Éire Óg Greystones
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Weekly Notes - 25th June 2008

U12 Hurling

Saturday 14th was a day of rejoicing for the u-12 hurlers. They registered their 1st victory - a championship game which made it all the sweeter – in 2008. By 7-0 to 5-1 they defeated Michael Dwyers, a club centred in Kiltegan and with a long history in hurling. A considerable feather in our boys’ collective cap. The win was truly hard earned, and not only by the players. Manager Kieran O’Riordan tells me “I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard for victory or felt such pride and satisfaction in one”. Take a bow, lads! You have shown what being good sportsmen is all about. Your commitment, sportsmanship and work rate have been exemplary in the face of a series of confidence-sapping defeats. Relish this victory.

In the 1st half of the game Éire Óg were unable to shake off the challenge of strong and spirited opponents and the score was level at the interval – 4 goals each. Our sports psychologist got to work on the players’ always-in –the-losers-corner mentality and the team returned to the field full of self-belief which manifested itself in a much improved 2nd half display. A very satisfactory team performance. In a back division that was particularly strong, Conor Randles, Dillon Harris and Seán lawless excelled. Harry Hopponen (Finland/Cork – no prize for guessing where the hurling came from) was prominent in the forwards. The Éire Óg goals were scored by James Delahunty (2-0), Seán Murray(2-0) Darragh Shiels and Niall Deeney(1-0 each). (One is not looking for a job as an accountant!).

Thursday Morning

last, the final session before the summer holidays of Gaelic training for the first classes of Scoil Naomh Lorcáin. Proceedings on this occasion took the form of a blitz involving 6 teams composed of boys and girls picked from the 70 pupils present on the day. Blessed as it was by the weather and played in a “no winners, no losers” ethos, it proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable event.

Go raibh said go léir faoi choimirce Dé i rith na laethanta saoire. Hopefully the children’s experiences with the Gaelic module of their P.E. programme have been, for the most part, positive and will have many of them considering participating in the VHI/CÚL Camp starting next Monday in the Éire Óg Greystones grounds. These camps offer a well-structured, varied and safe environment. That the children (boys and girls) enjoy the friendly and relaxed atmosphere of the camps is evidenced by the number who re-register year after year.

Thursday Afternoon

3.30pm in St. Laurence’s, the celebratory Mass for Ciara O’Leary, the young teacher who died at Easter. Her family made the long journey from Cork and planted a tree to her memory in the school grounds. A very moving ceremony with moments of pathos mingling freely with the joy of thanksgiving. A ceremony which evoked a sense of community and solidarity and which reminded us once again “gur faoi scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine”(no man is an island…..).

Thursday Evening

At a later than usual evening meal one glanced at one’s watch and the recalled that Thursday night is Junior B night – a game against the locals in Kilmac. Is it too late? Lots of dithering. Remembered that here we have a corner of the club’s activities which hasn’t had a mention in the club’s notes this year. Up off your posterior – duty calls! Late arriving in Kilmac, in fact the 2nd half just beginning. Greeted by the lone figure of manager Philip Smullen running up and down the sideline constructively admonishing his players and chiding them on the occasion when they questioned the match official’s decision. Then one observed pen and paper in the hand of statistician for the night, his wife Helen, and was informed that an evenly contested 1st half (0-4 each) was devoid of pattern and excitement. Nothing really missed.

The contrast between 1st and 2nd halves could not have been more stark. Intelligence entered the Éire Óg play; they opened up the Kilmac backline with clever off the ball running and the space created was exploited by our speedy forwards. Of the many gilt-edged goal opportunities which presented themselves, however only two were availed of.

While Éire Óg were very much in the ascendant they were never allowed to feel comfortable by a battling Kilmac and this made for an interesting 2nd period.