Young referees complete course with David Gough

Round-up YOUNG whistlers are trained up and ready to go - A fantastic afternoon was spent at Bray Emmets clubhouse on Thursday, November 24, where a group of fifth class boys and girls from all corners of the county were coached in the art of refereeing by highly esteemed referee David Gough.

The pupils were given an insight into the etiquette attached to being a referee, to the simple rules of Gaelic football, to the hand signals required and to keeping a record of scores, etc.

Each prospective player was then presented with a referee’s top, whistle, notebook and certificate.

These Young Whistlers will go on to referee within their schools and at different Allianz Cumann na mBunscol competitions in the coming year. Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin are extremely grateful to Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Laighean who funded the activity.

Thanks to Emmet Bhré for hosting the event and to Liam McGraynor for providing the refreshments and preparing the room on the day.

We appreciate the parents and teachers who travelled and gave of their time after school. Finally tremendous credit must go to the pupils themselves for their excellent participation, attention and manners, a full list of names follows:

Katie Ní Chuinn Scoil Chualann, Bré; Jamie O Cuinn, Scoil Chualann, Bré; Gregory Healy, St Cronan’s, Bré; Ciaran Kelly, St Cronan’s, Bré; Grace Drumgoole, Kilcoole; Seamus Darcy, Kilcoole; Patrick Shaw, St Joseph’s, Templerainey; Hannah Salley, St Joseph’s, Templerainey; Eadaoin Ní Chatháin, Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin; Leo O Riada, Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin; Tia McLoughlin, Newtown; Martin Kelly, Newtown; Cian Deering, Scoil Nioclás Naofa, Dunlavin; Chloe Fadan, Scoil Nioclás Naofa, Dunlavin; Eabha Ni Bhriain Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, Bré; Mikey O Mealláin, Gaelscoil Ui Chéadaigh; Donnacha O Riordan, St Kevin’s, Greystones; James O Dowd, St Kevin’s Greystones.

Indoor Hurling/Camogie third and fourth class - Indoor hurling and camogie continues this week of December 5. Your school will have been contacted regarding which day you will be attending but if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact Garrett Doyle on 083 4357460.

Pella Boys Blitz a Great Success in West Wicklow - There was a great turnout of schools this week for the first ever Pella Boys Blitz to take place in Wicklow.

Bigstone N.S, Grangecon N.S, Knockananna N.S, Donard N.S, Hacketstown N.S, Valleymount N.S and Stratford N.S all took part on the day. The children really enjoyed the new game and found it a great challenge.

So what is Pella? Pella is an indoor version of Gaelic football, which can be played as a four or five a side game, in an indoor arena or on an all weather pitch. At the start/end of the game, each player on each team gets a kick at the scoring area to score for their team, this score worth one point and is added to team score at the end of match.

The rules are as follows: one point for a fisted score; one point for a score kicked from inside the red arc; three points for score kicked from outside the red arc but inside the attacking half of the court; Solo and hop rule apply as in Gaelic football. It may be advisable, however, to limit this to one solo and one hop; You cannot score from your own half.

If the ball hits the wall or any part of the roof the team who last played it lose possession and the opposition restarts.

Next week we will be running the Girls Pella Blitz in Scoil Chonglais with again seven schools taking part. National Awards Information Promotion of Gaelic Games and Culture – Schools

Category 5: first prize €700; second prize €600; third prize €500.

Schools are asked to show their work in promoting Gaelic games and culture. This can target a single area or a number of areas – including football, hurling, camogie, handball, rounders, Respect Initiative, Go Games, table quizzes, club school links, coaching initiatives.

Document outlining promotion work (1 – 2 A4 pages - 500 words approximately). Photographic evidence.

School of the Year - The first place school in Category 6 and 7 will be presented with awards in Croke Park.

April 2016 - Schools that promote Gaelic games in their schools are asked to submit entries to this section. Your work should show how you promote and participate in Gaelic games in your school. The work can be presented through articles /photographs and children’s work.

Each school that submits a project to this category will receive a certificate of participation.

There are two categories as follows:

Category 6- School of the Year - Schools with a roll of 150 pupils or less

Category 7 - School of the Year: Schools with 151 or more pupils.

Category 6 and 7 - First placed schools will be invited to Croke Park for a day where their award will be presented. Stadium and museum tour for 30 pupils per school. €500 to each school towards bus transport. Lunch for 30 pupils and three staff.

Closing Date for all Entries: Wednesday, January 11, 2017.

Please post entries to your Provincial Delegate.

Leinster: Jim Fennelly Churchhill NS, CuffesGrange, Kilkenny

Please send results, reports or photos to pro.cnmb.wicklow@ gaa.ie, follow us on twitter @cnmbwicklow. Keep up-to-date with all Allianz Cumann na mBunscol news in Wicklow on our website www.cnmbwicklow.ie.