Newtownmountkennedy

ALZHEIMER’S/ DEMENTIA SOCIETY

We meet every Friday at 11 a.m. in the Parkview Hotel Newtownmountkennedy. It is an opportunity for family members and carers to bring their loved ones for a coffee and a chat. It is open to people in the surrounding areas towns and villages.

DISTRICT FORUM

Thank you to everyone who joined us at this months meeting in Newtownmountkennedy Community Centre. We have a great community with lots going on so come along and join us on Tuesday, March 31. Everyone is welcome. For more information or meeting minutes follow us on Facebook – Newtownmountkennedy District Forum.

GAA CLUB NOTES

Ireland Lights Up Walks in conjunction with Operation Transformation continue every Thursday from Newtown GAA club house at 7 p.m.

It’s never to late to join in, all ages and abilities welcome as part of the Lets get Ireland Walking initiative. Refreshments available at the club house after. This is a community initiative supported by Newtown Gaa, so everyone is welcome, so come along for a leisurely walk and meet your friends and neighbours.

It is with great sadness that we recognise the passing of Tom Mooney last week, surrounded by his beloved family. Anyone, who knows Newtown GAA knows that the Mooney family are woven in its fabric. It’s times like these we come together as a community to help them through these difficult times. Rest in Peace Tom.

It would be remiss of us not to mention the passing of Oliver Martin this week. Much like the Mooney family the Martins have played a massive role in the club over the years. Olivers son, Ruairi, managed the under-11 team last year and has been a major part of the juvenile club the past seven years. Rest in Peace Oliver.

Newtown Ladies training takes place every Monday and Wednesday at 7.30 p.m. It’s always great to see some new faces. All ages and abilities welcome.

Newtown GAA men’s training takes place every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30 p.m. for any new members interested in joining either the senior or junior teams.

NEWTOWN JUNIORS FC

Though all league action was deferred for a week some of our teams saw some action as hastily arranged friendlies gave our players some much needed on field action. Both our 10’s and 11’s played in Rathnew in a couple of keenly contested matches. Our 12’S played in the Rocky Road against Wicklow Rovers albeit without up to six regulars. Those on duty got a good run out where among those who showed up well were Max Roche, Kacey Kelly, Mikey Daly and Mikey Synnott. Our under-14s were forced indoors for a run out against Coolboy Rangers as their pitch was waterlogged so they used the indoor facilities in Aughrim where they played out a series of Futsal games and our lads came out top of the pile. Well done, lads. Many thanks to all the clubs who hosted our teams last weekend.

The new 2020 season is upon us now and we wish all our coaches and players the very best of luck in the months ahead.

Weather permitting the following are the fixtures for the weekend of Saturday, February 29/ Sunday, March 1: under-8s at home to Avonmore FC ko TBC; under-9s away to Wicklow Rovers Green ko Saturday at 1 p.m.; under-10s home to Coolboy Rangers ko Sunday at 11 a.m.; under-11s away to Wicklow Rovers Blue ko Saturday at 10 a.m.; under-12s home to Arklow Town A ko Sunday at midday; under-13s away to Greystones A ko to be confirmed; under-14s – Fixture TBC (Fixtures and KO Times are subject to change)

We are always on the lookout for new players at all age groups so if you have a child or children who would like to play for any of our teams please contact any committee member.

The following are the training times for our teams going forward (all indoor): under-8s (players born 2012/2013) – Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; under-9s (players born 2011) – Tuesdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; under-10s (players born 2010) – Tuesdays 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; under-11s (players born in 2009) – Wednesdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; under-12s (players born in 2008) – Thursdays 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; under-13s (players born in 2007) – Thursdays 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.; under-14s (players born in 2006) – Thursdays 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Training Times are subject to change).

Unfortunately, due to the increase in League Registration fees etc the club has been left with no option but to increase our membership fees by a small amount. All members have been notified of the increase. Anyone requiring further information on matters relating to membership fees can contact any committee member in the club.

Our ever-popular Development Squad are now back in training under the guidance of head coach Lauren Nolan, who is ably assisted by fellow coaches Grace, Nathan and Seán. They coach four- to seven-yearolds in the community centre from 10 a.m. till 11 a.m. every Saturday morning. For further information on all matters relating to the Development Squad contact our secretary Hughie at hughienolan@gmail.com.

At present we are blessed to have volunteers who coach our teams and work away on our committee, but we are still short a few volunteers in both areas. If you think you could help with getting involved with coaching of any of our teams or would have a couple of hours to spare to assist the club at committee level, we would love to hear from you. Contact our secretary Hughie at hughienolan@gmail.com for further information.

We only have one player from the club celebrating a birthday in the coming week and she is Sarah Turcanu from the Development Squad. Happy birthday Sarah from everyone at Newtown Juniors FC.

A few ex-Juniors were making the headlines last weekend across the country. On Friday night Keith Dalton’s two goals helped his team Cabinteely to a 4-2 win over Bray Wanderers. Becky Cassin gave her new club Cork Women the lead at home to DLR Waves last Saturday in Kerry, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Dublin outfit running out 3-2 winners. Last but not least, hard luck to Mason Melia, who was captain of the under-13 DDSL team that narrowly lost to Cork in the all-Ireland final down in Mullingar.

Our latest Last Man Standing started last weekend, and we had 124 Players at the starting line in pursuit of the €500 Prize Pot. Going into the MNF where 30 of our Players have chosen Liverpool to beat West Ham, we have already lost 28 Players after Sheffield Utd, Everton and Leicester City all failed to win in week one. Week two fixtures will be for the weekend of Saturday the seventh-Monday, March 9. Rules of the competition are on our Facebook and Twitter pages and are also available on request. Good luck to all Players and thank you everyone for your continued support.

On a sadder note everyone at Newtown Juniors FC would like to extend their sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Oliver Martin (Kilmurray) and Margaret McGettigan (Milford Co. Donegal) who both sadly passed away last weekend. May they both rest in peace.

For further information on all matters Newtown Juniors FC please contact the secretary at 087 6987653 or by email to hughienolan@gmail.com and you can also follow the club on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS

Enrolment forms for September 2020 are available from Fiona in the school office and on our website newtownprimary.ie.

Gemma and Sandy are with us on Tuesday as part of the Burns By Your Side Reading to Dogs Programme.

Swimming and Festina Lente Horse-riding programmes continue this week.

Basketball training for our sixth class pupils is on Thursday this week.

We are delighted to welcome Joan and Karen from Music Generation back to our school this week to work with children in first, second, third and fifth class.

Baby and Toddler Group is on this Thursday morning from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in our Junior School Hall.

GAA – We are delighted to have Jackie Kinch with us for GAA training this term. Jackie coaches GAA skills to all our pupils in the junior and Senior School. Thanks to Newtown GAA for including our school in this programme.

Whole School Assembly is on this Thursday at 9.30 a.m. in St Joseph’s Church.