Éire Óg Greystones
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Weekly Notes - 29th August 2007

Intermediate Football

The Intermediates are through to the county semi-final by virtue of their victory over Emmets in Greystones on Tuesday. Emmets record to date had indicated that Éire Óg would have an easy passage - a view not borne out in the 1st half play. Aided by a strong breeze we were only 1-7 to 0-4 ahead at the break. Emmets even took first blood on the resumption. Then, as often happens with a team which has played above itself for a period, their resistance collapsed and Éire Óg ran out easy winners. The story in the other section of the championship has not yet reached its denouement so it is not yet clear as to who will be our semi-final opponents.

The team had a great work-out against Kilanerin from Wexford on Sunday morning in a very enjoyable game which ended in a draw. A sincere Go raibh maith agaibh to the ladies who provided refreshments after the game.

Junior B Football

The Junior B's story in the championship lives on. They drew with Arklow - on the run of play, a disappointing result. 4 points down at half-time, thanks to profligacy in front of the posts and the perennial problem of not knowing "when to hold and when to kick away". The introduction of Johnny Groomes and Martin Healy after half-time further increased our dominance in outfield play but yet we failed to show it on the scoreboard while Arklow scored 2 points in almost their only excursions into Éire Óg territory in the 2nd half.

Minor Football

We congratulate the minors on reaching the quarter-final stage of the championship. They defeated St. Nicholas' on Wednesday - 2-15 to 1-5. They play St. Pats to-night, Wednesday, in the final and pecking- order determining, game in their division.

Ladies Football

Immediately post the all-Ireland semi-final (men's) the pundits are telling us that there is devastation in the Dublin dressing room - quite understandable. This level of disappointment is not,however, only the preserve of losers of high profile games and the pain felt by our ladies on their defeat by Roundwood in what must surely be the competition-deciding league game, was none the less keen for being "just" in the Wicklow junior league. For a number of years now they have been reaching the threshold of success but, like the Dubs, they have failed to take that extra step. But hope lives on nurtured by the sentiment "go dtiocfaidh a lá".

The Ladies County Board are having a golf outing on the 21st September in Baltinglass. The subscription is 250euro per team (including meal). They would be delighted to hear from persons willing to sponsor tee-boxes (50euro). Contact Séamus 086-8160732.

VHI/Cúl Camps

During the summer Éire Óg hosted hurling and football VHI/Cúl camps and both were a huge success. Despite the unwillingness, on occasion, of the weather to co-operate they were run off without a hitch thanks to a wonderful team of facilitators - led by Colm Gaskin - who directed the activities with admirable child-centred patience and tolerance while yet maintaining that control necessary to ensure the enjoyment of all. The Greystones camps were among the biggest in the country. In excess of 300 took part - over 180 in football and 120 in hurling. A quick 'vox pop' among participants elicited the universal response of "cool".

What purpose do these camps serve? The more cynical among you might perhaps refer to cheap baby sitting and indeed you might have a point - nearly 25 hours of supervised play for 55 euro (less the value of the goodies, jerseys etc. which were part of the package). But then one has to be positive - cynicism never achieved anything - and hopefully long-term benefits will accrue. Participants, who might not otherwise have been exposed to the games, may now consider them as options in their sporting spectrum and their parents may gain an insight into the great work being done by the G.A.A. and the wonderful games it is charged to preserve and promote. A propos - James Helm, a former B.B.C. correspondent and at one time a sports reporter (rugby, soccer, you name it) had the following to say on the Marian Finnucane show on Sunday "Hurling, I've never seen anything like it. TV does not and cannot do it justice. I tell my friends from all over the world to see it live. An amazing, fast, skilful and brave sport. A once off."