Éire Óg Greystones
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Weekly Notes - 9th July 2008

VHI CUL Camps

Watching the closing presentations of the Éire Óg Greystones Cúl Camp one had the sense of an amphitheatre. The sun shone, the 231 boys and girls who had attended gathered on the field in serried ranks resplendent in the royal blue (open to correction here!) of the camp top which is particularly attractive this year. Set against the lush green of the maturing grass they presented a delightful spectacle. They were overlooked by their parents on the tarmacadam above.

There were souvenir medals for all the children and trophies for the boys and girls who were judged, by their coaches, as having excelled:-most improved players Ciara Fitzpatrick and Seán Lawless, best players Fia Byrne and Pierce Kelly. Presentations were made by Club President, Patsy Vickers.

As is the custom on such occasions, there was a round of “go raibh maith agat”anna. Colm Gaskin, camp co-ordinator, expressed his sincere thanks to sponsors VHI who play such an important part in keeping camp costs to a minimum (55 euro for 22 ½ hours of directed activity), to his coaches for their patience and commitment in the very demanding circumstances attendant on the inclemency of the weather – this drew a large bualadh bos from the parents -, to Patsy for his ever-present availability and assistance during the week and to Leighton Glynn, dual county player and GAA ambassador to the county. Leighton was inundated with requests for his autograph.

In so far as one could glean, all the children enjoyed the experience. Let’s hope it has awakened them and their parents to the beauty and challenges that lie in the game of Gaelic football and that many of them will, in the future, wear the blue and white of Éire Óg Greystones.

U16 Football

The u-16s were at home to St. Kevins (Hollywood) Wednesday in Division 1 of the league. With holidays and various distractions they were struggling for numbers and it was looking like they would have to start a man short. But “in am an ghatair aithnítear cáirde” (it’s in time of need one recognises one’s true friends) and luckily a willing Glen Hayden was on hand to step into the breach – and the letter of the law was satisfied. Eventhough a number of players did make their appearance as the game progressed, Glen retained the corner-forward position until the 45 minute mark. He was not at all pleased with the quality of the ball with which he had been supplied!

Éire Óg were unfortunate that, through injury, they lost key player Gary Elliot early on. Yet they were well in control in the 1st period and many opportunities presented themselves but they failed to deliver the coup de grace. In the 2nd half St. Kevins began to claw themselves back into contention and, with the aid of a fortuitous goal, reduced the Éire Óg lead to the minimum. At this stage the “us of little faith” among their supporters began to doubt, and sagely muttered “they’ll rue those missed chances”. Thankfully that was the Éire Óg nadir and a situation for such regrets never arose. Éire Óg regrouped and ended the game pulling away. Karl Manahan gave a spectacular exhibition of full-back play. Daniel Keane and Justin O’Brien (a regular on the county u-15 team) were also prominent as was Seán Ryder in the forwards. Paul Dunne who is shortly off to Austria to represent Ireland at golf – go n-eirí go geal leis – delivered some beautiful ball to the inside line.

As the players left the field one noticed the swelling and discolouration around the eye of our goalie, Adam Manning – it hadn’t impaired his goal-keeping. The remains, we were told, of that unprovoked assault, described in last week’s edition, after the Bray Wanderers’ game in Ballybofey.

Sympathy

The club extends its sincere sympathy to the family of Gary Byrne who died abroad recently. Gary was the mascot of the County Junior Championship team of 1956. His appearances for Greystones were rare. However, it was said of him that “he talked a great game”. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.