GRASSROOTS
AUGHRIM
Following on from our adult hurlers’ brilliant win in the Junior hurling county final a few weeks ago, our juvenile hurlers and footballers have stole the limelight in the last two weeks.
First up was our under-11 footballers who won the Division 2 final by two points against a strong Coolboy/Shillelagh team two weeks ago.
Last Saturday, we had three juvenile teams contesting three finals.
Our under-15 footballers played An Tochar in the Plate final in Ashford and in a tense match played in far from ideal conditions they won out comfortably enough in the end.
This was a great performance from a talented group of players who have made huge progress over the past year. Congrats to all involved management and players.
Our under-11 hurlers fielded two teams in two finals last Saturday in Ballinakill.
The older group of under-11s played Carnew and after falling behind by two points midway through the second half fought back to equalise at full-time and after a hectic struggle in extra-time they came away with a one-point win.
This was a gutsy performance by all the players and great credit must go to their mentors.
Our younger group of under-11s played Avondale in their final.
This too was a very close game but the players from the Granite City came away with a two-point win to crown a great day for our club.
Again, well done to this group and their mentors.
Our Race Nite has been put back to November 2 in Paddy’s lounge.
Race cards and horses are available from all committee members.
Please support this annual fundraiser for the club so that we can provide for our adult and juvenile players.
BALLYMANUS
Big weekend for the club this weekend as our 1994 championship winning side are being honoured at half-time of the Senior county final on Sunday.
Few drinks down in Paddy’s on Saturday evening to reminese on the glory days. Please head along if at all available.
Thanks to all who supported the recent coffee evening in the hall and well done to all who organised.
The total raised was €670 in aid of Wicklow Hospice.
There was no lotto jackpot winner last weekend from 1, 20, 22, and 26. Four quick pick winner’s were Joan van Eesbeck, Triona c/o Gerry Keogh, Ann and Helen, and Aoife Byrne.
The club AGM takes place Nov 1 in the hall at 8pm.
Finally, the big club fundraiser of the year, the annual race night, takes place on November 23. Horses (€10) are currently available to buy. Get in early.
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 and is run by someone with also nothing to do with our club. Please dislike any other page with our name thanks.
Jerseys and any other club gear are now on sale on the Rathnew shop on the O’Neill’s website or just follow the link on our Facebook page
We had no winner of the lotto jackpot on September 30. Numbers: 1, 2, 6, and 27. We had three match three: Mary Kinsella c/o Mary Murphy, Vivienne O’Neill c/o self, Catherina Doyle c/o Darren Newsome.
At the time of writing the jackpot stands at €13,200.
Get your tickets from Doyle’s, The Arches, The Village Inn, Rockies, Healy’s Mini Market, View hair & beauty, Malone’s, Dowling’s Butchers and Centra every Friday and Saturday. Thanks to everyone who supports our lotto.
Our minors have qualified for the club’s first Minor ‘A’ final since 2011 when they topped their group on score difference which means they will play Baltinglass who also topped their group on score difference on October 20 in Aughrim.
The lads will be hoping to win the club’s first Minor championship since 1990.
It’s hard to believe with all the success we’ve had at Senior level that its 29 years since we last won a minor title with final defeats in 1991, 1996, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Hard luck to the under-15s who lost out to AGB on Saturday morning in the ‘A’ Shield final in Newcastle 3-7 to 3-5.
On Friday evening we held our annual Charlie Melia tournament for all the younger kids in the club.
The weather cleared in time for a excellent evening’s entertainment with the under-7 and 9 boys playing against each other while the under-11 boys had two matches against the under-10 and 12 girls.
A massive thanks to everyone who helped on the night from the Melia family, coaches, parents, committee and most importantly the kids.
Hard luck to Glenealy who lost the Senior hurling final on Sunday to Bray Emmets.
BLESSINGTON
Lotto – No winner of the Blessington GAA Lotto jackpot of €5,800 on Tuesday, September 24.
Jackpot now stands at €6,000. No winners of match three numbers at last draw so €300 will be carried forward.
Tickets can be bought from players, committee members and local businesses. Thanks for continued support.
Bingo – The nights are closing in and time to pencil in your local bingo every Wednesday evening.
Next bingo on Wednesday, October 9, at 8.15pm sharp in The Avon. Cost €10 includes jackpot and flyer sheets. Jackpot now €3,600! Please spread the word and support.
Seniors – Hard luck to the Senior team and management following a narrow defeat to AGB in the Senior football championship semi-final replay in Baltinglass on Saturday.
Blessington led 0-8 to 0-2 at half time. AGB clawed their way back and took the lead with minutes to go. Final score: Blessington 1-10 AGB 3-6. Best wishes to Paul McLoughlin who was injured during the match. Thanks for all the support during the year.
Juniors – Our Junior ‘A’ team beat favourites Valleymount well in the semi-finals in Hollywood on Saturday to reach the final against An Tochar on Saturday, October 12, in Aughrim at 4pm. Final score: Blesso 4-6, Valleymount 0-11. Please come out and support the lads and bring your flags and bunting and voices.
Physio - Upstairs in the clubhouse this coming week on Wednesday, October 9, at 7pm. Adults needing full physio appointments MUST go through Pat Molloy and Juvenile through Barry Cotter.
Junior Ladies - Well done to our Junior ladies team who had a big win over neighbours Kilbride/Lacken in the Junior ‘B’ championship final in Valleymount on Sunday. Final score: Blessington 8-0 to 4-4. Well done to management and coaches Maura Reid, Sinead Johnston, Noel Kinsella, Paddy O’Connor and Damien Flanagan.
Under-12s – The under-12s blitz cancelled due to weather and many games taking place in Ballinakill. Refixed dates etc TBC.
Under-8s - Our under-8 girls had a great evening with our ‘walk and talk’ on Tuesday, October 1. Well done girls. The chats were great!
Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others – G4M had a great day at the Portmarnock blitz. They played five teams – Dublin, Kildare, Galway, Sligo and Antrim.
Even though the weather was bad it didn’t bother the ladies as they had a great day of football. G4M team is looking for new members.
If you fancy trying something new and meeting some new people, please come along and try it out on Tuesday evenings at 7pm.
Under-15 boys – Training Wed nesday 7pm and Friday 6pm. Championship final 2.30pm Saturday, October 12 against Bray. Venue TBC. Well done to the lads who collected Junior Cert results on Friday.
Under-13s – Lads played An Tochar in Ballinakill on Wednesday, October 2, in Division 1 semi-final and unfortunately came away with a loss to a very strong An Tochar squad who now face Éire Óg in Division 1 final. We now play St Nick’s in Shield final next Saturday, October 12, in Baltinglass at 11am.
Under-12s - NKL lads played Cappagh on Saturday, October 5, in Blessington in the Cup semi-final.
Despite the horrible conditions, our lads dug deep and played some amazing football to score 5-14 to the opposition’s 3-8.
This squad’s work rate and immense will to improve is fantastic to watch. Well done to all the panel and we look forward to the final in Hawkfield on Saturday, October 19. Thanks to Cappagh for travelling and a great match.
Thanks to referee Jimmy Lawlor for doing great job at short notice. Thanks, as always, to all the parents who on this occasion got very wet watching the lads win.
Under-11s Dick Allen Cup – Sunday, October 13, 11am, Annacurra v Blessington Blue. The final will take place on Sunday, October 20.
Under-11s Ray Daniels Cup – The under-11 White squad had a great win away to Baltinglass in the Ray Daniels Cup quarter-final.
The lads came away with 2518 win with a man of the match performance from Cormac Smith. Semis on Sunday at 11am. Final on Sunday, October 20.
Under-10s – The under-10s played Raheen’s in the NKL on Friday evening.
The lads put in a strong performance coming away with a good win.
Loads of great play from everybody but special mention for Dylan Callaghan and Brandon Ryan in the forwards as they both kicked some excellent scores.
Academy – Only a couple of weeks left of our academy. We will wind up on Saturday, October 26. If your child is four or over, please send them down to the astro at 10am on Saturday to try out for free.
Rounders - Blessington GAA are looking at the possibility of starting Rounders teams for juvenile ages (boys and girls).
It’s an official GAA sport and even has own Féile. If any parent is interested in training and attending coaching, please contact Kevin Gilmore on 0872324197.
Minor Hurling – Well done to Michael Dwyers players and management who beat Carnew Emmets in the Minor Hurling Championship on Sunday.
Carnew Emmets 2-7, Michael Dwyers 0-17. Blessington GAA have five players on the panel - Jake O’Kelly, Oisin Brogan, Conor Gilligan, Austin Brennan and Sam Gough. Also to Pat Brennan. Well done lads.
Instagram - Blessington GAA is now on Instagram. Keep up to date with all the action by following us - Username @blessingtongaa.
Remember to keep updated on what is happening in the Club log on to Blessington GAA on Facebook and on Twitter @blessingtongaa. If you wish to be on the Blessington GAA Supporters Whats App please text your name to 087 2858375.
HOLLYWOOD
Hollywood GAA Club lotto results from October 2. The numbers drawn were 8, 12, 18 and 21. There was no winner of the jackpot. The sellers prize went to Johnny Byrne (374). The €50 winners were David McGuigan (815), John and Henry Murray (848) and Fiona Guing (932).
The next draw for a Jackpot of €12,000 will be held in The Hollywood Inn on October 16. Thanks for your continued support.
Donard-The Glen Camogie Club and St Kevin’s Community College have been working together in the building of dressing rooms at St Kevin’s Community College, Dunlavin.
They would like to invite all our club members and supporters to the official opening of the dressing rooms at St Kevin’s Community College on Friday, October 11, at 4.15pm.
The opening will be preformed by Kilkenny hurling manager Mr Brian Cody.
They would ask that you join them on the day and in particular if you could inform all the children in our club who are welcome to come along and meet Mr Cody and have their photo taken with him if they wish.
VALLEYMOUNT
The next lotto draw will take place on October 12 with a jackpot of €8,700.
Tickets are €2 and available from all members. If anyone would like to buy a yearly lotto ticket please contact Michael Nolan on 087 2964476.
Go Games takes place every Thursday evening from 6.30 to 7.30pm. It’s not too late to join in if you haven’t been before, all new faces welcome.
Hard luck to our Junior ‘A’ lads who lost out to Blessington in the
AN TOCHAR
Under-13 ‘A’ championship - Good luck to our under-13 boys team as they take on Éire Óg in the final this weekend.
Junior ‘A’ championship - Best of luck to our men’s team on Saturday in the final versus Blessington. Venue: Aughrim; Throw-in: 4pm.
An Tóchar GAA Oscarz Fundraiser - Saturday, October 19, at 8pm.
An Tóchar GAA club will produce seven movies - 50 volunteer actors from the community and club will take part.
Each movie will be screened at our Oscarz event on Saturday, October 19, in Aras An Tochar. It promises to be a great night. Don’t leave it too late to get your tickets. Tickets €25 each are available from Roundwood Post Office, Liz Byrne 087 6736066, Phil Power 087 6468060. Visit our Facebook page @antocharoscarz.
LACKEN-KILBRIDE
Disappointment for the ladies last Sunday in Valleymount in their Junior ‘B’ county final.
Credit to Blessington who were the better team on the day and deserved their victory.
Well done to all, and a special mention to manager and coach Conor McNamara and player/coach Rionach Craul for a great season and a serious effort throughout the season.
With a strong season under their belts, surely the goal in 2020 will be a championship trophy. Congratulation to Blessington on their victory and we wish their squad the best for Junior A next year. Big thanks to the Valleymount club for hosting a great final.
Finally, it’s an achievement to reach a county final in itself and that should be rightly acknowledged. Well done girls.
Sponsorship for the Ladies Team - Big thanks to Stephen Masterson and Wyckham Builders who sponsored tops for the ladies team.
Best Wishes to Pat Donohoe - Club stalwart Pat Donohoe plays (if selected!!) in his first county final for his adopted new club An Tochar versus our dear neighbours Blessington. Best of luck, Pat. The Junior ‘A’ final is fixed for this Saturday at 4pm in Aughrim, it should be a cracking match.
Juvenile training moves to the Astro pitch in Blessington each Friday at 6pm for the next month.
Recent club lotto results – Jackpot stands at €13,000.
Lotto results from September 29 were: 01, 22, 27, 28 – No winner.
€20 winners were: Carmel Paton, Elaine Byrne, Jamie McGuire, Paul Carroll, Shannon Ward.
Lotto results from October 6 are not in as yet, but there was no winner.
Jackpot stands at €13,200.