Dicksboro GAA Club

Senior hurling league champions

Dicksboro senior hurling team won the senior league on saturday and it marked the first time in many years that the Boro club won anything at this level.
They have drawn Mullinavat in the quarter final of the championship and they will provide a formidable challenge having won the senior football championship. They are on a bit of roll and will be a stern test.
Cillian Buckley who came off at half time in Saturday's league final against O'Loughlins with a nasty looking head wound is expected to make a full recovery and it was good to see Conor Doheny back playing competitive hurling after his serious injury earlier in the year.
The team won by a point thanks to an injury time free by Shane Stapleton and it was another victory but we learned nothing ahead of the white heat of the championship. 
The scorers were: Andy Gaffney (0-6); Bill Sheehan (0-3); Eoin Gough (0-3); Shane Stapleton (0-2); Ollie Walsh (0-2); Robbie Fitzpatrick (0-1); Kevin Kenny (0-1).
Dicksboro: Darragh Holohan; Conor Fitzpatrick, Evan Cody, Michael Fagan; Tom Kenny, Cillian Buckley, Aidan Nolan; Ollie Walsh, Robbie Fitzpatrick; Kevin Kenny, Eoin Gough, Shane Stapleton; Bill Sheehan, Andrew Gaffney, Martin Gaffney. 
Subs: Conor Doheny for Buckley, Stephen Farrell for Andy Gaffney, Chris Kavanagh for Robbie Fitzpatrick, Eddie O’Donoghue for Walsh

Great semi-final win by Under 14 camogie team

The girls of the Dicksboro U14 squad ensured their place in the County Final on Thursday last with a great win in a closely fought contest over a valiant St Brigids team in Freshford.
In perfect conditions for the game both sides showed a level of skill and determination from the throw in to the final whistle that would be an example to any team wishing to play the game. The team started the first half at a great pace and dominated the early stages running up an early lead, but St Brigids countered with a goal against the run of play. The team responded very well with a goal from Sophia O’Shea leaving the Boro girls ahead by a single point at half time.
The second half proved to be a great battle with the boro getting a great start with goals from Amy Clifford and Katie Byrne, but St Brigids countered with two quick goals to grab the lead, but a late flourish with a goal from Tara McGrath to settle the result in the Boro’s favour.
Final score Dicksboro 4:05 St Brigids 3:05.
The match proved to be a great advertisement for the game with both teams displaying great skill and battling qualities. Both clubs should be proud of these girls. As for the Boro, this team has shown great fighting spirit all through the year and have the opportunity to add to the Feile crown earned last June with the County Title to make it a year not to be forgotten.

Fantastic, uplifting victory for juniors over The Village in the championship

Dicksboro had, in the end,  a comprehensive win in the first round of the Junior A Championship this afternoon against city rivals, James Stephens. They ran out 3-18 to 0-15 winners in what was a wonderful game of hurling played in a sporting manner at John's Park with both teams making it an enjoyable match.

Having been hammered by The Emeralds a few weeks ago in Palmerstown, there were serious concerns that the junior 'A's might come a cropper at the first fence. Those worries were compounded when The Village raced into  a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after just five minutes. That was the last time they led as the ’Boro Bombers gave an exhibition of hurling and it all started with a well taken Shane O'Brien goal after great work out the field. That put the Boro 1-1 to 0-3 ahead and suddenly they found their flow and played wonderful hurling, running for each other and making life difficult for their opponents.

The Village were dealt a bad blow when ace attacker and free taker, Ray Lahart had to leave the field mid-way through the half. After 19 minutes the ’Boro struck for a second goal. Again it was well worked and Paddy Cahill finished it off. Cahill has been improving every game since coming back  from his sabbatical and he was a constant threat exposing the Village back line with his pace helped by Shane Maher's clever play and Enda O'Donoghue's running off the ball to make room  for him.

At the break, they went in 2-7 to 0-11 ahead after leaving the Village back into it in the last few minutes of the half.

By the mid-point of the second half there were only three points between the teams before the ’Boro put over a string of points to all but seal victory. The killer blow was long ball from wing back, Johnny Minogue that deceived the goalie and went into the back of the net after 26 minutes to make it 3-17 to 0-15. The Village had their chances and on anther day, they might have clawed back the deficit but not today. It was fitting that fantastic club man, Cillian Starr put over the last point to leave it 3-18 to 15.

The Village spent the last 9 minutes of the match  trying to engineer a  goal but Darragh Holohan was Houdini like in the way he dealt with the shots that came at him. It has to be said that the Village missed a penalty which came off the post after Holohan got the slightest touch on it.

The full back line were teak tough and Mikey Hayes was a powerhouse while Jim Dullard was wonderful. no 4,  Evan Carroll was incredible in the second half especially. The half back line were equally good and Robert Crotty just gets better and better while minor Johnny Minogue and the McGregor look-like, Enda Malone were great and manned the centre of defence so well that even Floyd Mayweather wouldn't have got through. At midfield, Cillian Starr and Joe Sheehan were like human dynamos. Everyone of the six forwards that started scored from play and that's a  great sign of a team.

Shane O'Brien was deadly as was the warrior that is Kevin Nolan while minor Sean Boyd showed why he should have been on the county minor team as did Johnny Minogue. Enda O'Donohue  inside was brilliant from frees and open play while Shane Maher has a fantastic touch and a big heart. And Paddy Cahill,  the George  Best look-alike with that great pace was a breath of fresh air.

Just after half-time Chris Kavanagh came on to replace Robert Crotty and was superb. Bill Sheehan also performed well after being introduced as did Edward Moylan.

Team: Darragh Holohan, Jim Dullard, Mikey Hayes, Evan Carroll, Johnny Minogue, Enda Malone, Joe Sheehan, Shane O'Brien, Kevin Nolan, Sean Boyd, Enda O'Donoghue, Shane Maher, Paddy Cahill.  Subs used Chris Kavanagh, Edward Moylan and bill Sheehan.

Scorers – Enda O'Donoghue 0-5, Paddy Cahill 1-4, Shane O'Brien 1-1, Johnny Minogue 1-0, Sean Boyd 0-2,  Kevin Nolan 0-2, Cillian Starr 0-2, Shane Maher 0-2.

Dicksboro to face O'Loughlins in League Final

Dicksboro 0-21 Clara 0-13
(Photos by John Glynn)

Dicksboro ended their League campaign on a high with a comfortable win over Clara in the last round of the competition in Thomastown last night (Tuesday). This made it five wins out of five, something never before achieved by a ’Boro team.
Clara were without county men Lester Ryan and Chris Bolger and a number of other regulars. However, the ’Boro played well and had a rhythm and style that was impressive and let's hope they can maintain this momentum. 
Stephen Farrell, who started at midfield, got the first point and seems to be coming back into real form. Again it was the Gaffneys who did most of the damage for Dicksboro. Martin drifting in and out from full forward and Andy on the wing. They were excellent and along with Oisin and Eoin Gough were great all through, creating opportunities and scoring themselves. It's amazing what can be achieved when you go injury free for a sustained period.
By half-time, the ’Boro had raced into a 0-13 to 0-5 lead.
Cillian Buckley was as usual superb and he has been brilliant for club and county all year.
In the second half, Clara tried hard to come back into it but were never were able to bridge the gap.
Dicksboro ran out easy winners – 0-21 to 0-13.
Team: Darragh Holohan, Conor Fitzpatrick, Evan Cody, Michael Fagan, Tom Kenny, Cillian Buckley, Aidan Nolan, Stephen Farrell, Robbie Fitzpatrick, Edward Moylan, Eoin Gough, Oisin Gough, Bill Sheehan, Martin Gaffney, Andy Gaffney. Subs used: Kevin Kenny, Paul O'Flynn, Eddie O'Donoghue. Scorers: A. Gaffney 0-12, M. Gaffney 0-2, S. Farrell 0-2, Bill Sheehan 0-2, O. Gough 0-2, E. Gough 0-1.

’Boro athletes at National Community Games finals

The national finals of The Community Games are being held this weekend in the National Sports Complex, Blanchardstown.

The County Kilkenny team will have seven representatives from the Dicksboro Area - six athletes and one artist. Emma Hogan competes in the 60m under 8 and Robert Lacey goes in the 80m under-8. 

Ruairi McEvoy, Billy Fitzpatrick, Sean Young and Patrick Lacey make up the under-12 relay team and will have the distinction of being in the first event on the track on Saturday morning.

Two of the team are further involved later in the day with Patrick Lacey competing in the 100m and Sean Young going in the 600m. Our artist is Nina Rebi who takes part in the under-14 competition. We wish them every success and enjoyment over the weekend.

Cillian Buckley-Walter Walsh  summer camp a huge success

There was a fantastic turnout for the Cillian Buckley-Walter Walsh GAA summer camp in Dicksboro this morning. 
Completely oversubscribed, the youngsters received one to one tuition with Cillian, Walter, Padraig Walsh, Joey Holden and other county players. It continues all week.

Boro footballers win national Feile title

 The under 14 footballers crowed an incredible eight days when they won division 5 of the national Feile competition in Castleblaney on Sunday afternoon. They beat  favourites, Buttevant 1-12 top 2-4 at Castleblaney Faughs pitch in a fantastic contest. They were two points down at half time but cam  back well in the second half with the wind behind them and again their work rate and willingness to give everything for their team mates was what set them apart. They don't know when to give up and they are a credit to their club, parents, mentors and county.
In the semi-final they played Clonduff of Down in Latton and again they got better as the game went on. They won well in the end, 3-9 to 2-3. In the quarter final played in Ballyjamesduff, They beat odds-on favourites Ardfert of Kerry 2-6 to 0-5 and again they just never gave up and Ardfert had no answer to their fast, free flowing football. it was a joy to watch  them playing the ball long and not depend on the handpass game. They were just super in that game and Ardfert mentors said afterwards they they had never seen a team to work as hard when they didn't have the ball.
In the group games they had two great wins on Friday evening in Cootehill, Co Cavan. They beat Mohill 3-4 to 1-2 and in the second match defeated Cootehill 5-6 to 1-2.
Panel: Brian Manogue, Luca Loli, Eamon O'Reilly, Eoghan O'Neill, Charlie Nolan, James Carroll, Stephen Dermody, Zac McHardy, Sean Maher, Charlie Delahunty, Rory O'Connor, Vinny Roberts, Nick Doheny,
Timmy Clifford, Andrew Brennan Smyth, Cillian Hackett, Harry Shine, Kevin Moore, Michael Raggett, Sam Tynan, Johnny Keane, David Mulrooney, Liam Connolly, Evan Rowe, Mick Carrolll, Matthew Kelliher and Conor Kavanagh.
Manager of the team was Richie Mulrooney with selectors, Donal Carroll, Sean Moore, Jim O'Neill  and Conor O'Grady. Physio for the weekend was the wonderful Tommy Bawle.

One of the greatest social nights ever for Boro

Lip Sync a huge success

Over 1,000 people cheered, jeered, laughed (with tears in their eyes) and clapped their way through 12 acts at the Dicksboro Lip Sync legends night in the Hub at Cillin Hill in what was the club's largest and most successful social event ever held.
Hard to believe that just four weeks ago there were serious concerns about it going ahead but the optimism and dedication of a small team of people headed by Eileen and Frank Morrissey (who came up with the idea) ,Eddie and Liz Holohan, Ed and Catherine Nolan, Davy Ryan, Fergal Murphy and the rest of the committee.
In the end it was family affair for the Gaffney family with mam, Mary playing Tina Turner against her son Murt (Scary Spice) and four other senior hurlers in the final. Judges Kieran Cuddihy, Helen Carroll, John Mulhall and Eileen Magnier could not separate the five, who included Paul O'Flynn (Ginger Spice); Mikey Hayes (Posh Spice), and Davy Ryan (Sporty Spice) along with Murt from Tina Turner and they drew the name out of a cup to decide the winner.
There were some hilarious moments like when Fr Jim Murphy, Parish Priest of St Canice's appeared on stage in leather as Bon Jovi while Darragh Holohan flashed a bit too much, to the delight of the female contingent who had the camera phones ready for the Destiny's Child star. We have since learned that Darragh wore his girlfriend's dress on the night.
This was a special night and people were queuing from before the doors opened at 7.15pm and shows what can be achieved when everyone in a club puts their shoulder to the wheel and works for the good of the club.
The final four acts had to do it all again and first up was Frank Morrissey followed by The Village People with Mary Gaffney next and last were the Spice Girls.
The comments of the judges throughout the night added to the sense of fun that was around and everybody was in great form and it augers well for the upcoming hurling season.
The night started on a high with the entire ensemble for the opening number led by Sr Fergal Murphy and Ber Brennan with a song from Sister Act.
It's hard to be the first act but Danielle Kenny, Ciara Phelan, Orla Fennelly and Jenny Clifford were super as One Direction complete with facial hair. And the acrobatics were a real treat.
Frank Morrissey became Frank Sinatra for five minutes on Saturday night and he brought the house down and he received a gret cheer at the of New York, New York. Despite threatening the judges with the mafia, he made the final.
Abba were next with Ber Brennan, Breda Clohosey, Jimmy McGarry and James Murphy. Again they were super and the choreography was top class.
Then it got raunchy with Destiny's Child made up of Darragh Holohan, Enda Donohoe and Robbie Fitzpatrick. Helen Carroll made the comment that all the boys were very comfortable wearing womens' clothes. Enough said.
What came next was most unexpected. Eucharisitic minister at St Canice's Church, tomas Turley became Elvis and was fantastic, a real surprise and a highlight of the night.
But when the Village People came on stage led by juvenile club secretary, Fergal murphy and his "harem" the crowd went wild.
Unfortunately, Valerie Brennan broke a bone in her foot the night before while rehearsing in the Boro club and was in a wheelchair for the night but her co-stars Eilis O'Shea, Yvonne Finlay, Grainne Timmons. Sinead Maher, Olive Lacey and the absolutely fantastic Siobhan Nolan complete with builder's hat, didn't leave her down and gave a rapturous performance that got them through to the final.
Some men were born to go on stage - John Hanrick, Shane O'Brien and Robbie Murphy were brilliant as the Bee Gees right down to the hair. They were magic.
And when Sinead Butler came on as Britney, the young lads went crazy and she didn't lave the down with a raunchy version of One More Time.
And the biggest cheer of the night was kept for fr Jim and his sexy backing singers Ariane Gravilan, Alice Holden and Catherine Nolan.
Helen Carroll said that if Fr Jim did that act every Sunday the church would be full to overflowing.
Mary Gaffney is a natural mover and her Tina Turner performance was electric and she received a deserved standing ovation. She was exceptional and helped make the night ahuge success.
However, straight afterwards hers son Murt as Scary Spice and the four others spicers made their way on to the stage from the back of the hall, like boxers going into the ring, with hooded robes straight out of Lord Of The Rings.
They were fantastic and I will never be able to look Mikey Hayes in the eye again and not laugh as he played Posh Spice to perfection.
Last on stage was Ronan Morrissey and he was excellent singing Is This The way To Amarillo.
this was entertainment at its best and they just about deserved the crown of Lip Sync Legends winners 2017.
This was a mammoth undertaking by the club and it will go down in local folklore for all the right reasons.