GRASSROOTS
ANNACURRA
The club draw took place last week. Congratulations to Frank Clune, Shane O’Neill and Robert Hunt. Also congratulations to Grainne Fitzpatrick on winning the lotto jackpot.
Not much action on the field to report these days. The game against Coolkenno on Monday was called off due to the snow.
HOLLYWOOD
The next Hollywood GAA lotto draw will be held next Thursday, March 22, at 8pm in The Hollywood Inn for a Jackpot of €3,800. You can play lotto locally or at hollywoodgaa.com. Thank you for your continued support and good luck.
Hollywood GAA membership is now due. Rates are the same as last year. Membership forms are now being distributed.
The closing date for applications to be a Cúl Camp coach is Friday, May 4. Applicants must be over 18 before the camps begin on July 2. Application forms are available from garrett.doyle.gda.wicklow.
BLESSINGTON
Pitches - Blessington GAA pitches and Astro will be closed for the next week. Please check Blessington GAA Facebook page and website for updates.
Fixtures - All fixtures were cancelled by the Wicklow fixtures committee this weekend. Paddy Magee Memorial match also postponed to a later date.
Minors - Minor match v Michael Dwyer on Monday was postponed. New date and venue TBC.
Under-13 and under-14 – Commencing training on Wednesdays from 7pm to 8.15pm for next four weeks in preparation for Féile.
Under-14 and under-15 - Cross-border league semi-final and final scheduled for Monday was cancelled. Under-14s and under-15s train together on Saturday from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Under-14s – Due to play in a blitz in Hollywood on March 24.
Under-15s - To train with under-17s on Wednesdays for next four weeks.
Club physio - Contact Pat Molloy regarding any enquiries/emergencies on 086 8230130.
Academy - Keep in touch with updates on Facebook and website regarding dates to return.
Easter Camp 2018 - Blessington GAA Easter Camp will run on Monday, March 26 and Tuesday, March 27.
Last year was again a huge success with our highest attendance to date - 207 kids attended. This year all kids will receive top of the range crested gloves.
Forms will be dropped into schools before midterm break. Register early is the advice. Any queries don’t hesitate to contact Jess Brennan 086 8602822.
Cúl Camp coaching application form 2018 is available on our website. The closing date for applications is Friday, May 4. Applicants must be over 18 before the Camps begin on July 2. Applications can be posted to Garrett Doyle, Wicklow GAA Cúl Camp Coordinator, Wicklow GAA Centre of Excellence, Ballinakill, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow. or emailed to garrett.doyle.gda.wicklow@gaa.ie.
Lotto update - No winner of €2,400 jackpot on March 13. Numbers drawn were: 1, 12, 20, and 24. Two people matched three numbers: Christy Broe and Steven McManus. Each win €150.
Next draw in Reid’s on March 27. Jackpot €2,600. Thanks to all who support our main fundraiser. Tickets available in shops and pubs in the town and committee members. Don’t miss a draw again and sign up for direct debit. Contact Noelle McGarr on 087 7460327 or Arthur Hennessy for details 087 2396157. Remember you can also play online at www. blessingtongaa.ie.
G4M&O – Table quiz in Murphy’s on Friday, March 23, at 9pm. Table of four €40. Raffle and spot prizes on the night. Registration from 8.30pm. Please come out and support the ladies…and Lorcan.
St Patrick’s Day Parade – Well done to the organisers of the second Blessington St Patrick’s Day parade. Many our young players, coaches and parents took part on the day. Well done to all.
Naas CBS – Naas CBS take on Connacht champions Rice College in the Hogan Cup semi-final which is pencilled in for March 24. Good luck to our club lads, Jordan McGarr, Ethan Cotter and Conall O’Gallchobhair.
Blessington GAA jackets are on sale for €30. With the season ready to kick off stay warm at training/matches with these great quality club coats. Sizes in stock are Adult M, L and XL. Kids sizes can be order if required. Contact Jess on 086 8602822.
Clothing Collection ongoing - collecting good quality second hand clothing suitable for re-use.
Please fill as many black bin bags as you can – the more we collect, the more our club receives.
If you are unable to bring them to the GAA grounds we can arrange collection. Please contact: John Magee Snr 086 871 7483 or Breda Brophy 087 225 3892. Thank you for your support.
Online shop – https://www.oneills. com/shop-by-team/gaa/ireland/blessington-gaa.html.
Remember to keep updated on what is happening in the Club log on www. blessingtongaa.ie and Blessington GAA on Facebook and on Twitter @blessingtongaa.
If you wish to be on the Blessington GAA supporters text list, please text your name to 085 1607808.
AVONDALE
Our most recent lotto draw took place in the Corner House. Numbers drawn were 4, 15, 24, and 27. There was no jackpot winner.
One match three winner. Congratulations Dermot laide. €200 on its way to you!
Next week’s draw on March 20 is in Miley’s pub.
Get your tickets from local businesses. Thank you all for your continued support.
If anyone is interested in selling tickets could you please contact Bronwyn on 086 3249278.
Well done and a huge thank you to all our players, coaches and parents who braved the bitter cold to take part in our St Patrick’s Day parade.
Despite the cold, it was a success. Avondale GAA club came away with second place over all.
Thank you to Liam, Lenny, Cameron, Kevin and Conor for putting the float together, and not forgetting David Moran for supplying the hurls.
The winning ideas came from Conor Hayes and Mark O’Reilly of Rathdrum Boys National School. You will be receiving your winnings during the week. Again, well done and thanks. Avondale GAA are holding their final registration night next Wednesday, March 21, between 7.30pm to 8.30pm in the complex.
Please attend to register your child/ children. Any player not registered can not take part in any club training or games.
Our Avondale academy will continue on Saturday 20th at 9.30am in the complex.
For anyone interested in attending please contact Liam Kelly on +353876878123.
We are still looking for parents to cover bag packing slots on this coming Saturday.
This is a very important fundraiser for the juveniles.
Contact Liam Kelly on 087 6878123 if you can help out.
Our Senior footballers lost to Tinahealy by two points in Division 1A last night. A fast start had 1-01 on the board within seven minutes but Tinahely dominated the rest of the game until half-time where they led by five points.
A brilliant second half performance saw us get back to within one point, but unfortunately Tinahely held on for the win. A great second half performance all round.
Final score was 0-17 to 1-12 do Tinahely. Scorers were: Oisin McGraynor 0-6, Ross Ward 1-01, Jack Manley, Eoin Baker, Ryan Cahill, Paul Gahan and Cian O Hannain 0-1 each.
Due to adverse weather conditions, our hurlers’ Leinster league match against St. Kevin’s in the complex was cancelled.
ÉIRE ÓG GREYSTONES
Dinner Dance - Haven’t got your ticket yet for one of the social events of the year? By leaving it so late you are taking the risk of being disappointed. Indeed you may be, even at this stage, dependent on returns to get a ticket to Éire Óg’s Dinner and Presentation Dance in Greystones Golf Club on Saturday night the 24th.
Comhgáirdeachas and a big go raibh maith agaibh to the group of children and minders who turned out in such a great number to represent the club in all its diversity – football, male and female, camógaíocht and iomáint – in the St Patricks’ Day Parade.
They certainly ensured, despite having to wear unseasonal hibernal clothes, that the club’s blue and white was given an eye-catching place in the parade.
They deserve a medal for their hardiness in braving Saturday’s most inclement weather.
One can but say Buíochas le Dia for the Bray People as it was only through its good offices that one learned of our senior hurlers victory at home over Ardcloch from Cill Dara in their second game in the Leinster League.
In a chance meeting with two of the team’s mentors on Friday one felt obliged to question them on the omertine secrecy which seemed to have prevailed in relation to the fixture – a criticism which unfortunately pertains to many of the activities within the club.
In the event these mentors claimed to have done potential supporters a favour in having spared them the agony of spectating in the atrocious conditions under which the game was played.
The match was not without its bizarre moment, a moment which in the light of the outcome could be looked on with some levity but had the result been otherwise might have given rise to quite a degree of controversy.
Éire Óg had a half-time lead of four points and the signs were that a win was well within its grasp. Whistle blown for the resumption.
Neither the ref nor the Éire Óg players have noted the absence of the Éire Óg goalie, Ger Whyte.
The sliothar is won from the throw-in by the visitors. After a few rapid exchanges it finds its way into the hands of an unmarked forward in front of the unattended Greystones goals. Do thapaidh sé an deis (he didn’t look the gift horse in the mouth). Goal! Entered in his notebook by the ref.
Our lads objected on the grounds of fairness but it is highly questionable as to whether the rules were on their side.
In any case the squabbling threw the Éire Óg team into disarray and gave rise to a period of dominance by the Kildare men and they were soon on level terms.
10 minutes into the half an inspirational save by Ger Whyte served to shake the Clocha Liatha lads out of their umbrage-induced lack of concentration and they regained the upper-hand which they held onto ‘til the final whistle.
The Éire Óg victory was ring-fenced when Ardcloch, ignoring the dictum “play the whistle” with respect to a borderline 65, took their eyes off the proverbial ball and allowed MOTM James ‘Pooch’ Cranley in for an opportunistic goal.
The team’s next game in this league is at home to fellow county men from Carnew on this Tuesday 20th at 8.30p.m. Carnew will present a formidable challenge as they have already accounted for Ballygarrett of Wexford (1-13 to 1-8) who beat Éire Óg in the previous round.
Fixtures - At home: Minor v Arklow GB Wed. 21st 7.30p.m., Div.1A v Coolkenno Sun. 25th 11a.m. Away: Div.3 v Lacken/ Kilbride Sat. 31st 5.00p.m., Div.1A v AGB Sun. 1st April 11a.m.
BALLINACOR
Our first fundraiser of the year is on this Saturday evening in Lawless’ Hotel in Aughrim. We are hosting a variety night with lots of local talent on show including singing, dancing, poetry, drama and comedy. Tickets are €15 and this includes entry into a door draw. The prizes on this draw are a night for two in the Midlands Hotel, dinner for two in Glenmalure Lodge with a bottle of wine and 10 bags of coal. Contact any player or committee member to get your hands on a ticket
Congratulations to Martin Byrne and Anna Fox on their wedding last week!
STRATFORD-GRANGECON
The lotto numbers for last week’s draw were 08,12, 13, and 17. There was no jackpot winner. Next week’s jackpot is €8,500.
Next excecutive meeting is 8pm on Thursday, April 19.
Membership is now due. Registration day €20 non player €40 player €20 Juvenile. Instalment payment options.
Our main pitch is closed for use until further notice as field conditions are extremely wet. All queries to Jim Bollard.
Intermediate team who are sponsored by Horans bar & Restaurant Baltinglass have their fourth game, a Division 2 league match Saturday, March 24, away to Barndarrig at 4pm.
Training is Tuesday at 8pm and Sunday 11am. Junior training is 8pm Thursdays.
Juvenile football training academy 4-6yrs, under-11, under-9 and under-7 is at 11am Saturdays.
Mouth guards essential for under-7 upwards.
Hurling will commence on Tuesdays when the evenings brighten, you will be notified by text.
Under-13s playing with Michael Dwyers are playing in a cross county league, their semi-final in the under-12 football is on March 19 in Fenagh at 10.30am v St Pat’s.
Was postponed due to the weather. It will be rescheduled and winners play Moorefield at 12 in the semi in the Plate final. Training is at 7pm Mondays.
Our under-15s and 17s playing with Michael Dwyers are training Tuesday evening from 8-9pm in the hall in the secondary school in Baltinglass for under-15 only and under-17 and under-15 on the Astro in Baltinglass on Thursday 8pm.
Under-17s have a match against Blessington B team coming soon over the next week or so we are awaiting a refixed date.
Last Social scene until next autumn is this Friday 24th 8-10pm.