John Mitchels GAA Club News

MONSTER BINGO
John Mitchels will be holding their first Monster Bingo at their fabulous complex at Ballyseedy on Sunday November 29th from 3.00 – 6.00 p.m. This is a fundraising exercise by the Club and all support would be greatly appreciated. Prize money of €4,000 including a Jackpot of €1,000 MUST be won on the day.

If you can’t play on the day but would like to support this venture, you can still help us by pre-purchasing a book(s) at Reception in the John Mitchels Complex. The books cost €10 or €15. All profit made on the day will be ploughed back into the Juvenile section of the Club.

If you have any empty hamper baskets which you do not need, the Club would appreciate if you could drop them into reception at the Ballyseedy Complex.

SENIORS
The Final Round of Division 2 for John Mitchels Senior team has been set for  2.00 p.m. Sunday December 6th away to St Mary’s. All support greatly appreciated.

CHILD WELFARE COURSE
A Child Welfare Course will take place on November 25th at 7.00p.m. in John Mitchels Complex, Ballyseedy.
All Managers, Mentors and new Members associated with any Juvenile teams should attend this course. Further details will follow.

CLUB BAR
Bookings for Parties etc. can be made by phoning 066 7197070

LOTTO
17/11/2015 – Numbers drawn: 1, 4, 12, 23
No winner
Consolation prize winners:
€100 – Joan O’Keeffe c/o Bingo
€25 – Bernard Keane c/o Peter
€25 – K Kelliher c/o Michael
€25 – Tiny Callaghan c/o Rossa
€25 – Megan Noonan c/o Paddy
Next draw – 24/11/2015 – Jackpot €1,700

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Profile Session with John Dalton

Profile: John Dalton
John Mitchels Senior Player From/To: 1958-1966
John Mitchel’s Club Vice Chairman 1978-1982
Honours Won:
Senior Championship Titles: 5 Senior County titles 1959-1963
Four Senior New York Championships
Player Position: Right Corner Back/Full Back

(Q): What has been one of your greatest accomplishments as a Mitchels player?
(A): “For me it was winning Five County Championship titles in a row. I also played Gaelic football in New York and won four Championships there. It was an accomplishment to be part of a great team and playing alongside my friends. Many of which are lifelong friends.”

(Q): Which players in the club would you have looked up to?
(A): “Niall Sheehy was the outstanding player on the team. We had a very good all-round team with some very good players. But Niall stood out among the best and could always be counted on to give that extra bit that wins matches”.

(Q): Tell me about your memories of the Five in a Row era?
(A): “One game that sticks out in my mind was against South Kerry in Fitzgerald’s Stadium Killarney. At half time South Kerry lead by ten points. Second half we played much better and put on a very good performance. Niall Sheehy scored a goal to level the match in the final minutes. We missed a chance to win the match with a free kick just before the final whistle. Austin Stack Park Tralee was the venue for the replay and we won by four points on the day. The team went on tour in America in 1964. We played several matches in a number of cities including New York, Boston and Chicago. The tour lasted four weeks and was a marvellous experience for all involved. We were one the first club sides to go on tour in America and we were very well received everywhere we went”.

(Q): Who was the most difficult opponent that you had to mark/play against?
(A): “The most difficult opponents I came up against were Mick O Dwyer and Bernie Callaghan. They were very tough to mark you had to be on top of your game to try and defend against both of those players”.

(Q): Can you tell me what was most satisfying about your sport?
(A): “Well it was great to play with a team from your own community. We all loved playing football and were all great friends. It was very satisfying playing with so many winning teams. We had some great celebrations after winning the County titles”.

(Q): What other sports have you been involved in?
(A): “I played Basketball with the Rebels Club from Farmers Bridge. We won a County Championship title in 1960. I also played with the Kerry basketball team and won an All-Ireland title in 1957. Some of my team mates with the Rebels were Niall Sheehy, Dom O’Donnell, Christy Murray and Garry Clifford who played football with Kerins O Rahillys.

(Q): What was training and preparation for games like in your time as a player?
(A): “Training was tough, we would quite often train six nights a week. Monday through until Friday and Sunday evening if we weren’t playing a match on that day. Jacques Mc Donnell was our trainer. He had a very professional approach to both training and games. He would use a black board quite regularly in our team talks to put forward his ideas on tactics. This approach worked very well given the success of the teams that Jacques trained. He trained all six senior championship winning teams and was involved with the three minor championship winning teams as well”.

(Q): What was one of your biggest disappointments as a Mitchels player?
(A): “Well I suppose it was disappointing that we didn’t go on to win a sixth title in a row. We lost our semi-final match against South Kerry in 1964. I immigrated to America in March of 1966 and missed out in a chance of winning a sixth county championship title that year. But I played Gaelic football in New York and won four championships there”.

(Q): If you could change a rule(s) in Gaelic football what would that be?
(A): “I would change the rules regarding the taking of free kicks. First of all I would only allow free kicks to be taken from the ground and not from the hands. Secondly I would not allow a player to kick the ball backwards from a free. Finally when the free kick is taken the ball would be required to travel a distance of a least 20 meters”.

(Q): What are your thoughts on the present and future of the Club?
(A): “I think the future of the club looks great. We have great facilities in Camp Ballyseedy. We also have some very good people working on behalf of the Club. There is great numbers of players throughout the Juvenile teams and if they keep at it only good can come from their efforts. I wish all the teams and all associated with John Mitchels the very best of luck for the future”.
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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 Dervil Townsend (nee Fleming) Monalee, Tralee
To the family of Stephen (James) Allman, McCowens Lane and formerly of London
May they Rest in Peace