Greystones Rugby Club and Tiglin Challenge set to benefit

TWO PROJECTS in Co Wicklow are set to receive funding under the Better Energy Community Scheme for their community energy projects.

Tiglin Challenge Wicklow and Greystones Rugby Club are both set to benefit from the scheme, which is operated by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.

The Tiglin Challenge project will see transport companies enter into an agreement to reduce their fuel spend through driver training and installation of a vehicle management system.

‘ The resultant energy credits will be donated to finance the community building upgrades,’ said Minister Andrew Doyle, who has welcomed last week’s funding announcement.

‘Greystones Rugby club with two local businesses are to work with FutureFit and will receive funding as part of a demonstration project for a new sustainable energy community.

‘Greystones Rugby Club, the Beach House and Burnaby bars and restaurants in Greystones are set to benefit through measures to include roof insulation, heat pumps and roof mounted solar photovoltaics. Energy saving data collected will be fed back to the sporting community through their partnership with bodies such as the Federation of Irish Sport, the GAA, the IRFU local county boards and their social media,’ said Minister Doyle.

‘ This is a good example of how grants can be used to heighten awareness, improve our energy efficiency, save people money on their energy bills and create local jobs into the bargain,’ said the Minister of State. I HAVE A CONFESSION to make. One I’m not particularly proud of: I did not watch the Ireland match. In fact, in the spirit of full disclosure I must reveal that I did not actually watch any of the Ireland matches during the course of Euro 2016.

I know, I know how very unpatriotic of me. And I do feel a bit bad now that they’re out.

The children have disowned me because I refused to buy them Ireland jerseys in Dublin airport en route to our summer holidays. In my defence they were 70 quid each – bloody daylight robbery – and I knew for a fact once the Euros were over they’d never see the light of day.

But the atmosphere was decidedly frosty in the O’Mahony household after I decided to spend the day by the pool instead of joining them to watch the Ireland v France game (it was France wasn’t it??) in an Irish bar up the road.

‘It will be packed, every Paddy in the Costa Blanca will be there spilling pints and singing Ole Ole Ole and I don’t understand the offside rule,’ I said laying my towel on a sunbed beside a deserted pool.

They stormed off in a huff wrapped in giant tricolours. It’s kind of hard to ‘storm off ’ when you’re wrapped in a flag so really it was more of a shuffle. I wish I’d taken a picture.

I spent a glorious afternoon on my tod listening to music and having the occasional dip in the pool. There wasn’t a sinner in sight.

I hadn’t a clue of the result but three hours later I knew straight away when I saw their little faces coming towards me, tricolours scrunched up in their arms.

Himself couldn’t even talk, he just shook his head, although that could have had something to do with the several pints he’d imbibed.

‘We lost!’ said The Youngest, flinging off her clothes and jumping into the pool all thoughts of the Irish team erased from her mind. A fair weather supporter.

The boys were gutted. ‘Ah lads I’m really sorry. Sure look, there’s always next year,’ I said cheerfully. They both shot me disgusted looks.

‘ They only take place every four years,’ Himself replied through gritted teeth. Ooops! There was only one thing for it. Only one way I could even slightly redeem myself. I went to the fridge and returned with an ice cold beer.

‘Here get that into you. Numb the pain.’ He nodded sadly and took a swig. ‘Shane Long’s on fire...your defence is terrified...’ He started singing quietly to himself.

Roll on 2020 yaaaaaaaay!