Éire Óg Greystones
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Weekly Notes - 14th November 2007

Super Draw

One was quite taken aback recently when a sceptical subscriber to the Éire Óg Super Draw enquired if the draws had ever taken place. He was assured that, yes, they had and that the results had been posted as they came to hand. One was immediately on the defensive. Was the club's integrity being impugned? Banish the thought! After all that ticket holder was quite within his rights in his demand for accountability and his having to ask the question pointed to a failure in our communications system. But then, effective communication is a perennial problem for the club. How can it make the larger community fully aware of its activities and of its efforts to strengthen community in Greystones?

From Éire Óg's point of view the draw was a great success. The monies raised lowered our debt to well below 400,000euro and concomitantly eased the burden of interest repayments. B'fhuí an tairbhe an trioblóid - it was worth all your bother. You who took on the task of selling tickets (not the most pleasant of undertakings), the club is greatly in your debt and extends a sincere go raibh míle maith agaibh. It goes without saying that we are all extremely grateful to you who purchased tickets. The willingness with which you supported the draw was truly heartening.

Hurling

The club's participation in the Gorey and District u-13 and u-17 hurling leagues entails a lot of travel. Our "beggars can't be choosers" status means that we are not entitled to any home games. Even with this disadvantage we are delighted to take part and are grateful to the clubs and organisers for having accommodated us. Friday was a novel experience for our u-13s. In Askimore they played their first game under lights. They were not at all fazed by the artificial lighting - not surprising really as their training for the past few weeks has been under lights - and hurled very well, recording a comprehensive victory. Next week their mettle will surely be tested - on Sunday they play the boys from the famous Buffer's Alley.

On Sunday the u-17s travelled to Cranford to play the locals. The final score, Éire Óg 2-9 to 0-7 is somewhat flattering to our lads as the last Éire Óg score, a goal by Peter Keane, came on the stroke of full time. In the 1st half Éire Óg were favoured by the strong wind and really could not have felt secure with their interval lead 1-7 to 0-4 - the goal was a brilliant opportunist effort from Hughie O'Neill. After the break Cranford quickly had 2 more points on the scoreboard and things seemed to be going their way. It was at this point that the Éire Óg lads showed their true character. They stiffened their resolve, upped their work rate and absorbed everything their ever-stiffening-breeze-assisted opponents threw at them. Thereafter the superb back division limited Cranford to a single point. This was the best display from this team for some considerable time and bodes well for their 2008 minor campaign.

The full-back line of Daniel O'Connor (coolness personified), Cormac Greene (reliable first touch and beautiful wristwork) and a hard-working Patrick O'Sullivan was scrooge-like in its concession of scores. Jack Tanner pulled balls out of the sky and an ever improving John Douglas scored a beautiful point from way out on the wing. Peter Keane had a great game at centre-field and Scott Smullen was very accurate from frees. Shane Mulford at centre-forward was a thorn in the side of the Cranford defence - his bustling style had them at sixes and sevens and created many opportunities for the other forwards.

Don't Forget

This Thursday the 15th Juvenile AGM in clubhouse at 8.00pm. Beidh fáilte romhat (an opportunity to voice your tuppence halfpenny worth). Parents especially welcome.

Training

The hurling academy for u-10s and u-8s continues on Friday nights at 6.30pm. In the region of 40 children attend these sessions - the younger ones train indoors.

A similar number attend the u-8 football academy on Wednesday nights at 6.00pm.

Social

Deinimid comhgháirdeachas le Conor McCarthy (aka Bróg) on his recent marriage to Lisa. Conor came up through the ranks in Éire Óg and was, until his work took him to Cork where he joined Nemo, a loyal and valued member of the Intermediate team. Rath Dé orthu agus gura fada buan iad beirt.