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Weekly Notes - 5th July 2006A shock of seismic proportions hit the G.A.A. world in Wicklow on Friday night. Its effects were to be seen in the open-mouthed wonder and wide-eyed amazement that greeted the news of Éire Óg’s victory over Corofin of Galway in the premier division in Féile na nGael – the first Wicklow team to win a match at this level in the 25 year history of the competition. A leithéid!! Wicklow is not generally counted among the top-ranking footballing counties and its representatives usually compete in the lower divisions in the Féile. However, this year, by virtue of being a host club we had greatness thrust upon us and were thrown in among the "big boys". And, boy, did our lads measure up to the challenge?! They were in no way intimidated by the august company in which they found themselves and, but for a below par performance in the early stages of the game against Kilmacud Crokes they would have emerged winners of their section.The magnitude of Éire Óg’s achievement became more apparent on Saturday morning when we saw Corofin in action against Ballinderry and Kilmacud Crokes. In these games they clearly demonstrated why their mentors had harboured strong hopes of carrying off the trophy. All the games played in our section afforded wonderful sporting entertainment for the large and enthusiastic bands of supporters: ball skills which drew gasps of "real amaze", goals of the highest quality which delighted in the subtlety of their execution, athletic fielding and beautiful running both with and off the ball. And then there was the intelligent ball transfer which wove patterns that would not be out of place in the Book of Kells. The 2006 Féile surely laid to rest the often held view that Gaelic football was a game only for the bigger player. Indeed, it might even be described as the tournament of the smaller player. He was prominent in every game both at the back – how satisfying to see a smaller player, through superior anticipation and quickness off the mark, outwit a much taller opponent – and up-front where, with his generally superior skills, he was often the instrument of victory. The winners of the top division, Kilcoo of Down, were by far the smallest team in the competition. They compensated for height disadvantage by their phenomenal work rate and in the excellence of their play. This game can be viewed on Setanta Sport on Friday night. There was a wholly unsatisfactory denouement to our section. Three of the teams, Éire Óg, Corofin and Kilmacud finished on equal points. Kilmacud, mainly by virtue of having a tall keeper, were the winners of an ill-designed tie-breaker and went through to the semi-finals. This was unfortunate as, teamwise, they would not be in the top two of the group – they had been defeated earlier by 4 goals by Corofin. They were well beaten by Celbridge in the semi-final. Éire Óg had other representatives in the competition and it would hardly be just if we did not give some recognition to their efforts. A second boys’ team took part in Division 4C and our girls played in Division 1C. They were both "boxing above their weight" but they certainly did not let the side down. They battled bravely, even in circumstances where their cause might be described as beyond reach. They brought honour to themselves and to the club through their "never say die" efforts. A word of consolation: it is far better to have tried and failed than not to have tried at all. In the end, enjoyment, friendship and sportsmanship are the essence of the Féile experience for these young players. Events like Féile do not happen by accident and a huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes. All evening Friday and from early morning Saturday (the first game was at 9.30am) until 4.30pm the ladies did trojan work in providing welcome refreshments to the hungry travellers. It would be difficult to give due recognition to their efforts and words fail us in our thanks. Apologies, ladies, that an account of your great victory over Baltinglass has to be postponed to next week. For the diary: Our intermediates play Stratford Sun 9th in Blessington. Junior B v Newtown in Newtown this Thursday. |
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