Blessington claim the All County Division 2 title in sunny Ballinakill

BLESSINGTON Take Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Honours for first time

Blessington No 1 school claimed the All County Division 2 Allianz Cumann na mBunscol title for the first time after a series of very exciting matches played in summer like conditions in the new Centre of Excellence in Ballinakill.

On their way to their victory they had wins over Kilcoole National School, Roundwood National School, Newtown National School and Hollywood National School. Well done to all teams that participated on the day and to all the teachers and parents who travelled on the day.

Donard Claim Allianz Boys Football Division 3 County title

The best teams in the county come together for the Allianz boys Division 3 football finals in the new Wicklow GAA Centre of Excellence in Ballinakill.

There were superb skills on show and every team gave their all. There were teams from the west, south and north of the county.

Division 3: St. Peter's, Donard, Kilmac and Kilbride. Donard emerged victorious with St. Peter's as runners-up. Well done to all on their participation and to all the referees and county coaches on such a successful event. Regional INTO Skills Challenges The regional skills challenges took place last week. The football skills included soloing with left/right foot, fist passing with left/right hand and the hook kick with left/right foot.

The hurling/camogie skills included soloing, ground striking on the run from alternate sides and jab lifting and striking on the run from the hand.

Each school was permitted to send two representatives per code to compete in Gaelic Football (boys), Gaelic Football (girls), Hurling, Camogie.

The North East INTO Skills Challenge was held in Bray Emmets on Wednesday, April 2. It was a very wet day, but despite the conditions each child represented their school impeccably and there were fine skills on show.

The schools represented were Glenealy, Kilcoole, St. Cronan's, St. Brigid's, St. Kevin's, Moneystown, Rathdrum, Kilmac and Newtown.

Thanks to Bray Emmets for the use of their facilities, to the county coaches for administering the skills tests, and particularly Garrett Doyle for his organisation of the event.

County Finals of the INTO Skills Challenge - The top two pupils in each code were invited to compete in the County Primary Schools Skill Tests on Wednesday 9th April in Wicklow GAA Centre of Excellence, Ballinakill, Rathdrum Co Wicklow.

The participants were as follows - Boys Football: Zach Cullen (Rathdrum BNS0, Cian Hynes (St Brigids Greystones), Conor Mullen (Dunlavin NS), Cormac Burke (Grangecon NS), Matthew Ging (Crossbridge NS), Cillian McDonald (Crossbridge NS).

Girls Football - Megan Quigley (Kilcoole NS), Alice O'Neill (St Kevin's Greystones), Maude Robinson (Kilcommon NS), Aisling Winterbottom (Kilcommon NS), Katie Maguire (Hollywood NS), Louise McGeer (Grangecon).

Hurling - Charlie Cruise (Glenealy NS), Luke Dorgan (St Kevin's Greystones), Eoin Young (Carnew), John Toomey (Aughrim), Jamie Furlong (Talbotstown), Tom Moran (Dunlavin).

Camogie - Amy Switzer (Donard NS), Eimear Doyle (Talbotstown), Katie O'Byrne (Aughrim), Sofie Birmingham (Rathcoyle), Chloe Byrne (Kilcoole NS), Lucy McCabe (Kilcoole NS).

The final results were as follows - Boys Football - Winner: Matthew Ging (Crossbridge NS).

Hurling - Winner: Charlie Cruise (Glenealy NS); Runner Up: John Toomey (Aughrim NS).

Girls Football - Winner: Katie Maguire (Hollywood); Runner Up: Louise McGeer (Grangecon).

Camogie - Winner: Eimear Doyle (Talbotstown).

These top performing pupils in the county skills tests will have the opportunity to represent their school and county during half-time in selected All-Ireland Series games during the summer. Comhghairdeas!

Girls' Allianz Football League is the next event. This will take place on May 6 at 11am in Roundwood. This is a nine-aside blitz and teams will have been put into divisions on Wicklow Times Shield Day.

However if you didn't attend that day you are still welcome to attend. Winning teams will go forward to county finals which will be fixed for a date in May or June in Ballinakill. Please contact Claire Frawley on 01-2876597 if interested.

Please send results, reports or photos to pro.cnmb.wicklow@gaa.ie.