Éire Óg Greystones
GAA Club

This Week

Archive

Weekly Notes - 6th July 2005

Arriving (totally out of character it must be emphasised) beagáinín déanach for Sunday’s intermediate match versus Ballymanus one was struck by the presence of an overspill from the carpark - a problem consequent on the building work related to the club’s new facilities which has gobbled up a large area of parking space and has impeded access to the remainder. Unfortunately this is a problem which is not going to go away when the builder leaves and, indeed, will be further exacerbated when Phase 2 is in train. It is not surprising then that the committee is casting envious glances over the fence at the neighbouring piece of Council land that has lain derelict for many years. It is zoned for community use but in this, the age of the almighty euro when commercial values take precedence over social benefit, one cannot but be worried about its ultimate fate. The rumour mill is churning out expressions like "retail units"; hardly among the greatest of the area’s needs. Rezoning is in the gift of the County Councillors and hopefully they will give any move in that direction the thumbs down. You can help by pressing the ÉÓg case with the local councillors.

The match ? It was well under way when one reached the pitch and taunts of "is it only now you’re arriving" greeted enquiries as to the state of play. Eventually one gleaned that we had a lead of a goal and a few points and that "in fairness" our lads were playing well. And save for a short lapse – worrying at the time as the team seemed to have lost shape and appeared to be vulnerable – at the start of the second half when the Éire Óg lead was cut to 2 points, they continued to do so and ran out convincing winners.

From the Éire Óg point of view there was much that was positive in the players’ performances – a more efficient use of the ball involving delightful and accurate long-distance passing, intelligent running off the ball and clever insightful delivery in situations requiring instantaneous decision making.

The growth of the team’s strength in depth was evidenced by the presence on the bench of a number of subs. well capable of holding their own in this grade and by the fact two of the better performances were given by Conor Monaghan and Brian O’Sullivan who were making their first appearances in 2005.

Fáilte abhaile to Russell Lincoln after his perambulations in the Southern Hemisphere

Now to Hurling – if only the game had an Alistair Campbell to talk it up, to garner for it the acres of newspaper space (hectares might be more appropriate) such as has been accorded by the Irish press to a certain less than illustrious campaign in the antipodes. While it is doubtful if even he could find words to describe the sheer beauty, the artistry, the wholehearted endeavour and the excitement of the Wexford v Kilkenny game, he might succeed in bringing a realisation to the people of this island of the wonderful sporting treasure they have inherited.