SENIOR LADIES:
Training continues on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 7 pm to 8 pm.
MOUTH GUARD:
Please remember that mouth guards for all players under the age of 18 are now compulsory for both training and games. Referees have been directed to not allow any player not wearing a mouth guard to play. Any player who suffers a dental injury in training when not wearing a mouth guard will not be covered by the Injury Fund.
Under 16 Ladies:
Training continues on Thursday 6.00 – 7.00p.m. unless otherwise notified.
U 15 Championship:
U15.B Championship Prelim Round John Mitchels v Na Gael. The winners play Kilcummin or Finuge in Quarter final. There is also a Shield competition this year for teams who lose first game. Loads of football in October !!
U14 Ladies:
We play Strand Rd in the Town League Semi-final and also a North Kerry game is left to play.
All details will be sent by teamer.
Under 16 Boys:
Our next round game will be in a few weeks – away to Kilgarvan/Tuosist.
Training plan will be published next week.
U15 BOYS:
Our U15 Boys came out victorious in the Town Super Tens Tournament last Thursday night in Caherslee. A massive effort from all the team saw them beating Na Gaeil and Austin Stacks on the road to victory. Next up for them is the Munster Tournament and best of luck to the Team and Mentors.
U-12 GIRLS:
Congratulations to Tara Field, Kerry Oba, Caoimhe Leahy and Erica O Connor who were members of the Kerry Ladies U12 team that won the Annual Michael Cullinane Inter County invitational blitz run by Clare LGFA in Doora Barefield Clare last Saturday. Well done girls you did yourselves, your families & John Mitchels GAA Club proud.
U6s:
Huge turnout for our final session and Annual Sylvie Mason Blitz – loads of fun was had by all with medals and goodies for all participants. We would like to thank all under 6 Mentors who contributed so much of their time since February. The Parents/Guardians of the children who brought them to every session and especially the kids, thanks for being brilliant all year for us and we look forward to seeing you all next year
THANK YOU:
Thanks to Horans Fruit & Veg for sponsoring the fruit on Sunday mornings in the members lounge.
Coffee/Tea Club:
Thanks to all involved with the refreshments committee who once again looked after the parents so well and provided some top notch home baking.
This is a great opportunity for all parents to meet up and have a chat and cuppa. All monies collected will go directly back to develop and support the Juvenile teams in the Club and your support is very much appreciated.
BINGO:
Our Bingo continues on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday nights. Bingo is a vital fundraiser for the Club and all funds raised from the Bingo goes directly back into the Club and all support is greatly appreciated.
Follow all our Bingo news on our newly launched Facebook page.
Any member who wishes to volunteer can do so by giving their details to any club officer.
CLUB BAR:
Bookings for Parties etc. can be made by phoning 066 7197070
LOTTO:
13/10/2015 – Numbers drawn: 6, 10, 15, 26
No winner
Consolation prize winners:
€100 – M & K Kelliher c/o Michael
€25 – Poppy Cregan c/o Vincent
€25 – Vera Quirke c/o Brendan
€25 – John Duggan c/o Patrons
€25 – Joan McDonnell c/o Catherine
Next draw – 20/10/2015 – Jackpot €1,600
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Questions & Answers
Session With
Noel Griffin
Profile: Noel Griffin
John Mitchel’s Club
Administrative Assistant
(Q): How did you become involved with John Mitchels Club?
In 2013 I was working in the Kerry Gathering Office in Denny Street, Tralee which was run by Kerry County Council. I was placed there under a CE Scheme sponsored by Friends of Able and my supervisor was Anne Connolly.
In August of that year Anne informed me that the soon to be opened state of the art John Mitchels Sports Complex was looking for someone to take on the role of Administrator. She asked would I be interested in putting my name forward.
Even though I don’t come from a football background I immediately agreed as I was aware of the Mitchels as a club and their sucesses and triumphs. I underwent an interview with the then Chairperson Brìd McElligott and shortly afterwards I was offered the position of Administrator when the Complex opened in October 2013.
(Q): Tell me about your personal experiences with this Club and its members?
From the outset I was made very welcome and at ease by every member, mentor and officer of the club that I encountered.
For this reason there is never a day that I don’t mind coming to work and doing what is asked of me to the best of my ability. I can see first hand that all who are involved in the club in what ever capacity are 100% committed to John Mitchels. This commitment is very evident when you see everybody working together with a common interest and it’s nice to be part of that now.
(Q): What has the John Mitchels complex to offer the general public as well as Mitchels players and club members?
First and foremost it offers a safe child friendly environment in spacious, pleasant and well maintained surroundings. It is centrally located just minutes from Tralee Town Centre and close to all major routes leading to and from Tralee.
It offers numerous sporting options for example: 3 full size playing pitches, one of which is under lights. An astro-turf pitch, also under lights. A full size indoor sports hall. A gym, sauna and steam room and also the relaxing members lounge can be used for meetings if so wished. There are ample comfortable dressing rooms with showers available for anyone using any of the facilities mentioned.
Birthday parties is another service that we offer and in conjunction with Active Kingdom bouncy castles are now available to hire through them. The Complex is now opened from 9.00am to 10.00pm on most days. Our Gym is also opened from 9am and is managed by Damien Ryall of E-Fitness.
Damien can be contacted directly regarding classes and programmes that are being offered. So I do think that the facilities we offer here in Ballyseedy are unique to John Mitchels
(Q): How important is social media to a club like John Mitchels?
Social media is hughly important to GAA clubs like John Mitchels and I think not with just the younger generation but with people of all ages.
Mostly everyone nowaday has a Facebook page or a Twitter account or both. Many people check their social media several times a day.
From the Club point of view it is a very useful way in which to notify members of upcoming events, changes to events or fixtures, sharing match results as they happen. It is also used for posting photographs of our various teams/players or members or any other social gathering that may be taking place.
(Q): In your opinion what are the biggest challenges facing GAA Clubs today?
From my experience with a GAA club the biggest challenges would be firstly the recruitment of young players.
I think that you need to get as many young players involved in a club at this level and work with them and encourage them up along the ranks and to make it enjoyable and fun for them. Secondly once players get to senior level the threat of work committments and also nowadays, immigration can be quite severe on a club.
Senior players give a lot of their time to training and maintaining their fitness levels which limits their spare time.
Then there is the economic challenge which is a huge factor. I have seen first hand the enormous effort, time and hard work that the mentors, members and officers put in to fundraise for the club which is vital, as a facility of this nature is costly to run. Another challenge is bringing new volunteers on board to share this load.
(Q): Tell me about your day to day role working in the Complex?
My day to day role in the Complex can be very varied. It involves general office work which includes keeping accounts, taking bookings for the facilities. We provide and update social media and web page.
Invoicing various clubs and organisations for use of club facilities. This time of year pitch lights need to be monitored. Securing the complex at night is another aspect to my job here, also if a dressing rooms needs cleaning or a floor needs to be mopped I will turn my hand to that. So I can say that my job is never boring or mundane which is what I like about it.
(Q): What advice would you give to people who may be interested in becoming involved with John Mitchel’s Club?
I would advise anyone to come along to the Complex here in Ballyseedy and see first hand what we have to offer.
From my time here I can see that it is very much family orientated and everyone pitches in from young to not so young.
I know that anyone wishing to get involved with John Mitchels will be made very welcome and will benefit enormously, as will John Mitchels because with each new member/volunteer coming on board that person brings new and fresh ideas with them which is a good thing.
(Q) What are your overall thoughts on the Present and Future of the Club?
I think the Club at present is in a good place.
It has an excellent Manager in Humphrey Shanahan and dedicated club officers who put in a lot of personal time for the good of the Club.
Also there are a lot of background workers that keep the club looking as good as it can as first impressions are very important. I know from personal experience the people that I have met coming into the complex for the first time are so impressed by what it has to offer, its cleanliness and the overall ambiance of it.
This is very positive in the sense that for every person that you impress or make an impact on, that person will relate their experience to several other people. Word of mouth then spreads that John Mitchels is a state of the art facility.
I think as long as the Club maintains its current level of committment by all that are involved from players of all age groups, Mentors, Members, Officers and all Volunteers and Workers and with an eye on the business side of things also, that our future is safe.
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MERCHANDISE:
A full range of Tracksuits, Tops and shorts for all age groups are available at John Mitchels Complex. Great value on offer and ideal for anyone at home or abroad.
JOHN MITCHELS SPORTS COMPLEX:
Our Sports Complex at Camp Ballyseedy is available for bookings on the Sports Hall and All Weather pitch. The Complex is also open for children’s parties. Further information contact the Club reception on 066 7197070.
SYMPATHY:
To the family of Teresa Lynch (nee O’Mahony), Mitchels Avenue and formerly of Rock St, Tralee
To the family of Michael Loughlin, St Brendan’s Park and formerly of Stacks Villas, Tralee
To the family of Patrick O’Neill, Connolly Park and late of Lixnaw and Kells, Co Kilkenny
To the family of Walter Burghoff, Curraheen, Tralee
To the family of Anne Kelliher, Donnybrook and Sandymount Dublin and late of Tralee
To the family of Michael Quirke, Lohercannon and formerly of Casements Avenue, Tralee
To the family of Helen O’Reilly, (nee Foley) Monavalley, Tralee
To the family of Nora Campbell (nee Murphy), Talaught, Fenit and Woodlee, Monavalley, Tralee
To the family of Margaret (Peggy) Lyons (nee Cronin) Chutehall, Tralee and formerly of Renagown and Dromadda Mor
To the family of Peg Lynch (nee Savage) St. Brendan’s Park, Tralee and formerly Kilquane, Ballymacelligott,
May they Rest in Peace
