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Weekly Notes - 17th January 2007There are rumblings of disquiet among the club's socialites. They are worried by the fact that there has scarcely been a whisper on the G.W.W. (grapevine wide web) about that which has become the "must-be-seen-at" event of the Greystones social calendar, the Éire Óg Dinner Dance. One advises a cautious optimism. While one cannot reassure them with certitude, one has it on good authority that event organisers, Fergal and Ray, have been approached and have been asked to make all ready in the Rugby Club for Saturday 10th February.Frankie Ward of Killincarrig was buried on January 6th, little Christmas. Frankie who was in his 91st year was born on Hillside Road and lived all his life in the Greystones area. At the funeral the talk was of the passing of an "institution" and the "end of an era". While his first loves were golf and horse racing, he always took a keen interest in the affairs of the club and was very supportive of its various projects. He was a member of the committee which, in the early seventies, was instrumental in securing a lease on the original playing field. This opened the way for its later purchase from the Burnaby Estate at an extremely favourable price. He was a member of the panel of the 1949 County Championship winning team. In 1965 he gained himself some notoriety when he became embroiled in the melee at the drawn Junior Championship semi-final against Hollywood - the so-called Battle of Ashford. Frankie's actions brought him to the attention of the County Board officials but he escaped sanction because of an outbreak of amnesia among Greystones supporters. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Patsy Vickers flew the club's colours at half-mast during the obsequies. Incidentally, Patsy is confined to barracks with a chest infection. We wish him a speedy recovery to health. Outgoing President, Danny Hatton and his wife Marie are particularly happy at the arrival of their latest grandchild. A "wee" - with respect to her Donegal roots - girl to son Vinny and wife Caitríona. Vinny was a prominent player for the club before emigrating to the States where he met his wife. Our congratulations to Vinny and Caitríona and fáilte mór roimh an leanbh. Go raibh saol fada sláintiúil socair aici. Intermediate and Junior training started last Tuesday and there began the quest for county glory. The committee is doing its utmost to ensure that the best possible structures are in place for the achievement of this goal. Unfortunately, structures per se are not sufficient. A strong, committed and enthusiastic panel of players is of paramount importance. Players can help greatly by encouraging younger players of the right calibre to join them and by endeavouring to rekindle the interest of former colleagues whose enthusiasm may have waned. Football training for the u-9s and u-8s resumes on Wednesday 24th. Gaelic football with its wide range of manipulative and kicking skills has a synergy with most big-ball games and allows for great variety in training sessions. This skill content, together with its demands of 360 degree awareness, speed in straight line running and rapid change of direction creates a versatile and svelte athlete. |
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