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Weekly Notes - 18th October 2006To judge by appearances, our fund-raising launch was a great success - last week's photographs of some of "the fair ladies and brave men" among the attendees attest to its having been, at least, a joyful social occasion. The night was a-buzz with enthusiasm and the gathering was energised with a spirit of evangelism - not at all to be attributed to the excellent wine - which if translated into action will ensure a successful outcome to the project. Our cathaoirleach, Oliver Leonard, set the audience aback somewhat when he outlined the financial burden the building of the complex has placed on the club. This was, he said, a burden that the club had been willing to undertake for the good of the G.A.A. in the area and as part of its contribution to the development of community in a burgeoning Greystones. Oliver had no doubt but that, in general, the people of the area would appreciate the work being done by the club and would contribute generously to the draw.Gavin MacGabhann then outlined the medical procedures being undertaken to cure the club's financial malady. A potion in the form of a 100euro ticket has to be administered to the maximum number of people possible. Murmurings among the multitude. On comes the well-known broadcaster George Hamilton to administer that "spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down". His easy manner soon dispelled any misgivings his audience might have had about the draw and the resultant take-up of tickets bodes well for the draw's success. George described how it was primarily a sense of fear that had him playing the role of Launch Personality! He was happily ensconced in a hotel room in London when the telephone rang. He lifted the receiver and was more than taken aback when he heard an authoritative Galway-accented voice at the other end stating "I'm Gerry Walsh, Garda Sergeant in Greystones etc." Had he any option but to accept the request?! One has often wondered as to whether these Éire Óg jottings have any readership. Happily at last there is some evidence that there are those who do bother to read them. It comes in the form of a complaint from members of the Ladies' team. These are more than a little peeved that their recent league victory over Kilcoole has not been deemed worthy of mention in this column. Their defeat in the final of the Junior Championship at the hands of the same opposition still rankles and this win is a matter of some satisfaction to them and they see it as a truer reflection of the order of things. The game had all the characteristics of a local derby. Every ball was keenly contested and every advantage hard earned and up to the last quarter no obvious winner was emerging. Then Caoilfhionn Deeney struck with a characteristic left-footed goal at the end of an equally characteristic solo. This inspired the Éire Óg girls and thereafter, there could be only one winner. Jade Coffey was a tower of strength in the half-back line and Ciara Reilly a thorn in the flesh of the Kilcoole backs. Niamh O'Connor covered acres of ground and got some crucial and spectacular possession around the Éire Óg '40'. Niamh Kelly and Maria O'Neill gave little away at the back and Laurie Ahern was a constant threat in the Kilcoole goal area. Next Sunday at 6.30pm in Baltinglass they play the locals in a game they must win if they are to have any hope of progressing to the later stages of the League. Baltinglass are on a roll after winning the Junior B championship and Éire Óg will have to be at their best if they are to prevail. The exposure hurling gets in these notes does not at all reflect the work being done within the club and the schools for this sport. This is partly due to the fact that hurling occupies only a tiny niche in the G.A.A. life of the county, and competitive matches, particularly at juvenile level, are widely spaced in the G.A.A. games schedule. So hurling does not supply much copy. It is only now that many competitions are reaching their knock-out stages. Last Sunday our u-14s reached the semi-final of the county championship by virtue of a 2-8 to 1-5 victory over St. Pats. The pitch in Dunbur is ideally suited to hurling, short enough for ground play and long enough to facilitate lifting. The game was indeed worthy of its surroundings - competitive with plenty of clean striking, sporting without loss of intensity. Scorers for Éire Óg were Ryan Brandon and Karl Devin - a goal each. Eoin Keddy, Adam Howard and brothers Dan and Hugh O'Neill all contributed to the points total. The ever-committed Shane Nolan knocked over 0-3 while Adam Howard and Olly Fairbairn contended for the accolade of Man of the Match. |
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