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Weekly Notes - 15th March 2006The week-end offered a cornucopia of choices to Éire Óg–Greystones (the official name of the club and reflecting its formation from the amalgamation of the Éire Óg juvenile club with its blue and navy blue and the old Greystones adult club of the red and white) followers. Our u-14 footballers, both boys and girls, were involved in their respective pre-Féile blitzes, we had three representatives on the Wicklow team which was contesting the VEC Leinster final in Ballitore, our Intermediates were opposing Dunlavin in the first round of the league and the minor hurlers were at home to Carnew in their league. The conditions over the couple of days were less than auspicious for the staging of these events, yet, the more enthusiastic of our supporters took in a majority of these games.On Saturday the u-14 boys travelled to Baltinglass to participate in a mini-blitz involving themselves, Bray Emmets and Éire Óg, Carlow. The blitz’s very mininess was its saving for it rained and rained and rained. Players, mentors Ronan Sweeney, Gerry Walsh and Barry O’Reilly and parents whose presence was greatly appreciated, were soaked to the skin. But all felt that b’fiú an tairbhe an trioblóid for they witnessed two very entertaining games - a win against Éire Óg and a 4 point defeat to Bray – played at a skill level that totally belied the appalling conditions. A last minute goal for Bray gave a distorted image to what was a very even contest. A party of supporters from the club was on hand in Ballitore to congratulate the Wicklow VEC team on their splendid victory over Dublin in the Leinster final. Three St. Davids/ÉÓG players, Darren Hayden, Craig Smullen and Paddy Taylor were members of the team and according to a totally unbiased account from Patsy Vickers they made a huge contribution to the win. There is corroborative evidence that they did indeed play very well – Darren, while not himself scoring, provided great ball for other attackers, Craig gave an exciting multifaceted display at wing back and Paddy was soundness itself at centre-back. What stamina some of the club’s supporters have! Not only did they take the climatic engendered vicissitudes of the week-end in their stride but they found the energy to help Mick Kendrick, a prominent playing member in the 80s and always a staunch supporter, celebrate his 50th on Saturday night in the Rugby Club.(Mick could hardly be blamed for missing the match on Sunday morning but made amends by attending the minor match in the afternoon). Fad saol chugat Mick and best wishes for the next half century. It was great to see his mother, Noreen, at the celebrations and looking so well. Sunday from 10.30am to 5.00pm the Éire Óg grounds were all a-bustle and it was wonderful to see such vibrancy so early in the season. First off were the Intermediates and the Éire ÓG faces leaving this drawn match told their story. Dour and funereal, they were grieving for a point thrown away. By far the superior team over the hour, our favourites had contrived through a combination of naivete, petulance and poor option-choice to have themselves staring into the open jaws of defeat as full-time approached. It was not, however, all gloom and doom. There was, after all, the consolation of not having lost, the delight of the wholehearted play and exciting running of our younger players, Stephen Kelly, Craig Smullen and Darren Hayden, solid performances from Brian Gubbins, Paul Pegman and Daniel English and some lovely point taking. Níl dearmad déanta agam ar na h-iománaithe – hurlers, see next week. |
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