2013

A very successful A.G.M. was held on Friday night 4th January. The following were elected.

Presidents: Fr Condon, Fr. Enright, K O Brien, T Walsh, P Flynn, T Foley, A Stone, P Power, J Corbett, B Corbett, W O Brien and K Begley.


Chairman: Pat Fennell Vice Chairman: Kieran Heffernan


Secretary: Breda Kiely Asst. Sec: John Mc Grath


Treasurer: John Dunphy Asst. Treasurer: Paul Heffernan


Registrar: Breda Kiely


PRO: Virgil Power (Fahafeelagh)


Insurance Officer: Deirdre Keane


Membership Officer: Anthony Morrissey


Children/Drug/Alcohol Officer: Paul Heffernan assisted by John McGrath


Cultural Officer: Michelle Mullaney


Committee: Tom Cunningham, Ger Power, Stephan Cunningham, Oliver Costelloe, Freddie McGuickian, Luke Casey and Maurice Lannon


First Aid. Nina Fee, Emmett Cummins, Eoin O Brien and Eamonn Clancy


Stradbally Social which took place in the Park Hotel on 16th Feb 2013

View Photos

What a night was had by everybody in the Park Hotel last Saturday night. The surprise special guest was RTE's pundit Michael Duignan. The Offaly man spoke about the huge commitment the Stradbally players both men and women put in last year. The two times all Ireland medal winner also complimented the two Munster players from Stradbally Tony Grey and Michael Walsh who were playing last Sunday. Club chairman Pat Fennell welcomed everyone as did Noel Costelloe chairman of the ladies club, Noel welcomed the ladies county board chairman . County board chairman Tom Cunningham told of the great pleasure he had in presenting the Conway cup for the second time in his period as chairman to his beloved Stradbally. The music, song and dance was enjoyed by everyone.


The Late Johnny Murphy

Munster’s Man of the Match

As the Stradbally supporters heading for Walsh Park last Saturday evening were wondering what kind of a performance they were going to get from the team on that cold wet and miserable evening, as they were unimpressive in the league so far this year.

Well they need not have worried as the reds performed brilliantly in such bad conditions.

They set down a marker right from the start with a point scored from play after only half a minute by Shane Ahearne, then 5minutes later Shane Ahearne was fouled and His quick free found Kiko Casey who pointed. Three minutes later a high dropping ball was fisted to the net by Shane Ahearne who used his height to full advantage. After 11 minutes Paddy Kiely kicked a lovely point after getting a clever pass from the young Jack Mullaney. At this stage Stradbally had all the possession,and after 14 minutes after a nice combination of passes Tony Grey pointed. Then after 19 minutes Gaultier scored their first point, Eoin Naughton was the scorer. On 20 minutes after a string of good fast passes Ger Power scored a lovely point. After 25 minutes Eddie Rockett replaced the injured Shane Lannon, a minute later another lovely point was scored by Ger Power, then on the 30th minute after about 10 passes a brilliant point was scored by Eddie Rockett which brought the first half to a close with Stradbally ahead by 1-07 to Gaultier 0-01

On the resumption of the second half with daylight fading and fog setting in around Walsh Park Stradbally piled on the pressure and after 4 minutes a good combination of passes ended up with a super goal by Ger Power, one minute later John Coffey tapped over a nice point, then after 8 minutes a point from 30 yards out by Kiko Casey who after half a minute fisted over another point. After 10 minutes  Trevor Costelloe had to withdraw after an injury. On 14 minutes a beautiful pass by Shane Ahearne to John Coffey who finished the ball to the net for Stradbally's second goal. Stradbally were now rampant with light fading and the fog getting worse a long range point from Brick Walsh from 50 yards out was the best score of the night, a lovely point after 18 minutes by Tony Grey after some nice passes, one minute later Shane Ahearne was fouled and he pointed the resulting free.

After 23 minutes of play Eoin Naughton scored his second point for Gaultier. On the 27th minute John Coffey was dismissed for a second bookable offence.On 28 minutes a cracking goal from Gaultier that caught everybody off guard, one minute later a nice point by Ger Power, and half a minute later a point by Tony Grey to bring the game and day light to an end.  Stradbally 2-16   Gaultier 1-02.

This was a good performance by Stradbally, and manager Stephen Cunningham will be happy with the performance, he will not get carried away, he will know the next time out will be a much tougher test.

The team performed well with Oliver Costelloe having a quiet evening in goal. The full back line of Paddy Doyle, Andy Doyle and Trevor Costelloe easily subdued any attack by the Gaultier full forward line. The half back line of Kevin Lawlor, Shane Lannon and Tony Grey were well on top in that department. The midfield partnership of Brick Walsh and Paddy Kiely dominated the centre of the park. The half forward line of John Coffey, Shane Ahearne and Jack Mullaney were superb and worked together like clockwork. The full forward line of Kiko Casey, Robert Ahearne and Ger Power played very well under such dreadful conditions. The referee was Alan  Kissane.


Stradbally  2-16     Gaultir  1-02    Played in Walsh Park on 13-4-2013

On Wednesday night 24th April 2013, Stradbally U-10 footballers played Ballymacarbry in community games football in Stradbally. With all the Stradbally boys and girls that lined out showing great teamwork and playing very good football, Stradbally secured victory, and move in to the next round of this competition. The team was as follows: Stephen Fennell, George Markham, John McArthur, Katie Condon, Hayley Phelan, Rory Fennell, Michael O'Brien, Michael Mullaney, Emma Phelan, Conor Fennell, Dara McGrath, Tommy Fennell, Conor Organ, Donncha Dunphy, Darragh Farrell, Emily Lenihan, Cormac McGrath, Jessica Keane.


Under 10 Football Team 2013

Our annual Run / Walk Day took place on Bank Holiday Monday, and what a success it was as a huge number of people young and old took part. An awful lot of work went on behind the scenes in the organising this event, and the Club would like to thank everyone who took part in the event, as your support was greatly appreciated. The winner of the 10K race was David Keneally in a time of 38.24, second was Jimmy Connors, and third was Niall Barry.  First Lady home in the 10K was Dian Behan in a time of 42.13, second was Siobhain Dunphy, and third was Deirdre Keane.  First home in the 5K was Barry Keane, and second was Walter Drohan.  First Lady home in the 5K was Cloe Fennell and second was Una Fennell.  First home in the 3K was Evan Keane and second was Tommy Fennell.  First Lady home in the 3K was Atlanta Flynn Raher and second was Aislinn Keane.

Stradbally GAA would like to thank Deirdre Keane who was the main driving force behind this event,and she put in a tremendous amount of work in the last few weeks organising everything, also to Paul Heffernan and an Garda Siochana for all their work during the day, and all the stewards who manned their positions,  Kevin Keane who was the timekeeper,  Michael Meara who looked after the sound,  Tom Cunningham for the use of his field for the parking,  John Mc Grath who looked after the water, Cess, Breda, and Helen who made sure everybody got fed before they went home, Kieran Heffernan who done MC, Breda Kiely who presented the prizes and the numerous people that brought along food and sandwiches. We would like to thank the four  local National Schools for sponsoring the children's prizes in the 3K and the 5K. We would like to thank all the sponsors of prizes, and anyone else that helped in any way, your help was greatly appreciated.

View Photos

The Parish Leagues final took place last Sunday evening, we had three wonderful finals.

In final C the winners were Down and the runners up were Cork.  In final B Kerry were winners and runners up were Roscommon.  In final A the victors were Waterford who overcame Meath.  The trophy and medals  were presented to captains Ozzy Walsh, Sean Navin and Sheena McGuckian by Garda Damien Ryan, which were sponsored by An Garda Siochana. First of all theStradbally GAA Club would like  to thank Kieran Heffernan who put in an enormous amount of work over the last couple of months in organising the games and getting the fixtures played on time. These leagues are going from strength to strength every year and it's all down to Kieran. Many thanks to An Garda Siochana who who gave their time and sponsorship of the finals.We would also like to thank all the parents which brought their kids to the games every week and cheered and encouraged them, each game was fought with such passion and commitment, that we in Stradbally GAA club need have no worries about our future. We much appreciate all the team managers who turned out week after week to help the kids, and the referees,  and to everybody else who helped in any way. Finally, well what can you say about the kids who took part, you are a credit to your parents, your parish, your supporters, your school, and Stradbally GAA club. Thank you so much.



Parish Leagues Finals Played on Sunday 12-5-2013

View Photos

View Photos

Community Games County Champions


There was delight among the boys and girls of this group on Friday night last, when Stradbally U-10 footballers were victorious in the final of the U-10 Community Games Football. Hosting Lismore, the Stradbally boys and girls, as they have done through out this competition, produced an all-round team performance and worked some quality scores. In a great display, Stradbally secured a comprehensive victory, and now move in to the Munster rounds of this competition. The team was as follows: Michael Mullaney, John McArthur, George Markham, Donncha O' Brien, Katie Condon, Hayley Phelan, Rory Fennell, Michael O'Brien, Molly-Kate Hearne, Emma Phelan, Conor Fennell, Dara McGrath, Tommy Fennell, Conor Organ, Donncha Dunphy, Darragh Farrell, Emily Lenihan, Cormac McGrath, Jessica Keane.  


We would like to thank the parents of all players for their support throughout this campaign. Thanks also to Lismore and their mentors for a very sporting game. Finally, we would like in particular to thank Theresa Keane for all her work, and organisation of Stradbally's involvement in this competition.


Medals being presented by Michael Brick Walsh in the GAA Centre on Sat night 25th June 3013

                                           Cycle Challenge

Our Cycle Challenge took place last Sunday and was a great success. The weather was not kind to us for the second year running, but that did not distract all the cycling enthusiasts who braved the elements to take part,and we thank them sincerely for the effort they put in. This event took months of planning behind the scenes, and that was shown in the way it ran so smoothly. A big thank you to Paul Heffernan and  An Garda Siochana and Civil Defence for all their help, and the committee members who put in an enormous amount of work in the preparation of the event, and the people who brought food, and the kitchen staff who made sure everybody got fed before they went home, and a special thanks to Matt Cummins for the use of his field for the car parking, and to the stewards who manned their positions with military precision, and to everybody else too numerous to mention who helped in any way.                                                    


Cycle Challenge on 16-6-2013


                                                            The Late Matty Weldon

It was with deep sadness that we heard the news that Matty Weldon had died. Matty had battled illness for a long time, but he sang and played music up to the very end. It was with great pleasure that he sang the song "Stradbally's 5 in a row". He was a staunch Stradbally supporter all his life, and it proved how popular he was that such a huge crowd attended his funeral. To his wife Julia and his sons and daughters we at Stradbally GAA offer our sincere sympathy. May he rest in peace.

Robin Ahearne Deise Draw winner receiving cheque

From Breda Kiely on 23-6-2013

View Photos

Stradbally U-10 Munster Community Games Finals

Stradbally U-10 football team, as Waterford champions, took part in the Munster Community Games Finals at Na Gaeil grounds, in Tralee on Saturday last. At the sun-splashed Kerry venue, the team put on a fantastic performance in the semi-final against Ballina (representing Tipperary). This was an excellent competition, with a very good standard of football on the day. While Ballina ultimately emerged victorious, all the Stradbally players played with skill and tenacity and were a credit to the Club. The great experience of playing in this competition will very much stand to them for the future. The team was as follows:
Darragh Farrell, Kate Condon, Conor Fennell, Molly-Kate Hearne, Emily Lenihan, Donncha Dunphy, Oran Grant, Michael Mullaney (c), Michael O'Brien, Donnchadh O'Brien, Dara McGrath, Jessica Keane, Cormac McGrath, George Markham, Conor Organ.
Due to holidays, we were short the services of Rory & Tommy Fennell and John McArthur on the day, and look forward to having them back lining out with us.
We would like to thank all of the parents of the children who travelled, for what was a very enjoyable day in Kerry


U10 Community Games

Community Games Finals 29-6-2013

Under 12 County Champions


Our U12's started their season in early June. They played Ardmore, Clashmore, Kilmac and St. Annes, having three wins. The girls qualified for the U12 County final and faced St. Annes in the U12 B County Final in Stradbally on Saturday July 13th. The girls had played St. Annes earlier in the championship and beat them but it they knew this was going to be a tough game. It was a wonderful contest with some great football played and our girls came out on top being victorious in their fourth U12 County Final in a row. There were great scenes after the game with Captain Megan O'Brien thanking all those who came and supported and St.Annes for a great game.


Team: Megan O'Brien, Becky Keoghan, Sheena McGuickian, Roisin Dunphy, Sarah Mullaney, Kate Heffernan,Kailyn O'Donnell, Hayley Phelan, Aoife Brazil, Kelsey McGrath, Erica Kiely, Jade Queally, Zoe Kett,Lauren Power, Allanah Doocey, Shiona Dunphy, Ruth Phelan, Emily Rousseau and Louise Casey.


On behalf of the club I would like to thank all those who came and supported the girls, Terrence Morrissey for the Jerseys, Deirdre Keane and Tracey Fennell for coaching the girls and all those who helped out training the girls, Melissa Fennell, Eileen O'Brien and Claire Crowley. Their help and support was greatly appreciated.


View Photos

GAA Gathering

Oh what a night,we are still not over it,(not the hangovers) but the enormous success our own special gathering was last weekend. The evening kicked off with a very entertaining game of football between the Tipperary county champions Clonmel Commercials and the Waterford county champions Stradbally. This was an evenly contested game played in a field that was never looking so well, great credit to Noel Costelloe for that. At the interval we were entertained by our future stars who John McGrath and Kieran Heffernan had primed for the occasion, these youngsters are the future of this great club and as we all know without the effort at this level we will not have success, After the game we were entertained by Darra Kelly who provided us with a selection of music until daylight failed and we all went indoors. Mike Kearney made sure everybody was well fed before we went in to see a lovely display of Irish music by the Crowley sisters, great credit to Isomie Crowley for organising that, Liam Clancy done the business when we were all inside listening to the rain outside. Then  the stories began, about the belts and hits everyone got, to the games they should have won,and the games they won and should have lost, some of these games took place some sixty years ago, It was lovely to see players from the fifty's right up to the present day mix and discuss football and hurling. Nights like this you never want to end. The whole event would not have taken place but for Tom Cunningham who got the idea when every other organisation were having Gatherings across the country and Tom said why not have one at home. Then Tom picked a few people to organise everything and what a success it was. We would like to thank these people for the work they done, especially Michelle Mullanney who done so much work on the night,the stewards done a great job in organising the traffic, and to Tom Cunningham for the use of his field for the parking, and to everybody else who helped in any way. But most of all we would like to thank all past and present players and supporters who came along to make it one of the best evening ever. As we cannot mention everyone who came, we have to mention that brilliant corner back from the minor team of 1964 Tom Power who is battling illness for a number of years who made an enormous effort to attend, well done to you Tom.

The GAA Gathering 4th August 2013

Stradbally V Tramore Ladies Intermediate Team

View Photos

Junior Football Western County Finalists 2013

Stradbally 1-08 Kilrossanty 3-03 played in Stradbally on Sunday 1-9-2013

Our Junior Footballers played Kilrossanty in the Junior Football Western Final in Stradbally  and were beaten by 1-06 to 2-07. Stradbally started with a point from play by Paul Connors, then Kilrossanty got a point and a goal from a penalty to take the lead, then Michael Ahearne scored a point from a free, and then he scored a good goal, and Kilrossanty replied with a point, then a point from Paul Connors from play brought the first half to a close, with Stradbally ahead by a single point, 1-03 to 1-02.

In the second half Kilrossanty got two points from frees within three minutes, Michael Ahearne scored a point from play. Then after a terrible mix up when the Stradbally defence gifted a goal to Kilrossanty, who scored another point from play 4 minutes later, After 15 minutes Eoin O Brien and Kevin Dineen came on to freshen things up, on 20 minutes a point for Kilrossanty from play made it 1-04 to 2-06. After 21 minutes Eoin O Brien scored a point from a free, followed by a point from play to Kilrossanty, then Eoin O Brien got the final score of the match, a point from a free. This was as good a performance as could be expected from this very young team, and should they have taken their points in the first half instead of going for goals we might have had a better result.


View Photos

Stradbally U 15 County Champions

Stradbally 3-26 Abbeyside 0-02 played in Fraher Field on 12-09-2013

View Photos

Minor Champions 2013

Team photo:Left to right
Back row, Sharon Keane,Rosin Curran,Cathriona O Brien,Niamh Power,Yazmin Power, Cara Mullaney,Rebecca Casey.
Front Row, Rachael McGuckian,Laura Cusack,Sheila Heffernan,Grace Heffernan,Valerie Heffernan,Chloe Fennell,Aishling Mullaney.