St. Seachnalls and the Fingal league
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In 2006 the school made a decision to enter the Fingal Schools Gaelic Leagues. The north Dublin based league, run annually since the 1970s, appealed to St. Seachnalls as it filled a void where there was no competitive Gaelic action after Christmas and the reward of a day out in Parnell Park for getting to a final was also an incentive for both players and mentors. A senior boys’ and girls’ team were entered into the leagues of 2007 for the first time and with the introduction of junior competition over the years for both boys and girls the school now competes in all four competitions. The decision to enter the leagues yielded immediate success particularly for the girls’ senior teams. The senior girls’ team of 2007 were the first to experience the annual finals day in Parnell in May but their luck was out as they were beaten by a stronger St. Mary’s Ashbourne team in the Division One Final. However the girls’ school team of 2009 was to go one better with victory in the Division One decider. This meant the school was promoted to the Premier Girls’ Division the following year. The 2010 team were not to be overawed as they ensured the school won consecutive Fingal League titles. Unfortunately the senior boys’ teams suffered defeats on the same day in both years. It was a case of third time lucky for the boys’ management team as in 2012 the senior boys’ team captained by Paddy Maher defeated Pope John Paul N.S. Malahide in the Division One Final. Earlier in the day the girls came up short against Ratoath in the Premier Final. The 2013 Fingal League season was the most successful one yet for the school. Both senior teams appeared in their respective finals and both were victorious on the day. Matthew Moyles and Petra Reilly captained their teams to success. A few weeks later the junior boys’ team buoyed by the success of their senior counterparts qualified for the Division One Final against Pope John Paul N.S. Malahide. In a tight encounter the team held out for a three point win and afterwards team captain Seán O’Connor accepted the cup on behalf of his teammates. The junior girls’ team of 2014 reached the decider only to beaten by a very strong Dunboyne S.N.S. outfit. In 2017 both the senior and junior girls' teams qualified unbeaten to their respective finals. The senior team lost narrowly to St. Mary's N.S. Ashbourne. The junior girls team captained by Sinead Cooke and Molly O'Connor beat Garristown N.S. in their decider. On 31st May 2023, our Junior Boys played St. Declan's Ashbourne in the Fingal Final in Fingallians. Unfortunately, it wasn't our day - watch the highlights below. |
Match Report Links
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