GRASSROOTS

KILCOOLE

Juveniles - With the clocks gone forward and evenings getting brighter, that only means the return of our juvenile coaching sessions. From now on it will be great to look out upon the club grounds and it full of; up and coming stars, current stars and also a few that possibly had their day, still hanging around (you know who you are). It's the up and coming stars that will be back in the field from Monday, April 7. The following is our schedule:

Monday - Nursery: introductory program to Gaelic games including lots of fun and activities. (For kids born in 2009 and 2010) - 6.15-7.15pm.

U-8 football (for kids born in 2006 and 2007) - 6.30 - 7.30pm. U-10 football (for kids born in 2004 and 2005) -7.15-8.15pm. U-10 football continues every Monday.

Tuesday - U-10 hurling continues every Tuesday

Wednesday - U-6 hurling and football (for kids born in 2008 and 2009) - 6.30 - 7-15pm.

U-8 hurling (for kids born in 2006 and 2007) - 7.15-8.15pm.

Thursday - U-12 hurling continues every Thursday.

All are welcome to attend! If you have not attended our open days for registration do not worry, call up and we can register on the day!

U-8 and U-10 go games Blitzes - Our U-8s got their season under way on Friday night in a sunny Kilcoole. St Pat's of Wicklow town and Eire Og Greystones were the visiting teams.

Thanks to both clubs for facilitating a late change to the original schedule of teams to play on the night!

Even for early April the quality of hurling was of a very high level, with crisp striking both off the ground and out of the hand being evident all night! Kilcoole fielded three teams on the night, with each team performing to a very high standard.

Well done also to our young whistlers on the night of Amy Byrne, James Toner, Conor O'Toole and Shane and Luke Evans.

Thank you to all the parents who brought up 'hang sanwiches', cakes and buns and to Niamh, Fiona and Siobhan who dished them out all night.

Finally congress might not have recently passed the motion on the hooter system for Croke Park, however we introduced it Friday night to a great success.

All though for any one that thinks they might get a chance of using it, try prising it away from John 'Hooter' Byrne! Word has it that, that it can be found under his pillow right now.

U-10 hurling: Our outdoor Go-Games season got off to a very successful start on Friday evening last. It was a week or two sooner than usual so many thanks to our visiting teams from St Pat's Wicklow and Bray Emmets for their punctual arrival. This meant we could get a full round of four matches played before the light faded. We are piloting a

new internal scoring system whereby players get points for performing a skill, not just rattling the onion sack.

This seemed to work very well and helped to focus our teams on all aspects of skill development and team play. We will be continuing with this initiative over the course of our Go Games program. Thank you to all who helped on the night: the football mentors, club members and young whistlers.

A special mention must go to the tea ladies for their huge contribution to a very successful evening. We have three blitzes coming in quick succession so please stick these dates on the fridge. Friday 11th - Football in Roundwood; Monday 14th - Hurling in Ballinakill (near Rathdrum); Wednesday 16th - Football in Ballinakill. All blitzes start at 6.30pm so we need an extra effort to get to the venues promptly please.

As always if you are struggling to get to our meeting points at the chosen times, please let the team mentor know and we can arrange transport for your child.

We want as many players as possible to get a chance to play as often as possible. As a result of the above blitzes there will be no under-10 football training on Monday 14th or hurling training on Tuesday 15th.

Games and training would be lonely places without our most important asset- the players, so many thanks to you and your parents for your continued loyalty to your club.

U-2 Hurling - Te U-12 hrlers had their first training session last Thursday from 7pm to 8pm.

With the indoor games coming to an end and the clocks going forward it was time to hit the field. And they hit it running!

As always, the start of the year is when it sinks in that some of the players have moved on up to the next age group. And while they will be missed and we wish them well, we also look forward to welcoming the new players coming in.

This usually leads to two questions. How many players will there be and what will the standard be like?

Well the 17 players all eager to get stuck in was a great answer to the first and some lovely hurling and the skill levels displayed left no doubt about the second.

Well done to all the players. Looking forward to a great year of hurling. Graham and Michael look after this exciting team.

The Go Games attention switches to football this Friday night as both our U-8 and U-10 footballers travel to the An Tochar club in Roundwood. Throw in is at 7.15pm, be in Roundwood for 7pm.

Our under-16 footballers play Aughrim in Aughrim on Monday 7th. At time if writing we do not have a result, but best if luck to the team.

Our Junior Hurlers played Bray Emmets in Bray on Wednesday night in Bray in a challenge game. Bray won a right battle by 1-10 to 12 points. This was a very good run out for our guys as we have very little hurling done.

Kilcoole got off to an early start and went into a four points to one lead. Bray came back with a goal and a few points and led by two points at half time.

The second half was a tight affair with both teams swapping points.

Kilcoole were well served by Doyler on the nights with points from play and from placed balls.

Training continues every Monday night at 7.30pm. We have a semi-final due on Saturday, April 12 in the Leinster League.

Our Junior footballers had a bad day at the office last Sunday in Hollywood against Hollywood with a 2-06 to 0-08 loss.

Congrats to Ronan and the rest of the Wicklow hurlers who won promotion to Division 2A of the hurling league. Great result and magnificent to get their hands on a bit of silverware!

The lotto jackpot is now at a gigantic €13,200 this week. There was no winner on Monday, March 31.

Numbers were 10, 18, 21, and 22 there were three match threes receiving €70 each; the lucky players were: JJ Quinn, J Frawley, G. O'Chorraig.

We are also looking for volunteers to help sell the lotto tickets on a Saturday morning! Anyone interested in helping out can contact Pappy Frawley on 086 8402773.

Our annual Table Quiz will take place in Lee's on Friday night, April 11. Throw in is at 8.30pm.

ENNISKERRY

Lotto - Winning numbers were 4, 11, 24, and 26. Bonus number was 37. No jackpot winner, match three numbers received €91. Jackpot on April

7 will be €10,600. Thanks to all buyers and sellers of club lotto tickets for continued support.

Development Draw - There is a total prize fund of €66,750 this year for the three draws which take place on Friday, April 11, Friday, May 16, and Friday, June 20.

Tickets cost €50 for all three draws. Tickets are available from Gary Kavanagh at 086-8567262 or Dara Connolly on 086-1741050.

Job-bridge internship - There is one of these available in Enniskerry GAA Club for the position of Games Promotion and Blitz Coordinator. Anyone interested in applying should contact Gary Kavanagh (086-8567262). Position is open to persons currently in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance/Benefit. Applications close on April 5.

Adult football men - Kilcoole 2-13, Enniskerry 27. After a disappointing opening day defeat at home to Hollywood, the footballers travelled to nearby Kilcoole to take on the locals in Round 2 of the league.

With the home side playing in the Intermediate championship, this was always going to be a tough encounter.

However, first half goals by Alan King and Anto O'Neill put us into a strong position and with some very good link up play from the backs through midfield and into the forward line we were looking good coming to the break.

Unfortunately a lapse in concentration was capitalised on by the home team and they worked a well taken goal to leave us 2-5 to 1-6 ahead at the break.

From the throw up to resume the game, our midfielder Seamus O Gorman suffered an accidental injury and had to be replaced.

Worse was to come when we lost two players to the new black card rules and Kilcoole used their numerical advantage to keep the scoreboard ticking over and run out six point winners.

Overall a good all round performance and hopefully we can continue in this vain this Saturday (April 12) at home to Barndarrig at 5pm in Round 3.

Enniskerry GAA Club would like to wish a speedy recovery to Seamus O'Gorman after his unfortunate injury.

Ladies football - The ladies claimed their first trophy in many years with a 2-14 to 3-8 win over Ranelagh Gaels in Kilgarron on Thursday, March 27 in the Stars Of Eirn, Paddy Walsh Cup.

The game started with two fine points from the visitors but St. Mary's burst into life with fine scores from Ailish Kelly and Helen Kirwan.

The home team went from strength to strength as the half went on with scores coming from well structured attacks beginning in the half back lines and a dominant midfield. At half time the score was 1 - 10 to 4 points.

The second half was a different affair the Gaels started to blow hard hitting 3-1 in the first 10 minutes of the half compared to two points for St. Mary's, putting them right back in the game and. The home team regrouped and both benches were emptied in what became a score for score battle. With five minutes to go the visitors drew level with an outstanding point they worked down the field, 2-11 to 3-8.

The game was in the balance for both teams. From the kick out the Gaels won the ball and came storming towards down the field looking for the winning score.

The half forward fired what looked an unstoppable shot at the goal only to be stopped by Katie Walsh. The keeper wrenched the ball from underneath herself and hammered the ball down the field which was taken by storming half back Ashling Driver.

The noise from the sidelines was immense as Ash stormed through midfield and straight towards the Gaels goal.

The St. Mary's forwards moved to make the space and Ashling popped a neat right foot shot over the bar.

With the noses barely ahead and the tanks empty nothing was assured but Helen Kirwin made sure the ball stayed in the Gaels half by claimed the kickout and smashing the ball over the bar.

Again, the Gaels came back and had another missed shot at goal that came from another storming right wing attach.

Again, St. Mary's were disciplined and won the kick out and a slaloming run by Shauna Kearns was finished with a composed right footed point. That was it.

Captain for the night Ailish Kelly was presented with the Paddy Walsh Trophy by Mrs. Walsh, Paddies niece in the Club hall.

The club would like to thank Star of Erin for the invitation to the tournament, Stephen Davis for organising the games and Ranelagh Gaels from an outstanding game of football.

The club would like to extend condolences to the family Muriel Ann Williams (née Parry) of Ballybrew, Enniskerry and late of Gower, South Wales died on April 3, peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. She will be remembered with love by all her family, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends.

BRAY EMMETS

Lotto - There was no match four winner of the club lotto on Friday, April 5 when the numbers drawn were 10, 15, 17, and 27 so next week, the jackpot goes up to €7,300.

If you're not already signed up please do so as not only are you in with a chance to win a serious Jackpot but you are also helping support your local club.

It is €2 per week but goes a long way towards running all the facilities that we have. Geoff Morrissey wins the lucky dip and will receive €25. Further details are available at www.brayemmets.com. Dublin Adult Hurling League Div 6 Round 3 - Bray Emmets welcomed St. Sylverster's to a blustery Emmet Park on Sunday morning. Emmets went into the fixture unbeaten in the league and eager to maintain their winning form.

Helped by a strong wind Sylvesters were off the mark quick and were in control for long periods of the first half with the Bray midfiled and half back line feeling the pressure.

With 20 minutes gone Sylverters were in a strong position with an eight point lead, however, through strong work from the Doyles, Tom Cash and Cian O'Byrne, Bray began to cut their lead.

Karl Lacey and Dara Henderson got to grips in the half back line and after a shakey first half Bray went in trailing by five points.

Almost straight from the throw in Jim Doyle made a move for goal and raised the green flag and Bray began to take control.

The Dublin side were not finished yet though and kept scores tacking on.

A fine goal from Gearoid O Muirchu gave Bray a cushion but again Sylvesters pushed on.

In the nervey closing minutes a siege was lain on the Bray goal however the backs held strong and kept their 100% record in this competition with a two-point victory, 2-11 to 15 points.

Division 3 Football -v- Kilbride - Bray travelled to Manor Kilbride on Sunday morning in Division 3 of the adult football league.

Home advantage was quickly cancelled out for Kilbride when the pitch was deemed unplayable and both teams made the journey to Lacken to play the fixture.

Bray adapted the quicker to the harsh conditions and were rewarded by some excellent scores. Lee Brandon was on target from both play and frees for Bray.

Cathal Magee rattled the net for Bray after some good football and on 20 minutes Bray found themselves 1-4 up.

Worryingly Bray conceded 1.3 to their one point in the 10 minutes before halftime.

The in-form Cathal Magee had to depart the action just before half time due to injury and goalkeeper Tadgh Doran found himself in the fray.

Bray lead at halftime 1-5 to 1-3. Conditions worsened in the second half and this game became a dogfight with both sides not giving an inch.

The turning point was a Shane McNicholas goal, after a good turnover by Shane Sullivan the ball was darted into Garreth Crowely who found the goal scorer thundering through with a delicate pass. Kilbride closed the gap with a late surge but Bray held their discipline and with the sight of just Ian Smith left on the bench everyone emptied the tank to run out 2-8 to 1-8 winners.

Training continues on Tuesday at 8pm. We all wish Cathal a speedy recovery.

Minor Dublin Camogie Development League - We played Cuala in our last match of the group stages on Sunday in Shanganagh Park.Having won four of our last five matches in the league.

Cuala needed to win to finish clear at the top of the League at the end of the group stages, while we needed to win to draw level at the top.

The first half was a great contest and very tight affair we had a lot of chances but went in behind 2-04 to 2-02.

Cuala got off to a great start in the second half by scoring a goal and two points to leave them ahead a goal and four points.

But then we started too play and what a finish. We had some great scores from Clare, Niamh, Kellie, Aoife, Anna and Coaimhe but it was the supply of ball from our defence and midfield who drove them on.

We scored three goals and eight points in the second half to run out winners on a score line of 5-10 to 3-10.

This was a great performance from all the girls. Hard luck to Cuala who contributed to a great game. We had heroes and leaders all over the pitch from Sophie in goal, Caitlin and Orlaith on the full back line, Nicola, Lauren and Niamh on the half back line and Sarah and Roisin in the midfield. County Scene Well done to all of our County Players who have played important roles over the weekend. We had our Hurlers who played against Down on Saturday as they won the National League Division 2B Final. The Senior Footballers had a good win against Tipperary in Thurles on Sunday. I am reliably informed that Jane Butler is impressing with the County U14 squad. We also had representation on the U16 Hurling Team who played Kildare on Saturday.

EIRE OG GREYSTONES

On Saturday evening Éire Óg travelled to Donard to play the locals in the third round of the Senior League. Teams from Greystones are always a little worried crossing over into the west because there is a feeling in the ranks that, in these parts, the arbitration of games involving the club is not always evenhanded. Happily on this occasion the seasiders had no grounds for complaint.

Spoils were shared, Éire Óg 0-7, Donard 1-4; a second low scoring draw on the trot.

For the older generation it is difficult to get their minds around the idea of children as young as 6 years having to participate in supervised training. In their time children played in the streets and in neighbouring fields, and the games native to their areas e.g hurling were run by the older children with the younger ones being inducted into them as they came of age - the learning of a sport was, one might say, by osmosis. Nowadays, sadly, many children even by the age of 7 may not have handled a ball, never mind been involved in a ball game. It is in the light of this reality that training sessions for 6 year olds are organised by clubs. Éire Óg has got into the act and hurling and football sessions are run indoors on Saturday mornings at 11a.m. From what one observes these are well attended and are very much enjoyed by the participants.

In another departure Éire Óg, in line with the aim of An Cumann Camógaíochta of having a camogie team in every GAA club, is in the process of promoting juvenile camogie. Ciarán Goff has taken the initiative in this matter and runs training sessions for u-10s, also on Saturday mornings at 11a.m.

In September last Galen English, brother of Éire Óg players Daniel (Rúnaí) and Eoin, was in a serious cycling accident which left him permanently paralysed from the chest down. Galen is married with a very young family.

Despite his serious injuries Galen is in reasonably good spirits and is showing real determination in trying to come to terms with the tough realities of his new life. To raise funds to help make his house wheelchair accessible, Daniel, with 9 others, is undertaking an 800Km cycle from Mizen Head to Malin Head in May. Please visit www.teamgalen.com and click the sponsor button to donate anything you can.

Comhbhrón: All in Éire Óg extend their sincerest sympathies to the Keane family on the death in Sligo of Felicity's mother, Ann O'Dowd. Felicity was an active Éire Óg committee member for many years and her sons Daniel and Peter are key players with the club. Ar dheis Dé go raibh anam Ann.

NEWTOWN

It was wonderful to see the children from the U8s and 10s return to training this week, in particular all the new graduates of the Newtown nursery who moved up to U-8s. Unfortunately our U-12s didn't train this week because of poor weather, but they are right back into it with their first match against Kilmac on Monday 7th at 7pm.

Our Senior team take on Naas GAA away on Tuesday evening next in a friendly fixture and following this they take on Eire Og in the league on Tuesday 15th.

Following on from the St Patrick's Day celebrations a couple of weeks ago, the golden anniversary of the winning 1964 team will be honoured at a dinner dance celebration taking place on June 7 next, further details to follow.

Another save the date is the fourth annual Sean McShane Memorial Cup Golf Classic confirmed for Sunday, June 1 (bank holiday weekend). Following on from the success of the last three years this year promises to be a great one. Book in early to guarantee requested tee times (€360 team or €50 to sponsor a tee box). Check out Facebook page 'Sean McShane Memorial Cup' for updates. Hope to see you in Druids Glen.

Lotto rolls over again this week to €3,600 this week, winning numbers were 8,12, 17, and 21. There were five match three winners at €40