GRASSROOTS

President Gerry McIntyre who is currently unwell. A minute’s silence was held for our deceased members.

Night at the dogs – The Blessington GAA night at the dogs at Newbridge on Friday last was very well attended. The winners of the Buster draw €750 – Amy Dunne €750 – Oisin O’Callaghan. Raffle – Sheila Cooney, Deerpark Walk €400. Jimmy Carroll Portarlington €400. Curtis Geraghty €300. Maria Ruiz €300. Darren Behan €200. Paul Pender €200. Pat Brennan €100. Catherine Bealin €100. Brigid Murphy, Red Bog €100. Mary Finnegan €100. Paddy Murphy c/o Paul McLoughlin €100. Thanks to all who bought tickets, sponsored dogs and sponsored individual races. Our main sponsor was Dunnes Stores Blessington.

Awards night – The juvenile awards night for boys under-11 to under-17 was held in St Kevin’s Hall on Saturday, December 1.

It was a terrific turn out and the final awards event of the year. Kevin Gilmore welcomed everyone for attending and thanked Steven Bohan, Kevin Hanlon and Bryan Carroll alongside new Senior manager for Blessington, Mick Murray, for attending and presenting the medals on the night.

Kevin thanked everyone in the club, parents, coaches and players for their support. First up were the three under-11 teams who had a very successful season by winning their league finals and won the Allen Cup.

The under-11s were worthy winners of the Team of the Year award for 2018. Jimmy Mulhall is very proud of all the lads and the effort they all put in.

Martin Walsh, manager of the under-12s, had great words of encouragement for the lads.

Barry Behan, manager of the under-13s, thanked his lads for all the great work they put in this year and wished them the best for 2019.

Kevin Dooley, manager of the under-15s, gave very impressive stats of the matches that his team had played during the year and still had a semi-final to play the next day!

Darren Behan, the under-17s manager, thanked the lads for a great year and were worthy winners of the Wicklow League and runners-up in the championship. He wished the older lads all the best as they move up to Junior football in 2019.

Pat Brennan and Derek Brogan thanked all the hurlers who play for Western Gaels and Michael Dwyers teams from under-11 to under-17. All the lads received a sliothar as a momento.

Under-15 player Jack Sargent was the worthy winner of the Pat Fanning Cup which was presented by Tom Hennessy and Kevin Quinn was the deserved winner of the Minor Player of the Year award.

The Blue Stars team was announced: Under-13s: Sean Ellis, Brian Richardson, Finn Behan. Under-14s: Lukas Sarkauskas, Adam Williamson, Rory Cullen. Under-15s: Robbie Richardson, Dan Keogh, Niall O Gallchobhair. Under-16s: Claude Tournou, Jake O’Kelly, Sean Lambe. Under-17s: Cormac Roe, Eoin Kavanagh, Craig Maguire. Well done to all. Thanks to all who got the hall ready and Sandra and Karen who served the refreshments.

Under-11s - We had our awards on Saturday night, December 1, in St Kevin’s hall. Blue/White and Red squads received their Wicklow league winners’ medals from our finals in Ballinakill. Also, the Allen Cup squad received their medals for winning the Allen Cup.

Finally, to our great surprise, our 2007/2008 under-11 squad of players received the club’s Team of the Year award which is nothing more than they deserve for all their hard work in training Rathnew’s Dylan Smith and Éire Óg’s Eoghan McTague compete for possession during the Under-20 ‘B’ Football Championship final in Dunbur Park.

throughout the year/travelling near and far to matches and then winning respective top group finals in Ballinakill.

There was also the fantastic achievement of winning the Allen Cup which hasn’t been won by Blessington since 2011.

Thanks to all the kids for all effort through year, to the parents for bringing kids to training and all over Wicklow and Kildare for matches, to Noreen for top class weekly notes and Facebook updates, to all associated with pitch rosters/ stewards and pitches organisation (Jack sorry for leaving goals on main pitch twice and he well let me know!)), to Kevin and the juvenile committee.

Finally, and most important, thanks to my fellow coaches who without nothing can happen for kids who give up all their time to coaching kids and travelling to games - Eddie Boylan, Ben Reid, Eamon Elliott, Jonathan Behan, Donal Smith, Liam Small and Gerry Phibbs. Thanks to anyone who helped us out with teams in 2018 in anyway.

Under-15s – Last game of the year was on Sunday, December 2, away to Sallins in the Kildare under-15 league semi-final and it was probably one of the most determined team performances of the year. It was a very close game throughout but Sallins made it there in the last 10 minutes. A busy year for the lads with 38 games over the year that started in early January. Best of luck to all the lads in 2019.

Scór na nÓg – Our young members from Blessington GAA will represent Wicklow in the Leinster Semi-final of Scór na nÓg in Allenwood on Sunday in Leiriu Staitse, Ceol Uirlise and Aithriseoireacht/ Scealaiocht. Good luck all.

Ladies 25th anniversary memorabilia - Ladies 25 anniversary mugs, pens, wristbands, boot bags etc for sale. These will be collector’s items in a couple of years so make sure you get yours. Contact Jess on 086 8602822.

Remember to keep updated on what is happening in the club. Log on to www. blessingtongaa.ie and Blessington GAA on Facebook and on Twitter @blessingtongaa.

lads won the ‘B’ section.

Éire Óg beat Rathnew in the final, 0-14 to 1-4, in St. Pats grounds in Dunbur on Sunday. This win, when one considers the formidable footballing history of Rathnew, surely allows the team to add an extra feather to its cap.

The trophy for the competition which is named after Paudge Dooley of Dooley Auctioneers was presented to captain Eoin McTeague by Eugene Dooley.

On the club’s website a photograph of the occasion shows Eoin being presented with the trophy in the presence of Uachtarán Ray Barry and Oliver Leonard.

The victory came after the AGM so it was not possible to include it beside the county championship win of our under-17s in Rúnaí ‘Doc’ O’Connor’s annual report. Comhgáirdeachas mór to the buachaillí and to their mentors, opportunity to thank their sponsors for their support and generosity during the year. It was very much appreciated and helped play a part in the team winning both the championship and league cup.

Please note - dates for your diary. Please support your club, this is your opportunity to have your say in your club.

Wicklow GAA’s annual County Convention will be held on Monday, December 10, at 7pm sharp in county buildings, Joule Park Aughrim.

The Garden County awards night will be held on Saturday, January 19, in the Arklow Bay Hotel.

The GAA National Club Draw tickets are now available from club treasurer James Phelan. Please contact James on 087 2284441for tickets.

Please note every Wednesday from November 7 for the next six weeks the St. Patrick’s Club Gym is unavailable from 7.45 to 9.15pm due to the county under-15 lads using the gym.

Thank you to everyone who supports our club lotto. On Monday, November 19, the numbers 16, 21, 25 and 28, and the bonus 24 were drawn.

There was no match-five jackpot winner of €10,000. There was no match-four jackpot winner for €3,100. There was no match-three winners. This week’s matchfour jackpot is €3,200.

Our sincere condolences to the family of Margaret Ellen (Aileen) Marron (née Meehan) (Swords, Co. Dublin and Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo) who has passed away peacefully on November 30, 2018 at Beaumont Hospital.

Beloved wife of the late Frank; sadly missed by her loving children Siobhan, Peter, Deirdre, Donal, Emer and Aiveen, daughters-in-law Carmel and Maureen, son-in-law Eddie, partners Pascale and Michael, grandchildren Aislinn, Caitriona, Doireann, Frankie, Ruairi, Laoise and Rossa, relatives and a large circle of friends.

Reposing at her home on Monday (December 3) evening from 4 - 8 p.m. Removal on Tuesday (December 4) morning to St. Colmcille’s Church, Swords, arriving for 10 a.m.

Mass followed by funeral to Rolestown Cemetery. No flowers please. Donations if desired to C.O.P.D. Support Ireland or the Beaumont Hospital Foundation.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis. Please send any information for club notes to Pro.stpatricks.wicklow@gaa.ie before 9pm on Sunday evenings.