GRASSROOTS

NEWTOWN

The GAA club newsletter for February is now available, link can be found on the Newtown website

We are delighted to announce that weather permitting our popular junior magpie’s nursery program is returning every Saturday at 10am on the pitch, an hour’s fun and excitement is guaranteed each week for 4-8year olds. If you need more info please give Barry a buzz at 086 8390507.

The under-9s are also returning to the field and are training every Tuesday at 6.30pm. The under-13 boys played a friendly last Monday and are training Mondays at 6.30pm, while the under-14 girls are out on Saturday mornings at 11am and Mondays at 7pm.

The under-16 girls are training Mondays and Fridays at 7pm. The under-12 girls starting back last week and most of our teams will be startling their leagues within the next two weeks.

Well done to Laura Murphy who played with the county under-14s last Saturday in the Leinster championship and also to Aisling McDonald who has made the Wicklow ladies panel for the remainder of the season.

We are delighted to have a large number of kids playing for our fast growing juvenile sides, more kids means more helpers so if you feel you are in a position to help in any capacity our future GAA stars then please get in touch as it takes much more than a manager to run each team.

We are still short of help for some of our teams and may not be able to enter teams at all ages due to lack of mentors, please give Tom a ring on (087) 661 1480 or Shay at (087) 2699620 for more info

The Kellogg’s Cúl Camps are returning to Newtown once again this year from 24-28 July and online registration is now open (www. kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie)

There is a good stock of club gear now available to buy for any enquiries regarding club gear please contact Ruth on 087 7472682 or Amy at 086 3332195.

This week’s lotto jackpot is an even €5k as it rolled over from last week on numbers 2, 4, 6, and 22 but there were five match threes who won €40 each.

AN TOCHAR

Games this Week - On Friday the ladies are playing a challenge match at home – throw in 7.30 pm.

On Saturday, our Intermediates take on Ballinacor in a home game, in the league. Throw in 6.30pm.

Looking forward to seeing you all there to cheer them on.

Fundraisers for the Martin Family - Roundwood and District Athletic club are hosting a Walk/Jog on Good Friday morning at Vartry Reservoir.

Parking and registration 9.30pm in the soccer field at Mullinaveigue. Please come along with all your family to join our local community and support this family through these difficult times.

See Roundwood & District Athletics Facebook page for further details.

And another date for your diaries - Friday, April 28, there will be a fabulous table quiz and rock n roll bingo in the Grand Hotel Wicklow.

This is in aid of Cathal and Ciaran Martin (Aoife Brady’s nephews). It’ll be lots of fun, a fantastic raffle with some amazing prizes: tickets to the Late Late, a walk on part in Fair City and much more.

Tickets are a snip at only €10. If you can’t make it on the night, perhaps you could give your donation to Aoife.

If anyone belongs to book clubs, sports clubs etc this would be a good night out while supporting a very worthy cause.

Let’s help the Martin’s fight this awful condition.

There is also an online donation facility and information - please see www.idonate.ie/2997_the-martin-family-.html

ÉIRE ÓG GREYSTONES

LOTTO - Numbers drawn on March 20 were 2, 9, 12, and 29. No winners. Pota Óir for Monday 27th was €5,000.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - Annual Dinner Dance in Greystones Golf Club on April 22.

Recently the Miley Cup (championship) holders, Baltinglass, and the current holders of the Dunne Cup (Div. 1 League), Éire Óg, went toe to toe in Na Clocha Liatha in the opening round of the Arklow Bay Hotel League.

Taking to the field the locals were only too well aware of the challenge they faced but with the confidence engendered with their Dunne Cup win, they were not at all intimidated by the reputation of their opponents.

A fact evidenced in Éire Óg’s early dominance, with Daniel Woods and Darren Hayden being particularly prominent, of the early stages of the game.

On Sunday, a strong breeze blew at an angle across the pitch and Éire Óg had the mixed benefit of its advantage in the first half.

The Greystones lads put their early ascendance to good effect and were, thanks to Darren and Justin O’Brien, two points to the good on the 10 minute mark.

Shortly after that they received a further morale boost when Daniel Woods knocked over another minor.

Then misfortune intervened. Up to that the home defence had proven rock solid and every Baltinglass attack had foundered on it but the one time in the first half it was penetrated the visitors capitalised on the opportunity to score a goal. At the short whistle Éire Óg were ahead 0-6 to 1-1.

The staunch defending of Na Clocha Liatha defence in this period is reflected in the fact that they conceded a mere two scores over the 30 minutes.

Baltinglass’ first score after the break, a magnificent point from 40m., illustrated what one might describe as a truism of modern day Gaelic football viz. if a team is to have any chance of winning it must be able to regularly deliver scores from this kind of distance.

The killer blow to Na Clocha Liatha hopes came near the 40 minute mark. A golden Éire Óg opportunity was muffed and instead of the ball finding the back of the net it found its way into a defender’s hands.

Thereafter the ball was swept forward in an uninterrupted movement into Éire Óg territory.

An accurate kick delivered it beyond the defence and there to be pounced on by a lively Balto forward. This was offset a short time later by a well-struck penalty by Darren Hayden.

Final score: a four-point win, 2-8 to 1-7, by Baltinglass. A disappointing result in that Éire Óg had had many opportunities of adding to their tally.

Éire Óg’s Leinster League hurling game against Naomh Moninne of Louth was a veritable David against Goliath affair except that on this occasion Goliath prevailed.

The gulf in class was evident almost from the throw-in so from early on the question to be resolved about the outcome was not the ‘who’ but the ‘by how much’.

Such a situation cultivates a negativity among the underdogs and their only focus becomes that of keeping the opponents’ score down.

This often leads to the game developing an unattractive physicality. Disappointingly this threatened to descend to such a level at times but thankfully common sense prevailed and tempers were, for the most part, kept under control.

One has to sympathise with the St. Moninne’s team which had to undertake the long journey from Dundalk only to suffer a comprehensive defeat.

We in Éire Óg send our best wishes to one of the visitors’ forwards who suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury in his accidental collision with full-back, Daniel Salmon.

Shane Mulford set the tone early on with an excellent goal and the skilful James Cranley contributed 10 points. Other scorers were Andrew Walsh (1-1), Hugh O’Neill (0-2) and Michael Walsh, Conall Deeney, Gavin Parslow and Leon Browne (0-1) each.

COMHGÁIRDEACHAS - dos na leanaí agus a stiúraitheoirí on their winning of the trophy for the most attractive entry by a sporting club in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The mentors who put a lot of effort into the preparation of the children for the parade and into their shepherding during it were delighted with the joyous way the leanaí entered into the spirit of the occasion and with the proud way they carried the colours of the club on face and back.

Their rendering of Óró ‘Sé do Bheatha Bhaile must also have made a good impression on the judges. Maith sibh uile!

PEIL NA gCAILÍNÍ - While formal competitions do not begin until April our cailíní have already been active on the field of play. Recently our under-14s took on Rathnew at home and found the visitors, who will be playing in the division below theirs, to be much better than their grading would suggest.

This Éire Óg team comprises mainly players who have graduated from last year’s under-12 Div. B winning team so will be meeting more mature teams in their competitions. Nevertheless on their display in this game their mentors are hopeful that they will be competitive in their division.

The under-12s had an unexpected win over Bray Emmets last week.

The management of the adult ladies’ team organised a seven-a-side blitz last week-end. Four teams took part, two from the club and one each from Barndarrig and Enniskerry.

The two Éire Óg teams involved some familiar faces from the previous team and some of last year’s under-16s.

It proved a very worthwhile exercise both socially and football-wise. The games were run off with military precision with no players having to spend time on the sideline.

The participants were able to get to know each other over tea and sandwiches after the game.

ENNISKERRY

LOTTO - winning numbers were 11, 21, 22, and 27. Bonus: 39. No jackpot winner, one match three numbers received €500. Jackpot on March 27 stands at €9,600. Thanks to all buyers and sellers of club lotto tickets for continued support.

SENIOR FOOTBALL – no matches for either senior teams last weekend, the men continue to train Tuesday and Thursday in Kilgarron and the ladies Tuesday in Kilgarron and Thursdays in Kilmac. New faces are always welcome.

JUVENILE FOOTBALL – this Friday, March 31, will see the registration night for the 2017 season take place in the club house. Eamon will have hoodies on the night to try on for size so please try make sure all players can attend. Membership for the year is priced at €50 one child, €70 for two children and €90 for three or more. Payment can be paid monthly by direct debit or cash/cheque on Friday night.

OSKARS – The village and surrounding area was full of activity and drama over the weekend with the filming of ‘The Snapper, ‘Bridesmaids’, ‘The Field’ and ‘The Godfather’ taking place in various locations. A lot of fun was had by all and the excitement is high for the unveiling of each on April 29 in The Parkview.

Next weekend will see the remainder of productions being filmed. Thanks to all who helped out with props, locations and being extras over the weekend, both clubs are very grateful.

COMMITTEE MEETING – Next committee meeting is Wednesday, April 5, at 8pm in the clubhouse. MINOR HURLING LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL Wexford 4-25, Wicklow 2-4 - Disappointing result in Bray last Sunday morning .The Slaneysiders lead 2-10 to 2-3 at half time but pulled away in the last 15 minutes to record a comfortable win.

Our own Brandon Scully came on as a sub in the second half. Hard luck to Brandon and the squad.

LARAGH

Training continue Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.45pm big numbers expected. Next league game is away to Donald this Saturday at 6.30pm all support welcome.

Membership is now overdue and must be paid asap to Peter Merrigan or any committee member this can be paid at training any night.

We’re holding a fundraiser race night in the Glendalough hotel on Saturday, April 1 anyone that would like to buy a horse etc or sponsor a page get in touch with any committee member. There will also be a raffle on the night so if you’d like to donate a prize get in touch.

We’re still looking for bodies to help out with the under-15s and under-17s who are playing with Clara Gales.

This will be one night a week and one match every forthright starting in the next few weeks.

Our under-6s and under-8s are still training in the Brockagh resource centre every Friday from 6-7pm. The numbers are great for this well done to all involved.

All juvenile training will commence in the next three to four weeks.

The dates are now available for this years Kellogg’s Cúl Camps check them out @ [www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie] www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie.

AGB

AGBs Senior men triumphed in victory in their first league match of the season on Saturday in Pearses’ Park against Kilcoole. Looking strong and fit they arrived onto the pitch raring to go.

A determined AGB side put Kilcoole through their paces and rarely relented to give them space. A strong lead of 2-07 to 0-04 at the half time break saw AGB return to the game full of spirit. They continued on to result in a victory of 5-14 to 0-05, a significant win which will encourage them as they continue their league journey.

AGB Ladies under-10s and under-8s launched their 2017 season in beautiful sunny conditions at Pearses’ Park on Saturday March 25.

The girls got off to an energetic start and showed they have lost none of their skills or their enthusiasm over the winter.

We had some new faces also and we welcome all our newcomer players and parents.

We were really impressed with our under-8s as they showed great agility and coordination in the opening activities.

We look forward to working with this group going forward. There are still places available in this group so anyone born in 2009 or 2010 is welcome to come along and give it a go!

The under-10s have clearly been practicing over the winter months and are shaping up really well.

Anyone born in 2007 or 2008 is welcome to come along and join this group. Both groups meet on Saturday mornings at 11.15am and the session ends promptly at 12.15pm.

AGB Ladies under-12, under-14, under-16, under-18 and adult teams are also up and running so good luck to all our players, coaches, mentors, administrators and supporters for the busy season.

A mixed academy group of boys or girls under-6 train on Saturday mornings at 11.15 to 12.15. The under-7 and under-9 boys train on the main pitch at 11.15 to 12.15, and for any of our under-7/under-9 boys who also participate in soccer on Saturday mornings, please note the GAA blitzes for this year have been moved to Friday evenings.

A full list of fixtures will be given to all boys over the next few weeks.

Our first under-7/under-9 home blitz will be on on Friday, April 7, at 6.45pm in Pearses’ Park.

The second weekly training session on Wednesday evenings will recommence in the coming weeks.

Training has recommenced for AGB under-11 boys, under-13 boys, under-15 boys, under-17 boys, and men’s Junior ‘B’ and Senior teams.

For anyone interested in joining a team please contact the AGB PRO who will have a full list of training times and venues on 0871374812.

AGB’s Easter Camp will run from April 10, 11, 12 and 13 for boys and girls aged 6-12. The cost of the camp is €35, or a daily fee of €10. Great fun is planned for the four days, through games, skills and challenges.

The next meeting of the AGB Executive Comittee will take place on April 12 in the AGB offices in Pearses’ Park at 8pm.

BARNDARRIG

IMPORTANT NOTICE - Could all juvenile parents please attend our meeting on Wednesday, March 29, at 8pm, in Barndarrig National School.

Registration takes place on the night and there will be a €10 discount off reg. fees for anyone who attends the meeting.

Juvenile training (football) starts again next Wednesday, April 5, at 6pm.

Tá coicís na gaeilge ann anois agus beimíd ag scríobh cuid den nótaí as gaeilge ar feadh tamaill. Beidh na fir ag imirt sa bhaile, i srath a dó, an Satharn seo chugainn in aghaidh Rath Naoi. Coimead súil ar an bpaipéar chun an t-am a fháil. Is iad uimhreacha an crannchair a tháinig amach as Jones ar an 26ú lá Feabhra ná, a 6, 19, 25, agus 27. Bhí trí uimhreacha roghnaithe ag Brian Breathnach agus Seamus ó Murchú. Is iad uimhreacha an crannchair a tháinig amach as Jack Wjites ar an 11ú lá Marta ná, a 5, 12, 13, agus 21.

Bhí trí uimhreacha ag Máire Ní Bhaldraithe agus Gina Esmonde. Tháinig na h -uimhreacha 7,8,13, agus 19 amach i Jones an Domhnach seo caite. Bhuaigh Gavin Cox agus Rebecca Cox céad euro eatarthu sa “lucky dip”.

Míle buíochas arís do na daoine atá ag ceannach agus ag díol na ticéidí crannchair. Tá na ticéidí ar fáil i ó Domhnaill Rua’s, Teach Sheáin Bhán , Siopa Pléimeannn, Garáiste An Bearna Dearg agus D Siopaí agus siopa de Brúin sa Crois dearg.

Tá cruinniú an tábhachtach socraithe ar an Céadaoin seo sa scoil naisiúnta Bearna Dearg.

Ba cóir le gach duine le paistí ag imirt sa club freastail ag an scoil chun rudaí a phlé amach le haghaidh an bliain.