Éire Óg Greystones
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Weekly Notes - 19th March 2008

Ladies Football

Tosach maith leath na h-oibre (well begun is half done) aptly describes the feelings of our ladies after their win over Kilcoole in the 1st round of their league in Kilcoole on Sunday. The mood which pervaded the dressing room after the match was one of sober satisfaction; no over-evaluation of the significance of the victory and an awareness that there were more difficult challenges ahead. At the post-match interview with the ‘press’ the management was upbeat about the win as they felt it was truly a team effort in which each of the girls played her part. When asked to choose their stars they refused, even when pressed, saying that since each player had given of her best which was all a player could do, it would be invidious to focus on the contribution of any individual.

É ire Óg won the toss and opted to play with the wind. Things did not look too good at the break as we were only 2-5 to 1-3 up having being favoured by a very strong wind. In the 1st period, play was low on assurance, mistakes abounded and passes were often incomplete. At half-time there was no doubt in supporters’ minds that if there was not a huge improvement in performance in the 2nd half, defeat would be the only outcome. What a transformation during the entr’acte. The same personnel but now imbued with a boldness, a self-confidence took to the field and, making light of nature’s disfavour, they notched up an impressive score while limiting Kilcoole to a single goal which came when the game was beyond the latter’s reach.

All our county representatives, Caoilfhionn Deeney, Laurie Ahern and Lorna Fusciardi (her sister Becky was also prominent) played well while Niamh Kelly, a county minor panellist, curbed the menace of Kilcoole’s most dangerous player. It was great to see Áine McCarthy back in goals after a serious protracted cruciate lay-off. A happy circumstance – all the forwards scored.

Next match Easter Monday at home to Clara.

Hurling

The minor hurlers failed badly to Bray at home on Sunday morning. An anaemic performance which elicited the sideline assessment “they just didn’t want to know”. Where was the fire which attended the away leg which they drew? Had the fact that they were short two of their more physical and inspirational players, Scott Smullen and Phelim Byrne, something to do with the downturn? Certainly Phelim’s cut and thrust was sorely missed in a forward division which was largely incapable of capitalising on a good supply of ball. While victory is sweet, defeat in itself is not a disaster so let’s hope the team will pick itself up in the next round and show what it is truly capable of.

Next Monday, bank holiday Monday, is a hugely significant day in the history of hurling in the club. The junior team is at home to Dunlavin in its 1st game in the league (4.00pm)

Not since the fifties has Greystones fielded an adult hurling team in a competition. Unlike previous teams, this team is largely ‘home-grown’. Indulge your inquisitiveness; come and have a look.

Intermediate

Éire Óg’s first outing in the 2008 Intermediate League was against Kilmac in Kilmac. It was played in conditions to be enjoyed only by a masochist. A strong cold northwesterly which found its way through the best of padding and froze to the marrow was accompanied by a sputtering rain which added to the discomfort. Under the circumstances it would have been a bit optimistic to have expected a scintillating game of football and indeed there was little about the match, save the victory, to alleviate the misery of our supporters. There were significant contributions from birthday boy Johnny Barry (1-3) – was it just a lucky happenstance that the game preceded his celebrations? – and Eoin English (0-3) who was returning to the team after his global peregrinations. Possession football may be the name of the game but one’s heart can’t help missing a beat when it involves short passing close to one’s own goal.