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Éire Óg Greystones
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Weekly Notes - 13th September 2006

Deep in the fastness of Iarthar Chorcaí and far from Éire Óg Greystones action and with lines of communication so tenuous as to be almost non-existent, one is asking oneself what to do with respect to those pesky club notes. Hold one’s silence? A very attractive proposition. One would be saved a few hours of the racking of one’s brain in the search for something to say and that, for a person of few words like myself, equates to a penitential exercise. One feels, however, that these writing “duties must be done, must be done,” so here goes.

The little bits of information about on-field activities which have percolated to these nether regions have been disappointing. The Intermediates lost by a goal in their play-off match against Ashford and now must face Valleymount in a championship knock-out game. Éire Óg’s efforts against Ashford left, by what little account I have, much to be desired. Indeed they were not thar moladh beirte. Underachievement has, unfortunately, been a characteristic of this team throughout the season. And there is no doubt that had they played to their potential they would not have found themselves in the dilemma in which they now do. The performance of Paul Pegman at full-back – he held county star Leighton Glynn to a miserly 2 points – alone stood out.

The ladies also lost, even if only by a point, to Roundwood in the league in a game which they could have won, nay, should have won. Incidentally, Louise Young, a prominent member of the team, figured at full-forward for Tipperary in the All-Ireland camogie final on Sunday.

Sadly, also, the under-10s lost heavily to St Pat’s in the championship.

At this stage, one inevitably succumbs to the temptation of resorting to Shakespeare’s immortal words “When troubles come, they come not single spies but in battalions.”

Under-10 indoor hurling has commenced in the club premises – which reminds me once again, as if such reminding is necessary – about our parlous financial position. Our non-inclusion in the Lotto funding within the county was really a huge letdown. It has left us wondering if our club is just another victim of our present laissez-faire ethos which has the rich becoming richer and everyone else carrying the quality of life can.

The committee is working hard on devising ways of clearing the debt and therein lies a problem. Within the club the workload is great and the labourers are few. And if now some of our best workers are called upon to devote a huge effort to fundraising, the core activities of the club viz. the provision of a healthy, safe and structured environment for the relief of youthful exuberance through the medium of our wonderful home-grown sports are bound to suffer. Ní féidir an dá thráth a fhreastal.

Then there is the day-to-day running of the club, in itself quite an expensive exercise which can only grow in cost now that an incomplete structure is in place. Where is the money going to come from? At the moment our main source of income is the club Lotto and this just about supports present running needs. You might consider giving that same Lotto “an oul’ boost” by subscribing through standing order or weekly subscription (2 Euro). Go raibh maith agat in anticipation.