GRASSROOTS
AUGHRIM
Congratulations to eight of our young footballers who were part of the Carnew first years who contested the Schools ‘A’ county first year final against Dunlavin last Monday night .
Joe McGuckian, Oisin Keegan, Finn Byrne, Charlie O’Connor, Mark Murphy, Cian Keogh, Layton O’Neill and Dessie Fitzgerald together with team mentor Conor Lambert ensured that Aughrim Club were well represented on the day.
Our adult team lost out by two points against Shillelagh/Coolboy last Saturday away in the league.
This was a game that we could have won had we been a bit more composed in front of goal.
Our next fixture is at home against Enniskerry on Saturday, April 20.
Luke O’Toole’s hurling team rounded off a great week for our juveniles when we won out the Wicklow county hurling Féile in Ballinakill last weekend.
Having finished all square on the Saturday, we had to return on Sunday to start all over again and under the management team of Sean and Kieran O’Shea and Donal Rice won out the tournament beating Carnew in the semi-final and Bray in the final.
Well done to all as a lot of these players were completing a historic double for the club after winning the football Féile the week before.
RATHNEW
‘Rathnew Gaa 1885’ is the club’s one and only official Facebook page. Any other page with our name has nothing to do with our club is not run by anyone in our club.
With the season starting for all teams any club gear can be bought on the Rathnew shop on the O’Neill’s website or just follow the link on our Facebook page.
There was no winner of the lotto jackpot on April 1.
Numbers: 5, 7, 15, and 16. We had three match threes: Carla Merrigan c/o Rooster, Niamh Byrne c/o Andy Jameson, Darren and Erica Newsome c/o Darren.
At the time of writing the jackpot stands at €10,200. Get your tickets from Doyle’s, The Arches, The Village Inn, Rockies, Healy’s Mini Market, View hair and beauty, Malone’s, Dowling’s Butchers and Centra every Friday and Saturday evening from 5.30pm. Thanks to everyone who supports our lotto.
A massive thanks to SKC Providers Limited for once again coming on board as the main sponsor for our Senior teams and also for their contribution to the sanding and spiking work which got done on the pitch during the week.
We hope that all our members and supporters can support not only SKC but all our sponsors for the coming year.
Membership is now well over due. It is vital that all adult and juveniles pay their membership or they are not covered if injured. If no effort is made to pay then they will be unable to train or play. Contact the team coaches for membership details.
The 2019 Kellogg’s Cúl Camp dates have been released. Rathnew will be hosting it the week starting August 12. It’s always a brilliant week for the kids so book early on kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie or follow the link on our Facebook page.
All coaches in the club have to be Garda vetted. It can be done online through the Gaa.ie website or follow the link on our Facebook page. It only takes a few minutes to complete.
The fundraising committee are holding a poker classic in Doyle’s on Good Friday, April 19, and also an Easter raffle with sponsor cards for all kids which will be handed out at training.
The nursery is back on Saturday morning at 11.15am. It is for all kids aged three upwards. Contact James Stafford 083 3193238 for more details.
Get well wishes to club chairman Bobby who is recovering from a operation on a injury we believe he first picked up in 1976, and congratulations to Senior goalkeeper and club secretary Peter Dignam and his wife Amanda on the birth of their baby son on Saturday.
Well done to the under-14 girls team on a great win against Kilcoole in their first league match. Hard luck to a very young under-16 team who lost to Tinahely and also hard luck to the ladies team who lost on Sunday evening to Éire Óg.
A good win for the senior team away to Blessington on Sunday morning, next up is St. Pats at home on Thursday evening.
Hard luck to the Intermediate team who lost away to Vallymount on Saturday.
We hosted our first Go Games blitz on Friday night with all the under-7s and under-9s doing brilliant in bad conditions.
The under-15s were unlucky to lose out to AGB on Wednesday night while also on Wednesday our under 11 red team beat St. Pats away while the green team lost out to Éire Óg it was a great effort from both teams.
NEWTOWN
A fantastic day yesterday as the nursery under-7s and under-9s got their training underway in the morning.
The nursery is open to boys and girls aged 3-7 every Saturday morning at 11.30am. Contact Ciaran McGuirl for further information.
Under-8/10 girls training will recommence next Saturday at 10am, new players are always welcome. Contact Dominic 086 6023330 for further information.
Following training we had our juvenile presentation in the community centre for all our younger teams. Well done to our under-8, 10, 12, and 14 girls teams and to our under-9, 11s, 13s, and 15s boys teams for a fantastic 2018.
Special thanks on the day to Loretto Martin for organizing the awards and to all the managers for their hard work last year.
We’d ask that anyone who can help in some way for their child’s team to contact Ciarán McGuirl 086 3028349.
Big thanks to Shane ‘County’ Mooney and Mark Fitzsimons our two Wicklow GAA representatives for presenting the medals.
Also a big thank you to Henry and Rose, Newtown, for their kind food and drink sponsorship for the kids.... and some adults too!
On top of the team awards we also had the individual awards for Player of the Year and Most Improved Player .
Most Improved Player Awards: Under-11 boys: Dylan Dunleavy; Under-12 girls: Tara Carey; Under-13 boys: Marcel Kodjaca; Under-14 girls: Una Power; Under-15 boys: Michael Byrne.
Player of the Year awards: PJ Duffy, under-11 boys; Anna Faye Hanley, under-12 girls; Ryan Clarke, under-13 boys; Alyssia Larkin, under-14s girls; Josh Odlum, under-15s boys.
These children are the future so let’s give them the best we can .
Well done and thanks to all involved and let’s make 2019 a bigger and better year #magpies #blackandwhite.
It was a great start to the league for the under-11s away in Kilcoole. It was a good even game all through with each side on top for different spells with good scoring from each team in the terrible conditions.
Newtown made the slightly better use of their chances which along with some great defending made the difference in the end.
A great display from all Newtown players and well done to all players who turned out on such a very cold, windy and wet night. Newtown 28 (4-8), Kilcoole 18 (3-5).
Team: Aaron Garrett, Sam Fenelon, Noah Flannery, Scott McKenna, Ryan McDonald, Mike Synnott, Luke Turley (11), John Turley (1-2), Nathan McMahon, Aidan Heffernan (0-4), Dylan Dunleavy (1-0), Oisin Duffy (1-1).
Great win for the Senior men on Wednesday against Carnew, final score was 4-8 to 0-7
Scorers were: Ross 2-2, Sean Gregory 0-2, Conor Odlum 1-1, Karl Carthy 0-1, Neil Martin 0-1, Sean Heffernan 0-1, Cathal McNicholas 1-0
Sunday, the ladies team had a team bonding morning as they climbed the Sugar Loaf.
The Junior men played St Pats in a friendly Tuesday and play An Tochar this Thursday as they prepare for the start of the league on April 18. New players always welcome .
Lotto rolls over yet again to a lovely €5,600, tickets are only €2 and help support the club so please buy a ticket to be in with a chance to win. Numbers drawn last week were: 1, 13, 17, and 25.
BARNDARRIG
Well done to John and the footballers who beat Laragh Saturday last on a score line of 2-13 to 10 points.
It was great to see such a great turn out of supporters!
There is no game this weekend, the dual lads have a well-deserved rest after a few tough weeks.
The ladies are playing Carnew at home on Sunday next keep an eye on the Facebook page for a time for that game.
Well done to the under-11 footballers who played very well against Avoca on Wednesday night last in their first game of the year.
Don’t forget lotto tickets are on sale in all the shops, pubs and off committee members.
Also, memberships are due, adult membership is €80 per person while Juvenile is €45 for the first child, €40 for the second and €35 for the third child.
This is vital to cover the costs of Affiliations so can everyone please ensure it is paid up as soon as possible.
We are introducing a new social membership for the coming year for non-playing members, the cost will be €25.
With this you will receive weekly messages with fixtures, results, scorers and events for the week’s action within the club, while the funds raised will go towards the day to day running of the club. For more information or to sign up talk to any committee member.
BLESSINGTON
Lotto – Next draw on Wednesday, April 10, in The Avon. Jackpot: €3,400. The lotto will be held this Wed to coincide with our bingo. Thanks for continued support.
Bingo - Our bingo will commence at 8.15pm in The Avon. Shuttle bus available from various locations in Blessington €2.00. Books and flyer sheets €10.
Club Registration – For anyone who has not registered yet forms are available on our website. You can pay online.
This is a new website and Google have not replaced the old website address yet so Blessingtongaa.ie will not work. Please use the link above.
Seniors - Our Seniors played Rathnew at home on Sunday morning in the league.
Although both teams were missing players, we still had a strong team out and were looking forward to the game.
In fairness, both teams made somewhat of a shaky start with both losing possession and getting turned over.
The scores did come with Rathnew opening with a point from a free.
We settled in then ourselves and opened up a 0-7 to 0-3 point lead at half-time.
As the saying goes, a game of two halves! This was it! We seemed to take our foot off the gas and let Rathnew gradually back into it by giving away three goals again crucial stages with some poor defensive errors.
Against Rathnew you can’t afford to do that. We managed to still tick on six points but ran out of time to lose by 3-9 to 0-13.
Up next is Baltinglass in two weeks. S. Carroll 0- 2, A. McLoughlin 0-2, J Nolan 0-.2, P. O’Connor 0-2, K. Hanlon 0-1, K.J. Rogers 0-1, M. O’Connor 0-3.
Juniors Division 3 – After trailing in the first half the lads really upped their game.
They were three points up when the visitors St Pat’s rattled the back of the net in the last kick of the game to level. Blessington 2-11 St Pats 3-08. Next up is a home match v Éire Óg on Fri 19 Apr.
Juniors Div 4 – Blessington home v Dunlavin on Thursday, April 18, at 7.15pm.
All Ireland PPS Senior ‘A’ Decider - Such hard luck to CBS Naas to lose the final against St Michael’s Enniskillen by the bare minimum. 1-12 to 1-11 on Saturday in Croke Park.
Our club lads are a credit to Blessington GAA – Conall O’Gallchobhair, Ethan Cotter and Kevin Quinn.
Thanks to Billy Lenehan from Billy’s Bus who ran a free bus to Croke Park on the day to bring supporters to the match.
Wicklow Seniors Ladies – Hard luck to the ladies who were beaten away v Longford on Sunday. Well done to Kim Connors.
Under-14 girls - Brilliant win for our under-14 Blue team Tuesday night at home v Tinahely 3-8 to 3-2. An excellent team performance EVERY single player put in a fine display - just outstanding, the work rate the determination the turnovers the blocking the forward link up play, lovely football to watch a massive well done girls.
So many could have got the POTM but the well-deserved recipients were the brilliant Aoibheann and Aisling.
Super start to the league and great home support in baltic weather conditions.
Team and Scorers: Anna Carlyon, Grace Swan, Orlaith Ni Gallchobair, Roisin Doyle, Erin McMahon, Elaine O’Dwye, Aoibheann Bailey, Emily Rose O’Toole, Leila Shannon, Aisling Brennan 2-2, Sadhbh Fisher 0-3, Aibhe King 1-1, Caoimhe Gilligan, Robyn Brennan 0-1, Aoife Cullen 0-1, Holly Byrne, Ava Jordan Dempsey, Emma Stynes, Juliette Gough, Clara Keane, Ava O’Driscoll.
Juveniles - Blessington GAA Easter Camp – Monday and Tuesday, April 15 and 16, from 10am to 2pm. Cost: one child - €20; two children €35; three children €55; four children €70. What to bring – Packed lunch, Runners/ Football boots, Playing and wet gear, gumshields. Age 5 – 13 welcome. All member and no-members welcome. To register contact Jess 0868602822 and Kim 0852079649.
Under-15s – Under-15s played 1st League game away on Wed Apr against An Tochar on a wet cold night windy night.
Blessington lads played some good football with good passing and retaining possession considering the conditions and came away with a win on a scoreline of 6-9 to 4-6.
A good start to the season and hopefully it continues. Eight players scored and three players scored of their weaker foot which is testament to the work they are doing on both sides.
Well done to Brian Richardson and Finn Behan from the under-14s who played on the Michael Dwyers team who qualified for Feile and also to Thomas Walsh from the under-13s. Next game is Wednesday (this evening) at home against St Kevins. Training Wednesday from 7pm and Sunday from 6pm.
Under-13s – We had a great win on Sunday at home against Ratoath in the Leinster Cross Border League Shield semi-final.
Under-10s NKL – The under-10s travelled to Carbury in our second NKL fixture.
They put in a very strong performance to dominate from start to finish.
Special thanks to the under-9s who helped out on the day due to a lot of 10s squad being away. Two wins from two now and two players really stood out on the day team captain for the day Fiacha Duffy led by example and Jake Wilson
SHILLELAGH-COOLBOY
Thanks to everyone who supported the Grand National Sweepstake Draw held in Kenny’s Central House on Friday last, April 5.
The following were the lucky punters: 1st: Killian Lambert, Coolattin Gardens; 2nd: Niall O’Keeffe, Coolboy; 3rd: Paula Murphy, Millbank.
Ellie Smith drew the last horse to cross the line and procured the consolation prize.
Well done to the Junior ‘A’ football team who made it three wins on the trot in Division 3 of the football league when accounting for Aughrim in a thriller on the Fairgreen on Saturday last. Scor Leathama 1-10 to 1-7, scor deiridh 1-16 to 1-14. Our next outing in Division 3 is an away trip to picturesque Knockananna on the weekend of April 13/14.
The combination drawn in the Fairgreen development lotto draw on Monday, April 1, was 2, 4, 7, and 24. There was no jackpot winner.
Comhghairdeas to Maureen Flaherty, Carnew, who was the sole match-three winner winning €100.
Once again the legend residing in Millbank, Tommy Murphy, scooped the promoter’s prize.
The next draw with the jackpot a very enticing €4,900 will take place in Kenny’s central House on Monday next, April 15. Tickets costing just €2 are available in all local business outlets, from promoters, players and from members of the Fairgreen development committee.
It is encouraging to see the walkway being fully utilised, walkers/runners etc. may have noticed the installation of an Honesty Box just inside the roadside entrance to the Fairgreen.
The purpose being to the defray the cost of the lighting and upkeep of this very popular amenity, If you have a spare coin and are in a position to donate it would be much appreciated.
Shillelagh/Coolboy G.A.A Club in conjunction with Coolboy Handball Club will hold a fundraising golf classic in Coolattin Golf Club on Sunday, May 5.
The entry for a team of four is €160 (meal provided). For information regarding availability of tee times etc contact Miley O’Keeffe at 087 9849999.
Presentation of prizes and entertainment will take place in the clubhouse on the same evening.
Well done to both under-11 teams and also our under-15 warriors who encountered Annacurra, Michael Dwyers and Carnew in their opening league encounters on Monday, April 1, on an evening when you would think twice about exposing a milk bottle to the elements. To all players, coaches, parents and supporters, maith sibh.
The juvenile nursery catering for our youngest members (four to six-year-old boys/girls continues on the Fairgreen on this Friday, April 12, from 7 to 8 pm.