1
It’s
almost
here!!
Season
kicksagainst
off onthe
April
11 inMagpies.
Bushy Park,
Terenure,
when we
come up
Season
2015
kicked
off on2015
11 April
Galway
In some
very blustery
conditions,
against
last year’s
Galway Magpies.
Thefull
Magpies
year
and
we prevailed
in a finalists,
keenly contested
game. The
match have
reportbeen
and improving
pictures can
be upon
foundyear,
on the
have
a number
of good young players
withpage
a good
degree of experience.
to be
website,
southdublinswans.com
and combined
our Facebook
respectively.
It was greatIttopromises
see players
a taking
close battle,
sure
involved
looking forward
to a kick
after the
to theI’m
field
forthat
the whatever
first time,the
weresult,
had aalltotal
of 6 are
debutants,
and all were
impressive
long
off season.
throughout.
There was great fight and willingness among the whole team and it bodes well for
the season ahead.
The pre-season so far has been very encouraging. Marty and Daz have been doing a superb job on
the
front
have
beenLeeside
healthy.Lions
We on
have
goodbut
number
of new
Wetraining
were due
to and
play numbers
game no.2
against
25aApril,
the game
wasplayers,
movedand
backan
influx
of younger
guys so
far,possibly
all positive
signsdetails
for thewill
coming
likeisto
welcome4each
to another
weekend,
quite
in July,
followseason.
once allI would
planning
complete.
of
and
every
one,
we
will
try
to
make
you
feel
as
welcome
as
possible,
and
also
a
big
welcome
the five ARFLI teams played in Islandbridge on a shortened pitch, and again it was good toback
giveto
returning
players. For
oflads,
leaving
names
players, especially
thefear
new
a run
out. out, I won’t name names with one exception – Woodsy,
founder and life member of the Swans is back, and given his history with the Swans, deserves special
With justMore
a couple
of home games
remaining
in the
themembers,
social sideScotty
of the and
club Rhino,
needs work.
mention.
information
about Woodsy
and
the season,
other life
can be
There
are
simply
not
enough
players
boozing,
causing
various
forms
of
mischief
and
basically
found on the club website in the ‘Life Members’ section.
giving us something to talk about at the end of season awards. On 06 June, we host Belfast
Later
in April,
weI expect
entertain
theplayer
Leeside
It is listed
as a home
game, but that
the venue
hasplenty
not yet
Redbacks,
and
every
to Lions.
stick around
afterwards.
I understand
there are
been
decided
willexcuses,
be in Dublin).
because
are running
theirmess;
community
where
of daddy
day(Itcare
but it’sThis
likeisthis:
You ARFLI
got yourself
into that
you’ve round,
a month
to
a get
minimum
of
2
games
will
be
played
at
a
single
venue.
Belfast
will
play
North
Leinster
Giants
in
the
yourself a jail pass for the night. Sort it out. A polite pint no longer holds water (see what I did
2pm
game,We
while
wedebauchery,
will play themischief
Lions in on
thean4pm
game. As
theand
game
is inoldDublin,
we are
there??).
need
industrial
scale
some
schooland
slagging.
designated
players
be we,
at the
yetguard,
unnamed
by 1.30pm
to help with
There are hosts,
young all
players
at are
thisexpected
club nowtoand
theasold
needvenue
to come
out of retirement
the
running
of the
first
In return,
for ourfrom
game,
the Redbacks
Giants
with
andset-up
showand
them
the ropes.
We
willgame.
be inviting
all players
Belfast
to join usand
for the
night,
sohelp
in
out
with
ours.
There
will
be
a
big
emphasis
on
the
social
side
of
ARFLI
afterwards
as
well,
so
stick
our position as hosts, attendance is mandatory. Weather permitting, we will have the BBQ up and
around
the day,tobring
alongday.
theAnd
kids,
the wife/girlfriend (or both!!), and we’ll find a
running,for
it promises
be a good
night!
pub/nightclub afterwards to get to know both our own teammates and players from other teams.
First upare
though,
is a road
the 09th May
Giants.
Games between
Rivalries
welcomed,
and trip
evenonencouraged,
buttoit face
mustthe
always
be remembered
thatus
weand
arethe
part
Giants
in
Mullingar
are
generally
keenly
contested
affairs
played
out
in
either
a
monsoon
or
a
of a minority sport, and all who play it have a passion for the game itself, so don’t be afraid to strike
hurricane.
The Giants
a good
side
home,ofand
been
improving
forthing
the last
couple of
up
a conversation
with are
anyone
over
theatcourse
thehave
night.
There’s
no such
as fraternising
years.
willinneed
to be both at full strength and on top of our game to beat them.
with
the We
enemy
this game!
Unfortunately, it is our last game until the Redbacks game 4 weeks later as a result of having the
Abye.
lot of credit has to go to Paddy for getting the fine book up and running. Even though the name
Penny Pinching Paddy has been floating around the dressing room more than once, effectively it’s a
Therepayment
has beenontalk
about
a triplater
out in
ofthe
theyear,
country
either scheme
towardsifthe
the season
or fines
in theso
down
social
events
a savings
youend
will.ofSome
cracking
post
The rumours
are true,
looking
to England/Wales/Scotland,
far,
theseason.
more obscure
the better
andwe’re
remember
theinto
oneheading
rule of over
the fine
book: There are no rules.
playis,a unless
local team
go them
on theup,sauce
for he’s
a couple
of days.
More
details
will follow, but it’s
That
Paddyand
makes
because
the money
man.
Money
is power.
certainly something we will be getting all your input on in the coming weeks. Most likely we will
Let’s
keep you
the numbers
up at training,
thewe
banter
throughout
theone
club.isOnly
weeks
present
with a couple
of datesand
and
will going
go with
whichever
mosta few
suitable.
inGlamorous
and it’s been
very enjoyable
far. The
full fixture
list for
thesleep
season
up shortly,
soonofas
it won’t
be. Think so
ragbag
hostel,
late nights,
little
andwill
thegoever
presentas
smell
iteither
is confirmed.
As
always,
keep
an
eye
on
www.southdublinswans.com
and
our
facebook
page
fart or decaying football socks. Then again, it all depends on your definition of glamour.(open
to all to join) for more updates.
Finally, I’d like to congratulate the individuals who have been called up to the Irish team. Seven
Paul
‘Tallhave
Paul’been
O Halloran
Swans
extended an invite which is, I’m almost certain, a record. Certainly in my time.
That number includes five uncapped players, so make the most of the opportunity, there’s a lot
happening over the next couple of years on the2international front with the 16-a-side European
Cup (to be played in Croatia) in 2016, the 18-a-side International Cup (to be played in Australia) in
2017, and of course the annual 9-a-side European Championships, with the 2015 version
scheduled to be played following the conclusion of our own season.
That number includes five uncapped players, so make the most of the opportunity, there’s a lot
happening over the next couple of years on the international front with the 16-a-side European
Cup (to be played in Croatia) in 2016, the 18-a-side International Cup (to be played in Australia) in
2017, and of course the annual 9-a-side European Championships, with the 2015 version
scheduled to be played following the conclusion of our own season.
See you all at training,
Paul ‘Tall Paul’ O Halloran
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Melbourne’s ‘Irish experiment’ was at an end. Between 1984 and 2000, only two players from a Gaelic football
background made appearances in the AFL, Derry’s Dermot McNicholl appearing three times for St Kilda, and Brian
Stynes played two games for Melbourne despite a host of players being offered trials and opportunities at VFL level,
it seemed increasingly unlikely that an Irishman would be seen at the top level again. By all means, the Australian
public were cynical about the chances of a foreigner ever making it to the pinnacle of the game. With such doubts
came pressures on any young shoulders who attempted to join the elite.
Step forward Tadhg Kennelly. Kennelly signed a rookie contract with Sydney Swans in 1999, and made his debut in
2001. His progression was rapid, and he was awarded a rising star nomination in 2002. His adaptation to the
required skillset was fast-tracked by long and punishing hours of extra training, while as a rookie, Kennelly suffered
from homesickness for long periods of time. Gradually however, the word paid off, and he became a regular in the
Swans side.
At the same time that Kennelly was cementing his place in the side as a hard running half back, the club was having
an upsurge in fortunes. The Swans appeared in successive grand finals in 2005 and 2006, winning the former,
meaning Kennelly became the first Irishman to play in and win a grand final. Upon being presented with his medal,
Kennelly performed a famous jig, a tribute to his Kerry heritage.
3 months after winning the grand final, Kennelly’s father, and Kerry gaelic footballing legend, Tim, passed away. It
had a profound effect on Kennelly, and in 2009, he left the Swans to return to Ireland and play for Kerry. At the first
attempt, Kennelly won the all-Ireland. He played midfield on the day, scoring two points and covering a huge
amount of ground during his 50 minutes on the pitch.
Kennelly returned to Australia in late 2009 and played a further two years for the Swans. In total, he played 197
times for the club, scoring 30 goals along the way. As recently as March of this year, Kennelly was inducted into the
Sydney Swans hall of fame, and he now works as an international ambassador for the AFL, a dual functioning role
whereby he searches the world for potential stars and then helps them settle into life in Australia.
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5
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Wed 06 May
Training, Terenure RFC 7.30pm
Sat 09 May
North Leinster Giants v South Dublin Swans (Harbour field, Mullingar, 2pm)
Wed 13 May
Training, Terenure RFC 7.30pm
Wed 20 May
Training, Terenure RFC 7.30pm
Wed 27 May
Training, Terenure RFC 7.30pm
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Congratulations to Niall, Barry, Seamus, Brian, Bobby and Ja for their call-up to the national team
training this coming Sat 02 May. Training is invite only so well done to the lads. Make yourselves
undroppable and take pride in the green jersey when the opportunity presents itself. Well done.
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