GRASSROOTS

KILCOOLE

Juveniles - Our juvenile coaching sessions continue this week The following is our schedule:

Monday: Nursery: introductory program to Gaelic games including lots of fun and activities. (For kids born in 2009 and 2010) - 6.15-7.15pm.

U-8 football (for kids born in 2006 and 2007) - 6.30 - 7.30pm.

U-10 football (for kids born in 2004 and 2005) - 7.15-8.15pm. U-10 football continues every Monday. Tuesday - U-10 hurling continues every Tuesday

Wednesday - U-6 hurling and football (for kids born in 2008 and 2009) - 6.30 - 7-15pm.

U-8 hurling (for kids born in 2006 and 2007) - 7.15-8.15pm. U-12 football - 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Thursday - U-12 hurling 7 to 8pm. All are welcome to attend. If you have not attended our open days for registration do not worry, call up and we can register on the day.

U-8 and U-10 Go Games blitzes - Last Friday, after a very successful opening round of U-8 and U-10 hurling blitz in Kilcoole, the attention switched to football.

Our young stars made the trip to Roundwood where we took on teams from Avondale, St Pat's of Wicklow and Roundwood.

We had a fantastic turnout by kids and parents as we lined out three teams at under-8 level with a total of 35 kids taking part.

For the players just up from U-6 level this was their first taste of a football blitz. Well done to all players, ye did yourselves, your parents and the club very proud. The next blitz is a hurling blitz on April 25 in Bray.

Under-12 football - Kilcoole U-12 footballers had their fist match in the league on Monday night away to Ashford.

We had a good turnout of players and everyone got game time and had a great chance to show what they were capable of.

Kilcoole started off very well and got some early scores to settle the nerves.

Luke O'Callaghan at midfield and Jamie Murray at half forward were combining well and dominating the play.

In defence Eoin Byrne, Olly Newsome and Shane Collins were rock solid and had great support from Charlie Traynor, Chloe Byrne and Fionn Mansfield, and Aaron Keddy in goal.

In the forwards Tom Fitzgerald, Elliot Hatton, and Robyn Evans all worked really hard and got their reward with some great scores for the team.

In the second half Ben O'Neill at midfield put in a man of the match performance, and was well supported by half time substitutes Conor Daye, Taylor Brandon (who got the point of the game, when she finished off a flowing move from midfield) and Lucy Rooney.

This was a great performance for our first game and gives all the players (and mentors) a great incentive to work hard at training and enjoy a great summer of Gaelic football.

Scorers - Jamie Murray 2-1, Tom Fitzgerald 1-2, Ben O'Neill 0-3, Elliot Hatton 0-2, Taylor Brandon 0-2, Luke O'Callaghan 0-1.

Training is on Wednesday nights at 6.30pm in the field.

Under-14 hurling - U-14 hurling. This week on Wednesday 16th our hurlers play their second game of the league away to Tinahely, details to be confirmed during the week.

Congratulations to Leo Hanney, Glen Dunne, Oisin Curry and Thomas Moorehouse who represented Kilcoole on the U-14 county hurling team which beat Meath and lost narrowly to Carlow in two very good games last Saturday morning in Ballinakill. Well done lads.

Under-16 Football - Kilcoole U-16 footballers got their league campaign off to a winning start against Derry Gaels away in Annacurra on a score line of Kilcoole 3-09, Derry Gaels 1-08.

It is always nice to get off to a winning start in what was a good all round ream performance. We got off to the perfect start with early goals from Brian Murray and Arron McKenna.

These early goals proved decisive at the end as Derry Gaels pushed us all the way and we were grateful to our 'keeper Eoin Vines for two great saves at a crucial stage of the game, one of these from a peno.

It was a game of two halves as we dominated the first half, where we played some lovely attacking football and were rewarded with some fine scores. It was pleasing to have to seven different scorers- Jack Bellamy 0-2, Dylan O'Brien 0-1, Ryan Heffernan 0-2, Nathan Corkish 0-1, Arron McKenna1-1.

Brian Murray chased and harried every ball in around the square and was duly rewarded with a personal score of 2-1.

Our forwards were ably assisted by Patrick Byrne, Conor Rubleclava and Killian Hannon. However we were more on the defensive in the second half. and we had to depend on Conor Murphy Toole who played a captain's part.

Luke Evans dominated the half back line and also scored two points. Eamonn Cooke and Jordan Murray defended bravely as it was all hands to the deck in the last quarter.

There are a lot of positives to take from this performance and the lads should be proud of their performance away from home and build on this victory. Well done lads

Our U-16s capped a very busy week with a hurling victory aswell with a 3-14 to 1-07 win over Avondale.

Junior Hurling - Our Junior hurlers travelled to Mountmellick on Saturday last to take on the local team in the semi final of the Leinster league.

You would think the name of the competition would give the location of our match away, however our management team and two of our more experienced players got a little confused and ended up in Thurles trying to get into Semple Stadium.

As a result the match was delayed for a while but eventually the ref got impatient and called for the game to commence without Gerry Murray and Ciaran Doyle, who at this stage were making their way to McDonagh Park in Nenagh.

This game was unique in a way that Kilcoole used three3 goalies throughout the day!

Gleaso started in goals but had to leave after 10 minutes to train for three rounds of boxing in the dressing room after the game.

This challenge came from an unusual and unexpected source that will remain nameless.

So off trotted Gleaso and in came Doyler, who, after his trip to Tipp, was quiet fatigued and requested to play the remainder of the first half in goals.

With all this interruption it was a miracle that we managed to keep a clean sheet of goals in the first half.

However, at half time normal service resumed and we placed our regular goalie, Jay, in goals and conceded three goals in the second half.

Kilcoole, although not conceding a goal in the first, were 10 points down at half time.

We battled well in the second half to score seven second half points. We eventually ran out on the wrong side of a 3-14 to 10 point defeat.

Special mention must go to Vinny Quigley who left a wedding in Naas (at least he was in the same province) to line out at centre back and give his usual all action display.

The team in full was: Gleaso, JP, Chris Pharrell, Mikey O Brien, Hughesie (0.01), Vinny, Eggy, Eoiny (0.02) and Darragh Keddy, John O Brien, Paddy O Brien (0.01) Jay Walsh, Rambo, Ronan Keddy (0.06), Rosco. Doyler for Gleaso, Murray for John O Brien, John O Brien for Rosco.

Our first league game takes place on Wednesday April 23 at home to Western Gaels at 7.15pm.

Our weekly lotto was finally won on Monday, April 7. A syndicate from Newtown, ably assisted by a few Kilcoolers took the top prize of €13,200.

I would like to remind this syndicate that the lotto continues every week and this week it will recommence at the tidy sum of €2,000.

ENNISKERRY

Lotto - Winning numbers were 6, 13, 20, and 25. Bonus 39. No jackpot winner, match three numbers receive €63 each. Jackpot April 14 will be €10,700. Thanks to all buyers and sellers of lotto tickets for continued support.

Adult hurling - Training continues on Wednesday on the pitch starting at 7.30pm.

New players welcome, the Junior Hurling League commences on Wednesday April 23 with a home fixture v Kiltegan.

For more info contact Jim D'Arcy at 0872021485.

Development Draw - The first draw this year has been deferred to April 25. There is a total prize fund of €66,750 this year for the three draws which take place on Friday, April 25, Friday, May 16, Friday, June 20. Tickets cost €50 for all three draws. Tickets are available from Gary Kavanagh 0868567262, Dara Connolly 086-1741050.

Adult football: Men - The men's team played Barndarrig in St. Mary's Park on Saturday, winning an intensely fought game by one point on a score line of 2-8 to 1-10.

The game started at a blistering pace as the visitors attacked restlessly but coming away with no scores. The home team started to influence the game more as the evergreen veteran Gary Kavanagh got the midfield moving providing the platform for the forwards to do their work.

Craig Williams at wing forward started to cut the visitors open with his decisive runs and flat passing yield goals for Alan King and Anto O'Neil. Brendan Barton was moving well and keeping the visitors defence busy while the raiding wing backs provided the overlaps outside the wing forwards. But the visitors rallied and points from number 9 Michael Murphy had the score line tied at 2-3 to 9 points.

The second half again started at a blistering pace and the home team picked off four vital points early in the half but the visitors would not be denied.

A formation change and suddenly they went on an all out attacked bringing a goal which left them one behind and a fisted chance that rattled the crossbar from the big number 8.

Enniskerry now changed formation and went looking for the score that would secure the game but both teams were guilty of misses and the game was poised to swing either way.

Then from kick out Barndarrig came on a promising looking counter attack down the right wing which was broken up and the ball was shipped to Stephen King now roaming midfield, right man in the right place and the ball screamed over the bar.

Again, from the kick out the visitors game and had their attack broken up only for the ball to be given back to them in a dangerous position which gained them a kickable free on the 21.

With so many players in way the ball was tapped over for a point and the final whistle was sounded on the kick out. Stephen King, Alan King, Gary Kavangh and Craig Williams shone for the home team. Enniskerry would like to wish Nicky Sinnott of Barndarrig the best as he suffered an injury near the end of the game.

Ladies Football - The women made the long early trip to Tinahely on Sunday morning but came way with a win on a score line of 3-8 to 1-2 lead by Jenny Vahey.

Scores came from all over the team. Impressive displays came from Heather Blackburn, Tara Mullin, Ashling Driver, Oral Kearns, Shauna Kearns, the full back line and Ailish Kelly. The entire team played extremely well with the subs also making a big impact.

The win gave Enniskerry their first points in the league putting them back in the race for the title.

Under 16 - An excellent display by the under-16 Kilmananogue Enniskerry team saw them run out winners by 4-12 to 0-09 against Ashford in the first league game of the new season on Monday night. The first half was quite close with only three points between the teams at the break.

Rhys Cope, William Coogan , Sam OCallaghan and Noel Nolan lead the scoring on the night with 19 points between them.

James Cahill, Alan Acres, AJ Porter and Jack Conroy also contributed to the scoreboard. Conor Mansfield was excellent at the back and was very well supported by Paul McGlone, Brandon Scully, Owen Corrigan, Max Traem and Jamie Dempsey.

Ian Kirwin made some excellence saves and kept a clean sheet between the sticks on the night. The team look forward to the next league game against Newtown on Monday 14th at 7pm at Enniskerry. This hopefully will see the return from injury of Michael Holly, Mark Mullen and Stephen Mullery and this should strengthen the team even further.

The club cake sale will take place on the Sunday the 20th from 9 till 1. Please contact Gary Kavanagh on 086-8567262 for more details.

EIRE OG GREYSTONES

Wicklow's NFL defeat of Tipperary, who have been showing some form on the Gaelic football field over the last few years, has come as a welcome morale boost for the team going into the championship.

Before the game the cognoscenti would have seen it as somewhat of a David (Wicklow) versus Goliath contest so Cill Mantáin's victory came as a huge surprise to many.

The manner of its accomplishment had the substance of a fairytale and for us in Éire Óg it was particularly gratifying in that our own Darren Hayden played an important part in its achievement.

Two minutes 48 seconds remaining, Wicklow seven points down and the action deep in its territory. Darren collects the ball inside the 45 and bursts out of defence in graceful athletic flight and holds possession until he is 10m inside the 45 on the other side.

He offloads to Rory Finn who cleverly lobs the keeper.

Two minutes 20 seconds left, the kick-out, the Tipp effort overcooked. Wicklow keeper collects, passes to corner back who finds Darren in a tight situation almost on the sideline.

Darren dodges and weaves into the middle and passes to Niall Gaffney charging forward. The ball, after passing through a few other Garden County hands finds its way to the net. Just seconds left and the seemingly impossible happens.

The Clare football manager on hearing an account of the match uttered in astonishment “if it had happened in NY it would have been attributed to the mafia” implying of course that Wicklow's triumph amounted to a grand larceny.

One would consider this a slightly unfair assessment and feels it should be seen more in the light of the efforts of the ram in Frank Sinatra's hit “High Hopes”, a just reward for persistence.

Junior A - During the week the Junior A footballers recorded a heartening victory, 0-16 to 1-09, over a good and competitive Ashford side in the second round of the league.

The team's performance was a balm to the management's frustration at its surrender of a big lead in the dying minutes of the first round game against Emmets. Éíre Óg really played well in the first half and had built up a four point lead at the break.

However, they set their supporters hearts aflutter with the concession of 1-02 in the third quarter. Thankfully the loss in the team's shape in this period was only temporary and the lads regained the upper hand in the latter stages and sent over five excellently executed and unanswered points.

Willie O'Hagan (0-7, 5 frees), Ronan Hanaway, James Cranley (0-2), Daniel Webb (0-3) and Andrew Walsh showed to advantage. Other scorers were Seán Ryder (0-1), Eddie Davis (0-2) and Darren Quigley (0-1).

U-12 football - The lifeblood of a club lies in its juvenile section and while players are a sine qua non of its existence, these, without enthusiastic and suitable mentors, would not serve much of a purpose.

Thankfully at the moment we have both at u-12 in girls' and boys' football and each group has had a busy few days.

In boys u-12 the format of competition is designed to ensure that sideline time for players is minimal; competitions involve two 11-a-side teams from each club playing one another on a modified pitch with possession limited to 2 plays of the ball (1 hop, 1 solo).

This makes for a free- flowing game and helps to prevent the games being over-dominated by the stronger players which can be a problem at this level. The elimination of the one-two would also, one suggests, be a positive move in this direction.

The boys' first game was away to Bray Emmets on Monday 7th. Both Éire Óg teams put in a great effort and while the result went Éire Óg's way the management derived their greatest satisfaction from the quality of the lads' team play and the level of skill they displayed.

On Friday the squad put in another excellent performance at home against Donard.

Team 1: Frankie Byrne, Neil Brown, Patrick O'Connell, Aaron Bailey, Rory Barry, Eoisín and Seán O'Neill, Cyan Hynes, Ben Hogan, Daniel Healy, Seán McCormack, Josh Rushe, Jacob Browner, Oisín Shanahan.

Team2: Emmet Gulliver, Liam and Patrick Byrne, Conor O'Donovan, Callum Shortt, Thade Shanahan, Cillian Keane, Joseph Prendergast, Luke Dorgan, Neil Burke, Jack O'Sullivan, Frankie Kavanagh, Glenn Halligan, Freddie Happonan.

The u-12s next game is away to Baltinglass on Tuesday 22nd at 7pm. A logistical nightmare as it was for Donard on Friday.

The list of participants in this competition does not, one hazards, undergo huge changes from year to year and it should be possible to draw up a table of fixtures which would have a more logical construct.

One cannot see why earlier-season games should not be between near neighbours and that the longer distanced games be reserved for the brighter evenings of high summer when a later starting time could be arranged. There is even a feeling in the club that these latter matches should be played at an intermediate venue such as The Centre Of Excellence.

NEWTOWN

History was made last week when Newtown GAA entered an U-14s girls team in to Feile.

In the first match we could see we were rusty playing against a seasoned team who went on to win the tournament but nevertheless the girls battled hard.

Our next two games were very close, unfortunately we didn't win either but there was never much between us and the other two teams.

Jade Boyse was like a little terrier at half back, Kerryann Hamilton made some outstanding runs from midfield and scored some lovely points.

Ciara Dease was burying goals in the back of the net, our two goalkeepers Katelyn and Alanna made some great saves, Katelyn Synnott, Cody McMahon and Rachel Carthy played their hearts out and never stopped battling for the ball.

And hats off to our younger girls, Danisha, Laura, and Laragh, who have four years at this age group, these girls will be a force to be reckoned with.

Each and every player on the team showed the Newtown never say die attitude today, myself and Sarah couldn't of been prouder of them. As the saying goes “things can only get better” and this team has a very bright future ahead of them. Up the Magpies.

Team: Katelyn Dunleavy, Rachel Carthy, Alanna Gregory Power, Danisha Healy, Jade Boyse, Kerryann Hamilton, Ciara Dease, Katelynn Synnott Daly, Cody Mc Mahon, Laragh Davis, Laura Murphy.

There was no winner of last week's lotto jackpot winning numbers were 2, 3, 15, and 26, next week's jackpot is €3,800.