GRASSROOTS

Lotto - The numbers drawn on Friday, 21 December in the lotto were 3, 17, 10 and 2 and we’re delighted to announce that the jackpot of €5300 was won by Vincent Duffy.

Just in time for Christmas, Vincent is the first winner of the Bray Emmets Club lotto jackpot so congratulations to him. The jackpot now reverts to €1000 next week and once again, we urge all our members to register for the Lotto at www.brayemmets.com. Christmas message - The management committee wishes all our members, players, coaches and volunteers a peaceful Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Thanks to you, the club has made great strides on and off the pitch in 2012 and your efforts are greatly appreciated.

Once again, we have ambitious plans for next year and we hope we can depend on your support in 2013.

There are lots of activities and events planned over the coming twelve months and we would ask all members to get involved, even at a small level, to ensure our club continues to go from strength to strength.BE FIT - Bray Emmets Fun In Training - Bray Emmets is beginning its own version of Operation Transformation called BE FIT (Bray Emmets Fun In Training) beginning very early in January.

Registration for the course will be held on Saturday, 5 January at the clubhouse between midday and 1pm.

The course is for 10 weeks, will be held every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday and ends on St Patrick’s Day with a 5K run through the town as part of the parade.

It will cost €60 for club members which works out at €2 per session over the 10 weeks. Nonmembers will be charged €80. The group will consist of women and men with levels of fitness ranging from none to triathletes.

We will include an optional weekly weigh in and run a competition for the biggest loser in weight terms. This is different than any other fitness class (es), as it will put an emphasis on fun and fitness going hand in hand.

If you want to be part of it – or want to ask a nonmember along to take part, contact any of the following below for further details.

PJ Cunningham (086-8217631); Rosemary O’Grady (087-9946787); Paul Cunningham (0868243700); Frances Stephenson (087-2499362); Brenda Maloney (086-1991119); Ron Mooney (ronniemooney68@hotmail.com)

Review of the Year 2012 - The club enjoyed a successful year with a host of silverware being brought back to Bray.

In May, our Senior hurlers won the Division 3 Leinster League title by defeating fellow Wicklow side Carnew Emmets in Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow.

However, the same opponents sent us crashing out of the county championship at the semi-final stage but hopefully a county final appearance isn’t too far away for this group of players.

The Junior hurlers claimed the county championship trophy in November by just edging out near neighbours Eire Og Greystones in a keenly contested final with the usual blend of youth and experience providing the backbone of the team!

A hat-trick of hurling titles was secured when our Minor hurlers bounced back from a controversial drawn county final to emerge victorious against old rivals Glenealy in the replay.Under the guidance of former Kerry player, Stephen Stack, the Senior footballers made huge progress after a disappointing 2011 and can count themselves unlucky not to have reached the county final, losing to Baltinglass after a replay in the semi-final.

Similarly, our Minor Footballers lost out at the same stage but the players can look back with pride on their achievements this year.

However, there was no hard luck story for our Junior footballers, who recovered from a poor league campaign, to end the season as county champions after a faultless performance in the final against Blessington played in Aughrim in October.

The juvenile section of the club also enjoyed a number of highlights throughout the year.

The U-16 girls won their camogie final and football Shield final while their counterparts in hurling also claimed championship honours.

The U-12 hurling squad secured a county title and Division 3 honours in Dublin, the U-12 girls won their football Shield final and the U-14 camogie team performed superbly to reach the Division 4 Feile final.

While not all of our underage teams may have won a trophy this year, our players have shown plenty of promise and we look forward to their achievements in 2013.Away from the action on the pitch, the club once again hosted a very successful Kick Fada competition in September and the event is now becoming an important date on the national GAA calendar.

We also ran a number of innovative programmes like the ‘Mum and Me’ camogie training sessions for our members and such activities will continue to be run in the New Year.

Our renovated clubhouse was also officially reopened this year and we now boast facilities that would be the envy of any club in Ireland. 2012 has been a fantastic year for everyone involved with Bray Emmets and let’s hope 2013 is as good!Mailing list - The club notes are also circulated every week by e-mail. To be included on this mailing list, please send your details to brayemmetspro@gmail.com and we will be happy to include you in future correspondence. Páidí Ó Sé R.I.P. - GAA fans around the country were saddened by the recent passing of Kerry legend Páidí Ó Sé.

Our Senior football manager for 2012, Stephen Stack, arranged for Páidí to come to Bray to speak to the team earlier in the year and it was hardly surprising when the Ventry great delivered an inspiring and motivating talk, one of many he had made throughout his career.

He left quite an impression on the players who appreciated the opportunity to talk to one of the icons of modern football. Bray Emmets GAA club extend our deepest sympathy to the Ó Sé family. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam.

GAA season ticket - Get your 2013 GAA season ticket now. At a base price of €85 for adults and €10 for juveniles, the great value season ticket offers purchasers convenience, exclusive extras such as ‘bring a friend’ options and it rewards loyalty by providing supporters with the opportunity to purchase an All-Ireland final ticket.

The season ticket includes your entire county’s Allianz league round matches plus all league semi-finals, play-offs and finals. In addition, free entry into your county’s opening championship fixture and into the AIB club finals on March 17 is included. The GAA season ticket makes an ideal Christmas gift! For more information and to purchase your ticket visit www.gaa.ie/seasonticket.

KILBRIDE

Last Sunday the lotto jackpot was not won. The numbers drawn were 6, 13, 18 and 28.

The five €20 winners were Simone Cullen, Keith Clarke, Larry O’Connor, Declan Byrne and Aoife McGowan. Next Draw will take place on January 13. Kilbride/Lacken juvenile club are holding a defibrillation-training day on a Saturday in February next year – aimed at any Gaelic coaches or people involved in the local Kilbride/Lacken community dealing with youth participation.

The training will last approximately half a day, held in Kilbride and will also include basic first aid training.

If you are interested in attending, contact Diarmuid on 086-3113443 or email diarmuid@careerguidance.ie – the cost of the training will be free.

We wish all players, members and supporters a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

DUNLAVIN

Congratulations to everyone who won prizes in our recent Christmas club draw, a full list of the winners are as follows: Solid Fuel Stove: Mark Walsh; Monster Hamper: Martin Conway; €200 Fuel Voucher: Helen Foley; Bottle of Brandy: Amy Conroy; Bottle of Whiskey: Linda Darker; Bottle of Vodka: Carmel Caplis; Bottle of Wine: Paddy Guing.

Thank you to everyone who supported the draw.Our last lotto draw was held on December 24 and the winning numbers were 8, 15, 18, and 21.

There was no winner of the jackpot but we had five match three winners getting €50 each - they were Gretta Conroy, David Gibbons, Thomas Kirwan, Linda Darker and Claire O'Toole.

The lotto is now a whopping €12,800. So please buy a ticket for €2.00 and support the future running of our club.

Club gear is still on sale and available to anyone looking for the ideal gifts or even to treat themselves.

There are caps, watches, polo shirts, jackets and hoodies.Also keep up to date with all of the news with Dunlavin GAA Facebook page, just log on and ‘Like’ and join in the craic, news and banter with our friends and family from home and abroad.

BALLYMANUS

Happy New Year to one and all. Thanks for all your support in 2012 and here's hoping that 2013 proves lucky for us as we again search for that coveted championship title.

The club’s Annual General Meeting will serve to get things on the way for 2013 and it takes place this Friday night (January 4) at 7.30pm in the hall.

All players, members, and supporters are asked to attend. There was no lotto jackpot win- ner for the draw held Sunday December 23.

The numbers drawn were 6, 16, 18, and 19 with Paul Murphy and John O'Keeffe the only match three winners.

Well done to everyone who supported the Halloween party in late October, where a whopping €1450 was raised for Crumlin hospital.

Thanks in particular to those that helped out, and to all the local businesses that sponsored raffle prizes. Finally, congratulations to Padraig and Martina on their recent engagement.

RATHNEW

Lotto: numbers drawn - 7, 18, 25, and 26. No jackpot winner. One match 3 winner - Jemo c/o Andy Jameson €200. Jackpot now stands at €2,400.

Next draw is on Wednesday January 2 in Doyle’s.

There was a committee meeting on December 20. Top of agenda was election of Senior manager.

Declan Byrne was duly elected as Senior manager for the 2013 season.

His selectors are Brefni Doyle and Alan Clarke. Best of luck lads.

The club would like to thank all those who applied for the position.

Vivienne O'Neill was elected onto the committee.

The calendars are still available and are ideal for posting to our exiles!

Good to see some new faces joining the fundraising committee.

The club extends its sympathy to the Collard family on their recent loss of Lily.

And also to all the families of the village and beyond who have lost loved ones in 2012.

Get well message to Mags Gregory who we would like to thank for all her help and contributions.

Anyone interested in the position of Intermediate football manager for the 2013 season please submit your notice of interest to club secretary Laurance Ellis.

Rathnew GAA Club would like to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

NEWCASTLE

The Eddie Farrell Memorial Cup took place in Newcastle on December 29 in Healy Farrell Park.

The Newcastle Homeboys took on the Newcastle Exiles and what a match.

The game started with mixed fortunes for the Homeboys. They were first on the scoreboard with a good goal from Colman Kelly but then they lost captain Robbie O’Gara to injury. Luckily there was an eager young sub on the line who came on and gave Redser a torrid time!

Gradually the Exiles took command with a series of well taken points and some silken skills from Shane Doyle and with Mick Neary minding the net.

The deciding score came from the foot of Ben Doyle who took a ball into his chest and found the net with a low hard strike. There were three penalties saved and the game finished Homeboys 1-4, Exiles 1-7.

The presentations for players of the year took place later that evening in the Castle Inn.

Players choice for player of the year went to Shane McGee, while the manager's choice went to Christian ‘Kicky’ Mulligan. “This award was well deserved and long overdue,” declared Kicky modestly.

Belated congratulations to Gretta Wheatley who recently won the Newcastle GAA jackpot of €9,000.

Finally we wish all friends and supporters of Newcastle GAA club a very happy new year!

STRATFORD-GRANGECON

Stratford-Grangecon lotto results for Thursday December 27.

This week's jackpot: €10,250, the winning numbers were 03, 16, 29, and 30.

No jackpot winner. Two match 3 winners (share €250) - Jim Robertson, (seller: Pat Bollard); Maria Donohoe, (seller: Orla Kelly).

Next draw - Monday January 7 in Moore's of Grangecon at 9.30pm. Seller's prizes - Margaret Cronin, Tony Ovington. May we take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and healthy New Year. And the club would like to thank everyone for all your support in 2012.

ST PATRICK’S

On Saturday 29th we held our “Eve of the Gathering” celebrations where members of the 1987 championship winning teams (U-16 football, U-21 football, and Intermediate football) joined up to reminisce about former glories 25 years on.

It was great to see people such as Rory Tallon, Cormac Connolly, Padraig Connolly and Eddie King who all travelled back to Wicklow to make the night, and while some of the players may no longer be able to get around a pitch as quickly, some of the singing voices haven't deteriorated! Congratulations to the St. Patrick’s players who received their national league medals at a function in the Arklow Bay recently, and best of luck to all our players who are part of the county squads in 2013.

The club would like to express its sympathy to the Furlong family on the loss of their mother Nuala who passed away over Christmas. Finally we would like to wish all our members and friends a very happy 2013.

NEWTOWN

Newtown GAA wishes all our players, friends and supporters a happy New Year and hope that all your dreams for 2013 are fulfilled.

Also happy New Year to our sponsors throughout the year particularly those who have sponsored hoardings at our pitch and Paul McShane who has sponsored our Senior team for 2012 and will continue his sponsorship in 2013.

Congratulations are sent to Paul O'Riordan and Lisa Fahey on the recent arrival of their daughter, Mae.

Also best wishes to our Vice-president John Ellis on celebrating his 80th birthday recently - Looking good John.

At our recent AGM the following officers were elected. President: Fr Smith, Chairman: Sean Tiernan, Vice Chairman: Ally Taylor, Secretary: Dominic Leech, Treasurer: James Kelly, Asst Treasurer: Jim Sullivan, PRO: Lisa Fahey, Children's Officer: Paul O'Riordan, Registrar: Brian Doyle/James Kelly.

We wish our incoming committee all the best for the coming year.

The Fureys and Davey Arthur will play a concert in the Parkview Hotel on Saturday, February 2 at approx 8pm with proceeds to the Newtown ladies football team. Tickets priced at €20 are available in Nolan's Stores, Parkview Hotel, and Dominic Leech.

WICKLOW LADIES FOOTBALL

Wicklow Ladies Football wish all of our players, friends and supporters a Happy New Year. We also thank all our sponsors particularly Shay Fitzmaurice in Wicklow Times who sponsored our Intermediate county team this year.

We hope that all of your hopes and dreams for 2013 come to fruition and that recent successes are built upon.

Good luck friends in 2013!

ANNACURRA

The club would like to extend our condolences to the family of Elsie Healy on her recent sad loss. May she rest in peace.

We are excited to announce the appointment of a new manager for the Senior football team, Richie Lynch, formally of Meath.

Richie has managed Ferns in Wexford lately and we would like to wish him the best of luck in the forthcoming year.

Membership is now due from all. Players membership is €100 and includes a ticket for the county board draw. Students are €45 with a half ticket for the county draw and non players is €20.

There is club merchandise available for sale, iPhone covers and mugs in club colours with the crest on them. 20% of revenue goes to the club. Please see annacurragaaclub.com/merchandise for details.

Please contact the club PRO Sean McGrath on 086 3508941 if you don't wish to order via the website.

The club would like to take this opportunity to extend the best of wishes for the forthcoming year to all, we hope it will be a great year.

GAA lotto results for December 17: Numbers: 5, 11, 22, and 23. No Jackpot winner. Match 3 winners: Jimmy Cullen, Annacurra; Helen Fitzgerald, Preban; Maire Carty, Preban; Johnny Walsh, Tinahely.

Results for December 23: Numbers: 9, 13, 17, and 18. No Jackpot winner. Match 3 winners: Nuala Molloy, Aughrim and Kevin Stapleton Snr, Annacurra. Jackpot stands at €3,850. Next draw takes place on Monday night the January 7 in the Saltee.

BLESSINGTON

Well done to all you played and supported the Annual Charity over 35's match on St Stephen’s Day where the soccer beat the GAA. Well,there is always next year lads. In the second game, the Ray Daniels, it was nil all at full time with the GAA beating the soccer on penalties. Well done to our lads Barry Murphy, Anthony and Michael McLoughlin on the county team who received their Division 4 league winners medals at a function in the Arklow Bay on Friday December 28. Birthday wishes to Paddy Magee. The O’Byrne Cup match v DCU will be in Greystones on Sunday January 6 at 2pm so please support our club lads.

On January 6 in Blessington at 11am the Wicklow Minors take on St Kevins CC Dunlavin. Please support the club lads as this is the first game for the Wicklow Minors.

Blessington G.A.A. club are seeking suitable managers at Senior, Junior, Minor and U-16 levels and also at Ladies Senior.

Applications please before January 7 to Pat Molloy, An Demesne, Blessington, Co. Wicklow or at blessoteammgt@gmail.com.

Our Club Sevens will start in early January so if interested in playing contact Barry O’Donovan.

The West Winter League will commence on January 13. Our first lotto of 2013 is on January 15 in Murphy's with the Jackpot at €9600.

We wish all our members, players, supporters, sponsors and committees a very happy, healthy, safe and successful 2013.

We thank you all for your fantastic support on and off the field during 2012.