Éire Óg Greystones
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Weekly Notes - 16th April 2008

Intermediate Football

Hype puts clothes on naked emperors, turns mere men into Fionn Mac Chumhaills (mere women into Queen Meadhbhs) and unfortunately, it may be added, diverts people’s gaze from the value and beauty which thread the fabric of their immediate environment. One mused thus as one observed some spectators leaving Saturday’s Div 2 Whittle League game against Dunlavin at half-time to go view a mega-promoted televised event which acres of newsprint had invested with an aura of ‘gunfight at the OK corral’ dimensions. Who could blame them, for how could a Wicklow intermediate game compete? And yet, allowing for a little euphoria-induced – Éire Óg won – bias, one would hazard that those who stayed may have had the better reward. For they were treated to a 2nd half not without its excitement and seasoned with vignettes of skill and movement which would bring joy to the most fastidious of sporting aesthetes.

The game was played throughout at a cracking pace with many attractively executed end-to-end movements from both sides and intelligently angled off-the-ball running. One such movement finished in the result-defining score. A ball driven out of defence found its way through a number of players to Willie O’Hagan on the wing. Willie, eventhough under all kinds of pressure, managed to find the in-running Eoin English who slotted it home. Up to that point, halfway into the 2nd period, the Dunlavin threat carried some menace; they had just reduced an Éire Óg lead of 6 points to 2. Thereafter our lads took over and not a soupcon of doubt remained about the outcome. There were tasty treats for supporters in the near uncanny accuracy from all angles and distances of Declan O’Mahony, in Johnny Barry’s prowess with the dead ball, in the spectacular fielding of James Leonard and in the beautiful running, dancing evasion and precise delivery of Darren Hayden. How often did we find relief in the unerring eye and powerful upfield sallies of Stephen “Chester” Kelly. Paul Doherty played well at centre-back, his brother Shane made no mistakes in goals and Cian O’Sullivan added a welcome breaking-ball savoir faire to mid-field proceedings.

Statistically-minded Danny Hatton tells me that our wide tally was four.

Hurling

The u-12 hurlers had their 1st “summer” outing (significant wind chill factor) on Monday against a very strong Glenealy side in Glenealy. For the majority of our young team it was their 1st experience of 15-a-side “all-in” hurling and to give them their due, they coped quite well with the challenge. Their enthusiasm and their obvious desire to learn were a source of pleasure for their management. Niall O’Farrell was an inspiration at full-back while other good performances came from Conor Randles, Darragh Shiels and Adam Price.

A special thanks to the parents who travelled to lend their support.

In the hurling Féile played in Ashford our u-14s, eventhough this was their 1st competitive outing, performed very well. They beat Arklow Rocks but lost to Carnew after a thrilling game. Glen Reilly, Daniel Nolan, Josh Campbell, James Nolan, James Smullen, Ryan Brandon, Kevin Byrne, Conor Cornwall, Anto Byrne, Ciaran Mcdonald, James Cranley, Conor Randles, Joey Molloy, John Foley, Jason McLoughlin, Mikey Ryan, Ben Nolan, Gavin Parslow and Tom O’Connor were the panel on the day.

Junior Hurling

That historic and very young team (average age 19) of Easter Monday-details given below for the record – is being greatly helped to find its feet in the excellently run and highly enjoyable Leinster league. Last Wednesday they were in Ballymun to play Setanta who participate in the Intermediate league in Dublin. Éire Óg lost by 6 or 7 points but, by all accounts they acquitted themselves extremely well against what was quite formidable opposition.

An Fhoireann: Michael Walsh, Jack Tanner, Stephen “Chester” Kelly, John Douglas, Paul Gaskin, Billy Cuddihy, James Kelly, Paul Sutton, Craig Smullen, Martin Sexton, Daniel Salmon, Shane Mulford, Martin Joyce, Scott Smullen and Kieran O’Riordan.

Subs used: Leon Brown, Leon Hargan, Daniel O’Connor, Marty Byrne and Cathal Gaffney.

Snippets

The Lotto is hovering about the five figures. Why not give it a go?

Membership fees are overdue. These may be paid to managers or on registration night Friday next 18th April at 7.30pm.

VHI Summer Camp starts 30th June for football and 28th July for hurling/camogie.

Cost 55 euro. Contact Colm Gaskin 087-2711124