GRASSROOTS

AUGHRIM

The club would like to send their sympathies to the Byrne family on the death of Margaret during the week. Ar Dheis go raibh a anam.

The under-8 and under-10 hurling teams played their last hurling blitz of the year in rain soaked Ballinakill on Saturday, September 24. The under-10 team had two very close games against Carnew and Blessington, winning one and losing one by the odd score on both occasions.

The undert-12 kids who braved the elements were: Daragh Rice, Thomas Lacey, James Lambert, Conor Wilson, Rhyan Moules, Lorcan Toomey, Mark Tyrell, Marc O’Shea, Cillian Duffy, Jack Byrne, Corey O’ Toole, Dessie Fitzgerald.

The under-8s, with two teams, played really well also and did themselves proud against Carnew and Kilcoole. It was great to see Aughrim fielding two under-8 teams with the weather being so bad. Team: Daniel Duffy, Aaron Mooney, Aaron Kavanagh, Sean Byrne, Thady O’ Sullivan, Dominic O’Loughlin, Matthew Byrne, Sean Byrne, Jem Thomas, Peter Toomey, Ewan Doyle, Cian Delaney, Cameron Delaney, Padraic Lambert, Michael Lacey, Darragh O’Byrne, Sophie O’Loughlin, Vanessa Toomey.

The club would like to thank Fiona McAllister, Shane O’Loughlin, Darren Mooney, Majella O’Shea, Donal Rice and Sean O’Shea for taking the time to coach these young hurlers throughout the year, without their commitment and dedication week in week out we wouldn’t have teams.

The under-10 football team played their last blitz of the year on Saturday last, again in poor weather conditions. The whole team played some excellent football in both their games against Baltinglass and Donard-The Glen and were comfortable winners in the games. The team was: Alex Evans, Thomas Lacey, Ryan Kinsella, Corey O’Toole, Lorcan Toomey, Cian Keogh, Marc O’Shea, Jack Byrne, Colm McGuckian, James Lambert, Darragh Rice, Conor Wilson, John Fanning. A big thank you to Alan Kinsella, Ray Howes, Sean O’Shea, Shane O’ Loughlin, Darren Mooney and Rory McElhinny for all the work they did with the under-8 and under-10 footballers this year.

LUKE O’ TOOLE’S

The under-12 hurling team played St Pat’s in the Mini-Festival final on Saturday and were unlucky to loose on a score of 2-04 to 1-03. Luke’s played with the wind in the first half and got a quick goal from Sam Carroll, but scores were hard to come by after that.

Dermot Toomey and Stephen O’Toole with two points did add to the scoring but with an almighty wind at their backs it was never going to be enough for the second half.

Sure enough in the second half, Pat’s came streaming forward, but Luke’s defence were holding solid with Alex Kavanagh controlling the full-back line and Daragh Hayden playing well in the goals it looked for a time that Luke’s could actually hold out.

However, in one brief spell of three minutes late in the game Pat’s struck for two goals to edge them in front, and try as they might at the other end Luke’s couldn’t get the scores to claw back the lead. The team was: Darragh Hayden, Oisin Keegan, Alex Kavanagh, Ciaran Lambert, Dermot Toomey, Sam Carroll, Larry Kinsella, Emma Kinsella, Stephen O’ Toole, Kevin Murray, Lorcan Toomey, Finn Byrne, Hugh Gunning. The Club would like to thank Alan Dillon, Michael Hayden and Pete Carroll, for all the work they put in to the kids this year.

Unfortunately for the Aughrim club the search for a Mini-Festival final win in hurling goes on for another year.

The under-14 hurlers play Michael Dwyers in the under-14 hurling ‘A’ championship final on the weekend of October 15, while the under-16s take on Michael Dwyers in the under-16 ‘B’ championship final, also on the same weekend. All support from Tinahely and Aughrim will be most welcome, to shout the lads to victory. 11 of the under-14 Luke O’Toole hurlers have progressed to the under-14 ‘A’ championship football final with Tinahely. They have played some fantastic football to get to the final and we wish them all the best in the final in the coming weeks.

DERRY GAELS

The under-14 team bowed out of the ‘B’ championship on Sunday, September 25, to a strong and physically bigger Rathnew team on a score of 2-13 to 1-06.

The damage was done in the first half with Eoin Doyle from Rathnew kicking some wonderful points that any senior player would have been proud of.

The Derry Gaels players dug deep and kept plugging away, but it wasn’t going to be their day, two goal chances missed early in the first half when the team was clearly on top and another in the second half tells its own story, however Rathnew were good for their win.

Sean, Declan and Andrew would like to thank all the players for the hard yards they put in since last March. The team did really well this year, they won the Division 2 league, and if it wasn’t for the six weeks break between their last league match and their first championship match, results in the championship could have been different. Well done lads, keep up the good work and maybe we can power on to win the ‘B’ shield in the coming few weeks.

AUGHRIM CAMOGIE

The Aughrim Camogie Club would like to send their condolences to our club secretary Kevin Byrne and all the Byrne family on the death of his mother Margaret. Ar Dheis go raibh a anam.

HOLLYWOOD

Lotto results - The numbers drawn were 2, 11, 14, and 20. There was no winner of the Jackpot. Winner of the sellers prize was Lar Kelly. The €50 winners were Robbie Keogh, Blessington, Anna Corrigan, Ellie Durcan. The next draw is in Tutty’s on October 13 for a jackpot of €6,600. You can purchase lotto tickets locally from club members and local businesses and online at hollywoodgaa.com. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.

Juvenile football training continues on Thursday nights at 7pm.

Juvenile hurling training continues on Tuesday nights at 6.30pm.

CARNEW EMMETS

Under-12 Hurling Final - Carnew 7-5, Bray Emmets 2-3 - Carnew headed for a wind and rains swept Ballinakill Centre of Excellence on Saturday, September 24, to take on old rivals Bray Emmets in this year’s under-12 hurling final. It was a case of deja vu as Carnew had a very comprehensive victory over Bray in the football final last Saturday and sure enough the same was about to happen in the hurling final. Carnew were off to a great start and were leading 4-03 to 0-02 at half-time. When play resumed Carnew forged ahead again to run out easy winners.

The Carnew lads all played their part in this victory with special mention to Cillian Doyle who played his heart out and was responsible for some great clearances from the back line when Carnew came under pressure. Will Molloy accepted the cup on behalf of Carnew and in his speech he thanked parents, supporters and mentors for their support during the year. A barbecue and presentation of medals was held afterwards and an enjoyable evening was had by all.

Carnew GAA lotto of €7,000 was won by Cindy Murphy, congratulations and well done, numbers were 9,11,19,21, lucky dips were Tommy Collins, c/o Tom. Pat Duck Nolan, c/o Kathleen Keogh. Ann Molloy, Tomacork. John O’Sullivan and Liz Keogh. The next draw is 10th October in Sinnott’s and the jackpot is €3,000.

ANNACURRA

We are delighted to see one of our long time supporters, Mollie O’Rourke, back at our matches after recently being unable to make some of the games.

All roads lead to Carnew this Sunday morning when we play Tinahely to remain senior. If we win we are guaranteed our senior status and it would be great to see lots of people there to support the team. The match is due to throw in at 11am and if everything works out properly there will be live commentary that can be accessed online through Facebook and Twitter.

Best of luck to the team.

BALTINGLASS

Lotto - There was no match four winner of last weeks lotto which was for €7400. The numbers drawn were 8, 12, 14 and 26. There were however four match three winners, each of whom win €75.

The jackpot for the draw to be held on October 3 will be for €7,600 and will be held in Horan’s Pub on Main Street. We would like to thank all of you who continue to support our lotto, as well as those who sell tickets, check tickets, collect and deliver etc. Remember, you can also play our lotto on line. Please check out www.locallotto.ie.

Perhaps you might pass this website on to those who are away but would like to support the club and be in with a chance to win the ever increasing jackpot.

Senior men - We would like to take this opportunity to wish the Senior men and their management the very best of luck in the county final on Sunday next. We have utmost faith that every effort will be given to bring the Miley Cup, back to the town. You have been a great source of pride to the club so far this year and we have no doubt that you will represent the club and supporters with pride on Sunday. The very best wishes to each and every one of you.

Get your tickets early. County final tickets will be on sale in the clubhouse on Friday evening between 7.30 and 9pm for all of you who want to beat the queues in Aughrim on Sunday. Adult tickets are €15 each and Students (over 16s) and O.A.P. tickets are €5. Please note that the club shop will also be open at the clubhouse, for anyone who wants to get their club colours for the big match.

Well done to John Murtagh and Hannah McHugh who correctly guessed the score in the All Ireland Final. Each win €100. Thank you to everyone who supported the Guess the Score competition this year.

Juvenile - As the Senior men prepare to take part in their first county final since 2013 and bridge a nine-year gap since last winning, they were on hand on Sunday morning to meet and greet the future stars of Baltinglass GAA Club as the James Byrne Memorial Shield took place at the pitch.

Four teams of under-8 and under-10 footballers met the lads before taking to the field and providing an absolute feast of underage football. A lot of the lads were pleasantly surprised at the skill level shown by some of these young players. Their appetite for the game and willingness to display the skills they have learned through their coaches was a sight to behold. We would like to thank the Byrne family for continuing to support this internal competition which has been a highlight in the underage calendar for many years.

The teams this year were captained by four up and coming stars: Matt Fisher, Ross Nolan, Cody Fagan and Ashton Pendar. The team led by Matt Fisher were the overall winners on the day, beating the team led by Cody Fagan, whilst the team led by Ross Nolan, beat Ashton Pendars team in the Shield final.

The club would like to express its sincere thanks to all of the coaches who helped with the lads throughout the year and to the parents who have made the lads available all year. They are a really great bunch of children, and we have great hopes for them in the future. Thank you also to the senior management and players for taking the time to meet and greet these young players.

The under-10 and under-8 girls had a great blitz/internal competition on Friday evening. Unfortunately, the weather was not what was hoped for on the night, but some of the football on show was enough to brighten even the bleakest of evenings.

The improvement in the skill levels of the girls this year has been immeasurable, and this is predominantly due to the efforts of the coaches who have been working hard all year with them. Thank you to our local Paralimpian Ciara Staunton who kindly presented the medals on the night and well done to all of the girls and their parents for all their efforts this year.

Minors - Hard luck to the Minors who were beaten by Pearse Gales by a late goal in their championship semi-final on Friday night in Roundwood. The home team started much brighter as the Baltinglass lads looked sluggish out of the blocks and trailed by four points at half-time. However, the lads gave a great display in the second half and with the match going in to injury time, the sides were level.

However, a late goal was to seal their fate and there will be no place in the final this year for Baltinlass unfortunately. Well done to Robert, Ciaran and the Minor selectors for the work that they have done this year. A one score defeat is hard to take, but there is no doubt that progress has been made, which is the real aim of the game.

After a year of ups and downs, the under-14 girls found themselves in the Division 1 Shield final against Bray, for the second year in a row. Bray who had beaten them in the Wicklow Féile competition were always going to be tough opposition, but, after 20 minutes into the match, Baltinglass trailed on a score line of 2-05 to 0-00 and it looked clear to many that this was not going to be their day.

However, with just five minutes left in the second half, a shot by Molly Bookle found the top corner of the net to give the Balto girls a lifeline. A second goal by Ella Parke, gave them hope.

Having trailed by 11 points, to go in at half time,

ASHFORD KNOCKANANNA

Knockananna advanced to the Junior ‘B’ final against Enniskerry by beating Rathnew in Arklow on Sunday evening last.

This, without doubt, was a brilliant performance of class, skill, and guts. The score line at half-time didn’t reflect the teams dominance as we squandered golden opportunities to put the game out of sight.

The Rathnew goalkeeper made two fantastic saves from Padraig Lancaster and Kevin Tyrell and we found ourselves in an unbelievable position at half-time trailing 0-05 to 0-04.

The dressing room was calm at half-time; defeat was not an option in the mind of these players. After a few well chosen words from the management and players and two or three positional switches, the lads were ready for action and out the came for the second half with fire in their bellies and turned in a truly magnificent display in the second half scoring 2-10, and 2-09 of that came from play.

To a man Knockananna stood up and were counted when the chips were down and failed to accept defeat. Well done to all the players, management and our supporters. The final is fixed for Arklow, Saturday at 2pm. trailing by just five, made Rosie, Dallan and Marks, half-time team talk an easy one. The truth is that Baltinglass threatened for much of the first half, but were unable to capitalise on their hard work, whilst Bray were much more clinical.

The second half was to be a complete Baltinglass revival, with Ella Parke, Kuberat Matomni, and Ciara, and Niamh O’Brien winning vital ball around the middle of the field, Baltinglass took the game to Bray, drew level, and went ahead.

Bray, however, were not finished and drew level on two more occasions, and but for great defensive play by a very determined full back line could easily have taken the lead.

However, the introduction of under-12 players, Emma and Leah and a commanding final 15 minutes by Ciara O’Brien and Ella Parke in particular, meant that the Shield was heading back to the banks of the River Slaney. Well done to Rosie, Dallan and Mark, and in particular the team who put in a great display on the day. Katelyn Coffey Brennan accepted the Shield on behalf of the club and the girls were brought back to the clubhouse afterwards for some well deserved refreshments.

Don’t Forget - Those brave volunteers who are risking their pride and reputations to sing and dance on stage for you the Baltinglass Broadway Challenge on October 30 are currently looking for sponsorship. We would ask that you support them as best you can. As you know, the funds raised, will be put towards, developing the back pitch area at the club. We would strongly advise that you do your best to come to the show on October 30, as judging by some of the rehearsals so far, some of these volunteers may be whisked away to the West End and never be seen in Baltinglass again. So if you want to catch a last glimpse of these future celebrities – get behind the Baltinglass GAA Club Broadway Challenge. We thank you for your continued support.

Lotto results from Monday, September 26 for a jackpot of €8,000. One winner: Molly O’Neill. Numbers drawn: 3, 4, 10, and 11. Match threes for win or share €300: Ellen Doyle c/o I O Neill; Gazza c/o A Murphy; Jimmy McNabb c/o J McNabb; Tara O Neill c/o B O Neill; C Kennedy c/o C Kennedy; P Staunton c/o P Staunton. Congratulations to Pearse Gaels on qualifying for the county Minor ‘A’ championship final by defeating Baltinglass in the semi-final on a score line of 1-12 to 0-12. Especial congrats to Thomas Kearns and Cormac Doyle for playing their part. Winners await the outcome of the Avondale/AGB match.

Our adult Junior ‘A’ team have qualified for the county final. They beat St. Pat’s in a replay in Rathnew. Score was 0-9 to 0-6. They now play our neighbours, Kilcoole, in the final. Final takes place in Pearse Park, Arklow, this coming Saturday, October 8, at 3.45 pm. Support from all will be most welcome.

SCD practice continues in the clubhouse each Thursday. Take note that this event takes place in the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey on November 5. Tickets are €20 each.

Further information on Ashford GAA activities can be found via Facebook and from our webpage, www.ashfordgaa.com.