BALLINACOR

Well done to the lads on a great win on Saturday in the semi-final of the Intermediate championship!

It was a game played in terrible conditions but credit to both teams on playing some great football.

Our lads got off to a great start, going 1-3 to no score up but Donard came back strongly at us. In the last few minutes of the first half we added three points to go in 1-6 to 3 up.

In the second half our lads pushed on again and with 10 minutes left we were eight points ahead.

All credit to Donard who threw everything at us and got a goal and a few points but Ballinacor held out for a 2-8 to 1-8 win. Fair play to Donard-The Glen who were very sporting at the final whistle.

At the moment the final is fixed for the weekend of October 8 and 9. Keep an eye on the Facebook page and fixtures for confirmation on this.

Thanks to everyone who came to support the lads, much appreciated! Thanks to Phelan’s for putting on some food for the lads after this match and all the other matches this year. Thanks also to Carnew GAA for the use of their jerseys for the game. Thanks to Annacurra GAA for the use of their facilities for training the last few weeks. score: St Patrick’s 2-8, Blessington 0-7. We all wish Tommy Kelly and Ruairi Marron speedy returns to fitness.

Congratulations to our under-16 ladies who had a busy week beating Bray Emmets in the championship semi-final 5-09 to 2-04 in Rathnew GAA Club on Monday, September 19.

On Friday night in Rathnew the ladies meet old foe AGB in the championship final. In unpleasant weather conditions the girls played some excellent football to reign supreme for the fifth year in a row. Final score: 8-7 to 1-4.

A big thank you to Rathnew GAA for allowing the use of their pitch for the under-16 girls county championship, it is very much appreciated.

We have another busy weekend ahead when our Senior hurlers take on reigning champions Bray Emmets in the Dacia Senior Hurling Championship semi-final in Aughrim on Sunday, October 2. Best wishes to Michael Neary and all involved. Did someone mention double?

Our Junior ‘A’ footballers took on Division 2 side Ashford in the championship semi-final in Arklow on Saturday. In dreadful conditions both teams played football but missed opportunities at both ends. Shaun Vickers got the vital score at the death to force a deserved replay which will take place in Rathnew on Sunday, October 2 at 11.30am in Rathnew GAA. The full-time score: Ashford 2-07, St Pat’s 2-07.

Congratulations to our under-12 hurlers who won their final at the mini festival in Ballinakill on Saturday.

In wet and windy conditions the lads overcame Luke O’Toole’s on a score line of 2-4 to 1-3. The team faced into a strong wind in the first half and trailed by 1-3 to 0-0 at half-time.

The lads produced a stunning second half performance and a fantastic late goal from Johnno Moorehouse sealed the victory for Pats. Team captain John O’Brien lifted the cup to unbridled scenes of joy. The successful panel was Aran Cavanagh, Sam Culleton, Rory Hennessy, Billy Joe Connors, John O’Brien, Tom Davis, Joe Davis, Fionn Greene, Denis O’Brien, Bill O’Brien, Conor Lacey, Johnno Mooorehouse, Fionn Laffan, Matt Gleeson, Adam Kelly, John O’Brien, Callum Doyle, Tom Phelan, Jim Stafford and Chris Bouchier.

Our under-8 and under-10 hurlers marked the last weekend of Go Games with a skills competition followed by a presentation of certificates and medals to all. Winners of the skills competitions on the night were Tiernan Shorthall (under-7), his brother Senan Shorthall (under-8), Eoin Lawlor (under-9), and Johnno Moorehouse (under-10).

The boys had to complete a course across four stations testing their skills in ground striking, striking from the hand, pick-ups, catching and hand-passing.

Our adjudicators armed with clip boards and pen kept an eye on proceedings collating the scores.

A highlight of the evening was the hotly contested ‘Ladies Long Puck’ competition with Tara Treanor coming out on top!

Many thanks to county captain and local school teacher Billy Cuddihy who was on hand to help with the skills competition and present the medals to the boys.

Hard luck to the under-14s ladies who travelled to the Kilmacud Crokes All Ireland 7’s but were beaten in the semi-final by Donaghmoyne, the home of Eddie Leonard’s cousins. Great performance by the girls to get to an All-Ireland semi-final!

Hard luck to our under-14 footballers who came up against an in-form Tinahely side in round 4 of the ‘A’ championship.

This weekend, September 30 and October 1, we will be on the streets of Wicklow for our annual flag day collection. Your support for this club fundraiser is very much appreciated.

Congratulations to Louise Rowland and Darren Pierce who celebrated their wedding recently in Athlone. Darren was a former member and player before emigrating to Canada. Congrats guys, we wish you a lifetime of health and happiness

St Patrick’s GAA - Sports Prediction Competition update. We had two events decided in our competition recently: All-Ireland ladies football final - predicted winner Cork – (2) and Australian Rules Football - predicted winner Other – (12). The Australian Rules Grand Final is being played next Saturday between the Sydney Swans and the Western Bulldogs.

As both of these teams would fall under the ‘Other’ category in our competition it does not matter which team emerges victorious for our competition and so we have updated the leaderboard ahead of the final taking place.

Our Leader table is as follows: 76: Mark Murphy, 74: Marguerite Fitzpatrick, 72: Christopher Kavanagh, 70: Con Hayden, 66: Daragh O’Sullivan, Damien O’Brien, 64: Michaela Kennedy, Gary Duffy.

We had no winners in our club lotto this week! Numbers drawn were 10, 22, 23 and 24. The bonus number was eight.

Make sure you buy a ticket each week and you could be the winner of our match four prize of €1,600 or match five €10,000 jackpot!