1
It’s
almost
Season
2015
kicksforoffthe
onSwans.
April 11
in Bushy
Park, Terenure,
when
we come
It has
beenhere!!
a good
month
overall
After
a mid-season
dip in form,
which
startedup
against
year’s
finalists,
Galway
Magpies.
The Magpies
been
and
with a last
home
defeat
to 9-man
Cork,
spirits were
perhaps have
a little
low,improving
but moreyear
hardupon
workyear,
on the
have
a number
ofappeared
good young
withfixture,
a good with
degree
experience.
promises
to be
training
ground
to players
pay off combined
in the reverse
theof‘Trip
to Tipp’ It
proving
fruitful
a with
closeabattle,
I’mover
surethe
thatsame
whatever
the result,
involved
are firmly
lookingback
forward
kick afterfor
the
big win
opposition.
As a all
result,
we are
into to
thea dogfight
long
off season.
second
place (The undefeated Redbacks have already claimed the minor Premiership).
The
so farLions
has been
encouraging.
Dazside,
haveifbeen
doing
a superb They
job on
On pre-season
11 July, Leeside
visitedvery
Robert
Emmett’sMarty
with aand
strong
limited
in numbers.
the
training
front
and
numbers
been healthy.
have
a gooda number
players,
and an
made
a solid
start,
and
despitehave
us clawing
the leadWe
back
to within
goal withofanew
couple
of minutes
influx
of younger
guys
far, all positive
signsWe
forhad
thearound
coming16
season.
like and
to welcome
each
left, they
hung on
for so
a well-earned
victory.
playersI would
ourselves,
despite the
and
everyofone,
will try
to makeayou
feel
as welcome
as possible,
also a game
big welcome
backato
nature
the we
defeat,
it proved
good
exercise
as everybody
gotand
valuable
time. With
returning
players.of
Forgames
fear ofremaining
leaving names
I won’t
name
names with
exception
– Woodsy,
limited number
in theout,
season,
it was
important
for one
everybody
to get
a run
founder
and
life
member
of
the
Swans
is
back,
and
given
his
history
with
the
Swans,
deserves
special
out. A week later, we reaped the dividends. The ‘Trip to Tipp’ was a compromise between
mention.
information
Woodsy
andtothe
other
life for
members,
Scotty
and Rhino,
can
ourselvesMore
and Cork.
As theyabout
had not
been able
field
a team
the Carnival
round,
we took
thebe
found
club
website
the a‘Life
Members’
date on
for the
their
home
gameinand
week
later wesection.
would meet them in Emly; home of club stalwart
and coach Marty Ryan. We were struck down with a few late withdrawals but still had a squad of
Later in April, we entertain the Leeside Lions. It is listed as a home game, but the venue has not yet
14 to start the game. On an immaculate pitch, we played our best 4 quarters of the season, some
been decided (It will be in Dublin). This is because ARFLI are running their community round, where
lovely interplay followed by accurate kicking to give us a big win on the day. It was more than just
a minimum of 2 games will be played at a single venue. Belfast will play North Leinster Giants in the
good footy though, every single player played with heart and put their body on line, leaving
2pm game, while we will play the Lions in the 4pm game. As the game is in Dublin, and we are
everything they had on the pitch (special mention to Ed, who left a couple of teeth there too
designated hosts, all players are expected to be at the as yet unnamed venue by 1.30pm to help with
before bravely playing on). We were looked food and drinks wise after the game in the local
the set-up and running of the first game. In return, for our game, the Redbacks and Giants with help
pub/somebody’s living room, credit again to Marty for organising. The night wouldn’t be
out with ours. There will be a big emphasis on the social side of ARFLI afterwards as well, so stick
complete without the required post game analysis, this time in the Barge.
around for the day, bring along the kids, the wife/girlfriend (or both!!), and we’ll find a
pub/nightclub
get toon
know
ourthere
own teammates
and remaining
players from
other
teams.
August bringsafterwards
the curtaintodown
the both
season,
are two games
in the
regular
Rivalries
welcomed,
and even
but away
it musttoalways
be remembered
that weWe
areare
part
season: are
Home
to the Giants
on encouraged,
08 August and
the Redbacks
on 15 August.
ofalready
a minority
sport, and
all who play
it have
a passion
for the
be this
afraid
to be
strike
guaranteed
a semi-final
spot,
but we
must still
wingame
both itself,
gamessotodon’t
ensure
will
a
up
a
conversation
with
anyone
over
the
course
of
the
night.
There’s
no
such
thing
as
fraternising
home game for us. The semi-finals will be played on 22 August, and if we make it through, the
with
in thisaway
game!
finalthe
is aenemy
week later,
to our opponents.
AOne
lot of
credit
hasbetopressing
go to Paddy
the fine
bookThere
up and
Even though
the name
thing
I will
for infor
thegetting
next week
is subs.
is arunning.
cost to running
the club,
and
Penny
Pinching
Paddy
has
been
floating
around
the
dressing
room
more
than
once,
effectively
it’s a
insurance is due, so 50 euro for the season is not too much to ask (25 for students). There are
down
payment
social events
later
in year,
the year,
a savings
youup
will.
cracking
fines
also some
subsonoutstanding
from
last
so we
will lookscheme
to get ifright
toSome
date before
the
endso
far,
better
remember
of the
fine book:
are of
no next
rules.
of the
the more
regularobscure
season.the
If all
goesand
to plan,
there the
mayone
be rule
jerseys
available
fromThere
the start
That
is, unless
Paddy
them
up,up!!
because he’s the money man. Money is power.
season.
But ONLY
if makes
everyone
pays
Let’s
keepI want
the numbers
up at
training,
banterand
going
throughout
the club.
Only
a few
Finally,
to mention
that
Swan’sand
life the
member
former
player/coach
David
Scott,
as weeks
well
inasand
it’s
been
very
enjoyable
so
far.
The
full
fixture
list
for
the
season
will
go
up
shortly,
as
soon
former player Neil Lester, will be coming to support us against the Giants. They will no doubtas
itbe
is confirmed.
As always,
on www.southdublinswans.com
facebook
(open
keen for a few
brews keep
after an
theeye
game,
so stick around Terenure andand
getour
to know
the page
two lads,
tothey
all tocontributed
join) for more
updates.
a massive
amount to the Swans, and the club wouldn’t be still here if it wasn’t
for their (among others) work.
Paul ‘Tall Paul’ O Halloran
Carn the Swannies!!
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Wed 05 August
Training, Bushy Park, 7.30pm
Sat 08 August
South Dublin Swans v North Leinster Giants, Bushy Park, 2pm
Wed 12 August
Training, Bushy Park, 7.30pm
Sat 15 August
South Dublin Swans v Belfast Redbacks, Belfast, 2pm
Wed 19 August
Training, Bushy Park, 7.30pm
Sat 22 August
ARFLI Semi-final, 2pm, venue and opponents TBD
Wed 26 August (If we win semi)
Training, Bushy Park, 7.30pm
Sat 29 August (If we win semi)
ARFLI Final, 2pm, venue and opponents TBD
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Best wishes to coach Daz, who marries Rebecca on 6th August in Straffan. Despite organising the big
day, Daz has put in a huge effort all season, we wish him the best on the day.
Congratulations to Bryce Fraser, who last week successfully completed his 7-day Mizen Head to
Malin Head cycle. Bryca and his team have so far raised in excess of 7k for MS Ireland and the Irish
Cancer Society, well done mate!
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