Éire Óg Greystones
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Weekly Notes - 7th December 2005

Inundated as we are by hype, particularly in the area of sport, many are unaware of the enjoyment and sports’ drama available to them week in, week out on their own doorstep. Sunday morning in Rathnew was a case in point.

One would travel far to find a more enjoyable sporting occasion. A large gathering of partisan Greystones and Arklow supporters intermingling in a good humoured, unsegregated whole, which rumbled continuously in a cacophony of rival shouts of encouragement. A beautifully appointed pitch with wonderful views across the Vartry Valley. What a fitting setting for the drama that unfolded in the course of this intensely contested and always exciting Intermediate League final between Éire Óg and AGB. The only low point was that we lost.

Victory was within our grasp throughout the game but fatal lapses in vigilance allowed AGB in for two goals, the second of which – scored about eight minutes from time – gave AGB the lead they were to hold on to till the end. In a nail-biting finish Éire Óg peppered the AGB goal with strategically directed ball but heroic defending denied us the vital goal.

Then there was that screamer from Darren Hayden, (how the crowd buzzed with excitement whenever he obtained possession), which on other days would have found the inside of the post, and the mal-functioning of Gavin McGowan’s usually trusty left boot. All occasion did, indeed, inform against us. General feeling after the game was fatalistic: "It just was not to be".

Defeated or otherwise we are extremely proud of the team’s efforts throughout the year and are extremely grateful to them for the many hours of wonderful entertainment they have given us. Victory may have eluded them but they have shown that they have the potential to achieve greater things. Team management Tomás Vickers and Paul Hayden are owed a huge debt of appreciation by the club for their work with this team. Their commitment and dedication this year was, as always, phenomenal. Míle buíochas.

The euphoria of victory and the depression of defeat the best times for decision making and so we hope mature reflection will be the order of the day.

Nearly Christmas and as yet no Minor County Hurling Champions! The problem is set for resolution this Sunday in Arklow at 1.30pm when Bray Emmets face a North-East selection – Kilcoole, Kilmacanogue-Enniskerry and Éire Óg, the last supplying the largest contingent of players. They have their final training session on Greystones tonight (Wednesday).

This year the finals of all the underage A-championships in hurling have been between teams from the North-East. Evidence that the centre of gravity of hurling is moving in that direction? No matter; it is indicative in any case of the huge effort being put into the promotion of the game by dedicated, enthusiasts in this end of the county. Well done one and all agus go raibh fada buan sibh.

Tomorrow (Thursday) night is presentation night for u-12 hurlers and footballers and u-16 hurlers. It takes place in the Rugby Club. The mentors will be most disappointed if parents and players do not turn out in numbers.

A delegation from the club, which included chairman Oliver Leonard and treasurer Eoin O’Neill, recently met with our local councillors to solicit their support in the club’s endeavours to acquire the small area of land on the Killincarrig side of the pitch. We are happy to report that the councillors were very supportive. The importance of this land goes far beyond its value to the club: its disappearance beneath a commercial development – something that is still on the cards – would represent another step in the environmental degradation of Greystones.