Éire Óg Greystones
GAA Club

This Week

Archive

Weekly Notes - 8th August 2007

Hurling

Claims of hurling to the title of greatest field game in the world received further substantiation in the majesty and skill and excitement of the recent Cork-Waterford encounters. Why not allow your child the opportunity of learning the skills of this wonderful game at the VHI/Cúl camp in the Éire Óg grounds August 13th -17th inclusive. A few places remain. To book, contact Colm Gaskin 087-2711124.

Junior Football

There have been rumblings of dissatisfaction in the Junior football ranks about this column's negligence in acknowledging their existence let alone recording their feats of "derring do" in their struggle to promote the club's cause in the Junior B league and championship. The management team of Philip Smullen. Mick Kendrick and Tomás Vickers has succeeded in putting together a dedicated squad of players who play a nice brand of football, entertaining in style and not lacking in commitment. They are there or thereabouts in their contention for honours and while they are unlikely to top the league they will certainly prove a stiff test to any team with championship ambitions. The team had a very busy schedule last week. On Saturday they played Avondale in the championship while on Tuesday and Thursday they hosted Rathnew and Feargal Óg in the league. The Rathnew game was the highlight of the trio and eventhough we lost, it was a defeat from which the Éire Óg players could derive much satisfaction. This is a very good Rathnew team- many contend that they would more than hold their own in Division A - and our lads made them fight every inch of the way for their win. Indeed Éire Óg had victory twice within their grasp, but twice, disputative indiscipline caused its release. Did they never learn "is binn béal ina thost" (a closed mouth catches no flies); they should know by now that referee Eddie Leonard brooks no questioning of his decisions! The first verbal indiscretion occurred when Éire Óg were awarded a free on their own '50'. The free taker had to retrieve the football after Rathnew had kicked it away. The referee questioned the speed at which the operation was being effected. Back-chat! Hopped ball falls to Rathnew's advantage. A kick towards Éire Óg's goal. Penalty conceded. Converted. The second scenario was even more frustrating for the supporters. What would have been a levelling point for Éire Óg was called back for a free in a tap-over position. A casual questioning. A hopped ball. Won by Rathnew, dispatched rapidly down the field and over the bar. Final whistle and 2 point loss.

The game itself was rendered hugely enjoyable by the standard of the football and the closeness of the exchanges. The challenge presented to Éire Óg by the quality of the opposition drew the best from all the players and it would be invidious to single out the contribution of any individual. A great team effort.

Éire Óg were opposed by Avondale in the 1st round of the championship. Unfortunately the players were unable to cope with the conditions and a rather fractured, largely unstructured encounter resulted. Éire Óg were clearly the better team and the 4 point margin did not truly reflect their superiority. Brian O'Sullivan, Johnny Groome and Dominic O'Brien were best for Éire Óg.

On Thursday night they defeated Feargal Óg by 5 points in a game which never reached the heights of the Tuesday game. Paul O'Connor, Cian and Brian O'Sullivan and Colm Taylor (capt.) were players to catch the eye on the night.

Tommy Murphy Cup

Míle comhgháirdeachas to the Wicklow team on their wonderful victory on Saturday. Well done to all involved!

Super Draw

While many of the minor prizes in the super draw came our way, the major prizes went elsewhere. The car was won in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.