Éire Óg Greystones
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Weekly Notes - 16th November 2005

Congratulations to Tinahely on winning the Intermediate County Championship. Their victory is fillip to our self-image; we beat them in a very competitive and place-determining game in the preliminary stages of a league that has lain dormant, in Éire Óg’s case at least, for an enthusiasm-sapping period. Our performance on that occasion provided evidence of our ability to scale the heights. Unfortunately, however, we are also equally capable of plumbing the depths. Oh! what Éire Óg supporters would give for consistency.

As regards the backlog of fixtures, there is talk, but no certainty, of a game this weekend. Life goes on in the meantime and it is unfair to expect players to refrain from making other commitments on the strength of a "might".

Was it a first in the history of the club? A father and son playing together on the club’s flagship team. This column was reminded during the week that Philip Smullen and his son Craig were both on the Éire Óg team that recently played a team from Kilmacud Crokes. Unhappily, the fact that his performance was greatly overshadowed by that of his son does not seem to have done anything for the humility of the parent!

The sisters are doing it for themselves! Éire Óg’s Ladies’ team was recently spotted in Dublin Airport, the players and mentors drawing admiring glances, resplendent as they were in their new tracksuits (sponsored by Kylemore House Nursing Home). Bound for foreign lands, below is a short account of the team’s activities. While this column is grateful to them for having submitted the following account it must disavow any responsibility for its contents!

Often over the years we have asked ourselves why. Why, when the rain is falling and wind howling, do we tear ourselves from the comforts of central heating and slippers to inflict upon ourselves the tortures of winter training? Why, at regular intervals throughout the year, do we drag ourselves from the warmth of our beds at ungodly hours to make the arduous journey over the Wicklow Mountains for an early morning match? At the cusp of winter when those at home were donning thermal vests and brandishing umbrellas we finally had our answer. For as temperatures plummeted in Ireland the Éire Óg Ladies’ team and mentors were to be found sunning themselves on the beaches of southern Spain.

Marbella was the precise location and the team was there at the invite of the Costa Gaels GAA club for an international tournament that featured teams from Madrid/Barcelona, Cardiff and from Marbella itself as well as Irish teams from Armagh, Waterford, Down and, of course, Na Clocha Liatha. While credit must always go to those who take it upon themselves to organise such a tournament, the experience would not have been such an enjoyable one were it not for the enthusiasm, good humour and positive attitude embodied by the participating teams. Indeed, in the convivial atmosphere engendered over the weekend many bonds were established between teams and also between individual players.

Aside from the very successful social aspect, the weekend was one that saw displays of very competitive and skilful football from both male and female teams. While the Éire Óg team was ultimately to be presented with runner-up medals there was no shame in defeat, coming as it did at the hands of a very experienced senior team. Tenacious defending, inspired goalkeeping and spectacular forward play gained Éire Óg the support of the crowd and garnered praise from such luminaries as former All-Star Dinny Allen.

And so when next we find ourselves assailed by falling rain and howling wind, shivering on the football field we will call to mind the sunny beaches of the Costa del Sol and dream of international tournaments yet to come.