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Weekly Notes - 8th November 2006

During the week, in a vox pop on the radio on the availability of fireworks, a young interviewee nonchalantly stated that he had spent in excess of 100 euro on same. It struck me then that this was more than the price of a ticket in the Éire Óg draw. If only we could invest our draw, which provides, besides the satisfaction of helping a deserving community enterprise, five months of anticipation and expectancy, with the same "don't count the cost" seductivity of the extremely transient bangs and flashes of the fireworks! If the above has not moved the vacillators among you to row in with the draw, a little financial analysis might tip the balance: 100 euro equals 20 euro per draw - equivalent to 6 tickets in the new " better chance of being shot than being a winner" National lottery. Come on, don't hesitate to purchase that ticket and help to secure Éire Óg's financial future. By the way, if you have paid by credit card, don't be surprised if your payment is credited to Next Generation. We are extremely grateful to Gavin McGowan of Next Generation for allowing us the use of his facility for the processing of credit card payments.

It is important that draw monies be returned to Felicity Keane or to any committee member as soon as possible. Felicity will be in attendance every Tuesday at 8.30pm in the clubhouse. .

On the Monday after the Ladies first compromise rules game, Tom McGurk (substituting for Pat Kenny) expressed amazement at the level of skill displayed by the Irish girls. Indeed he need not have been so surprised for if he had been following the game's progress he would have been aware that Peil na mBan has developed into a great spectator sport. Skills of the same high level were on display in the Ladies Minor Championship final between Arklow and Éire Óg in Bray on Sunday. A game of exemplary sportsmanship; would that all games were played in the same spirit! Thus, with both teams intent on playing the ball, the game flowed and the ball moved between ends in rapidly woven patterns which delighted the eye - exemplified in an Éire Óg goal finished superbly by Siobhán Riordan which would have added lustre to any football game at whatever level.

While our victory was a triumph of teamwork, the performances of some of the players stood out. Emily Hannay gave a commanding performance at full-back; her anticipation was superb and her distribution exemplary. All in all, a "player of the match" performance. Caoilfhionn Deeney at centre-forward was vital to the cause; she was the conduit through which most of the Éire Óg ball found its way to the other forwards. Laurie Aherne with her skill and goal-scoring ability proved a handful for the Arklow backs. Niamh Kelly and Aisling Leonard disrupted many threatening Arklow movements while Lorna Fusciardi's performance at centre-field suggested that a perpetual motion machine may, after all, be a possibility.

Comhgáirdeachas, a chailíní! You are worthy champions.

Éire Óg defeated Glenealy in the semi-final of the u-14 County Championship in Ashford in a game to warm the cockles of the heart of even the most tepid of hurling followers. A highlight of a 1st half of 'point for point' excitement - Éire Óg 1-5, Glenealy 1-6 at the break - was the free-taking of Hugh O'Neill. Our goal came when Seán Hogan touched on an intelligently-delivered Adam Howard ball. Olly Fairbain starred at centre-field while Shane Nolan and Andrew Walsh provided stout resistance in defence. The switching of Shane Nolan to the forwards in the 2nd half proved to be a master stroke. His no-nonsense approach unsettled the Glenealy defence and resulted in increased freedom for the other forwards and we had added 1-2 to our tally - Eoin Keddy1-0 and Eoin Kinsella 0-2 - shortly after the interval. Thereafter, Glenealy had our defence under almost constant pressure but we held out to win 2-12 to 1-8.

We were sorry to hear that Ciarán Gaskin's son, Mark, has been unwell. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mark and Ciarán and the family. Le cúnamh Dé, Mark will make a rapid return to full health.

George Brady was buried in Redford on All Saints. George was a member of a family who had a long association with the club and we mourn his passing. We extend our sincerest sympathies to his wife Jean, his son Pat and to all the Brady family. I leaba na naomh go raibh sé.