GRASSROOTS
ÉIRE ÓG GREYSTONES
Comhgáirdeachas to Joe Prendergast (Templecarrig school), son of under-15 football mentor Maurice on winning a silver medal in the All-Ireland Schools Sports in Tullamore on Saturday last. Joe was showing another side of his sporting talent on the previous Friday evening when he was knocking in goals for Éire Óg against An Tóchar in an under-15 football match.
Congratulations are also due to three of our under-17 (Minor) footballers, Daire Devine, Shaun Cranley and Fionn Caroll who all played their part in the county’s recent comprehensive victory over Westmeath.
Plaudits also go to the Northern Gaels (Kilcoole/Éire Óg) hurling Féile team who reached the final of their division in the Féile at the weekend. They were beaten by the Longford Slashers.
The Junior A footballers registered their third victory on the trot in Division 4 of the league. They defeated Hollywood 1-14 to 1-12. The progress of the team after what was an inauspicious start – logistical factors forced it to give two walk-overs – is very satisfying.
PEIL NA MBAN - Recently our under-14s played host to Baltinglass in the league.
Going into the game they were fully aware of the difficult assignment they were facing. At that juncture not only were the visitors comfortable table-toppers but they were the winners of the B division of the County Féile.
However, ár gcailíní were not at all intimidated by Balto’s reputation and in fact were relishing the challenge presenting itself.
That the Greystones girls had grounds for their positive attitude was apparent in the manner in which they took the game to the opposition from the throw-in and it would be fair to say that they were a little unfortunate to be 1-2 to 2-5 behind at the short whistle.
In the second period the Éire Óg cailíní really showed their mettle. From the off they had the westerners under severe pressure and outscored them 4-2 to 2-5 in the half. Indeed it could be said without bias that the hosts had their hot favourite visitors on the ropes when the referee blew his whistle to call an end to proceedings.
Scorers for Éire Óg: Addie Smullen (2-1), Aisling Roche (2-0), Jayne Merren (1-2), Eva Skerritt (0-1).
They had another outing last Tuesday when they played An Tóchar on their home patch.
They led all the way in the game and were 6-7 to 2-3 at the final whistle. The first half was closely contested with the score at the break being 4-0 to 2-1. On Tuesday the team plays its final game in the league against St Pat’s.
Team: Ella O’Reilly, Sophie Dallaghan, Eimear Ryan, Diana Clarke, Alisha Campbell, Ciara O’Neill, Kim Gallagher, Aoife Skerritt, Maebh O’Neill, Alannah Monaghan, Jayne Merren (2-1), Aisling Roche (3-2), Julia Rose O’Brien, Ellen Phelan (1-0), Alex O’Brien (03), Ellen Treacey (0-1), Sarah Doyle, Jasmine Reilly, Ella Byrne, Sophie Keddy.
Well done to the county girls, Division 4 league winners, who defeated Meath, Division 3 league finalists, in the first round of the Leinster Intermediate Championship before a large crowd in Roundwood. The team included four ex-Greystones players, Maedhbh Deeney, Lorna Fusciardi, Laurie Ahern and Aoife Gillen.
Camógaíocht is alive and active within the club at the moment and if the hugely impressive attendance at last Saturday’s underage training session is anything to go by a very solid foundation is being laid for the sport in Éire Óg.
The adult team participates in both the Dublin and Wicklow leagues. Recently it put up highly creditable performances against Kilcoole and Na Gaeil Óga (played in the Phoenix Park). In these games our players showed themselves to be anything but shrinking violets.
Under-16 - Our camógs at this level combine with Kilcoole. Éire Óg’s Jessica Mai Maxwell contributed 2-3 to the Cill Mhantáin score in the county’s recent victory over Louth in the final of the Leinster Under-16 C Championship final.
Under-14 - Four of our under-14s Emily, Bryana, Aisling, and Grace were on the Wicklow under-14 team which played in the recent Leinster blitz in Portlaois. Carlow beat Wicklow in the final.
The under-14 team had a commendable win 5-0 to 2-2 over Arklow Rocks in Arklow with Sarah scoring three goals and Aisling and Siobhan one each.
The under-12s had their first outing in the league against that nursery of the camán, Glenealy and showed themselves well capable of holding their own at this level.
Under-8 and under-10s have given a good account of themselves in blitzes in Kilcoole, Ballinacor and Ballinakill.
HOLLYWOOD
The next Hollywood GAA draw will be held in next Thursday, June 14, at 8pm in the Hollywood Inn for a jackpot of €5,000. Thank you all for your continued support.
Hollywood GAA is running a World Cup 2018 prediction competition. Entry to the competition is possible through our website and costs €10 or through paper entry sheets to the committee. Closing date is June 14. Please support this fundraiser and enjoy the upcoming World Cup.
Well done to the Hollywood boys: Patrick William Cullen Dunne, Luke Byrne, David Peppard, Charlie Chamney and Ciaran Coyne who admirably represented Wicklow with Michael Dwyers at Féile in Westmeath last weekend.
AUGHRIM
Our adult team had a convincing win in the Division 3 league last week defeating Newcastle on 1-17 to 1-7 score line.This was a good team performance and the game was played in a sporting and positive manner by both sides in front of a good home crowd.
Our next outing is away to Hollywood on Tuesday evening 12th at 8pm and our next home game is against Eire Óg on Tuesday 19th at 8pm.
Congrats to the Aughrim/Annacurra Camogie Féile team who out the under-14 regional Féile in Monaghan last weekend.This was a great achievement by a dedicated group of young players.
NEWTOWN
The under-9s next outing is a monster blitz in Ballinakill on Saturday, June 23, they are training every Monday at 6.30pm. Contact Alun at 086 3017500 if you need any more information.
The under-11s are at home tonight (Wednesday) against Kilmac at 7.15pm.
Training continues every Monday at 6.30pm for the under-11s and at 6.30pm on Wednesday for the under-13s. Contact Peter on 087 7633089 for more info about the under-11s or under-13s. The under-15s under the watchful eyes of Shane, Karl and Glen are training away give Shane a buzz at 087 6239971 for all the details about training and matches etc.
All our juvenile teams are always looking for more players and volunteers so if you want to get involved with any aspect with either a boys or girls team give our secretary Tom a buzz at 087 6611480. The under-8 and under-10 girls are training on Tuesdays at 6.30pm, contact Ruth at 087 7472682 for more information.
The under-12 girls are training twice a week on Tuesday’s and Friday at 6.30pm. Loretto is the team contact at 087 9295591. The under-14 girls next league match is next Tuesday away to Baltinglass. They are training on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm;, give Shayne a ring on 087 2256436 for all info regarding the under-14s. Best of luck to all those currently sitting exams.
The Cúl Camps are returning to Newtown on July 30, there are still some vacancies for Cúl Camp coaches throughout the summer. Contact Garrett Doyle at 083 4357460 for more information regarding all camp matters.
All membership is now overdue and as we are operating a strictly no pay no play policy it is advisable to please pay asap as May 31 was the deadline, anybody looking to buy club gear please give Ruth a bell at 087 7472682.
This week’s lotto had a jackpot of €7,400 but rolled over on numbers of 9, 18, 24, and 25.
ANNACURRA
Annacurra Sports are on this Sunday. There are children’s races, a football match and lots more. All are welcome.
BLESSINGTON
Lotto - Jackpot now €3,800. Numbers drawn on Tuesday, June 5: 5, 9, 16, and 19. Five winners of match three numbers: Bobby Richardson c/o Dermot, Shauna, Moya Richardson c/o Tara Richardson, Jimmy Keogh c/o Nora Nolan, Tom Doyle c/o Pat Molloy, Éimhín Dalby c/o Pat Molloy. Each receives €60 each. Next draw will be held in Hennessys on June 19. Thank you for your support.
Division 1 – Division 1 League play-off Blessington away v Hollywood on Wednesday, June 6. Nice win for the lads. Blessington 1-12, Hollywood 0-12. Game on Wednesday, June 13, TBC.
Junior B - The Junior Bs won at home v Baltinglass, 1-16 to 1-10. Team: Bradley Foster, Stephen Byrne, Garrett Grogan, Cormac Brogan, David Williamson, Paddy Reilly, Daire McGorman, Fergal Hennessy, Conal O’ Gallchobhair, Fionn Walsh (0-1), Alan Ellis (0-3), Stephen Willoughby (0-1), Peter O’Connell (1-0), Eddie Boylan (0-6), Adam Murphy (0-4). Reserves Eoin Howlin (0-1), Ian Richardson, James Kearns, Damian Breen, Sean Mescall, Patrick Nolan, Christy Walsh, Ethan Cotter, Eoin Higgins.
Next up is a home game against Éire Óg Greystones at 8pm.
Division 4 WS Cup Competition – Hard luck to our Division 3 team who lost out to Baltinglass away on Tuesday, June 5, by 1-12 to 1-07.
Team: Barry Behan, Patrick Nolan, Christy Walsh, Declan Fennessy, Aaron Curran, Eoin Howlin, Bradley Foster, Danielius Sarkaurkas, James Kearns, Ciaran Mescal (0-1), David Behan (1-2), Eoin Higgins, Sean Mescall, Ciaran McGovern, Ethan Cotter (0-4), Reserves: Damian Breen, Cormac Brogan, Stephen Byrne, Feargal Hennessey, Peter O’Connell, Conal O’ Gallchobhair, Fionn Walsh, Adam Murphy and Stephen Willoughby.
Next up is a home game on Thursday, June 14, against Stratford-Grangecon at 8pm.
Wicklow Ladies – Fresh from their victory over Meath, the Wicklow ladies will take on Longford on Sunday, June 17, at 2pm in the Leinster Intermediate Championship semi-final in what will be another tight match. No venue yet, but we need to make sure we get to Longford to support our girls. This is a huge stepping stone for Wicklow and the girls need of all our voices.
County Senior Footballers – It was a result that no-one wanted to see; 1-05 to 2-16.
County Senior Hurlers – Hard luck to the hurlers who came up against a very polished London side in Carlow on June 9 in the Christy Ring semi-final. Final score: 2-14 to 2-28.
Wicklow Under-20s – It was heartbreak for our talented under-20 Wicklow footballers as they went down 1-14 to 1-13 v Laois in Round 2 of the Leinster Championship in Portlaoise on Bank Holiday Monday.
This had been a highly competitive minor team but re-grouped quite late in the season as an under-20 squad and suffered a heavy defeat to Meath (against whom they competed very well over the years) in the first round. The lads responded to that disappointment with great character and deserved more on the basis of the quality of their performance. Tears all round but our club lads Aaron Curran (corner back), Conall Ó Gallchobhair (full back) and Jack Cotter (centre back) represented the club with distinction. The lads face a well-prepared Kildare team on June 16 in Newbridge at 2pm.
Under-15s – Training Monday 6.45pm and Wednesday at 7pm.
Under-12s – NKL Blessington against Naas at home on Thursday, June 14, at 7pm.
Under-11s – Blue v St Pats at home on Wednesday, June 13, at 7.15pm. Under-11 White v Ashford at home on Wednesday, June 13, at 7.15pm. Under-11 Red away v Kilbride/ Lacken on Wednesday, June 13, at 7.15pm. NKL under-11s away v Maynooth on Saturday, June 16, 4.30pm.
Under-10s - NKL home game v Allenwood wasn’t played on Saturday, June 9, and is to be rescheduled.
Under-9s – At home v Ardclough on Saturday, June 16, at 3.30pm.
Under-7s – NKL under-7s Blue at home v Raheens on Saturday, June 16, at 2.30pm. Under-7s v Eadestown at home on Saturday at 2.30pm.
Under-14 girls – Our under-14 girls team had two games this week in the league.
On Tuesday, June 5, our Blue team played Bray Emmets at home. Our team put in a very strong performance against Bray with some great scores being taken from the outset.
Our girls pushed up and tackled very strongly for every ball and some fine passing movements led to some great scores.
Overall nine of the 15 girls scored, Aoibheann, Alana, Bryana, Emily-Rose, Sarah, Sadhbh C., Sadhbh F., Sophie and Zara but was a brilliant team performance from No. 1 to 15.
On Thursday, June 7, our White team also had a home game this week, against Ashford.
On a warm evening our team started slowly with Ashford going in to an early lead, but our girls soon got in to the game and Ashling, Niamh, Amy and Jane made some fine scores, while Chloe made a great penalty save, to leave our girls leading 3-01 to 1-00 at half-time.
The team started the second half strongly, with some strong defensive tackling and passing movements allowing our forwards (Juliette, Millie, Amy and Niamh) take some good scores to stretch our lead. A really good display by all the girls who are improving with every game.
This week the girls have their final games in their respective leagues. Tuesday, June 12, the Whites are away to Coolkenno (meet at the Community College at 5.50pm).
Thursday, June 14, the Blue team are at home to AGB, throw-in at 7.30pm. Please come out and support our girls who have been playing so well all year.
Hurling
Under-13s – Michael Dwyer Navy v Kilcoole at 7.15pm.
Go Games – In Blessington on Friday, June 16, at 7pm.
Under-8s – Away v Cappagh on Sunday, June 17, 10.30am.
Féile na nGael – The lads were hosted by Southern Gaels (Athlone) for the weekend.
Thanks to the host families for taking great care of the lads. First match: Michael Dwyers 1-3, Clan Na Gael 0-3. Second match: Michael Dwyers 1-2, Derry Gaels 0-3. Third match: Michael Dwyer’s 2-5 Southern Gaels 1-3. Quarter-finals in Roscommon v Commercials Rathcoole was drawn at full-time.
Unfortunately, the lads were beaten by three points. Hard luck to the lads and management. It was a great achievement and they will have memories for a lifetime. Our lads who represented the club were Sam Gough (Capt), Austin Brennan, Adam Williamson, Conor and Brian Richardson and Finn Behan. Managers Pat Brennan and David Richardson alongside John O’Toole (Kiltegan).
Club physio - Physio will be at the clubhouse on Thursday, June 14 and 21, at 7pm. Contact Pat Molloy regarding any enquiries/ emergencies on 086 8230130.
Fixtures – All our fixtures for the week can be found on the Blessington GAA Facebook page and the club website.
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 087 2858375.
RATHNEW
GOLF CLASSIC - Winners: Darren Ronan and John Sayer; 2nd: Mark Coffey and Justin Whealan; 3rd: Eamonn Doyle and Justin Whealan.
Nearest the Pin: Richard Jameson and Harry Murphy.
Longest Drive: Ronan Doyle
Great day had by all, needs to be supported better but still a great day was had by all. We truly thank all who took the time to play or sponsor a tee box. We’d be lost without you. Thanks for the support.
Thanks to Shay Doyle’s for sponsoring it, Healy’s MiniMart for sponsoring the bbq, ably manned by three woman, Tussy Dignam, Cissie Murphy and Emma Shorthall.
Thanks to Clifford Murphy for looking after the prizes.
Thanks to the Gill family for presenting the awards back in Doyle’s who had food and entertainment laid on and where a great night was had by all.