GRASSROOTS

GLENEALY

Monster Bingo - There is a change of date for the next monster Glenealy GAA bingo it is now on Sunday, March 12 at 3pm. Great cash prizes to be won. Put this date in your diary looking forward to seeing you all there.

GLENEALY CAMOGIE

We are looking forward to a new year of Camogie in Glenealy and the girls in red get back to training next month from Saturday, March 25. Welcome back to all the players and coaches and a big welcome to new players.

Under-8s and under-10s train at 11.30am; Under-12s train at 10.30am; Under-14s train at 10.30am; Senior squad training will start back first week in March time and date to be determined.

Glenealy teams would welcome new players and anyone interested can contact the coaches

Under-8s and under-10s contact Declan Hartley on 086 818634. Under-12s - Amanda Doyle 083-2385010 or Pauline Doyle 086-3009875; Under-14s - Katriona Rowan 086-1943146 or Warren Kavanagh 0868449631; Senior team contact Audrey Driver 086-8870950.

AN TOCHAR

All Stars Dinner Dance – in the Glenview. Dinner served at 7.30pm sharp. Presentation of medals to Junior C, and announcement of our Players Player and All Stars Panel.

Bus Details - Gerry O’Toole will have a coach leaving the complex for the Glenview at 6.45pm sharp - €5.00 one way.

Return journey - There will be two mini-buses leaving the Glenview at 2.15am - €5.00. One bus will head to the village, the other will cover rural areas.

Good luck to Stephen Connor who is part of Wicklow panel for Leinster under-21 championship against Louth this Wednesday night, February 22. Also congrats to Brendan Kennedy who played for Wicklow Seniors last week against Waterford.

Ladies training continues every Friday at 7.45pm sharp and Tuesdays at 7pm. All new and former players welcome.

Our juvenile registration night will be Monday, March 6, at 7.30pm to 8.30pm. There will be a second registration night, date to be confirmed.

Cúl Camp Coaches - Do you want to Coach on our Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps 2017? Job Description: Coaches must be over 18 years old on the first day of the camp on July 3.

NOTE: Coaches must be a paid up member of their local GAA club. A coaching qualification, code of ethics, Garda Vetting and/or Coaching experience and/or evidence of voluntary coaching/work is mandatory in applying for this position. Closing Date for return of all fully completed coaches application forms is Friday, April 7.

All selected coaches will be paid a weekly wage and put through the revenue system in accordance with Croke Park regulations. You may include any further information in support of your application if necessary – Note: Late applications will not be accepted or considered and canvassing will disqualify. Application forms available by emailing the secretary of An Tóchar at secretarybng.antochar.wicklow@gaa.ie

AVONDALE

There was a good turnout for the club’s presentation night in Jacob’s last Saturday, which was a great success.

Medals were presented to the Senior footballers who were promoted to Division 1 and to our Senior hurlers who won the Billie Byrne Cup.

The indomitable Junior hurlers who triumphed over Glenealy after three monumental battles to win the Junior ‘B’ championship also received medals as did the hurlers who won the seven-a-side competition in Balinakill.

Senior footballer of the year went to Shane Beevor, Junior footballer of the year is Ian Heffernan, the Senior hurler award went to Keith Byrne, with Craig Byrne collecting Junior hurler of the year. Finally, club man of the year went to Leonard Byrne. Well done to all, it was well deserved.

Avondale GAA club would like to thank Noel and Helen Jacob for their hospitality, and all their staff, who helped make it a memorable night.

Training for our Senior grades will continue at 7.30pm on Tuesday and Friday nights.

NEWTOWN

The GAA club newsletter for January 2017 is now available; please see news section of the Newtown website.

Wicklow GAA is running an online Foundation Football course which is certified over the next few weeks, registration and instructions can be found onhttp://learning.gaa.ie. If you would like to complete or know of anyone who wants even to be involved in a minor capacity it is a useful course to complete.

We are delighted to have a large number of kids playing for our fast growing juvenile sides, more kids means more helpers so if you feel you are in a position to help in any capacity our future GAA stars then please get in touch as it takes much more than a manager to run each team.

We are still short of help for some of our teams and may not be able to enter teams at all ages due to lack of mentors, please give Tom a ring on 087 6611480 or Shay at 087 2699620 for more info.

Some of our juvenile teams are back training and we would hope to have all our teams back within the next few weeks. The under-14 girls are training next Saturday and every Saturday at 11.30am in the pitch, while the under-16 girls are training on Mondays and Fridays at 7.30pm.

Well done to Aisling McDonald and Sean Gregory who represented the club on county teams last weekend

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.

If you have any club related notes for inclusion in the weekly notes, please forward to pronewtown@gmail.com before Sunday 6pm for issue the following week.

AUGHRIM

Aughrim National school was full last Friday morning on the occasion of a farewell presentation to Des Burton who has stood down as School Liason Officer after 22 years continuous service coaching countless boys and girls on behalf of Aughrim G.A.A. Club.

In her address, school Principal Brid Owens highlighted the great work and achievements that Des had performed with various teams and pupils over that period.

His ability to encourage and motivate all pupils not just those that were naturally talented made him a respected and much loved coach in the school.

Others to speak on this special occasion were Willie O’ Loughlin, Chairman Aughrim G.A.A., Theresa Byrne, Board of Management Aughrim National School, and Joan Fanning, Parents Association.

All thanked Des for his work on behalf of the club and school over a very successful 22 years.

Des, in his acceptance speech, said that it was very overwhelming to receive such a reception and to look out over a sea of Aughrin blue and white flags would be a memory he would cherish forever.

The school presented Des with a lovely trophy and travel vouchers. Des’s wife Josephine was presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

The pupils of the school entertained the large gathering with singing and Irish music, truly a very memorable occasion.

Training continues for all adult players on Tuedsy night. Membership now due from all.

BALLYMANUS

There was lotto jackpot winner last weekend with Hugh Coogan the only match three winner from 2, 6, 20, and 25. The footballers had their first outing of the year last weekend against Tinahely.

Both sides were missing players but it proved a good runout despite Tinahely winning out on a score line of 4-8 to 0-12. Training Friday evening starts at 7.45pm.

EIRE OG GREYSTONES

One would prefer not to have to mention it but no matter how one tries to suppress it, it continues to rear its ugly head. The “it” in question is that of filthy lucre.

The primary function of Éire Óg Greystones may be the cultivation of Gaelic games ins Na Clocha Liatha and its environs but unfortunately this entails quite a large financial outlay.

Hence to keep itself solvent it must constantly devise schemes for raising money which it would be hoped would draw on support from beyond the relatively small number of core followers who are constantly putting their hands in their pockets.

Such a project, White-Collar Boxing, is taking place in the Parkview Hotel, Newtown on March 18. In case you haven’t noticed this is the Saturday night following Lá ‘le Pádraig. Tickets are a mere €15 each or two for €20.

A lot of work and effort has been put in by the pugilists to ensure that you will be treated to an entertaining night’s boxing. So come along and show your appreciation.

Lotto - The numbers. drawn on February 13 were 6, 22, 25, 28. The pota óir was not won and stood at €4000 for Monday 20th. The lesser prizes were won by Kevin O’Mahony and Geraldine Kelly.

The nitty-gritty - Juvenile registration takes place at the clubhouse on Saturday 25th between 10 a.m. and 12 noon, and on Monday 27th between 6.30 and 7.30 p.m.

It is worth recalling that at juvenile level members are afforded the opportunity of being tutored in two of the world’s finest team sports for the price of one.

We are on the eve of the opening of Peil na mBan (Ladies Gaelic football) season in Wicklow and training for the Éire Óg ladies, which takes place on Thursdays at 7.30 p.m., has already begun.

The versatility of its skills is such that Gaelic football girls readily adapt to other team sports e.g. how quickly those who have transferred to rugby have reached international standard.

So if you would like to try your hand (no previous experience required) at this sport in the company of a welcoming group of ladies come along on any Thursday night. Beidh fáilte mór romhat.

Camogie - The under-8 and under-10 girls had their first training session for 2017 on the astro turf at Charlesland. Training continues on Saturday mornings at 10.45 a.m.

Administration Team: Chairperson and Public Relations: Olive Farrell; Child Protection Officer: Freda O’Kelly; Secretary: Kate Fogarty; Registration: Leanne Connolly and Eimear Clonan; Coaching team 2017: Ciaran Goff, Jim Darcy, Angela O’Leary, Suzanne Behan, Marguerite Deegan, Evelyn Burns, Alison Goff, Helen O’Driscoll, Noreen Keville, Mick Burns, Darren Daly, Bill Malone, Fiona O’Farrell. Olive Farrell.

There is reference on the Éire Óg Facebook page to an interesting article on camogie on the website www.herfamily.ie entitled “Are you a Ga ma? Five amazing reasons (some of these are not unique to this sport but are highly developed within it) to hand your daughter a hurl”.

In summary (1) develops a refined level of hand –eye co-ordination (2) carries on the community tradition of the GAA “team outings with u-8s and u-10s are a big part of the camogie calendar” (3) learning about the commitment required and the responsibilities incurred in being part of a team (4) learning to respect others (5) participation in the world’s fastest ladies’ team sport and one of which it can be said “if you play camogie you will not be fazed by any other sport”.

AGB

AGB will host a Dinner Dance this Saturday, February 25, 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 now SOLD OUT. Thank you to all who ordered tickets, we urge those who have not yet collected tickets to please contact the comittee to arrange collection and payment as soon as possible, as final numbers need to be submitted to the hotel in the coming days. Thank you for supporting the event, we look forward to seeing you all on the night.

Thank you to all who supported and bought tickets for the National Draw. The draw will take place on March 8. We will keep you posted on the results.

Scór Sinsear County Final takes place in the St Pat’s clubhouse, Wicklow Town on Friday, March 3.

Registration will begin at 7.30pm with the Performance competitions beginning at 8pm sharp.

The county quiz final will take place on the same night and in the same venue, kicking of at 9pm. We are looking for Solo Singers, Set and Figure Dancers, Instrumental Groups and Novelty Act Participants. If anyone is interested, or has any questions, please contact Kathryn at 086 8664931.

AGB’s Ballymoney Committee will host a traditional night of Irish music and dancing on March 16 in the AGB Clubhouse, Ballymoney, Shelton, Arklow as part of the St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations. Entry fee is €5, and a great night of ceoil agus craic is promised.

St. Patrick’s Day is on the horizon. Calling all Volunteers to help organise the AGB float and teams marching in the local parade. Please contact any member of the Executive Committee if you would like to help out.

Golfers, Save the Date - May 12. AGB’s Golf Classic will be held in the Woodenbridge Golf Club. If you would like to submit a team in this great event, please contact Paul O Donoghue on 0861018976. You can’t beat being there!

The next meeting of the AGB Executive Comittee will take place on March 8 in the AGB offices in Pearses’ Park at 8pm.

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 senior team played their first challenge match of 2017 against Ballymanus in Tinahely GAA pitch last Sunday morning at 11am. The team on the day was: Niall Byrne, James Gilbert, Hooch, Kevin Doyle, David Blake, Conor Hatton, Gavin Kenny, Rory Stokes and Crouch in the middle, Niall O’Gorman, Alan Dillon, Brian Hickey, Stewart Gilbert, Podge and Enda O’Keeffe,.

This was a good work out, missing good few seniors, all subs got a run, Tonto, David Dillon, Sean Pollard, Jason Byrne, Jamie Cullen and Anthony Phelen scored three points on his Senior debut. Hopefully have another game next week.

Training is Friday night this week for all Minors, Juniors and Seniors at 8pm sharp.

Membership and insurance is now due and must be paid before you can play. Please see David Blake with payment.

Welcome home this week to Pierce Brennan who is on short visit from Australia. Any chance you might extend your trip and put back on the old playing boots?

Lotto results from February 13 - numbers drawn were: 11, 17, 20, and 24. The bonus number was 15. There was no jackpot winner.

Match 3s: Celine Dillon, Carl Perry, Owen Dempsey, Joe Mallick, Killian, and Mary Byrne.

Next lotto jackpot: €4,700.

RATHNEW

The Hugh Doyle Festival of Football takes place on March 4 in aid of our late friend, Anthony Doyle.

The tournament will see players from under-17 to Senior level battling it out accross our fields for the highly sought after trophy that was donated to our club by the Doyle family.

We want to see players of all ages and our loyal supporters fill the clubhouse and kickstart 2017- a major year for our club.

The final will be played at 6.30pm in our club grounds under lights, followed by a night in Shay Doyle’s with an excellent raffle,music and general craic!

Tournament teams are Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connaught and are listed on our Facebook page. If you wish to play in this fantastic tournament, please call Harry on 086 2637336 or Peter 087 9882640 or contact us via Facebook.

Cogratulations are in order, to Abbie Doyle who won gold in the national stadium recently and also to Senior player Nicky Mernagh and his beautiful bride Wendy who were married on Saturday.

Sending milestone birthday wishes to Esther Mernagh, who, as mother of the groom, had double celebrations over the weekend.

A gentle reminder that all club memberships are now due, please contact club registrar Tommy Murphy.