ÉIRE ÓG GREYSTONES

The competitive future of Cill Mantáin in intercounty G.A.A. competitions will without doubt be dependant to quite a large degree on the games developing a vibrant presence in the areas where most of the county’s population is concentrated. Not an easy task when one considers the distractions and quasi-rootlessness of urban living.

The cultivation in such an environment of even a modicum of the spirit of solidarity and commitment which drove Mullinalaghta, a half-parish of 400 dwellings in Longford, to victory over Kilmacud Crokes on Sunday would have to be counted as a huge achievement.

Éire Óg is endeavouring to do its bit for iomáint agus peil in the ever-growing population (1000 new houses in the pipeline for the next few years) in the Clocha Liatha area.

Of late there have been encouraging straws in the wind that its efforts have been gaining some fruit. Thus apart from the club’s successes in the u-17A and u-20B championships it had the honour at the week-end of supplying four players, Billy Cuddihy, Peter Keane, James Cranley and Stephen Kelly to the Cill Mantáin team which played Iar-Mhí in the Walsh Cup (iomáint) and three players, Darren Hayden, Daniel Keane and Fintan O’Shea, to that which played Longford in the O’Byrne Cup (peil).

A win is a win is a win but it has to be contended that it loses some of its lustre if it, as they say, is an ugly one.

A victory is most satisfying when accomplished with élan. So one was delighted to hear on a visit to the west of the county the underage teams mentioned above, particularly the u-17s, being praised for the quality and attractiveness of their football.

Moladh mór for the lads and their mentors.

Comhbhrón to Lorna Fusciardi and Laurie Ahern who were members of the Foxcab ladies team defeated by Mourneabbey in the Senior All-Ireland Club Final on Saturday.

One has to confess a secret sympathy for the ladies from Cork who were contesting their fourth final and to date had been unsuccessful.

Comhgáirdeachas to Wexican Éamonn Scallan on his recent appointment as Cill Mantáin hurling manager. No doubt his reference from Éire Óg carried weight in his obtaining the position. Go n-eirí an t-ádh leis. The club wishes Éamonn every success. 2019, for the main purpose of electing a club secretary. An executive committee will then be elected.

Newtown lotto rolled over to €2,600, numbers drawn were 5, 7, 10, and 11. There were seren match-three winners who won €60 each. Please buy a ticket to be in with a chance to win and also support our club

Canice Hanley of Wicklow Tyres who are the main sponsor of the team; Aine and Niall of Fitzpatrick’s Bar; Willie Doyle of Flannery’s Funeral Homes; Tommy Kelly of Tommy Kelly Couriers; Niall McCrea of McCrea’s Funeral Home; and Eugene Dooley of Dooley Poynton Auctioneers.

Many thanks to our local Gallaghers SuperValu who recently sponsored 150 footballs to the club.

We will put them to good use and have been able to give a quantity out to local national schools in the town. Don’t forget to support our sponsors.

Congratulations to club legend Maura O’Brien who celebrated a special birthday recently from all in St Patrick’s GAA.

Hard luck to all involved with DCW Ladies Senior football.

In the first semi-final of the Girls Senior football ‘A’ in Carnew on Thursday, December 6, Coláiste Bhríde Carnew hosted Dominican College Wicklow.

Dominican had the advantage of wind and slope in the first half but Coláiste Bhríde led by 1-9 to 1-7 at half-time.

The Carnew school had an edge in point scoring and went on to a deserved 3-17 to 3-9 win.

It was an excellent fast flowing game with top class players on both teams. Well done to both teams.

Please note dates for your diary. Please support your club, this is your opportunity to have your say in your club.

Garden County Awards night will be held on Saturday, January 19, in the Arklow Bay Hotel.

The GAA National Club Draw tickets are now available from club treasurer James Phelan. Please contact James on 087 2284441for tickets.

Please note every Wednesday from November 7 for the next six weeks the St. Patrick’s Club Gym is unavailable from 7.45-9.15pm due to the county under-15 lads using the gym.

Sean Cox fundraiser: Meath football manager Andy McEntee is looking forward to next month’s challenge against Dublin, joking that even a game of marbles between the rival counties would be competitive.

The anticipated sell-out encounter at Navan’s Pairc Tailteann will take place on December 16 with all gate receipts going to the Sean Cox fund.

McEntee is a club-mate of former St Peter’s, Dunboyne chairman Cox who suffered serious injuries during an attack before a Champions League game involving Liverpool and Roma last April.

Thank you to everyone who supports our club lotto. Last Monday, December 3, the numbers 7, 18, 19 and 24 were drawn. Bonus: 20.

There was no match-five jackpot winner for €10,000; No match-four jackpot winner for €3,200, and one match-three winner: Martin Fitzgerald c/o Eddie Leonard.

This week’s match-four jackpot is €3,300.

Next draw is on Monday, December 10, in the clubhouse.

Thanks to the weekly club lotto sellers who give up their time to help raise funds for the club. It’s greatly appreciated.

As part of club development and potential additional playing facilities, we are requesting that each age group team support the lotto selling rota by providing a team of four on their designated Saturday. Are any of you available to sell in the pubs on Saturday nights from 9pm? Contact your team manager for details.

Please send any information for club notes to Pro.stpatricks.wicklow@gaa.ie before 9pm on Sunday evenings.

You can contact St Pats at Facebook St Patrick’s GAA Club Wicklow Town or Twitter @StPatsGAAWick.