Thomas McCurtains Hurling & Football Club Notes

Congratulations to the Hurlers and the Camogs who both won trophies last weekend. The Camogs won the British Junior League on Saturday. This is a great achievement for the team who are in their first year of competing. The Hurlers rounded of the weekend in style for McCurtains by capturing the Ronan Cup on Sunday beating St Gabriels in an enthralling Final. There was also a win for the Mens Footballers as they beat Shalloe Pearse in the league, while the Ladies footballers didn't fare as well, loosing their first two Championship games to strong opposition in Fulham Irish and Parnells.

We wish the London Senior Football team the best of luck when they play Mayo in the Connacht Senior Football Championship on Sunday. To celebrate we are hosting an Over for the Match event in O'Neill's Pub, Leytonstone. All are welcome to attend and It promises to be a great night.

Result: Ronan Cup Final: Thomas McCurtains: 4-17, St Gabriels B: 0-11,  

The Hurlers continued their successful start to the season by claiming the Ronan Cup on Sunday in Collindale. Captained by Dean Corrigan, who was an inspiration for his fellow players throughout, McCurtains started the stronger of the two teams and raced into an unassailable lead in the first ten minutes. They managed to register 1-4 without reply helped by Sean Costelloe goal. At the other end of the pitch the full back and half back line lead by Corrigan refused to let the St Gabriels players settle into their rhythm with constant harrying and hassling. As the first half progressed McCurtains were looking more and more assure of themselves and the midfield duo of Sean Murphy and Craig Doyle were dominating. Their efforts paid off as some great interplay with the half forward line set up Doyle to brake through for his sides second goal of the match.

Even the weather couldn't put a dampener on the proceedings as the heavens opened just before half time. As the thunder and lightning rolled in and lit up the London sky the action on the pitch intensified. The Hurlers stepped up a level and another Costelloe goal midway through the second half looked to set McCurtains on their way. St Gabriels to their credit did not give up battling and scrapping for every ball but were always second best and when Keiran Dowling finished off a sublime move with the fourth goal of the match the writing was on the wall. 

THOMAS MCCURTAINS: P. Ryan; E. Breen, J. O'Brien, C. Curtin; D. Corrigan (c), E. McAllister, A. Clancy; S. Murphy, C. Doyle; K. Dowling, J. Keegan, R. Carson; E. Caldwell, S. Costelloe, P. Murphy. 

Subs: S. Donohoue for Ryan (45), K O'Driscoll-Collins for Keegan (49) and M O'Leary for Breen (52).

Scorers: S. Costelloe (2-3), C. Doyle (1-4), E. Caldwell (3f, 0-4) and K. Dowling (1-0), S, Murphy and P, Murphy (0-2 each), R. Carson and J. Keegan (0-1 each).

Training continues this week on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm in Goodmayes pitch (Post code: IG3 8XJ). All new players are welcome.

Results: British League Semi-Final: Thomas McCurtains: 2-04, Erin Go Bragh: 0-02,
British League Final: Thomas McCurtains: 5-06, Brothers Pearse: 0-02,

The Camogs were successful in the British Junior League finals which took place in Pairc na hEireann in Birmingham on Saturday. The East London ladies played Erin go Bragh in the first semi-final of the day and after a tight first half came out on top to win the game 2-04 to 0-02, The team were helped greatly by Kelly Ann Brennan who came on at the start of the second half and quickly clocked up several scores to her name. The ladies then played London rivals Brothers Pearse in the final. This was a confident performance with key members of the team really stepping up to prove that the title deserved to come back to East London. The ladies worked the ball tirelessly the entire length of the pitch and Brothers Pearse were unable to match the pace and support play of McCurtains. The game ended 5-6 to 0-2 and McCurtains were crowned Junior League Champions. 

Next up for the Camogs is the start of the Junior Championship on 5th June.

Camogie training will take place on Wednesday this week at 7pm in East London Rugby Club (E15 3BP).

Result: Division 3 Football League Round 3: Thomas McCurtains: 2-12, Shalloe Pearse: 1-03,

The Footballers ran out easy winners in the end against an understrength Shalloe Pearse team in the league. Shalloe kept it tight in the first half but couldn't match the pace of the McCurtains support players in the second half.

Training continues this week on Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm in Goodmayes pitch (Post code: IG3 8XJ). All new players are welcome.

Result: IFC Round 1: Thomas McCurtains: 1-06, Fulham Gaels: 3-05,

The ladies footballers began their intermediate championship campaign on Wednesday taking on last years champions Fulham Gaels.  This was a very competitive match from the onset with McCurtains wanting to prove a point following their league defeat earlier in the season. The ladies kept within touching difference for the first 30 minutes, finishing the half 0-03 to 1-05 to Fulham. A strong start to the second half with Orla King netting a goal in the opening minutes kept the match incredibly tight and some impressive football followed. The ladies continued to battle for the remainder of the half and finished 1-6 to 3-5, with last years Champions the winners in the end.  A tough match but good to see the East London ladies playing football to match the standard of the established intermediate team. Shona Roche, Noleen Owens and Aileen O'Leary having particularly outstanding performances on the night.

In the second round of the championship the ladies played Parnells in Goodmayes.  A much more challenging encounter due to the experience and pace of the Parnells ladies and McCurtains were playing without a few key members of the squad. Aoife Fitzy and Orla King's work ethic in the second half was phenomenal and they continued to carry the ball forward until the final whistle despite constant pressure from Parnells. Some impressive individual performances but overall it was not McCurtains day. Special mention to Kellie Carr for stepping up into the role of captain for the day and her constant encouragement of the girls throughout.

Next up for the ladies footballers is the Tara 7s in Greenford on Saturday 28th May.

Please note a change to ladies football training locations. The ladies Tuesday training sessions will now take place in Goodmayes pitch (IG3 8XJ) at 7pm and in East London Rugby Club (E15 3BP) on Thursdays at 7pm. All new players welcome.

Result: U-14 Football League Division 2: Thomas McCurtains: 9-16, St Clarets: 8-06,

U8 to U14 football training is on Wednesdays at 7.00pm in Goodmayes pitch. All new players are welcome, contact Martin McGovern on 07773 005 594 for more details.

·    Thomas McCurtains Presents 'Over for the Match' –  Join us in O'Neills Leytsonstone on the Saturday 28th May for a night of discussion, fun and entertainment on the night before the Championship match in Ruislip between Mayo and London. We will be joined by some very special guests and GAA icons to talk about the future of London GAA, the match itself and of course have a sneaky look ahead to the rest of the Championship. There will be some great prizes to be won on the night so make sure to head over. Tickets are £10 and will be available on the night. We look forward to you joining us for a night of craic along with those who are 'Over for the Match'!

·    Ascot Themed Race Night – The club will be hosting a race night with an Ascot theme. This will take place on Saturday 18th June 2016 in Tommy Flynns Bar & Kitchen, Leytonstone. It is £100 to sponsor a race or Â£10 to buy a horse. Anyone wishing to do so can contact Mick O'Leary on 07804 740 034.

·    The Clubs Annual Golf Fundraiser – This will be held on Saturday 2nd July 2016 in Stapleford Abbotts Golf Club RM4 1JU. The day will kick off at 9.00am in club house where food and coffee will be provided and the first tee off is at 10.00am. There will be a 3 course dinner in O'Gradys Irish Bar that evening where a presentation to winners will be made, including best team,best single player and nearest the pin. It is £200 for a 4 ball or £50 for individual golfers and It is £100 to sponsor a hole. Anyone wishing to attend/sponsor a hole can contact Jim McDermott on 07813 355 776. Last year was a great success and we hope to make this one even better.

·    The Clubs Annual Funday – Will be held on Saturday 16th July 2016.

New players are always very welcome to join our friendly club. We have Gaelic Football & Hurling teams for both men and ladies from u-8s up to Adults. We are based in East London; the club covers a wide area and current players live in many different areas, including, Gants Hill, Woodford, Leyton, Leytonstone, Stratford, Romford, Dagenham, Brentwood & Chelmsford as well as many other areas. Transport to and from training and pick-up from stations can be arranged, if required.

If you would like to join our club, please do not hesitate to contact:

Martin Keyes: 07712 106 349 (Mens Football)
Brian Ryan: 07851 164 119 (Hurling)
Finnian O'Dowd: 07966 806 011 (Ladies Football)
Eoin Kelly: 07729 746 052 (Camogie)
Martin McGovern: 07773 005 594 (Minor Club)

Alternatively please check out Thomas McCurtain’s on Facebook, Twitter or drop us an email on thomasmccurtains@hotmail.com. We would be delighted to hear from you.

Our official club merchandise is available to purchase on the O’Neill’s website at: https://www.oneills.com/shop-by-team/gaa/united-kingdom/thomas-mccurtains.html