Na Fianna Nuacht

Fight Night Update More news from the opposing camps, courtesy of our anonymous insider as we head even closer to 16th Feb “The hour is fast approaching, on which the Honour and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding country depend. Remember that you are free men fighting for the blessings of liberty, that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men” George Washington

War has been declared and two armies await the call to bear arms. What began as a fundraiser has now evolved into a rivalry inching towards it’s day of destiny. People grow up aiming to create a reputation. The 16th of February is the night this reputation will be either confirmed or destroyed. Our handball alley correspondent Jonny Cooper has kept a close eye on training. “The pressure and tension is visible in sessions. There is a sense of immediacy about it all – it’s about to go down”

With rumours of a bookies on the night it would be rude not to break down each fight to allow people see how and where there is money to be won.

Farrell Aughney vs Stephen Fitzgerald A combined 38stone will step foot in what one will hope to be a sturdy ring in this mammoth tie. ‘Chris Brown’ Aughney’s only previous fight was one of the Unisex nature which occurred beside a bin outside Hillbilly’s in Fairview. Superlatives such as “awful”, “useless”, and Na Fianna Nuacht 8ú Feabhra 2013 1

Na Fianna Nuacht “lethargic” have been used to describe his boxing style. Coaches have tried to unearth the aggression Aughney is capable of, the same aggression which has only appeared late at night, but thus far they have been unsuccessful.

Stephen “Sunnybank” Fitzgerald, attributes his lack of previous boxing experience to his good looks. His finishing move ‘The Explosion’ involves a table full of jaeger bombs and a novelty straw. The failed footballer has admitted that childhood beatings at the hands of Nelly and his cronies helped turn him into an adult. Lets see if that adult can become a man on February 16th. Verdict: Fitzgerald

David Quinn vs Danny Flaherty Sponsored by Specsavers, this pocket sized Prizefighter event pins David Quinn up against Danny Flaherty. A pair of binoculars will be given to each member of the crowd to allow them to see the events in the ring unfold.

The Maynooth native Quinn began preparing for this bout with a sparring session against Neil Mulhern prior to Christmas. Flaherty’s toughest tests have come close to the fridge at home against his older brothers Andy and Liam.

February 16th will give one of these fighters an opportunity to grow in stature. It’s a tall task, lets see who rises to it. Verdict: Quinn

Senan Coughlan vs John Sharpson If these two men put as much effort into their boxing as they do their relationships then they would be professionals. However their will be no love lost in the battle of the ‘settling down’ duo.

Sharpson has lowered the tone of this bout with numerous references to Coughlan’s egg allergy. We have decided not to make any egg references or allude to this allergy as it would be petty of us. Na Fianna Nuacht 8ú Feabhra 2013 2

Na Fianna Nuacht Coughlan scrambled his way from the mean streets of Home Farm before finally cracking the Na Fianna Senior Football Team. An effort to poach him by the Senior Hurlers proved unsuccessful. It all nearly boiled over when Coughlan agreed to represent both panels some years back. The Hurlers fried their best but could not keep Coughlan on the team.

Famous as an extra from a recent charity advert, John Sharpson’s solo debut “Just Saying” video was the most innovative contribution to the Fight Night thus far. Replicating these emotions in the ring will be more difficult. With outsiders unable to decipher his credentials it is left to hearsay to gather how good Sharpson actually is. “Comically bad, but deceptively good” is how his ex, Jack Caffrey described him. We are enlightened and can’t look past the ‘Manic from Botanic’. Verdict: Sharpson

Ed Sheeran vs Niall Cooper Billed as the fight of the night, this little and large affair has all the hallmarks of a classic. Cooper’s tough sparring sessions against the punching bag in Na Fianna gym have prepared him for the upcoming onslaught. The fight had been in some doubt after Cooper refused to remove the DCU band from his arm as part of the weigh-in process. The band, which he has not removed since his college days ten years ago, provided him with an unfair advantage on the scales.

Sheeran, fighting out of Electric Picnic, has been hailed by many as the most “dynamic” and “aggressive” of the group. Never mind his A-Team, Sheeran must come equipped with his AGame in order to startle Cooper. What he lacks in height he makes up for in power. A tussle worth the entrance fee alone is sure to go the distance. Come late evening on the 15th we will know if it is Sheeran and his Band or Cooper and his DCU band celebrating. Verdict: Cooper (by a hair)

Individualism has made way for an overriding sense of team ethic. For both the hurlers and the footballers 5 is the magic number. Five wins will be enough for one of the camps to ride off into the sunset with the greatest of all achievements wrapped up and sitting proudly Na Fianna Nuacht 8ú Feabhra 2013 3

Na Fianna Nuacht alongside any future bragging rights…. As G.K Chesterton once said “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

Note: All joking aside next Saturday will be a great night of entertainment. A lot of credit must go to those organising the event and also those who have been brave enough to offer their services in the ring. It is all for a worthy cause and the more people can get behind it in the coming week the better. Get your tickets now. Tickets available from any fighter or contact Andy Flaherty/ Niall Cooper. Follow Na Fianna Fight Night on Twitter @NF_Fight_Night. And if you haven’t yet seen the videos on Facebook you’re in for a treat, they are only brilliant. http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Na-Fianna-Fight-Night/144748049011798 for videos, interviews, info & competitions.

Na Fianna’s Senior Hurlers in serious training

Mid-Term Break With the schools mid-term break just about to begin, Parents and Guardians are reminded that Na Fianna does not purport to offer supervision to children who are on the premises or grounds outside of training or match times. In addition, Juveniles are asked not to bring nonmembers into the club grounds. This notice is also printed on membership form.

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Na Fianna Nuacht Grounds Improvements Update Thanks again to those who turned up last Saturday morning to continue the great work in Mobhi Road. We got most of the cutting done on big trees on the Mobhi Rd side of the pitch and this will help with Health and Safety issues in addition to improving the drying out of bank at Scoil Chaitríona entrance. We also managed to cut back a lot of the intrusive shrubbery at Griffith Park end of the back pitch. Many thanks for big support from regular crew and U-14 players, mentors and parents. As can be seen in the photo below, great progress has been made on the Collinstown lighting project and huge thanks is due to the Facilities Committee for all their hard work. In addition, positive feedback has been received from Fingal Co Council regarding putting up of littering signs at Collinstown entrance.

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Na Fianna Nuacht Support again requested from all groups and U-14’s this Saturday, 9th Feb to push ahead with the next steps; - 9am Mobhi Rd. Load James Jesson’s truck with tree trimmings at Scoil Chaitriona and Mobhi Rd gates. Bring material to Collinstown. - 10am approx. Unload truck at Collinstown. Cut back timber at carpark access area, behind netting at lower goals and any other areas as needed. Support the floodlight group to orient and commission the lights. Survey for carpark and repair of access tracks to floodlights. Thanks for support to date and let’s drive this on to successful conclusion. We can celebrate with an extra cuppa at Spring Fair on Sun 3rd March (1-5pm). Contact Martin Quilty (0879092732) or any member of the Facilities Committee for further details.

Pieta House Appeal Pieta House, the suicide & self harm prevention charity will hold a national bag packing fundraiser in Tesco stores nationwide on the 15th & 16th February next and are looking for club members to help out. The contact at Pieta House is Patricia Moloney (tel 6282111) if you are interested in helping. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Good Weekend for Na Fianna’s Dubs Well done to Jonny Cooper and Paddy Quinn on their fine performances against Cork in Dublin’s National League win in Croke Park last Saturday night. Best of luck to the lads again this weekend against Kerry. Congrats also to Dublin senior ladies on their win over Meath last Sunday in St. Brigids. This Dublin team included Na Fianna’s Orlagh Egan and Senior county debutante Leah Caffrey.

Draíocht Drama Group at Na Fianna As a club fundraiser, Draíocht Drama Group will present the John B Keane classic, Many Young Men of 20 on Thurs 21st Feb next in Scoil Chaitríona. Tickets for what promises to be a great night are only €10 and are available from Anne Ryan or Regina Bregazzi (0876593908).

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Na Fianna Nuacht Presentation Night The Na Fianna Presentation Night which took place last Friday was a great success with good numbers making it down to the club to see the presentation of medals to Na Fianna adult teams by club Cathaoirleach Des Ó Duibhlainn. With the formalities of the evening concluded, those in attendance were then treated to some very clever entertainment when an ‘allegedly’ rigged raffle draw saw some of the club’s best and brightest targeted and led onto the floor, some, it has to be said needing little encouragement, to perform in various musical and dance acts. Thanks to two of the Junior hurlers, the romantic restaurant scene from Disney’s Lady and the Tramp will never be quite the same again! A great night had by all and well done to Stephen Behan and crew for organising.

Club Founder Honoured Also at last Friday night’s Presentation Night, Club Cathaoirleach Des Ó Duibhlainn presented Honourary Life Membership to one of Na Fianna’s founder members Paddy King. This award, like those made during the recent Club Mass, goes some way towards recognising the great work and vision of this pioneering group of people to whom a great debt of gratitude is owed.

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Na Fianna Nuacht Féile Cake Sale The Féile 2013 Cake Sale is on tomorrow, Saturday 9th February from 9.30 am to 11.30 am during the Nursery in the clubhouse. There are the usual cup cakes, brownies, rice crispie cakes, rocky road etc as well as popcorn machine and a raffle with spot prizes.

Spring Fair – Sunday 3rd March Big support coming forward from the U-14 Féile Fundraising Committee, players, mentors and parents. They will give a helping hand for set up on Sat 2nd (9-4) and during the sale on Sun 3rd. Their big plan is to set up and crew a Female and Male Fashion Stall. The invite now goes out to everybody to dig out all the clothing, shoes, hats, bags, accessories and other items associated with the fashion scene for all ages. We have the ways and means of turning these items into welcome funds of the club to meet grounds and sports development costs. They also have many other plans for our regular books, sports gear, wheel of fortune, bottle stall and other stands in addition to running the cakes and bread stall. Contact Martin Quilty (087-9092732) for details. Meeting of key stall holders on Tue 12th Feb at 9pm.

Bulk Clothing Collection This innovative fundraiser kicks off again this year on weekend of 2nd and 3rd March and then throughout most of March with wrap up on weekend of 24th. Please being your unwanted clothing, shoes, curtains, blankets and other fabrics to dressing room 4. You may wish to link in with bringing down a range of items to kit out the stalls for Spring Fair on 2/3 March. Dermot Moran is heading up this Collection project.

Croke Park Newsletter The January edition of the GAA’s Clubs Newsletter is available to view by clicking on the following link; http://gaa.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/r/3AF0101D455CBBC6/C21847C55FE1B9EE2A1B F84ACBDD178B Na Fianna Nuacht 8ú Feabhra 2013 8

Na Fianna Nuacht Weekend Action This Sunday sees a full day of football action when four of our adult football teams play cup matches. In Mobhi Road our Seniors play St Judes at 11am. Our Intermediates are away to Naomh Barrog in Conlon Cup at 12pm, Junior A’s are away to Ballyboughal in Loving Cup at 11am, Junior C’s play Round Towers in Murphy Cup in Collinstown at 11am while our AFL10 team play St. Brendans in Grangegorman in O’Broin Cup at 2.30pm. Best of luck to all teams and all support welcome.

Members’ Subscriptions Members’ subscriptions are due. Members should also note that for added convenience, an online payment facility is available on the club website www.clgnafianna.ie . Completed forms and payments can also be dropped into the Club office, Mon-Fri 9.30 am to 1.00pm. Many thanks to members who have already paid their subscriptions. With teams and players now re-grouping for the upcoming season, members are once again reminded that only those players whose subscriptions are paid are covered under the club’s insurance policy.

2013 Na Fianna Calendar Avoid the embarrassment of a blank space on the back of your kitchen door. Get talked about by friends, family and neighbours for the right reason and not for something ridiculous like not having the 2013 Na Fianna calendar. Still some calendars available in the club shop at only €10, please support.

…..and finally Best wishes for a speedy recovery are sent to Jimmy Gray who is recovering from surgery at the moment. Jimmy’s family say that he is doing well and will be back in circulation very soon. Best wishes are also sent to Philip Mongey, father of Peter (U-15's) and Eddie (U-11’s), who is due to undergo surgery this week and is likely to be in hospital for a period of time.

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Na Fianna Nuacht The U-16 Girls and management all send best wishes to Hanna Taylor who was injured while playing with the girls football team in a friendly in Ballyboden last Saturday. She is currently in a full length leg plaster and will be out of action for the next few weeks.

Comhbhrón Sincere sympathies are extended to Ann Gray and family on the recent passing of her sister Ciara Halpin. Sympathies are also extended to Aileen Gaughran and her family on the death of her mother Mrs. Monica McDowell. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanamnacha.

Fógra Tabachtach The objective of Na Fianna Nuacht is to communicate as much club activity as possible however it is important to note that all items for inclusion in either Club Notes or Na Fianna Nuacht are reported to [email protected] or texted to 087 9250697 by Sunday evening. With a membership of 2700 and approx 100 teams now competing it is difficult to ensure all club activity is reported upon – Do not assume that your team’s activity is already known to Na Fianna Nuacht or that someone else has reported it. When errors or omissions occur it is the policy of Na Fianna Nuacht to correct these in subsequent issues when they are reported to [email protected]

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