don’t know our visiting clubs yet but will by mid-April.
We do know however that we need to organise places to stay for 48 team players
and a maximum of eight mentors, and we’re looking for volunteer families to
host our visiting clubs. The players (2 players per family) and mentors from
the team will stay with members of Coolera Strandhill GAA club. Host families
should be known to club officials and are required to comply with Garda Vetting
procedures. You do not need to be a parent of an U14 boy or girl to host, we
need spare beds, a willingness to feed the guests in the mornings and drop them
to Ransboro Park. A local organising committee will be appointed to manage much
of the day to day and evening activities in the next few weeks, however if you
are interested in hosting 2 boys or 2 girls or would like further information,
please contact respective U14 Managers: Ronan Hennessy (Boys) and Frank O’
Sullivan/Cathal Martyn (Girls)
Lotto
Last week's Lotto numbers for a jackpot of €11,200
were 4, 6, 28,29. There was no winner, nor were there any Match 3 winners. Next
week’s jackpot is €11,300. Tickets cost just €2.00 and are available in Bree's
Bar, Coolera House and Keane's Centra or committee members. The
draw takes place each Monday in the clubhouse.
Under 12 Girls
The under 12 girls got off to a winning start
in their first match last Friday when they played St. Mary's in Ransboro Pk. In
a very close, entertaining game the girls led 5-2 at half time with Sophie
Quinn and Aoife Cradock both on the score sheet. The visitors rallied in the
second half to close the gap, but further scores from Sophie and Sarah McDaniel
saw the home side hold on to win by two points 9-7. This was a very impressive
performance from the girls, many of whom were playing their first under 12 match.
Well done girls, Darren and coaches. Team. Eva Sweeney, Blaine Heekin, Sienna
El Damma, Keelyn Russell, Molly Rooney, Sarah McDaniel, Mollie Ronan, Aoife
Gallagher, Kate Golden, Aoife Hennessy, Sophie Quinn, Tilly Ellwood, Aoife
Cradock, Mary Kelly, Niamh Hennessy.
Under 16 Boys
Coolera/Strandhill u-16 Boys got an away win on
the board against Coolaney/Mullinabrenna at Achonry on Monday night last. A
poignant victory for this young team on a night when a minute’s silence was
observed for club stalwarts Sean Sweeney and Pete Cooney. Many a young career was moulded by Pete
over decades of service to the club and many an over inflated ego was downed
with a well-timed, well-aimed barb!
A good overall team performance was greatly
helped by the outstanding Ross Doherty in midfield. He helped himself to a goal
in either half and his tireless running raised the tempo of his team mates’
performances. Cormac Murphy also goaled after a clever pass from Cormac
Correria and first half points came from Conor Keane, Liam Gilligan, Donnacha
Beirne and Luke Mc Ternan.
The second half started brightly for the
visitors with Cormac Murphy raising a green flag after a powerful Liam Gilligan
run. Further points from Cormac Correria, Ross Doherty and Andy Lynch
seemed to be putting distance between the teams but a late rally by the hosts
got them to within four points late in the second half. However, two fine goals
by substitute Jarlath Herbert put daylight between the teams again and
Coolera/Strandhill ran out winners on a scoreline of 6.10 to 4.07 Others to
impress were Jakob Krajewski, Daire Mc Cormac and Jaime Walsh, with the ever-reliable
Ben Cawley running Ross Doherty close for Man of the Match accolade.
U16 Girls
The under 16b girls began their season with a
win over a depleted Owenmore Gaels team in Ransboro last Monday evening. Before
the match began there was a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to Seán
Sweeney and Peter Cooney who both passed away over the weekend. The visitors
opened the scoring with a point in the first minute, but the girls soon settled
to their task with points from Cliodhna O’ Sullivan, Amy Deering, Shona Dalton
and Anna Callaghan. By half time they led 0-08 to 0-02. The second half began
with another quick score from Owenmore Gaels. Further points reduced the lead,
but an Amy Deering goal gave the girls a much-needed boost. A second goal from
Amy, along with one each from Cliodhna O’ Sullivan and Aoife Gormley secured
the points. Keri Mitchell and Amy Hampson also got on the score-board before
the final whistle. In an excellent team effort that led to a 4-11 to 1-08 win,
there were many outstanding performances. Beibhinn Harte was very solid in
goals and her kickouts set up many attacks. Ciara Lindsay, Nessa O’ Sullivan,
Grace Molloy and Amy Hampson were excellent in defence with support from
Mary-Kate McPartland, Holly Gilligan and Cliodhna O’ Sullivan worked tirelessly
in the middle of the field, the latter also contributing 1-04, while in attack
Keri Mitchel, Shona Dalton, Anna Callaghan Aoife Gormley and Amy Deering (2-02)
all contributed to the home side’s tally.
Next up is another home tie against Molaise Gaels next Wednesday.