GRASSROOTS
NEWTOWN
The U9s next outing is on 22nd September in Ballinakill and is an All county monster blitz, this is the last blitz of the year
Training continues every Monday at 6.30pm give Alun a bell at 086 3017500 for more information.
The U13s despite being several regulars short had a couple of great wins recently and are still unbeaten in the league, their next outing is a home game against Eire Og this Friday
Training continues every Monday at 6.30pm for the U11s and at 6.30pm on Wednesday for the U13s.
The U15s despite also being a few short had a hard-fought win against Annacurra last week and await their next fixture.
All our juvenile teams are always on the lookout for more players and volunteers so if you want to get involved with any aspect with either a boys or girls team give our secretary Tom a buzz at 087 6611480.
The U8 and U10 girls are training on Tuesdays at 6.30pm.
Congratulations and well done to Loretto, Emma and the U12 girls who brought home the first silverware of the season last Sunday when they won their final in Ballinakill.
The girls all played brilliantly on the day to emerge victorious and become the first winners of this new trophy, it’s a well-deserved victory for this bunch of hard working girls and management who have performed well all season and end it by winning an A trophy.
Training for the U14 girls continues Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm, we have a bus booked for the U12 to U14 girls to go to the ladies All Ireland final which is on Sunday, September 16, seats are limited and will be issued on a first come first served basis, the cost is €10 and is payable to Loretto or Shay before the day. For more info give Shay a bell at 087 2699620.
The draw for the football All-Ireland tickets is on in the clubhouse on Thursday 30th and is open to all members
All membership is now overdue and as we are operating a strictly no pay no play policy it is advisable to please pay ASAP as the deadline has long passed
The lotto jackpot is heading toward a massive €10k as it rolled over to €9,800 last week, numbers drawn were 06, 08, 09, and 16. Please buy a ticket and help support our club
BLESSINGTON
Lotto - No winner of Blessington GAA lotto draw on August 14. Numbers drawn were 5, 6, 14, and 24. No one matched three numbers so €300 prize money will roll over to the next draw on August 28 in Bealin’s. Jackpot €2,200. Thanks for your continued support.
Division 1 – Renault Senior Championship - Hard luck to our Seniors who were beaten by Baltinglass on Sunday in Joule Park, Aughrim 1-06 to 0-16. A must win match against St Pats on the cards now on Sunday, September 9, in Aughrim at 2pm. All support needed.
Junior B – B Championship quarter-final v Enniskerry on Tuesday, August 21. Heart breaking stuff to lose by the minimum. Final score 2-16 to 1-18. E. Boylan 0-5. J. Kearns 1-01. S. Carroll 0-3. Sean Mecall 0-4. J. McGarr 0-2. A. Boland 0-1. C. Devlin 0-1. G. Farrell 0-1.
Junior C – Junior C Championship v Barndarrig on Thursday, August 23. Hard luck to the lads. Final score: 4-10 to 3-09. D. Brennan 1-01. J. Behan 1-0. B. Bohan 1-0. K. McGovern 0-3. S. Willoughby 0-2. F. Walsh 0-2. J. Jackson 0-1.
Ladies - Blessington GAA Ladies 25 Anniversary Celebrations – Full report next week.
Senior Ladies – Our senior ladies were beaten by the last kick of the game away v AGB on Tuesday, August 21. Final score: 3-11 to 3-08. Ladies now face Clara in the semi.
U16’s – Hard luck to the U16s who lost out to Tinahely in Ballinakill in the final on Sunday, August 26. Final score: 1-05 to 4-07. Well done to players and mentors.
U12s– Both U12 teams won their finals on Sunday, August 26, in Ballinakill. The U12 A Cup beat Tinahely on a scoreline of 4-05 to 1-07. The U12 B Shield beat Ashford on a scorelie of 2-11 to 2-01. Well done to players and mentors.
U15s – U15s played away v Rathnew on Thursday, August 16. Blessington were on top in the first half in a competetive game. Rathnew came back in the second half and Blessington defense held up well to come away with a fourpoint win. Well done to Sam Gough, James Dooley and Austin Brennan who all made good impressions on the Wicklow U14 squad against Kildare, Wexford and Laois on Saturday, August 18, coming away with two wins out of three. Also good performances by Niall O’Gallchobhair, Luke O’Brien, Jack Sargent and Dan Cooney on the Wicklow U15 squad in the Adam Mangan Cup in Offaly last weekend. Last game of the league v Eire Og Greystones on Wednesday, August 22, at home. A win for Blessington 2-09 to 2-07. Well done, lads.
U11s – U11 blue squad v Bray Emmets on Wednesday played very well and had a great team win. Players travelled from far and near to play this game as they had been way on holiday. Thanks to Bray for travelling.
The U11 Red squad travelled to Ballinacor and came away with a fantastic win. Thanks to Players/Coaches and parents for making long trip. U11 White squad game was cancelled by travelling team AGB. Next up Away v Confey on Saturday, September 1, at 3.30pm.
U10s - U10 Blesso played Naas on Sunday, August 26, at home. They were level at half-time and played exceptionally well in second half to come away with great win.Lads tackling and desire to get that ball first turned game for them and some fine team scores. Well done Players/ Parents/Coaches and our ref James on a wet morning in Blessington.
Fixtures – All our fixtures for the week can be found on the Blessington GAA Facebook page and the club website.
Remember to keep updated on what is happening in the Club log on www.blessingtongaa. ie and Blessington GAA on Facebook and on Twitter @blessingtongaa.
If you wish to be on the Blessington GAA Supporters Whatsapp please text your name to 087 2858375.
BALLYMANUS
The lads chalked their fourth championship win by the narrowest of margins against DonardThe Glen last weekend to book their place in the championship quarter-finals in a tough and tight encounter in Baltinglass. The final score was 1-11 to 15pts.
Next up is Laragh in a straight shoot out for a semi-final spot. There was no lotto jackpot winner last weekend from 4, 5, 16, and 23. Eilish Byrne was the only match three winner. The now annual club 5/10k has been pencilled in for October 20th. Plenty of time to get the training in.
ASHFORD
Ashford and Glenealy GAA lotto results from Monday, August 13. Numbers drawn for a jackpot of €5,400 were: 1, 14, 18, and 23. No winner.
Match threes: Joan Kearney c/o T Nugent (€300).
Results from Monday, August 20 for €5,700. Numbers drawn were: 2, 3, 10, and 27. No jackpot winner.
Match threes: Ambrose Walsh c/o Shop; Laura Driver c/o N Driver; Amy O’ Doherty c/o A Marah; Hannah Taylor c/o Woodpecker; Paul Byrne c/o P Byrne; Elaine Woods c/o Sheila.
Next Jackpot: €6,000.
Our Intermediate team lost out to Carnew in Pearse Park last Thursday on a scoreline of 1-8 to 1-11. A late rally was, literally, too late. Welcome back to Brian Coen after a lengthy lay off. We have one match left in the Group stage against Donard-The Glen.
The Junior ‘B’ team exited this year’s championship when going down to Carnew in a play-off. Thanks to Pat McDermott, Gavin Connolly and Darren Doyle for all their input during the season. We wish Colm Doyle and Conor Cunningham speedy recovery from recent injuries.
The U15 team have won their league. They have remained unbeaten all season. Well done to all concerned.
Our U8 and U10 girls teams played in Bray recently. We had two U10 teams participating. As usual the girls played magnificently and were a credit to their parents and managers.
Our U12 girl’s team played Blessington in Ballinakill last Sunday in the ‘B’ championship final. This is a great achievement for our young girls and their coaches Ann Marie and Ciara.
Ashford GAA wish our secretary Ciara and her husband Eoin the very best for a long and happy married life. Ciara is a great club person and combines her secretarial work with coaching our U12 girl’s team.
For more information on Ashford GAA activities please visit our Facebook page.
RATHNEW
Last Saturday evening in Aughrim our Senior team had a well deserved nine-point victory over a very well-drilled and fit Bray team.
The lads started slowly on this occasion and it was nip and tuck for the first half.
The second half the lads upped a gear and with some excellent passages of play we came out winners on a scoreline of 2-13 to 1-7
This was a good team performance and all of the subs used contributed to this win. Our next game is in two weeks time when we take on Éire Og where we hope to continue our winning ways.
A depleted Intermediate team put in a very good performance against Laragh in Aughrim on Sunday only losing out by a point which should give the lads great encouragement for remaining fixture where we will play Donard.
This was a very gutsy performance with some of the younger players coming to the fore namely Jack Healy, Ronan Manley, Ronan Doyle, Luke Corcoran and Gary Hughes. The lads were assisted by some experienced and seasoned players Gary Byrne, Edward Doyle and Dean Franey.
U 12 Girls Championship Final, Rathnew 4-3, Carnew 5-1 - The girls made the trip up to Balinakil to play Carnew girls narrowly losing out by one point. What a special bunch of girls, how they have improved so much since the year start.
Carnew started the brighter and got a goal. Rathnew responded with two points. The girls playing with true Rathnew spirit battling against a much, much bigger Carnew team.
Carnew went in leading at half time 3-0 to 1-2. The second half a few changes to the setup of the team and the Rathnew girls took the game to Carnew.
Two goals and rathnew taking the lead. Carnew came back getting two goals. These girls never give up and they came back again scoring the last 1-1.
The girls kept battling to the end never giving up. It was heart-breaking to lose in the final but this group deserve so much credit for the effort that they have put in all year. We wish the carnew girl that hurt her shoulder all the best.
Team: Jess Heart in goal making several fantastic saves. The full-back line led by Sophie Murphy, Niamh, Sarah, Holly repelled many attacks as they have done all year.
The half-backs Shannon, Ella and Millie Armstrong, the midfielders of Caitlin and Kayleigh covered the whole pitch. Abigail, Ria and Jess Quinn in the half-forward line. Ella, Keaveney, Clara, Ava C, Ava B, Katie, Lilly and nine-yearold Eva Fitz in the full forward line doing superb. Missing today Sienna Brennan. Five of these girls will be playing an U10 blitz next week the future is looking bright. This has been a brilliant year for this great little team. The girls won Division 2 beating Carnew in their final game.
Thank you parents and coaches for all the effort through the year. Thank you to the huge support that turned up today and to all matches for the girls. Up the village
ENNISKERRY
Men’s notes – the lads will play Hollywood this Thursday, August 30th in the JBFC semi final, throw in at 7:30pm in An Tóchar, Roundwood. Good luck to all players and management team.
Ladies notes – Clan na Gael senior team championship group match vs St Pats was postponed on Sunday, new fixture TBC.
A huge congratulation to the U12 Clan na Gael girls team on their Championship final win in Ballinakill last Sunday, what an exciting match. All was level at full time against a skilful AGB side, after an extra 10 mins of additional time both teams were level again so the match went to a shoot out! A fantastic display of football from both teams on the day, thanks to all supporters who travelled down to cheer on the girls and of course their brilliant management team – Mick Blackbyrne, PJ Scully and Eamon Skelly.
Juvenile notes – Eamon and his team of coaches and helpers ran a very smooth blitz in Kilgarron last Friday evening with Enniskerry hosting 11 teams on the night from local clubs Ashford, Bray and parish neighbours Kilmacanogue GAA. Well done to all involved and thanks to Christine Murphy and Richie Kavanagh for giving a lending hand on the evening to ensure the parking and tea making ran to schedule!
Golf Classic – a very wet Sunday morning started off what ended in a brilliant day for the club, Powerscourt Golf Club played host to 27 teams on the West Course with the prize giving ceremony held that evening in the Powerscourt Arms hotel. A huge thanks to everyone who played, sponsored and supported.
The winning teams on the day were ; 1st Paul O Neill with a score of 55.8 and handicap 3.2, 2nd Kilmac GAA with a score of 56.7 and handicap 5.3, 3rd Paul Wrynn with a score of 57.7 and handicap of 4.3, 4th Robert Williams with a score of 58.1 and handicap 5.9 and 5th Sean De Barra with a score of 58.1 and handicap of 5.5. We estimate a fundraising total of €8,500 from the day which is absolutely fantastic and far surpassed our expectations.
ÉIRE ÓG GREYSTONES
The Éire Óg senior footballers garnered their 1st point in the Arklow Bay Hotel Senior Championship In Arklow on Saturday when they drew with Kiltegan. The consensus after the game was that the outcome held little value for either team. For Kiltegan who were already on 4 points the draw placed a doubt on their qualifying for the play-off stages and as for the Éire Óg team, it left its chance of maintaining its status on a nanometre knife-edge.
Our lads are left facing down the Rathnew gun barrel in their final critical game.
Our Junior C footballers recently played host to their counterparts from Blessington in a 3rd round game in the Arklow Bay Hotel Championship.
The game ended in a draw, 2-11 apiece. While Éire Óg in the end were lucky – Blessington had the initiative when Eddie Leonard blew the final whistle – to come away with a point, our lads should never have been in such a precarious position.
They were the dominant team for most of the game but their poor return on shots on goal (20 wides over the 60 minutes) almost led to their downfall.
As can be gathered from the final score, massed defences were absent from the exchanges. Instead spectators were treated to an enjoyable game of football in which the liathróid travelled throughout from end to end of the pitch with little lateral deviation.
The first half was largely owned by the locals and proceedings left a distinct impression of their having a comfortable victory. After around 20 mins na Clocha Liatha were 0-6 to 0-2 ahead and by the break had increased their advantage to 5 points, 0-9 to 0-4. The expectation of an outcome favourable to Éire Óg took on the appearance of certainty when early in the second half Gary Elliot found the back of the net.
However, about the 45 minute mark the game started to go the visitors’ way – was it that the ravages of time were taking a toll on our veterans’ legs – and local hopes received a severe dent a few minutes later when Blessington scored 2 goals in a 2 minute period.
Shortly after that they went 2 points ahead and suddenly the outlook for Greystones took on an aspect of gloom.
At that point the Éire Óg account was brought back into the black by a poacher turned gamekeeper. Former senior defender Eoin O’Neill was sprung from the bench and the seat he had vacated had scarcely cooled when after a clever jinking run he sent a ground-hugging shot to the corner of the net. Blessington fought back strongly and in the last excruciatingly exciting minutes added the 2 points needed to draw the game.
PEIL NA MBAN It is not yet September and the season has practically ended for peil na mban in the county. There is definitely a strong argument for playing the early rounds of the underage championships before the school holidays and the remaining rounds when the cailíní have returned to school.
A case in point would be our u-12 girls squad which has a panel in the region of 30 but i rith an tsamhraidh Séamus Ahern was, on a number of occasions, at his wit’s end trying to assemble
15. For one round he had only 13 at his disposal and but for the opposition sportingly agreeing to play 13-a-side he would have had to concede. Also in the haste to finish the u-16 championship ár gcailíní were forced to play the semi-final and the final of the championship within a 5-day time frame.
Thus on Tuesday of last week they defeated Baltinglass 7-6 to 2-7 at home to reach the final which they lost on Sunday to the same opposition 2-1 to 5-8 in Ballinakill. How did such a turnabout in fortunes occur? Misfortune beset Éire Óg on the Sunday. The team was not at full strength and was further weakened during the match. Three 1st team players were unavailable and 2 of the better players, Jayne Merren and Kerry-Anne Hamilton who scored 3-4 on the Tuesday had to retire early in the game.
However Baltinglass is a fine footballing side and was at the top of its game on Sunday so it is doubtful that even with a full panel Éire Óg would have won.
U-14s: Our u-14s defeated Carnew last week, 3-6 to 3-4, in an exciting and very enjoyable game. They had been beaten in a previous round by St. Nicks and as a result failed to reach the final.
U-12s: This group exceeded all expectations in both performance and numbers. Initially the mentors had difficulty in putting together a team but by md-season the panel had grown to around
30. Recently they defeated Carnew, 5-4 to 3-6, but last week they were put to the sword, 2-5 to 2-3, by Blessington. As a result of this defeat they didn’t qualify for the final.