Éire Óg Greystones
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Weekly Notes - 21st November 2007

All roads lead to the clubhouse on Friday night (23rd November) for the Juvenile awards night. Presentations will be made at all levels of medals, players of the year and club persons of the year for 2007. Activities start at 7 pm for the age groups Academy (U/8s) up to and including the Under 12s hurling and football. At 8:30 pm the age groups Under 14 up to and including Minor hurling and football and Ladies will be presented. We are hoping to have our two County stars present. Billy Norman played in goals for the Senior County football team in Croke Park this year in the Leinster Championship. Stephen “Chester” Kelly played on the County Senior Hurling team that competed in the National Hurling League Division 2 Final. These two fine young men are a product of the under-age structure within the club and we are all very proud of their achievements. We are also hoping to have the attendance on the night of Leighton Glynn with the Murphy Cup (unconfirmed at the time of writing). Congratulations to Leighton on winning the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) player of the year in the Murphy Cup competition.

It was a great year at Juvenile level. Pride of place goes to the all conquering Under 14 footballers on winning the County and All Ireland Feile Football competitions making us only the second club in Wicklow to achieve this honour. They also added the Under 14 “A” Championship Shield to their list recently. Another significant achievement was the presence of both our hurlers and footballers in the blue riband finals at Minor (U/18) Level. We are the only club to reach the “A” finals in both competitions. Well done to all the players, mums and dads and team mentors for their commitment to a vibrant year of activity at all levels. There are a lot of unsung heroes in our midst.

The juvenile committee held its AGM last Thursday. There was a great turn out. The committee are a great support to the Senior executive of the Club. The top table of Fergus O’Brien (Chairman), Felicity Keane (Secretary) and Finoula Nolan (Treasurer) were returned unanimously for another year. A warm welcome to the new members of the committee Colm Dorgan, Maurice Prendergast, Ronan Delahunty, Janey O’Halloran and Alan Keating. The chairman thanked both Felicity and Finoula for all their hard work behind the scenes in what was a hectic year of organising, fundraising, coaching. Felicity presented a comprehensive annual report that highlighted the level of commitment involved in running the club at this level. Team numbers, player registration, managers, coaches, competitions were all outlined. Finoula presented a financial report that was akin to the workings of a company. Bus hire, referees, hurling and football equipment, jerseys, medical kits, trophies on top of a lengthy miscellaneous list that includes meals for players, physios, hospitality (summer camps, blitzs etc), coaching courses, registration, insurance - the list is endless. This was all on top of the logistics involved in bringing a team to the West of Ireland to compete in the All Ireland finals.

The Senior Clubs AGM takes place at the clubhouse on Thursday 29th November at 8 p.m. It would be appreciated if motions for discussion and nominations were notified to the Senior Secretary Carmel Deeney in advance. This will aid the efficiency of running the meeting. All club members are invited to attend.

Congratulations to Billy Norman, Darren Hayden, Craig Smullen and Declan O’Mahony who have made the County Under 21 football squad. The club also note the elevation to this level of Newcastle player Adam Merriman, who has played with us. We wish them all well.

Finally, best wishes to scribe Con who is holidaying in Donegal. “Is beágann Gaelige agam”.