Éire Óg Greystones
GAA Club

Boys Under 16 Football

Training: Wednesdays 7:30 - 9.00pm

Next match:

2005 Panel of players

4th October 2005

Won 13; Drew 1; Lost 3.

We won the North East District League and went out of the Championship at semi-final stage by one point to St. Josephs who were beaten in the final by one point by St. Brigids.

The best attenders at the training sessions were the following:

Scott Smullen - 27;
Jonathan O'Brien - 26;
Gavin Magee - 24;
James Kelly - 24;
Lee Mc Donald - 23;
Sean Horan - 23.

Some of the senior players attendance at the training sessions were reduced due to the requirements of study time for the Junior Certificate and call ups for the Minor panel.

The partcipation in the games record stands as follows:

Gavin Magee - 17;
Oran Bambrick - 16;
Adam Merriman - 16;
Sean Horan - 16;
Lee Mc Donald - 15;
Scott Smullen - 15.

The Player of the Year was: Roddy Carroll, Captain.

His citation was as follows:
" this selection has been very difficult for the management this year. Many players emerged as strong candidates such was the level of committment, dedication and determination of the whole squad. The award is given each year on its own merits as a players award. It is given for consistency and excellence of performance setting the benchmark in the tough environment that these players have reached on behalf of this club. Deeply thoughtful and loyal to his team, passionate about his sport, a born leader, a marvellous footballer, he is a great ambassador for the club. Fondly known to the management as "the General".

The Clubperson of the Year was: Oran Bambrick, Vice-captain.

His citation was as follows:
" this person has been asked to play in a difficult position that demands high returns but where there is not as much ball contact as he would like, much to his own expense. He has done so without complaining and has excelled. He has sacrificed himself by cutting short his holidays abroad so that he would not let down his team-mates prior to the Championship. He is an excellent conduit to the players for the management communicating their requirements. He is the vice-captain of the team and has been a great support to the Captain. Fondly known as 'Bambi' ".

19th September 2005

“Many people say they have spent much of their life looking for that experience again. What they experienced was a learning organization. The team that became great didn’t start off great – it learned how to produce extraordinary results”.

(Senge. The Fifth Discipline).

Venue: Newtownmountkennedy.

Eire Og Greystones v St. Josephs.

Under 16 Football County Championship semi-final.

This game played under lights had an eerie feel about it. A massive crowd for a game at this level. Such was the hype surrounding the game and the recent history between these clubs that the crowd turned out and they were not to be disappointed. For sheer excitement and entertainment this was an epic battle. The fact that the game was played under the lights created a pressure cauldron similar to a bubble. The Greystones fraternity turned out en masse to support the boys – well done and thank you all.

This year alone our Under 12s have beaten St. Josephs in their County semi-final. Our Under 14s lost to them at the same stage. Greystones were Under 16 Champions last year (2004), having beaten St. Josephs at the semi-final stage by a point after a replay. St. Josephs were the Champions in 2003 having beaten Greystones in the final. The two teams that played in this fixture had met at Under 14 level in the County Final two years ago with St. Josephs triumphing. So to say there is a history is no understatement.

Our whole season had been geared up to a game such as this. They had beaten us by seven points in that corresponding fixture two years ago thus we were under no illusions but we were confident of our ability. The St. Josephs boys had played fixtures in Kildare and Carlow in preparation and some of their players had experience of adult football.

The game opened at a blistering pace with our opponents racing into a 1-01 to 0-0 lead. With a goal from Roddy Carroll and a point from Oran Bambrick it was level. It was a titanic struggle in the middle of the field with St. Joseph star Eoin Sweeney exerting every muscle to impose his dominance on proceedings. Daniel Salmon at full back for Eire Og swept everything out before him. Sean Horan had a mighty task on hand in curbing the elusive Mark Caplis. The opening salvo by the men from the West with the advantage of a slight breeze into their top left hand corner threatening to run us off the field did not materialize as the spirit in the Greystones boys ensured that this game would be in the balance right to the end. It had the feel of a draw about it as neither side was going to be broken easily.

Half-time – St. Josephs 1-05; Eire Og Greystones 1-03.

The second half saw the St Josephs team pull away into a 5 point lead. It was time for drastic action on the line for Greystones. Daniel Webb posted four points in a row. St. Josephs were doing their best to maintain a gap. Suddenly the switches clicked and Greystones took over completely battering down the resistance with venom. A dipping 45 was flicked to the net followed up by a quick point and it was honours even. The exchanges were physical in the extreme on both sides with no quarter given. The stoppages for injuries killed the momentum and with time running out the St. Josephs boys snatched the last and winning point. Great courage was shown on both sides with the players all locked into their own private battles like boxers in a ring, none more so than Scott Smullen who was in no mood for niceties. The pleasantries could come afterward.

Final score: St Josephs 1-11; Eire Og Greystones 2-07.

This sets up an all West final between St. Josephs and St Brigids, who had accounted for our neighbours from Bray on Saturday. St Brigids have every right to feel confident going into the final. Having played both sides in recent weeks it’s a difficult one to call but it should be a great game. It will come down to steely resolve.

The disappointment in the Greystones dressing room was palpable. This had been an electric game loaded with tension. The learning curve of coping with pressure for these young men was immense. Experiences such as this will stand to them later in life and it is doubtful that in their bright sporting futures in all sports if they will recapture the emotion of this night. The whole squad has been a marvelously disciplined, united and spirited group. It was a huge panel and the players in reserve have been very patient but they played their part in the development of the team. The younger players learned a lot that will stand to them at this level next year.

Having made our way to our dressing room Captain Roddy Carroll was not going to shirk his duty. He has played in two County Championship finals winning one and has also played for his school Pres Bray as an out-half in a Leinster Schools Junior Rugby Cup Final. That big match experience was vital on this occasion. His presence of mind was wonderful as he said “lets go in and congratulate them and wish them the best in the final” he declared and away we went. Entering the St. Josephs dressing room you could hear a pin drop. A lot of these players know each other from County duty. It was a difficult thing to do. The respect shown to us was magnanimous. The St. Josephs juvenile club are backboned by Baltinglass mentors and players, the only club in Wicklow to have won an All – Ireland Club Championship at Senior level. The esteem they hold our Captain in is plainly obvious. The St. Josephs captain came up and embraced Roddy in acknowledgment and recognition of the difficulty of defeat.

The gesture was reciprocated. Entering our dressing room with his manager the St. Josephs captain spoke eloquently. Their manager Kevin O’Brien was known to some of us but not all. There was something about the way he spoke to us, the voice of experience. There was great dignity as he expressed his wish for the future for us in some day bringing a Miley Cup (Senior) to Greystones. He has won eight Senior Titles, An All-Ireland Club, represented Ireland at International Rules and is the only Wicklow player ever to be honoured as an All-Star. All in all a great privilege for our players to have him speak so generously to us. There was no whooping or triumphant displays from our conquerors, a great hallmark of a dignified team who respected their opponents.

It would have been remiss if our own management left it at that. Our thoughts were all over the place. We needed to rationalize and capture the moment. If we had to walk out then we would have gained nothing from the season but a feeling of failure. We didn’t fail. We were winners too in that this defeat did more to bond us together than all the victories we had all year. As the Fifth Discipline says we could spend the rest of our lives trying to recapture this experience again. It was a wonderful privilege for us as managers that this group of young men on the threshold of life allowed us to be part of their journey. We will come together again in the future stronger. As we left that dressing room we were upbeat and the rendition of “something inside so strong” on the bus home was passionate.

Team: Lorcan Treanor, Scott Smullen, Daniel Salmon, Adam O’Shea, Lee Mc Donald, Ronan Hanaway, Sean Horan, Michael Cawley, Adam Merriman, Dermot O’Rourke, Roddy Carroll, Jonathan O’Brien, Daniel Webb, Oran Bambrick, Gavin Magee.

Injured: Shane Thompson, Colum O’Murchu, David Dunne.

Subs: Colin Rockett, Daryl Reilly, Oran Finnegan, Conor White, David Hayes, James Kelly, Keelan Browne, Jamie Hogan, James Cosgrove (used), John Colclough, Andrew Kealy, Peter Keane.

5th September 2005

What a great pleasure it was to meet such great Gaels as Paddy Byrne, Chairman of the West Board, former County Minor Coach and current County Under 15 manager with Eire Og mentor Fergus O'Brien. These two men have soldiered together side by side on County duty this year in the face of adversity. Whilst it has been difficult it has been great fun. Paddy and the St. Brigids club were under no illusions about the task their young team faced on Monday night. The players and mentors all know each other well and there was an edge to this game. Did the Greystones club honestly believe that they would saunter into Blessington and have it all their own way? After all the St. Brigids club compete in the Dublin leagues and were buoyant after a win, in a tight match over Skerries Harps on Saturday.

If anyone is under any illusions about the talent that is growing in Wicklow football they should have been in Blessington this evening. Superb athleticism, wonderful footballing skills, total commitment and honest endeavour in the best sporting traditions were very much in evidence. The boys on both sides are very talented in all sports, but the pride that the GAA engenders in local communities was on display in abundance in this encounter. What a great experience for all who played in this battle.

Greystones lost. The pain of defeat rarely experienced by them in the last two years hurt deeply. So it should. No excuses from our side, that's for sure. We were beaten by a better team on the night. "How can you enjoy victory if you haven't tasted the bitter pill of defeat", Fergus told his players. Manager Ray Barry, that legend of Greystones football uttered the most commonsense of words as he tried to console his gutted team. "Think of Tyrone lads, they lost the Ulster final but came back to win yesterday in Croker to reach the All Ireland final".

The final score St. Brigids 3-14; Eire Og Greystones 3-07. No caving in here. The County Board at Minor level have in the face of criticism tried to pit these clubs against each other. East meets West. The best versus the best. Hammerings meted out with scorelines that embarrass teams, at District level, in the last couple of years called for change. This match justifies such foresight.

Seven Greystones players were on the scoresheet on the night, a very good sign. Mention of them would be unfair to the back Division who soldiered with great endeavour. It's a team game. This Greystones outfit have been on the road since the first week in March. They have peaked already a number of times. Many of them already hold County Under 16 Championship medals. They were there to be knocked. If you were to pick a game that was not going to prove to be fatal then this was it. We're still in there. Whoever wins this title this year will be a very good side. Last year the Greystones club with a very young side carried the County. This St. Brigids team are young also but they are hungry. Beware!

We now await the fixtures for the County semi-final. It's not the last match that counts but the next. We're at the penultimate end of the season. Whoever endures deserves it. Let's just enjoy the participation. The next game - County semi-final on the weekend 17/18th September. Group A1 is undecided at present. Our great rivals Bray Emmets, St. Josephs our conquerers two years ago at Under 14 level in the County Final or St. Nicholas. These three teams have lost one match each and will be locked out at 6 points each in the group which may very well be decided on score difference. We play the winner of Group A1. Whichever way it turns out it's going to be hard. Let's just keep going.

It would be very remiss in the recording of the seasons activities of this team if comment was not made on a most unfortunate incident involving our players. We have enjoyed such great times together. So it must be when some misfortune befalls us that we pull together. Four of our players were involved in a most frightening car crash on Friday night. Mercifully, all are around to tell the tale. What a fright we all got on Saturday when we heard what happened. These are the finest of boys and we wish nothing bad would ever happen to them. So it was visiting our star corner forward Shane Thompson in St Vincents Hospital on Sunday evening that the harshness of what happened came home to roost. The normally very exuberant and bubbly Shane, was clearly in a lot of pain having undergone surgery on his broken left elbow. Shane, we're all with you and the most important thing we did last Monday was sign your get well card. Football is a bit of craic and you have worked so hard to give us everything. We will miss you from the team but we know you are our inspiration. Well done to Keelan, sore ribs and all for making the team coach on Monday. David (Hayes), we look forward to seeing you and Matthew, keep giving us that winning smile of yours.

29th August 2005

Every game is throwing up a new player hitting form and tonight it was without a doubt Dermot O'Rourke. In "Gooch" like fashion he fired over four class points from play in the first half. Playing at wing half forward great credit is due to the corner forwards Shane Thompson and Daniel Webb and centre half forward Ronan Hanaway who intelligently engineered the space to allow him to flourish. Four points from Adam Merriman (two frees), a point from Michael Cawley and a goal from Oran Bambrick left the Greystones boys leading by 1-09 ; 0-00 at half time. The half-time talk was prophetic. "Don't be under any illusions boys, Rathnew are a proud club and they are going to come at you in the second half like Lions, the game is only half over". Complacency and over confidence are two of the most debilitating malaises that can befall a team. So it came to pass. The Greystones boys defensive systems were tested to the full. Rathnew posted 1-02 in the second half and could have added more. Indeed a missed penalty and a top drawer save by Greystones goalkeeper Lorcan Treanor were blows to their fight back. Greystones added points from Daniel Webb (2), Adam (1) and Oran (1). Daniel ghosted into some good positions. Final score 1-13; 1-02. Four subs got a run as required.

The match was played in a very sporting manner and credit must accrue once again to referee Christy Moloney from Bray who conducted the affair with calm. Not one word of dissent was heard on the pitch or from the sideline. Over the years the players on both sides have got to know each other well. There is a great respect amongst them. They regard each other as honest combatants. The trips to Rathnew are always character building and this match was of great benefit to the Greystones players in this regard.

So, it comes to pass. Next Monday the 5th September 2005 at 7 p.m. in Blessington v St Brigids (Blessington and Kilbride) in the meeting of the two unbeaten teams in this group to decide who tops the group and gets the favourable semi-final draw. Spies from St. Brigids mingled in the heart of the Greystones mentors in Rathnew in an effort to gain an edge. This will be a stern test for both sides. From here on in there will be nothing easy and that's the way we like it. Well done to the 12s and 14s who have both qualified for their respective County semi-finals coming out of their groups and good luck to the Minors (U/18) who feature against Newtown on Wednesday night. Victory for either side guarantees advancement to the penultimate stage in what turns out to be an all or nothing clash.

16th August 2005

The Greystones players had not been in action for a few weeks and questions existed about the players sharpness. Attendance at training has remained strong. As the first half opened these fears were ill-founded as the players showed a welcome freshness and a lively hunger for the fray. A blistering opening twenty minutes all but finished the game off as a contest. Some of the off the ball running and quick passing was out of the top drawer. Whilst a number of players were away it was great to see the players coming in playing so well. The whole full back line was re-jigged with Adam O'Shea slotting into the full back position instead of Daniel Salmon, with David Dunne coming in for Scott Smullen currently in Bulgaria and James Kelly filling in at left corner back. Adam is no stranger to this position having featured there a number of times on County duty this year. Indeed some of his burst outs into attacking moves showed shades of Seamus Moynihan, but these brought palpitations to his managers who are adament about primary duties. Big Michael Cawley is on holidays. Lee Mc Donald featured at centre- back and was in some difficulty when his glasses came a cropper. He carried on and the wits on the sideline reckon he should dispense with the glasses altogether as every clearance hit the intended target for a change.

It was great to see Dermot O'Rourke back in action having spent the summer travelling. The half forward line had a settled look about it as a result. Andrew Kealy started in the corner in place of the forgetful Daniel Webb who got his days mixed up. Beware, there is a queue for these positions in the team with a number of players all chomping at the bit to get into the side. The "coup de grace" in this game was delivered by Shane Thompson who definately earned the man of the match accolades. Surely, the most improved player in the squad he delivered a number of classic points on the run. His performance reflects his enthusiasm in the training environment where he displays an insatiatable appetite to develop and improve his game.

Despite being somewhat in arrears the St Kevins boys tore into the game in the second half and acquitted themselves well. The Greystones boys made a few heavy drives for goals but were thwarted by an excellent and brave St. Kevins goalkeeper. This was a salutary lesson in the merits of taking your points when the going is good. The engine room was as robust as usual and the proud men of Hollywood and Valleymount (St. Kevins) tested the mettle of the Eire Og men only to find an entrenched Adam Merriman in no mood for messing.

The next endeavour is away to Rathnew on the 29th August 2005 at 7:30 pm. This will be Championship fare at its best in the business end of the season and committment to the build up will be vital to get the desired end result. No quarter will be given, asked or expected in the homeland of football in the County. Supporters are asked to lend their voice to the occasion. As the song says: "just look 'em in the eyes and say......".

19th July 2005

Both sides are suffering from the seasonal depletion due to holidays. In Greystones case seven players are off to foreign climes including talisman captain Roddy Carroll. A heavy burden to replace - not so, but a great opportunity for the rest of the panel to show off their wares and grab their chance. Get on with the job! So it came to pass that any player not available for next Monday night would not start. Back into action came Phelim Byrne for his first start of the season and he acquitted himself well before being replaced by David Dunne back in action after a knee injury which had him laid up for the past few months. Both players came through unscathed and indeed looked fresh and keen for the fray. James Cosgrove and David Hayes started in the corners up front. Both players have shown great committment to the team and training all season and were well up to the pace. Lorcan Treanor enjoying a break in Wexford was replaced in goal by Gavin Magee. Lorcan and Daniel Webb will both be available for the championship game. Adam Merriman and Michael Cawley were in the engine room. Two big men with hearts to match.

The Pats boys struggling with injuries to Niall Earls and Lorcan Smullen, two county Under 15s, and with Thomas Wiley away on holidays, some punch was missing in the middle. A massive contest ensued between Greystones full back Daniel Salmon and St Pats full forward Thomas Kelly. Daniel who had a stormer for Wicklow Under 15s on Saturday was well supported by his County team mates Scott Smullen and Adam O'Shea. The trio display an uncanny understanding of each others play. If ever you needed three men in the trenches with you, you need look no further.

The announcement of Oran Bambrick as captain to carry the baton in "The Generals" absence was greeted with a great cheer of acceptance in the dressing room prior to the game. The biggest cheer of the night came however later in proceedings when David Hayes slotted over a cool point. The quiet man has been building towards this all season as he beavered away at the opposition with ferocious intensity all evening. The clashes were hard and one in particular brought a pleasing cameo. The slightly built but lethally elusive St Pats player Andy Broe clashed with Greystones hard-man Jonathan O'Brien. The outcome was broad smiles from each player to the other which indicated the great friendship despite the rivalry that the players enjoy. Only those in the heart of the fray can enjoy a moment such as this.

Greystones emerged comfortable winners at the finish. The match was a bruising rip roaring contest which is bound to stand to the teams on Monday next which was the purpose of the exercise. All the best to St Pats in the rest of their campaign. They are in the opposite group to us but will no doubt be leaving no stone unturned in their quest for honours come September.

11th July 2005

The second half started with the visitors dominating once more. The Greystones boys dug in and were unyielding. The big men in the middle started to produce. The hits were heavy and referee Duffy had to produce yellow to regain order on proceedings. A couple of positional switches in the forward combination started to produce dividends. Eire Og swung over a few neat points from play and suddenly daylight appeared. Luke O'Tooles made a few drives for a goal and were thwarted by Lorcan Treanor in goals. Fresh legs were introduced onto the Greystones team and one of them Peter Keane showed his dexterity as he moved onto his weaker left and dropped the ball over the black mark for an uplifting point. Conservatism was the name of the game as the home side methodically took their points to lock out the game. A couple of injuries meant the strength of the panel was tested. The bounding enthusiasm of the substitutes to engage in the action was welcome. Shane Thompson, fresh from his visit to Greece, resplendent with his Kieran Mc Donald dreadlocks added colour to the occasion. The final score Eire Og Greystones 0-15; Luke O'Tooles 0-3. The scoreline hardly reflects the passion and pace of a classic championship encounter. Will these two teams encounter each other again before the season is out? We will wait and see. Well done to the players on both sides for a very entertaining game and the best of luck to Luke O'Tooles in the rest of their campaign.

4th July 2005

Both sides fielded weakened teams. Greystones were minus Dermot O'Rourke, Daniel Webb, Oran Bambrick and Ronan Hanaway due to holidays, gaeltacht and niggly injuries. Nonetheless, it was an opportunity to continue the development of the strength of the panel. Twenty two players featured in this game. It was good to see Phelim Byrne back bouncing around on the sideline after his ankle injury and his re-introduction to the panel in the near future is welcome. Alex Ferguson says: "teams win games but squads win Championships". James Kelly started in the no: 7 jersey for just his second start in the blue. His brother "Chester" features at a higher level in the club and it won't be long before the brothers will be turning out together. Sean Horan pushed forward into the half-forward line from his customary place in the half-back line. He had been showing the forwards how to do it in recent training sessions topping the charts in the scoring competitions.

During the game Gavin Magee continued his goal a game sequence. Colum O'Murchu went on a 100 metre solo run ending with the score of the game. Adam Merriman displayed his dead ball prowess as his 45 out on the right sailed easily over the black mark. Andrew Kealy currently enjoying a rich vein of form was a livewire. Unfortunately, he picked up a nasty knock to the face in an accidental challenge. Greystones eventually ran out comfortable winners, but Ken has promised a return in August that will test the seasiders mettle. The Dublin boys are winding up for the summer and this was their last game for a while. In contrast the Greystones players are in Championship mode, giving it 100%, which was probably the difference between the teams.

In an amusing aside the teams Championship song "something inside so strong" was launched to much mirth among the players, who reckon the management team have lost the plot entirely. It won't be long before the men in the white coats come calling. Roll on Monday!

29th June 2005

On a beautiful evening the opening salvos were all fired by the St Judes boys. Playing with the advantage of the hill and a very strong sun on their backs the Greystones boys struggled to get into the game. It was all one way traffic for the first ten minutes as the Dublin boys reeled off a succession of well taken points. The different style of Dublin football was very much in evidence as the ball was put through the hands with alarming speed. The St. Judes players coped well in the crowded midfield area. Slowly however with pride at stake the Greystones boys dug deep and got back into the game. Gaining parity in the centrefield sector through the endeavours of the big men Michael Cawley, Lee Mc Donald and Oran Bambrick the Greystones players stuck to their game plan. Midfield general Roddy Carroll picked up the breaks. A sweeping move upfield broke the duck with a clinically executed goal from full forward Jonathan O'Brien and we were on our way. The game was on in earnest.

The quality of players on view was very exciting to watch. The shocking opening had those of little faith on the sideline doubting the merits of such a fixture. The spirit in the Greystones team which had been called upon earlier in the season was much in evidence as the boys worked hard for each other. A further goal for Greystones by corner forward Andrew Kealy was welcomed as the speedy Dublin lads were asking the serious questions. Excellent movement and an exhibition of point taking by both sides had mentors on both sides gushing with admiration. The game was played at Championship pace. Indeed, as the game progressed the intensity increased continuously as both sides were giving it everything. The game progressed with little between the teams all the way through as both sides struggled to gain the ascendancy. The scores were locked at half time and the omens were favouring the St Judes team as the Greystones boys faced the hill and a blinding setting sun.

The half back line of Colum O'Murchu, Sean Horan and Lee Mc Donald were awesome and were well supported by corner back Adam O'Se on the overlap. Peter Keane on for Daniel Webb was very lively in the full forward line using space and calling at the right times to stake his claim. The support play and running off the ball meant that the Greystones team, through a scrambled goal from Gavin Magee led by three points as the bell neared. Big Lorcan Treanor in goals was called into action on numerous occasions and spectacularly pulled off a number of diving saves to keep us in the game. Unfortunately, a rebound off a post was drilled to the Greystones net to level the scores with time up. Playing 5 minutes over time the referee allowed both teams to go for the win. The lay off scuppered the Greystones boys as the Dublin lads increased the intensity and went all out for the crucial score to carry the evening. All substitutes were used and acquitted themselves well which augurs well for the strength in depth of the panel for the forthcoming championship which commences on the 11th July 2005.

8th June 2005

The game was an opportunity for some of the County underage stars to lock horns. Daniel Salmon was in his element as he gave no quarter at full back as the gauntlet was thrown down by Ballinacor stars John Devitt, Ger Byrne, Brian Hanlon and Craig Mc Coy. Indeed Mc Coy is a talent to watch for the future as he drove for the full hour in a difficult centrefield role. Disappointment was expressed that Calum Rowden, formerly a Greystones resident and a current player for the Greystones Rugby Club was not on show for Ballinacor. It might be as well as he would have been a marked man!

The first half was a tight affair with only a couple of points seperating the teams at half time. Daniel Webb in goal had to stretch full length to prevent a goal. The Greystones mentors pretended they hadn't seen it as he sought the accolades deserving of his effort. Daniel was later replaced in the goal by the injured Oran Bambrick (sore toe) who also had to pull off a save. Daniel later scored a great goal when it didn't look on. He later commented that he went for it as he thought we were losing. Ballinacor scored their goal after several constructive attacks. Indeed a feature of the game was the number of flowing movements put together by both sides as they swept up the field. The football was of a very high standard and the game was played hard but very sporting which was acknowledged in the satisfied faces of the participants at the end.

The very warm evening tested the fitness of both sides to the full and the bus was quiet on the way back which was a relief to Coach Alan Keating.It was great to see Colum O Murchu back to his best, which is a bonus, whilst Daryl Reillys endeavours will ensure that complaceny cannot set in with some of the more vaunted stars going to be under pressure to hold onto their places.

31st May 2005

Well done to the North East juvenile committee for the smooth running of the competition and especially Breda Donnelly the secretary for all her hard work. The competition was great in that it allowed us a chance to look at different combinations, players in different positions and to try out the new guys. Roddy was back in his familiar centre-field berth and he led from the front. Oran Bambrick was back in the full forward role with Ronan Hanaway trying out the centre forward position. Congrats to Conor White who started for the first time in the blue jersey and acquitted himself well. The big smile on his face said it all. David Hayes came on as a sub and showed what a fine pair of hands he has. He gave a very lively show in the full forward berth. Keep up the training lads. Plenty of matches coming up with new venues and opponents in the pipeline as we prepare for championship fare.

24th May 2005

There will be a break from competitions for June as a lot of this age group are doing their Junior Certificate. Good luck in the exams boys. Training will continue at 7:30 pm. on Wednesday nights as usual. We will also be arranging a few friendlies during the month to keep the show on the road. They will be on Monday evenings. One thats in the pipeline is Ballinacor, the South District Champions for 2004, and maybe some of our close Dublin neighbours.

A big welcome to those new players that have joined us in this age group this year, its great to see you joining up.

The County Championship will be held in a league format starting in July. We're awaiting the fixture list. It should be good fun giving us a chance of meeting the teams from the South and West Districts. There will be plenty of matches.