GRASSROOTS
NEWTOWN
Newtown ladies are actively looking for a management team for the new season and will be holding interviews in the coming weeks.
All interested parties can contact the team via email newtownladiesgaa@ gmail.com.
There is a good stock of club gear now available to buy for any enquiries regarding club gear please contact Ruth on 087 7472682 or Amy at 086 3332195.
Tickets are now available for the national club draw, some great prizes on offer. First prize is a car and all money raised by the club through the sale of tickets goes to the club, so why not buy a ticket, support the club and maybe win a fantastic prize.
Tickets are available from all committee members. Well done to Sean Gregory and the Wicklow schools team who had a great win last weekend and have reached the Leinster semi-final which is to be played in January
There were three match three winners who received €70 each but the jackpot rolled over into this week to €2400. Numbers drawn were 1, 7, 8, and 10.
We would like to wish all our members and supporters a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
ÉIRE ÓG GREYSTONES
Nollaig Shona agus Bliain Nua faoi Shéan agus faoi Mhaise do gach n-aon ach go mór-mhór (Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all but especially) to those who helped the club in any way during 2016.
The coiste is especially grateful to its loyal Lotto supporters, to those who contributed to the recent Christmas Draw and its other fund-raising activities during the year.
The winning numbers drawn in the final 2016 Lotto were 2, 7, 22, 28. Next draw is on January 2.
The AGM has come and gone and much remains as it was. However, there was a major change at the top table in that Rúnaí Daniel English ceded his secretarial duties to concentrate his efforts, which to date have been far from insignificant, on promoting our paperless lotto. Unfortunately, maybe because his was a hard act to follow, there was no one at the meeting willing to step into the vacancy so the search for a Rúnaí is on.
Besides his work as Rúnaí Danny alternated with Gerry Walsh as County Board delegate, a position which took him to Aughrim a number of times during the year. The fact that he lives i mBlá Cliath means that, unlike the case for locals, duties centred on the clubhouse e.g. meetings, the cajoling of members with respect to paying membership, involved Daniel in a lot of travel. Furthermore now that he is a man with weighty parental duties his disposable time is limited and these time-consuming journeys are no longer feasible.
Táimid fíor-bhuíoch do Daniel for his hard work and for the professional manner in which he effected the business of Rúnaí. Go raibh maith agat, Daniel.
PEIL NA gCAILÍNÍ - Four Éire Óg players viz. Eva Roche, Katie Lawless, Ellie O’Neill and Kerry-Anne Hamilton (daughter of former Éire Óg player Gemma Kiely) have earned places on the u-16 Wicklow county panel. This is no empty honour. Positions on the panel were greatly prized around the county and huge numbers (in excess of 80) attended the week-end trials. Comhgáirdeachas. Well done, cailíní!
COMHGÁIRDEACHAS - Congratulations to club President Patsy Vickers who, jointly with the ever-pleasant and always helpful Tom McHugh of Ashford, received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the County Convention. From the time he joined the Éire Óg juvenile club Patsy has worked tirelessly in the service of the club – managing teams, fund-raising, sideline encouragement – to this day. He also served for many years as the Cathaoirleach of the North East Wicklow Juvenile Board. A well deserved honour, Patsy!
IOMÁINT - The North Wicklow Gaels minor team which comprises hurlers from Kilcoole, Newcastle, Éire Óg Greystones, Enniskerry and Newtown are County B champions and Division 2 League winners.
They defeated Michael Dwyers (centred on Kiltegan) 5-06 (21) to 2-12 (18) in a hugely exciting final played in Páirc na bPiarsach in Arklow towards the end of November. Stale news! What is the point of writing about the game so long after the event?
It is not as if these reservations do not have substance but then if one were to apply them rigidly to the sports pages of our newspapers, particularly around Christmas and the New Year, these pages would have large blank areas.
Does not a lot of what these pages contain consist of oft-repeated accounts of the particular deeds of the sporting elite and not ‘hot off the press’ matches, so one has to conclude that the readers never tire of perusing these stories.
(Incidentally, isn’t it striking that people who work hard, create jobs and pay themselves well are often subjected to constant criticism while there is scarcely a question asked about the structure of a society which throws up the obscenity of a sportsman earning in excess of 200million in 2015. Think of it – maybe a billion in his lifetime in the game. It would keep Uisce Éireann going for quite a while!)
Further, one is sure that there are many even among the hurling fraternity of the county who know nothing of the game and its outcome. A fate the brave efforts of the lads do not deserve.
The game was played at 14-a-side because of the Gaels inability to muster the standard 15. Michael Dwyers, no doubt to the chagrin of the excluded player, sportingly agreed to play with the reduced number. Cause? Lack of loyalty? Fixture so late in the year?
In any event it must have been very discouraging to the mentors after all the work they put into the development of the squad to not have been able to field the statutory number in such an important match.
The five Éire Óg lads, Jason Chapman and Brian Lawless in the half-back line, Seán Looby in the centre and Eoin Dorgan and Oisín Nolan in the full-forward line, were mentioned in dispatches as having made important contributions to the victory.
The score is truly reflective of the game. Very even exchanges outfield with scoring swinging rapidly between the teams ensuring that excitement was at a high pitch throughout the hour and that the outcome remained uncertain ‘til the final whistle.
Dwyers were ahead 1-06 to 1-03 at the break. However, 6 minutes after the resumption the Gaels had jumped to the front, thanks to 2-01 without reply. An unevenly distributed flurry of points followed which resulted in the teams being on level terms with 5 minutes remaining. Unbelievably 5 goals were packed into the remaining few minutes, 3 of which were scored by the Gaels. This had the lads from the north clinging precariously to a 3 point lead at the final whistle.
ENNISKERRY
Winning numbers were 02, 08, 22, and 25. The bonus number was 34. There was no jackpot winner. There were two match three for a share of €500. The jackpot on December 19 stands at €8,300.
Thanks to all buyers and sellers of club lotto tickets for continued support.
The AGM of Enniskerry GAA Club will take place on Saturday, January 14, at 6pm in the clubhouse. All are welcome.
GLENEALY CAMOGIE
Glenealy Camogie Club would like to wish all the players, coaches and parents a very happy Christmas and a peaceful 2017.
Thank you to all involved for your support throughout 2016 and here’s wishing for success to all the teams on the playing fields of the county in 2017.
BALLYMANUS
There was no lotto jackpot winner last weekend. The numbers drawn were 1, 12, 14, and 25 with B. L. D. A c/o Gerry Keogh and Margaret and Daphne Ovington the only match three winners. The annual Christmas Hamper and Bottle draw takes place in Lawless’s on Friday, December 23, at 9.30pm. Great chance to get together and have a few sociables before Christmas. All that remains to do is to wish all club members, players and supporters a happy and peaceful Christmas. Enjoy one and all.
SHILLELAGH
Congratulations to the youngest of the Coolattin Foley boys dual player Daire who celebrated his 21st birthday with a huge knees up with family and friends on Saturday last.
Well done to playing members Raymond and Gary Murphy and Keith Byrne who are part of the management team of the local Kerry Foods football team who have qualified for the Leinster final of the Inter Firms Junior championship. The final will be played in early 2017 and Aer Lingus will provide the opposition and not Banagher Concrete as stated in last week’s notes.
Lotto membership for 2017 (an ideal stocking filler) is now available, a €20 contribution entitles each member to an entry into each fortnightly lotto draw for 2017. Contact any player or committee member for details. Application entry forms are also available in local business outlets.
The Chairman and committee of both Shillelagh GAA Club and St Fiachs juvenile club would like to wish its players their families, our supporters and sponsors a happy, peaceful Christmas and good health and prosperity for 2017.
KNOCKANANNA
No winner of this week’s jackpot of €1,000. Numbers drawn were: 3, 5, 10, and 22. Four lucky dips for €25 each: Ann Humphreys, Stacie Tallon, Crystal Nolan, and Diarmuid Whelan. Seller’s prize: Patrick Tracey.
The jackpot now stands at €1,100. Tickets are on sale in The Wagon Wheels, Jacob’s, and Byrne’s shop, Knockananna. You can also purchase a ticket in Boland’s pub, Hacketstown, The Corner House and Sean Murphy’s Butchers. Thank you for your continued support.
Congratulations to Sophie Mulvanny who won the previous weeks lotto of €6,100.
Knockananna Senior AGM will be held in the GAA grounds on Sunday, January 10, at 6pm.
Best wishes to Jonny Wybrant and Eimear McCrea who left for Australia on Monday last.
Congratulations to Knockananna’s Darren Flynn who was voted Wicklow s Junior ‘B’ football player of the year for 2016. Darren will receive his award at a gala function in the Arklow Bay Hotel at the end of January.
ANNACURRA
Our annual A.G.M was held on December 7. There was a minute’s silence for deceased members including Tommy Doyle who was a trustee of the club. We would like to thank Declan Finn for his years of service as Chairman thanks for all your work. And would like to welcome Sean Kavanagh in as our new Chairman.
The Annacurra GAA and camogie clubs will hold a presentation night on December 29 in lawless’s Hotel at 8pm. There will be a presentation to the 1991 intermediate hurling team to mark the 25 year anniversary of winning the championship.
There will be food and music and this promises to be an enjoyable night out for all.
Tickets are on sale €15 each from Declan Byrne 087 7839872, Martin Fitzgerald 086 8327666, and Aodh O’Neill 086 1099196.
AGB
Wishing all our AGB members and their families a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy the festivities.
Congratulations to Philip Gleeson on being named the Intermediate Player of the Year in Wicklow at the Wicklow GAA County Convention and to Darragh Fitzgerald on being named the Minor Player of the Year in Wicklow at the Wicklow GAA County Convention.
Congratulations to Kathryn Noone on her appointment as the new Irish Cultural Officer at the Wicklow GAA County Convention.
Save the date - 25/02/2017 - AGB will host a Dinner Dance to celebrate the great achievements and wins of the Ladies and Men’s teams during 2016. Breakaway will provide the music on the night. Tickets are €25 and can be bought from Margot on 085 8624994, Jennifer on 0868833159, Sinead on 0871374812, or from the office in Pearses Park or Ray in Ray Mentons Shop. This promises to be a night not to be missed.
Wicklow GAA Yearbook 2016 is now available for purchase, and would make a lovely Christmas gift. The books are €10, and are available from Ray in Ray Mentons shop or Jimmy in Pearses Park.
Strictly Come Dancing with Avonmore’s Musical Society will take place on January 14. AGB will be represented by our own dancer Agnes Pokrywka who is the Administrator for our under-14 boys team. Wishing Agnes the best of luck in her preparation for the big night. Sponsor cards are also available if anyone would like to make a donation.
AGB Club gear is available at great prices. Contact Kerry on 087 3287881 to order.
Please send club notes to arklowgaa@ gmail.com You can contact the AGB PRO at above email, Facebook (‘Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney GAA Club’ or ‘AGB Ladies’) or Twitter.
TINAHELY
Our club held a EGM last Thursday night in the clubhouse at 8pm and the following people were elected on the night: Chairman: Colman Byrne; Vice Chairman: Jim Coogan; Joint Secretaries: Breda Stokes and Deirdre Tyrrell; Treasurer: David Blake; Assistant Treasurer: Ann Furlong; Insurance’s Officer: Willie Furlong; Children’s Officer: Olive Bradley; Fixtures Secretary: Darren Dunne; PRO: Ronan Hedderman and Pauric Murphy.
Tinahely GAA would like to wish all our players and supporters a very happy and peaceful Christmas. Thanks to everyone who helped out in some way during 2016 to keep our club moving. We look forward to seeing ye all in 2017.
Tinahely GAAS lotto results from December 12 – Numbers drawn: 4, 11, 27 and 28. The bonus number was 15. There was no jackpot winner. Match three winners were: Mick Cush, Una Dillon, and Lorraine and Keelin Dunne. Next lotto jackpot: €3,800. Congratulations to our club player Thomas Dalton and Trish who got married last Saturday. Best wishes to ye in the future.
ST PATRICK’S
We wish all our members, players, managers and supporters a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous 2017.
Anyone looking for last minute Christmas gift – why not a St Pats jersey, hoodie or half zip training top. There are a limited number available for sale in The Sports Room shop (beside the Post Office).
First come first served! Call in and see what else Mark and his team have for sale as well. Remember to shop local where you can.
An excellent stocking filler is the Wicklow County GAA Year book which is now available from John Gill 087 060 1669 for €10.
The 2016 Annual General Meeting of St Patrick’s GAA took place in the Clubhouse on Thursday December 15th at 8p.m. Our chairperson John Gill started the proceedings.
All in attendance received a very substantial and informative reports from Secretary James Phelan and Treasurer Alan O’Brien. In his address John Gill thanked all involved with our club whose time and energy made it a very busy year with many events and activities both on and off the field.
A BIG thank you to Alan O’Brien who has stepped down from treasurer after five years of excellent work.
The appreciation of the expertise that Alan brought to the role was indicated by Gerry Farrell with unanimous agreement by all present.