Greystones CNS and An Tóchar host blitzes
THERE was a brilliant turnout for the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol event for third and fourth class boys as 150 hurlers took part in recent blitzes in both Greystones CNS and An Tóchar GAA Club.
Teams from St. Laurence’s N.S, Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, Greystones CNS, Kilcoole P.S and Greystones Educate Together participated in Greystones while St. Patrick’s N.S, Holy Rosary N.S and Laurence O’Toole’s N.S took part in the An Tóchar blitz.
The games were fast and furious. Matches were fve-a-side and 12 minutes in duration. This allowed for each player to maximise the number of touches they got in a competitive environment.
The skill levels seemed to increase with each game every team played. Some of the saves made by various goalkeepers on the day were particularly eye-catching. A few future Wicklow stars in the making, no doubt!
The Young Whistler programme is also proving to be a great success with sixth class students who did the course doing an excellent job officiating the games.
“A big thanks has to go out to all the teachers who made the effort to bring teams to the different locations on the day,” said the organisers. “We hope events like these will help boost participation numbers in the county and would encourage schools to liaise with their local club to get more children to join as a new year commences,” they added.
Indoor Camogie Blitz
Plans for an indoor camogie blitz for third and fourth class students are progressing nicely. The event is hoped to go ahead on Thursday, January 25 from 10.30am to 12.30pm across three venues.
Times may be staggered on the day depending on how many teams are entered.
The three venues are Greystones CNS, Coláiste Ráithín in Bray and An Tóchar GAA Club in Roundwood.
At the moment there are three different venues arranged. This is to make it easier for more schools to attend, reduce waiting time between games and ultimately to get more children playing games. If there are only enough teams entered for one venue, it will more than likely take place in Greystones CNS.
Teachers were asked to please get back to Brendan Doyle (Oifigeach Iomána) before the end of the school day, on Friday, January 19, with their preferred venue and the number of teams they wish to send (e.g. St. Vincents N.S – 2 teams – An Tóchar GAA Club). Brendan can be contacted via Whatsapp on 086-0782403 or by email brendandoyle8@ hotmail.com
The organisers say they will do their best to facilitate everyschool,l but you may be asked to go to the next nearest venue to you, depending on numbers.
Format: Schools can bring as many as three squads of eight. Matches will be five-a-side (more if the space allows it) with rolling subs. Fixtures will be made up once it is known how many teams there are and what venues they will be at.
Equipment: Indoor hurls, helmets and First Touch sliotars. If schools could bring a set of eight bibs just in case of a colour clash or if they play another team from the same school. If anyone needs any equipment on the day i.e. indoor hurls, helmets etc. let Brendan know and he will try to get it sorted for you.
If schools have any young whistlers in their school, can they bring them on the day with their referee gear to officiate the games. North/East Fixtures – Term 2 At Bray Emmets - Boys’ Football Allianz Coughlan Cup Day 1, Thursday, February 29.
Eleven-a-side and no age limit at 10.30am. Points only, goalkeeper. Three points for a point, one point for a goal.
At Bray Emmets - Girls’ Wicklow Times Shield Day 1, Thursday, March 7, at 10.30am. 11-a-side. Points only, goalkeeper. Three points for a point, one point for a goal.
At Bray Emmets - Boys’ Football Allianz Coughlan Cup Day 2, April 11 at 10.30am. 11-a-side. Points only, goalkeeper. Three points for a point, one point for a goal.
At Bray Emmets - Girls’ Wicklow Times Shield Day 2, April 18, 10.30am. 11-a-side.
Points only, goalkeeper. Three points for a point, one point for a goal.
INTO Skills Challenge
Two pupils per school may participate in each discipline - boys’ and girls’ football, camogie and hurling.
April 9 (Tuesday): North East - Bray Emmets.
April 10 (Wednesday): South – Ballinakill.
April 11 (Thursday): West – Blessington.
April 17 (Wednesday): County Skills Test Final in Ballinakill. South Wicklow Term 2
At Aughrim - Third and fourth class boys indoor football blitz, January 25, seven-a-side.
This will be a seven-a-side blitz with unlimited subs, smaller schools will be allowed to use second class students to make up numbers. Smaller schools may also decide to group together with other small schools to field a team.
At Aughrim – Third and fourth class girls indoor camogie blitz, February 1, seven-a-side.
At Aughrim – Third and fourth class indoor hurling blitz, February 8, seven-a-side.
At Aughirm – First and second class girls indoor football blitz, February 22, seven-a-side.
At Aughrim – First and second class boys indoor football blitz, Febraury 29, seven-a-side.
At Aughrim - Mixed Junior and Senior Infants Introduction to GAA – Day 1, March 7.
At Aughrim - Mixed Junior and Senior Infants Introduction to GAA – Day 2, March 14.
Please send results, reports or photos to pro.cnmb.wicklow@ gaa.ie, follow them on X @cnmbwicklow. Keep up to date with all Allianz Cumann na mBunscol news in Wicklow on our website www.cnmbwicklow.ie.