GRASSROOTS
NEWTOWN
The seniors put in a good performance on Friday last against Coolkenno in the Keating Trophy winning by three points, there are two games left to play to finish out this season.
The under-14 girls played St Nicholas last Sunday in the Division 2 league playoff final in Ballinakill.
The girls never got going and found themselves nine points down and despite cutting it back to two we couldn’t get that all important goal and eventually we just ran out of time.
Despite this loss the girls can be really proud of themselves having won the ‘A’ Shield earlier in the season, so, even though the year finished with a defeat, any year you win a trophy is a good one.
Well done to the panel of girls on the day: Grace Murphy, Doireann Smyth, Cora Heffernan, Katie Smith, Alyssia Larkin, Laura Murphy, Aleesha McMahon, Yasmin Phipps O’Connor, Rebecca Gillan, Laragh Davis, Una Power, Zara di Tofano, Alicia Farrell, Katelyn O’ Toole and Sophie o Reilly. Thanks to Shayne, Shay, Kirsty and Bernie for looking after the girls all year
The under-13 lads need a win in their next match away to AGB to progress further in the championship,training continues on Mondays at 6.30pm.
Our juvenile presentation will be taking place when all our teams have finished out their season we have no date yet as the under-13s are still playing.
Well done to Pearse Gaels who beat Éire Óg in the semi-final of the under-17 ‘B’ championship last week in Newtown.
The final is against Rathnew on Sunday 15th, best of luck to all in the final especially our own large contingent.
Don’t like to mention the Christmas word but it will soon be upon us so if you want to buy Newtown GAA merchandise get your order in early as there are always delays around the festive time.
There is a good stock of club gear now available to buy for any enquiries regarding club gear please contact Amy at 086 3332195.
Numbers drawn in last week’s lotto were 2, 5, 13, and 16.
No one scooped the jackpot of €6800 but two people won €100 each after matching three numbers.
Keep up to date on all that’s happening by following us on Facebook or Twitter @ Newtown GAA.
ÉIRE ÓG GREYSTONES
On a recent Saturday, 53 Éire Óg under-11 footballers under the management team of Kevin Healy, bainisteoir, and coacháilithe Paddy Meyler, Phelim O’Connell, John Caffrey, Eoghan Donnellan and Austin Baines journeyed to the Ballinakill Centre of Excellence to play in the finals of the under-11 championships.
The lads’ pre-game briefing stressed that they should take great satisfaction from having reached the finals and that doing ones best for the team was all that was expected of them in the finals.
The format of under-11 competition which is designed to maximise player participation and game time requires that competing clubs provide two 11-a-side teams for each encounter and that the winner be decided on the aggregate score between the two matches which are run in parallel.
While the emphasis in competitions at this level has to be primarily on participation, enjoyment and sportsmanship, the desire to win is still the motivating factor for all involved – to paraphrase the Bard who advises one to beware of entering into contest but “on being in wear it that the opposed may beware of thee”.
Our lads’ journey to Ballinakill which involved their playing 13 rounds had its many ups and downs but they ended up sharing top spot with the boys of St Pats of Baile Cill Mhantáin. So the anticipation was of a close competitive round and in the event this is what it turned out to be. Tracking as to which club was ahead involved a continuous monitoring of the aggregate score between the two games.
Thus it was learned that Éire Óg were 11 points behind at the break and were still in the not very promising position of being a few points behind with 5 minutes left on the clock.
At this point our lads somehow summoned up enough energy to put St Pats on the back-foot and to run in sufficient scores to leave them in the lead at the final whistle. Final scores: Éire Óg 4-7, St Pats 2-2 and Éire Óg 0-5, St Pats 2-7.
Aggregate scores Éire Óg 4-12, St Pats 4-9, a three-point victory for Éire Óg.
Another Éire Óg team composed almost exclusively of players who will be eligible again (born 2007) next year were beaten in the Division 3 final by Ashford.
However, they fought gamely and did not concede defeat until the long whistle.
Even though their efforts were not crowned with victory they are no less worthy of our commendation than their successful colleagues. .
CAMÓGAÍOCHT Adult Team: While it has to be admitted that this team is still in the process of finding its feet and is far from being world beaters it cannot be accused of being lacking in ambition and enterprise.
The ladies recently travelled to Belfast to participate in a 7s blitz organised by the Naomh Éanna camógs who are more or less at the same stage of development as Na Clocha Liatha cailíní.
Teams from Limerick, Tyrone, Down and Antrim took part in the competition. 15 enthusiastic and excited Éire Óg ladies travelled so it was possible to enter two teams, one in Division 3 which won the trophy having defeated the hosts in the final while the other team was beaten in the semi-final of Division 2.
Scorers were Ellie, Rachel, Bronagh, Christina, Thea and Angela.
The outing, embellished as it was by their first piece of silver, was an experience thoroughly enjoyed by the players.
And this Sunday these ladies won the county Junior ‘B’ Shield by defeating Ballinacor on the score 3-5 to 3-3 in a very exciting encounter. Comhgáirdeachas to all.
PEIL NA MBAN - Because of circumstances beyond the notes’ control this report has been late in seeing the light of day but for all that the cailínís’ deeds are deserving of their telling.
The final week of the juvenile ladies football season which occurred tamaillín ó shoin was a hectic one for our under-16, under-14 and under-12 teams.
On the Thursday the u-16 cailíní travelled to Blessington to take on the locals in the semi-final of the B Championship and after a game which was as exhausting for the onlookers as it was for the players they got over the line by a single point, 3-8 to 3-7.
Their reward was a place in the final in Ballinakill on the Saturday against Tinahely.
Unfortunately it was a bridge too far for our girls as Tinahely proved to be in a class well above that of any of the opponents they had come across on their way to the Ballinakill showdown.
Alas eventhough ár gcailíní gave of their best there was no doubt at any time as to the outcome.
Under-12 - The under-12s, having defeated St. Nicholas on a score which lends credence to the cliché that goals win matches viz. 5-1(16) to 1-9(12) came away from the Centre of Excellence with the Shield.
Despite having played with the wind in the first half Éire Óg managed to be only on level terms at the break.
Half way into the second period they were five points in arrears and hope of victory seemed vain.
Then the genie exited the bottle and the Greystones cailíní scored a number of goals which ensured that victory would be theirs.
Tá moladh mór tuillte ag an bhfoireann (team worthy of our praise) as it was without key player Jane Merrin who was injured playing for the county in an under-12 blitz in Portlaoise the previous day. Five other girls from the team also played in this tournament.
Under-14 - Not to be outdone, the under-14s reached the final of their championship but unfortunately were beaten, 2-8 to 2-4, by Carnew.
In the semi-final in what was described to the notes as “a fabulous game of football” they overcame St Pats by a single point.
Going into the last five minutes St Pats were ahead but a 1-1 in the run-up to the final whistle secured a win for Éire Óg.
Under-18 - The under-18 girls, eventhough giving a performance which greatly exceeded expectations, were beaten last week in the first round of the county championship by neighbours Bré.
As a result they were relegated to the B championship.
They now await the time and venue and name of the opposition for the semi-final of this competition.
The competitive season may have ended for Peil na gCailíní but because of the benign spell of weather there has not been a fall-off in the numbers at training. Hence sessions will continue to at least the end of October.
Two past members, Laurie Ahern and Lorna Fusciardi, of the original Éire Óg ladies football team now ply their trade with Fox/Cab (Foxrock/Cabinteely for the uninitiated!).
They were both members of the Foxcab panel which recently defeated Ballyboden to complete a 4-in-a-row of Dublin County Championships. Well done ladies! Lorna appears in the squad photograph with baby Hayley in arms.
COMHGÁIRDEACHAS to Billy Norman and to his bride on their recent marriage. As a result of the celebrations he was unavailable for the quarter-final against Baltinglass (of course we are all aware that there was also another reason!!).
His towering presence was sorely missed in the full-forward line.
Beannacht Dé orthu agus go raibh saol fada suaimhneach acu le chéile.
BRAY EMMETS
Follow us on Facebook: Bray Emmets GAA club and Twitter: @brayemmets Website: Brayemmets.com Lotto: The numbers drawn were: 28, 17, 22, and 14. The next jackpot will be: €20,000. Congratulations to Tony McLaughlin who wins €25 in the Lucky Dip.
It’s a fantastic way of supporting the club and winning some cash.
If you wish to have your club activities included in the notes please contact pro. brayemmets.wicklow@gaa.ie. Remember to include the event’s date, time and venue.
Coffee morning - The Coffee Shop is on every Saturday morning. Hot Sausage and Bacon Bagels, Crepes, Muffins and Scones. Healthy Option Baked Eggs with Spinach. Tea Coffee Hot Chocolate. All Welcome. Thank your for your custom, from the Coffee Shop Ladies.
The Gaeltacht - Every summer teenagers go to the Gaeltacht and have a valuable experience there. A visit to the Gaeltacht is almost a ‘must’ if you have serious intentions about doing well in Irish.
With that in mind, Coláiste na bhfiann are very well established and run excellent courses. They have a number of centres and their students express a highly worthwhile and well-organised experience. Their courses fill quickly so it is important you don’t delay if you are keen on Coláiste na bhfiann.
Brian Lambe
Oifigeach na Gaeil
Irish Language Officer
Scór na nÓg - Blessington GAA will proudly host the Scór na nÓg on Friday, October 20.
Scór is a GAA competition that combines all the colour and rivalry of Gaelic Games with the social/fun element of Ireland’s traditional past-times.
The competition was established by the GAA in 1969 with the aim of promoting Ireland’s traditional pastimes and culture while offering club members the chance to meet up, have fun and represent their club during the winter months while football and hurling had ceased.
There are eight events/disciplines in Scór that cover all aspects of Irish culture: Figure/Céilí Dancing, Solo Singing, Ballad Group, Recitation/Scéalaíocht, Léiriú Stáitse/Stage Presentation, Instrumental Music, Set Dancing and Table Quiz. The competition is divided into two age levels, Scór na nÓg, for young people under 17 and Scór Sinsir, for those over 17.
Anyone interested in finding out more information can contact Kathryn Noone County Irish Cultural Officer kathryn_ noone@yahoo.co.uk 086 8664931, Catherine Behan on 087 1224019, e-mail bean2family@gmail.com, or Noreen Kavanagh noreenkeegankavanagh@ gmail.com .
Within Bray Emmets, you can also contact Brian Lambe (087-6970589) who is the club ‘Oifigeach na Gaeilge’. Go raibh maith agaibh agus tá súil againn go mbeidh suim agaibh ann.
Under-9 Girls football - Bray Emmets under-9 girls played St Finnan’s of Newcastle on Sunday. Due to the great work by Yvonne Orlaith and Cormac Bray had two teams playing with both squads acquitting themselves well.
Team: Megan, Niamh, Alice, Kitty, Matilda, Summer B, Jorja, Ellie, Ellen, Summer I, Rebecca, Nancy, Siofra, Hazel and Sadhbh.
New members always welcome!
RATHNEW
What a week for football in the club with Aughrims double header seeing wins for both teams involved. Our Junior B team took on favourites Enniskerry in the Phillip Doyle county final.
The lads fought hard and battled to see the game out on a scoreline of 1-8 to 1-7 and bring the cup home to the village, where they received a heroes welcome from our supporters.
Congratulations to Breffni, Grassy, Alan and the panel!
Our Senior team then took on old rivals and current county champions Baltinglass in front of a large crowd to battle for a place in the county final.
Both teams started nervously with both sets of forwards kicking an array of bad wides.The game ended at half time on a poor scoreline of 0-4 each.
The second half we played a lot better, we gained control in the midfield area and our forwards seemed to link.
The turning point of the game was the pass from Enan Glynn to Stephen “Bruiser” Byrne, which led to a goal.
In the end we ran out comfortable winners on a scoreline of 1-9 to 8 points.
Blessington await us in the county final this Sunday.
We want to make this the biggest crowd Aughrim has seen in recent years.
There will be buses organised and leaving from Doyles Pub so contact the official RathnewGaa 1885 facebook page for times and availability.Calling to all of our loyal supporters, lets cover Aughrim in red and green. Merchandise and flags are being sold in the clubhouse.
We wish Harry, Anto, PJ and the Senior panel the very best of luck in the final.
Up the Village!