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Plunkett's stars of late, late show
01 May 2011 | hill16.ie

WINNERS: Alan Brogan, who was central to Plunkett's late rally.
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT'S/ER 2-10 ST VINCENT'S 1-11

A dramatic finish saw Plunkett's snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in this clash of the titans in the Evening Herald Dublin SFC at Parnell Park on Saturday evening.

Vincent's looked to be headed for the winners enclosure following Diarmuid Connolly's 46th minute goal and as the clock ticked towards the end of normal time they held a six-point advantage with just three minutes remaining.

However, goals from sub Conor Daly and Jason Sherlock with Alan Brogan also to the fore saw the Navan Road side engineer a 'mini miracle'.

SCORERS: St Oliver Plunkett's/ER: A Brogan 0-5 (0-2f), C Daly, J Sherlock 1-0 each, S Dunne 0-2, C Dunleavy, G Smith, P Houlihan 0-1 each.  St Vincent's: T Quinn 0-5 (0-5f), D Connolly 1-1, S Carthy 0-3, E Fennell 0-2.
ST OLIVER PLUNKETT'S/ER: Philip Brogan; R O'Connor, S Lyons, M Brides; Paul Brogan, A Moyles, C Evans; C Dunleavy, C Walsh; S Dunne, G Smith, D Matthews; P Houlihan, A Brogan, J Sherlock. Subs: C Daly for Walsh (40); D Sweeney for Houlihan (45); P Bergin for Lyons (inj, 55).
ST VINCENT'S - M Savage; W Lowry, P Conlon, E Brady; H Gill, G Brennan, S Byrne; E Fennell, C Brady; S Carthy, D Connolly, T Diamond, K Golden; A Baxter, T Quinn. Sub: C Dorney for Baxter (53).
REF - J Murray (Castleknock).

Murtagh lead Parnell's to win
01 May 2011 | hill16.ie

PARNELL'S 1-14 WHITEHALL COLMCILLE 0-4

John Murtagh has a Dublin club SFC debut to remember as the Armagh man kicked six points as well as unlocking the Whitehall defence for the only goal of the game in this Evening Herald Dublin SFC at Parnell Park on Saturday afternoon.

Parnell's led 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time and ten minutes into the second half Murtagh found MJ Tierney with a superb 40-metre pass who used all his guile to find the corner of the net.

Whitehall finished with 14 men after Donal Mulvey was dismissed in the 41st minute as Parnell's cruised to victory and a meeting with St Sylvester's, victors over Ballymun Kickhams, in the second round.

SCORERS - Parnell's: J Murtagh 0-6 (0-2f), MJ Tierney 1-2 (0-1f), M Gleeson 0-3, A Doyle, C Begley, J Dignam 0-1 each. Whitehall Colmcille: C O'Connor (0-1 '45'), A Holly, S Walsh, S Ryan (f) 0-1 each.
PARNELL'S - S Cluxton; B Byrne, A Hurley, M Keena; L Brown, C Begley, A Doyle; P Keogh, C Talty; N Collins, J Murtagh, C Sugrue; MJ Tierney, A Cromwell, M Gleeson. Subs: J Dignam for Cromwell (47); P Hogan for Brown (50); J Bealin for Talty (55).
WHITEHALL COLMCILLE - S Sharpe; D Tyrrell, S O'Sullivan, P Drumm; J Moore, D Mulvey, G McDonnell; C O'Connor, J O'Brien; L Kennedy, A Holly, S Walsh; B Mulligan, L O'Donovan, S Ryan. Subs: D Ryan for Holly (inj, 30); E McCarthy for S Ryan (44); M O'Connor for Moore (47); D Redmond for C O'Connor (53).
REF - R Malone (St Mary's, Saggart).

McCarthy leads Peregrine's to victory
30 Apr 2011 | hill16.ie

ST PEREGRINE'S 1-18 LUCAN SARSFIELDS 1-12

Robbie McCarthy hit nine points as St Peregrine's overturned Lucan in this Evening Herald Dublin SFC first round encounter at Russell Park on Friday night.

Peregrine's led 0-9 to 0-8 at half-time before a strong restart saw them move 0-16 to 0-10 clear.

SCORERS - St Peregrine's: R McCarthy 0-9 (0-3f), C Lowndes 1-2, S Lowndes 0-3, C McGuinness 0-2, E Jennings (0-1f), C Foley 0-1 each. Lucan Sarsfields: J O'Neill 0-5, S Gorbutt 1-0, T Brennan 0-3 (0-1f), B Gallagher 0-2, B O'Neill, D Quinn 0-1 each.
ST PEREGRINE'S - K Walsh; D Carroll, E Ryan, D Lynch; S McGuinness, N McCarthy, S Sweeney; D McGovern, D Byrne; B Hughes, S Lowndes, C Lowndes; R McCarthy, C McGuinness, E Jennings. Subs: T Reilly for Hughes (49), C Foley for S Lowndes (54), J McNaw for Byrne (60).
LUCAN SARSFIELDS - A Elliot; B O'Neill, P Casey, C McHugh; A Kirwan, S O'Shaughnessy, C O'Neill; K Moran, M Carey; B Gallagher, D Quinn, D Gallagher; T Brennan, F O'Hare, J O'Neill. Subs: J McCormack for D Gallagher (46), B Collopy for Moran (49), S Gorbutt for Quinn (62), C Larkin for McHugh (66).
REF - S Kavanagh (St Brigid's).

Syls sparkle to beat Ballymun
30 Apr 2011 | hill16.ie

ST SYLVESTER'S 1-13 BALLYMUN KICKHAMS 0-10

Reigning Division 1 champions, St Sylvester's, gave a very solid performance when outplaying Ballymun Kickhams in Friday night's Evening Herald Dublin SFC first round clash at Parnell Park.

The 'Mun started brighly with two fine Derek Byrne points but a 19th minute goal from Micheál McCarthy put Syls very much into the driving seat when he fielded an angled delivery from Eoin Fanning before dispatching to the net and by the break the Malahide side led 1-5 to 0-3.

With the likes of Russell Cleere, Brian Sexton, and Colm Hanratty driving their side on Syls hit five scores without reply to move 1-12 to 0-5 ahead by the 45th minute as their forward line played some clever possession football to unlock the Ballymun defence.

SCORERS- St Sylvester's: M McCarthy 1-4 (0-2f), D Clarke 0-4 (2f), N Dunne 0-3, C Hanratty, R Cleere 0-1 each. Ballymun Kickhams: E Christie 0-6 (0-6f), D Byrne 0-3, K Leahy 0-1 (0-1 '45').
ST SYLVESTER'S - R Wallace; C McIntyre, K Cleere, F Carney; G McArdle, B Sexton, C Hanratty; R Hazley, J Coughlan; R Cleere, E Fanning, G Sweeney; M McCarthy, N Dunne, D Clarke. Subs: D Glennon for Fanning (46); S O'Connor for Hazley (51); D Galvin for McArdle (58); B McGuirk for Sexton (59).
BALLYMUN KICKHAMS - S Currie; Eoin Dolan, S Moore, C Moore; K Connolly, P McMahon, J Burke; S Lawlor, J McCarthy; E Reilly, A Hubbard, J Whelan; Derek Byrne, K Leahy, E Christie. Subs: T Furman for Whelan (35); I Robertson for McCarthy (41); C Weir for Byrne (49); K Roche for Lawlor (49); T Hayes for Reilly (53), P Christie for Leahy (55).
REF -  G McCormack (Naomh Barrog)

Quinn goal helps Na Fianna past Raheny
30 Apr 2011 | hill16.ie

NA FIANNA 1-13 RAHENY0-10

David Quinn's 44th minute goal helped Na Fianna into round 2 of the Evening Herald Dublin SFC at the Alfie Byrne Road on Friday night.

A strong close to the opening half with points from Quinn, Ciarán Duignan and Carl O'Connor helped Na Fianna to a 0-9 to 0-5 interval lead.

Raheny rallied well on the restart with points from Eoin Delaney and David Henry but Quinn's goal ensured the Mobhi Road men of victory.

SCORERS - Na Fianna: D Quinn 1-2, P Quinn 0-3 (0-1f), C Duignan (0-1f), A Caffrey 0-2 each, J McGurk, C O'Connor, S Coughlan, K Gormley 0-1 each. Raheny: E Delaney 0-4 (0-1f), D Henry 0-2 (0-1f), E Keogh (0-1 '45'), N O'Sullivan, C Hanley, C Woods 0-1 each.
NA FIANNA - R O'Flaherty; E Ledwith, F Loughney, G Harte; E Connolly, N Cooper, J Kelly; P Quinn, J McGurk; C O'Connor, A Downes, S Coughlan; D Quinn, C Duignan, A Caffrey. Subs: S Connell for Coughlan (ht), N McGovern for Connolly (ht), O O Maoileidigh for Connell (47), K Gormley for Caffrey (51), S Cloherty for McGovern for (56).
RAHENY - A Breen; P McCabe, S Harkin, P Reid; G Beaddie, S Swords, N O'Sullivan; T O Doinn, C Hanley; J Ryan, D Henry, E Keogh; D Carroll, D Pelly, C Woods. Subs: D O'Brien for Reid (16), E Delaney for Ryan (22), R Donnelly for Hanley (27), G Coady for Beaddie (49), D Shatwell for Carroll (53).
REF - A McAllister (Starlights).

Davis defy Boden
30 Apr 2011 | hill16.ie

THOMAS DAVIS 2-13 BALLYBODEN ST ENDA'S 0-14

Thomas Davis defeated champions of two seasons back, Ballyboden St Enda's, in this Evening Herald Dublin SFC first round clash at O'Toole Park on Friday night.

A goal in either half by James O'Connor and Shane McGrath were the crucial scores while Dublin under-21 of this year, Paul Hudson, kicked four points.

O'Connor's first half goal saw Thomas Davis lead 1-8 to 0-5 at half-time. In injury-time Boden had Robert Duane send off.

SCORERS – Thomas Davis: J O'Connor, S McGrath 1-1, P Hudson 0-4 (0-1f), S Smith, E Kirby 0-2, D Shanahan, S Reilly, C Farrelly 0-1 each.  Ballyboden St Enda's: A Kerin 0-6 (0-4f), K Naughton 0-3 (0-2f), S Gibbons 0-2, D Davey, P Galvin, D O'Mahony 0-1 each.
THOMAS DAVIS - D Hennessy; A Fallon, Brian Kirby, P Boland; E Behan, Brendan Kirby, S Payne; J O'Connor, E Kirby; S McGrath, C Farrelly, S Reilly; P Hudson, D Shanahan, S Smith. Subs: J O'Reilly for Smith (44), S McKeown for Shanahan (48), G Carruth for Brendan Kirby (55).
BALLYBODEN ST ENDA'S - D Walsh; M O'Sullivan, I Clarke, B Devlin; J O'Hara, D Kiernan, D Nelson; D O'Mahony, MD Macauley; S Gibbons, D Davey, D O'Reilly, C Hiney, K Naughton, A Kerin. Subs: C Smyth for Hiney (26), P Galvin for Davey (41), D Manley for Nelson (41), R Duane for O'Reilly (54), M McCabe for Gibbons (57).
REF - K Tighe (St Anne's).

Carty points the way for Tower's
30 Apr 2011 | hill16.ie

ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN 3-9 CLONTARF1-10

A second half Stephen McGibney goal as well as the accuracy of Cathal Carty saw the Clondalkin men overcome Clontarf in this Evening Herald Dublin SFC first round clash at Islandbridge on Friday night.

Tower's, thanks to goals from Jason Joyce and Carthy, led by seven points after 20 minutes but had Damien Murray sent off and only led by two points, 2-3 to 1-4, at the break after Sam Harking grabbed a goal for Clontarf.

SCORERS – Round Tower, Clondalkin: C Carty 1-4 (0-1f), J Joyce 1-1, S McGibney 1-0, B Gallagher 0-2 (0-2f), D Whelan, P Clifford 0-1 each. Clontarf: S Harkin 1-3, I O'Dwyer 0-3, R McHugh, G Johnson, D Mullins, K McGrath 0-1 each.
ROUND TOWER, CLONDALKIN - K Graham; S Owens, J McCarthy, B Keane; N Byrne, I Ward, Derek Murray; Damien Murray, S Halpin; L Connolly, B Gallagher, J Joyce; D Whelan, C Carty, P Clifford. Subs: S McGibney for Gallagher (38), M Taylor for Clifford (49).
CLONTARF - R O'Brien; C Delargy, D Fennelly, A O'Halloran; S Coen, G Ryan, C Cronin; R McHugh, G Johnson; S Harkin, P Curran, K McGrath; P Syron, D Mullins, I O'Dwyer. Subs: B Stokes for Delargy (23), S Dunlea for Curran (23), J O'Halloran for Ryan (38), C Morrissey for Syron (44), R Stokes for Fennelly (44).
REF - P Fitzsimons (Liffey Gaels).

O'Brien shoots Trinity Gaels to victory over O'Toole's in extra-time
29 Apr 2011 | hill16.ie

TRINITY GAELS 2-14 O'TOOLE'S 3-10
(After extra-time) 

Brendan O'Brien was the scoring hero for Trinity Gaels as the Donaghmede outfit edged out O'Toole's in extra-time in this Evening Herald Dublin SFC first round clash at Parnell Park on Thursday night.
O'Toole's led by 2-3 to 1-4 at half-time in normal time but could have established a stronger advantage with Andy Morris and Adam King grabbing the O'Toole's goal and O'Brien converting from the spot, after Dean Kelly, had been fouled for the Gaels goal.
Trinity Gaels made the better restart when Eamon McInerney fired to the net before a succession of impressive points from Graham Dillon put his side in the driving seat.
However, O'Toole's rallied with Derek Farrelly raising their third green flag and as the game swung one way, then the other, the sides finished on level terms - 2-10 to 3-7 – resulting in extra-time. O'Toole's made the brighter start but the points from O'Brien (two), Kelly and McInerney settled the issue for Trinity Gaels.

SCORERS - Trinity Gaels: B O'Brien 1-7 (1-0 pen, 0-6f), E McInerney 1-1, G Dillon 0-3, D Kelly 0-2 (0-1f), J McCann 0-1. O'Toole's:  A Morris, A King 1-1 each, D Farrelly 1-0,  M Healy 0-3 (0-2f), G O'Meara 0-2, D Mooney, B McLoughlin, P Brennan 0-1 each. 
TRINITY GAELS - C Reilly; S Concannon,  M Leonard, P Coyne; G Dillon, D Conlon,  D Mongey; L Mongey, C O'Keefe; S O'Connor, E McInerney, G Forde; D Sheridan,  B O'Brien, D Kelly. Subs: J McCann for O'Connor (25).
O'TOOLE'S - D Hoare; J Bastow, M Cunningham, L Fitzgerald; Paddy Carton,  M Carton, R Walker; M Healy, A Morris; A King, G Morris, G O'Meara; C Mulligan, D Farrelly, D Mooney. Subs: C Sexton for King (46),  P Donoghue for Walker (46), B McLoughlin for O'Meara (57), O'Meara for Farrelly (74).
REF - F Shanahan (St Margaret's).

Mearnog finish with a flourish to force draw with Isles
28 Apr 2011 | hill16.ie

ON TARGET: Niall Crossan was on target with two points for Isles on Wednesday night.
ERIN'S ISLE 1-8 NAOMH MEARNÓG 0-11

Isles and Mearnóg will have to do it all again as the Portmarnock men came with a late scoring burst to salvage at draw in this Evening Herald Dublin SFC first round clash at Cloghran on Wednesday night.
A Danny Fegan goal 14 minutes from time put the Finglas outfit in the driving seat but five points without reply from Jamie Walsh, Daniel Barry, Andrew Sheppard, Michael Gibbs and Seán Kenny brought the sides level.
Mearnóg led 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time.

SCORERS – Erin's Isle: D Fegan 1-1, J Noonan 0-3, N Crossan 0-2 (0-1f), K Nicholson, A Whelan 0-1 each. Naomh Mearnóg: J Walsh 0-3 (0-2f), A Sheppard (0-1f), D Barry 0-2 each, K O'Brien, S Kenny, M Gibbs, A Kenny 0-1 each.
ERIN'S ISLE - G Bedford; D Spratt, G O'Connell, E Connaughton; A Browning, F Carroll, J Keeley; K Nicholson, C Mac Aodháin; A Whelan, J Noonan, C Flynn; D Fegan, L Sweetman, N Crossan. Subs: D Kelly for Whelan (58).
NAOMH MEARNÓG - M Fitzmorris; E Byrne, B Colreavy, R Colreavy; K O'Brien, C Fahy, M Doyle; S Kenny, F McGowan; D Barry, A Sheppard, M Gibbs; A Kenny, D O'Reilly, J Walsh. Subs: M O'Reilly for R Colreavy (12), A Brennan for Fahy (48).
REF - D Deasy (Ballymun Kickhams).

UCD outclass Pat's of Palmerstown
28 Apr 2011 | hill16.ie

STAR MAN: Laois senior Donie Kingston slotted three frees for UCD on Wednesday night.
UCD 3-16 ST PAT'S, PALMERSTOWN 0-5

The Belfield students swept past Pat's of Palmerstown with the minimum of fuss in this Evening Herald Dublin SFC first round clash at the Iveagh Grounds on Tuesday night.
By the interval UCD has established a commanding grip on the game as they led 1-8 to 0-2 with Matt O'Hanlon grabbing their goal in the 27th minute following some excellent interplay.
Five minutes into the second half Conor Carthy grabbed UCD's second goal and whatever slim chance Pat's had of a comeback totally disappeared.
Ten minutes from time Éanna Tiernan's completed the rout when he scored UCD's third goal of the night.

SCORERS - UCD: C Carthy 1-3 (0-3f), M O'Hanlon 1-1, D Kingston (0-3f), J Heslin, L Smith 0-3 each, E Tiernan 1-0, L Keaney 0-2, C Boyle 0-1. St Pat's, Palmerstown: P Faughnan 0-3 (2f), B Carson, D Farren 0-1 each. 
UCD – M McGinley; J Hayes, S Nerney, M Furlong; C Brady, S Redmond, T Warburton; J Heslin, J Fitzpatrick; D Larkin, L Keaney, C Carthy; L Smith, M O'Hanlon, D Kingston. Subs: C Boyle for Larkin (ht), E Tiernan for Kingston (45), D Maguire for Warburton (50), P O'Hara for Smith (51), M Dinneen for Heslin (52). 
ST PAT'S, PALMERSTOWN - R Carson; P Murphy, B O'Hanlon, D Gallagher; P Keaney, J McDermott, B Carson; D Farren, B Gilbert; D Rushe, J Kelly, F Maguire; P Faughnan, L Dunne, G Kelly. Subs: C Driver for Maguire (37), F Meagher for Kelly (42).
REF - B O'Shea (St Mark's).

Minor footballers make one change for Longford duel

Dublin have made one change in personnel as well as several positional switches in their team for Saturday evening's Leinster MFC quarter-final away against Longford in Pearse Park (7.0).

Eoin Boyne comes into the starting 15 at corner-back with Rutherson Real moving out to the half-back line.

Paddy O'Higgins, selected at centre-forward in Dublin's last round victory over Westmeath, will partner Emmet Ó Conghaile at centre-field with Gavin Ivory moving to full-forward.

The attack will be lead by Ciarán Kilkenny – who started at full-forward against Westmeath.

Ross Mullins and Ciarán Heapes are back in the match-day panel after recovering fully from injury.

DUBLIN (MFC v Longford)
1.    Ross Ó hAnluain/Ross O'Hanlon (CLG Cluain Tarbh)
2.    Graham Ó hAnnagáin/Graham Hannigan (CLG Chaisleán Cnucha)
3.    Roibéard Mac Daibhéid/Robert McDaid (CLG Baile Buadháin Naomh Éanna)
4.    Eoghan Ó Baoithín/Eoin Boyne (CLG Naomh Sailbheastair)
5.    Séan Mac Caffraidh/Jack McCaffrey (CLG Cluain Tarbh)
6.    Séan Ó Caointe/John Small (CLG Ciceam Bhaile Munna)
7.    Rutherson Real (CLG Ráth Éanna)
8.    Emmet Ó Conghaile (CLG Sáirséalaigh Leamhcáin)
9.    Pádraig Ó hUigínn/Patrick O'Higgins (CLG Ráth Éanna)
10.    Eric Ó Lamhna/Eric Lowndes (CLG Naomh Peregrine)
11.    Ciarán Mac Giolla Choinnigh/Ciarán Kilkenny (CLG Chaisleán Cnucha)
12.    Conchúr Ó Máonaigh/Conor Meaney (CLG Naomh Sailbheastair)
13.    Scott Mac Fhoghlaim/Scott Fulham (CLG Naomh Áine)
14.    Gabhán Mac Ibhear/Gavin Ivory (CLG Ráth Éanna)
15.    Daithí O Cathmhaoil/David Campbell (CLG Cill Mochuda na Crócaigh)

Subs
16.    Seosamh Ó Dualaing/Joe Dowling (CLG Ráth Éanna)
17.    Conchúir Píc/Conor Pike (CLG Oiléan na hÉireann)
18.    Daithí Ó Broin /David Byrne (CLG Naomh Olaf)
19.    Aran Ó Tuairisc/Aran Waters (CLG Baile Buadháin Naomh Éanna)
20.    Ciarán Ó Heapái/Ciarán Heapes (CLG Ráth Éanna)
21.    Ross Ó Maoláin/Ross Mullins (CLG Chaisleán Cnucha)
22.    Caoimhín Ó Caoinnleabháin/Kevin Kindlon (CLG Chaisleán Cnucha)
23.    Cormac Mac Coistealbha/Cormac Costello (CLG Fionnbhrú Cholmcille)
24.    Néil Ó Flannara/Neil Flannery (CLG Na Fianna)
25.    Eoin Airseabóid/Eoin Archbold (CLG Ciceam Bhaile Munna)
26.    Aindriú Ó Briain /Andrew O'Brien (CLG Ciceam Bhaile Munna)
27.    Marc Ó Deagha/Mark O'Dea (Na Fianna)



Go Back

An official attendance of 36,000.
They could have got another 20,000 at least with a bit of effort, even though you could lay on free flights from Cork and you'd still get shag all Rebels to go.
They should have let the Dublin county board market that game.
Didn't hear any radio ads or anything in the week leading up to the final.
They should have dropped the ticket prices and got the word out.
Such a wasted opportunity.
I can't turn on a radio nowadays without some lad roaring at me about "LEINSTER RUGBY!!"
The blazers in HQ would want to wake up.

excellent thread,the attendances were even worse for Divsion 3&4 Finals,only 8,000 at games,we often hear how counties never get chance to play in Croker and only 8000 shows up at a final,the GAA marketing is a disgrace and when you see Christy Cooney talk about managers receiving payments why doesnt he donate some of his own salary into marketing games?Also I have to praise TnG excellent coverage of league games throughout the season,they put RTE to shame who barely showing a hour of football/hurling a week,They show Premiership soccer saturday and even show Airtricity highlights on a monday night,again the GAA need a progamm like Sideline View to market our games throughout the  year

Lads were unlucky yesterday,plenty positives to take from game,still have OCarrolls,Cian O'Sullivan,Fennell and Alan Brogan to come back into squad.
For all the talk in media about how great Dublin defence is this year,yet again we were exposed,Paul Brogan is a fine footballer made plenty runs up the pitch but his job is to defend give Donnacha OConnor too much room,need Rory OCarroll back there when returns from France and his brother Ross beside him if injury free.We haved played 8 league and conceeded 6-113(131) on average 16 points a game.

Midfield has been another issue this season,Bastic tries hard but decision making is poor need Murray/Cahill beside Mccauley with Fennell coming in as impact sub.Cullen is carrying an injury and cannot play full 70,would it not be better to bring him on rather than take him off,he is vital player who we need in last 20 minutes of a game,he had big impact in early games in league when introduced in second half,the freetaking issue is obviously getting worse,with Conal Keaney not on panel I dont think we have a left footed outfield freetaker,Robert McCarthy-Peregines should of given chance in league,Finally people can criticise Gilroy subsititions but he is consistent and seems to play players on form and not reputation yesterday was a chance for some of them subs to stake a claim for championship place.For all the talk how strong Dublin panel is some of these subs on panel 4/5 years shouldnt be near a Dublin panel.

Community Group to stage Protest at GAA Congress


Members of the committee of the Community Group the Croke Park Streets Committees to stage dignified silent protest at GAA Congress taking place at the Mullingar Park Hotel this Friday and Saturday 15th/16th April.

The protest with banners will take place outside the entrance gates of the Hotel. The GAA in Croke Park having failed in its attempt to obstruct the Bar Club license application for the Handball & Community Centre recently indicated its intention to seek to EVICT the community from its Centre.

This is despite the fact that:

· all 17 local politicians and all local residents groups also objected to Croke Parks plans to demolish and replace the existing centre with a centre that Croke Park would control and which had no adequate community facilities. The matter is currently with An Bord Pleanala and a decision has been delayed now for almost 5 months.
· the Community has controlled and maintained the existing Centre for 40 years and invested over €4m of their own money in the Centre
· Croke Park were placed in a position of trust, the Club's constitution to which Croke Park officials helped draw up states that the Centre was VESTED in them.
Please also find attached a copy of the special letter from the community to GAA delegates and a copy of the letter sent to all politicians and Senators in the last government and to which letter almost all cabinet members replied including the Taoiseach, and the leaders of the main Dail parties.

Yours sincerely,
Eamon O'Brien. Fintan Farrelly,
Chairman, Croke Park Streets Committees. Chairman, Handball & Community Centre.

15th April 2011

Letter to GAA Delegates

Dear Delegate,
We write to let you know of the terrible situation we find ourselves in due to the actions of the Croke Park GAA. Straight away let us say that we love the GAA and recognize its enormous contribution to Ireland's economic and cultural development.

Croke Park issue eviction order to our community
However we have grown to despise the money and power hungry Croke Park that constantly disrupts our lives and that have now stooped so low that they are trying to evict our community from the Handball & Community Centre that we have enjoyed and maintained for 40 years - see Newsletter enclosed. Our barrister requested an estimate of the community's investment in the Centre and this came out at €4m with a present value of €5.8m, and this excludes a major amount of social capital. No other community would tolerate this and we are pleading with you as a grassroots delegate to request Croke Park's pin-stripe bullies, as they have been referred to in our community, to show some spark of decency and consideration for the community on whose backs they make so much money.

When our Handball & Community Centre was built Croke Park provided the land with the community, major companies, GAA units, Dublin Corporation and the Department of Education all contributing and that is why it was both a Handball and Community Centre. According to our Club Constitution it is VESTED in the GAA. This is a position of trust that is now being treacherously ignored. We are expected to fight Croke Parks lawyers to save what is rightfully ours. Croke Park hopes we will run out of money. However our politicians, whose objections to planning Croke Park sought to interfere with in spite of GAA Rule 1.11 (see letter to TD's attached), signed a pledge, February 23rd 2011, to back legal action against Croke Park. This is the awful situation we are in. Croke Park asked for a counter proposal - we prepared one backed by the whole community - and they then ignored us.

Croke Park propose a €9 million White Elephant while GAA Clubs are strapped for cash
It is absolutely extraordinary that Croke Park want to waste so much money on a so-called state of the art handball centre and offices for 40 Handball staff (don't laugh - we can prove this as we insisted on a full recording of the two-day Bord Pleanala hearing) - and this is despite the fact that Handball exploded from two to only 3 staff in the Celtic Tiger years and had a bank balance of just over €900 at the end of 2010. Forty staff would cost circa €2.5m. GAA Handball even recently had to cancel its Congress due to breach of their own rules.

Apparently Croke Park did not like our counter proposal as we said we could provide similar facilities for €3m using one of Croke Park's 3 derelict sites and retaining the existing facility. Ask any delegate - what would you spend on offices for 40, 6 handball alleys and one community room. The writer worked in finance and never have I seen such an incomplete proposal as Croke Park produced - there was no feasibility study or business plan included. Not only that but they had the 60x30 alley turned the wrong way and it had incorrect measurements. It was a fiasco. Check for yourself - Dublin City Council Planning reference 2244/10.

Croke Park Streets Committee Motion - 'Re-claiming our Streets - Croke Park Streets Carnival on day of All-Ireland Final'
Such is the level of discontent within our Community, with Croke Park now seeking to throw our children and old people on to the streets, that there is a motion coming before our AGM that a 'Croke Park Streets Carnival' be organized the day of an All-Ireland Final to teach Croke Park that the streets belong to the people and that the people will be around long after Croke Park is gone.

Now is the time for cool heads and the real community spirit of GAA leadership to manifest itself
The GAA is heading in to difficult times and its current leaders Uachtaran Cooney and PACT Chairman Cawley, respectively FAS executive and ex AIB banker, should appreciate the danger of bulling on ahead and ignoring the realities of their current environment. Our community is a 'significant reality' and Croke Park taking the old landlord bullying approach will see that come back to bite in the end. We are sick of Croke Park's mis-representations and spin and bullying. As a delegate don't be surprised if the day comes when Croke Park will tell you what you may or may not have an opinion on!

We wish Liam O'Neill, the new Uachtaran, every success and we hope his attitude to our community will be more humane and considerate than we have experienced from Croke Park to date. It's time for some core values of community to surface within Croke Park. We have had enough of corporate bullying!

Yours sincerely, Yours sincerely,
Eamon O'Brien Fintan Farrelly
Chairman, Croke Park Streets Committees. Chairman, Handball & Community Centre

McAteer gave a bizzare interview on Off the Ball on Newstalk this evening.
To say he is not happy is a massive understatement. I honestly thought he was taking the piss and at the end they'd reveal it was all a bit of a joke.
He laid into Cluxton saying how he had form for this kind of thing, referencing the 'infamous' sending off in 2003 and saying how he 'probably cost Dublin the All-Ireland'.
Came across as a complete t**ser to be honest.

Can anyone find McAteer interview on Off the Ball on Newstalk? if he refering to Cluxton sending off in 2003 he must of googled Cluxton on the net