U16 HURLING; The weather conditions on Thursday evening when Éire Óg faced Michael Dwyers (Kiltegan area) in Ballinakill in the final of the u-16A Shield was far from ideal for football. The country was in the fading but still tempestuous grip of Abigail, the first storm in these regions to have been given a name by the meteorologists. However both teams made light of the challenging conditions of wind and rain and served up an exciting and entertaining match.
The smart money was on the opposition as the boys from the west had comprehensively beaten Éire Óg in a preliminary round of the competition. This favouritism was to prove misguided as Grey stones won 2-12 to 1-8. A deserved win on the night and the fruit of dedicated training over the summer and autumn months. The victory did not come altogether as a surprise to the Clocha Liatha followers as they had observed consistently improving performances by the team as it progressed through the championship.
Éire Óg won the toss and elected to play against the wind in the 1st half. We started really well – the lengthy warm-up obviously worked – and had the first 2 scores on the board. Michael Dwyers eventually pulled this back and the remainder of the 1st half was a close affair. Although we were the better team the scores were level at half-time, 6 points each. At the interval the teams retreated to the sanctuary of the dressing rooms where it was a chat and some biscuits for the Éire Óg lads. Whatever was said obviously worked as the 2nd half proved to be a very different affair. From the start Na Clocha Liatha really upped their game and used the wind to great effect scoring some spectacular points. They also scored 2 well-taken goals which were key to breaking down the Michael Dwyer's resistance. Our defending was the foundation of our success. The backs tackled with intelligent transgression-free skill and frustrated the Kiltegan forwards with excellent blocking. The discipline throughout was to be admired and while Michael Dwyers rallied, try as they might they could not penetrate our defensive wall. The final whistle signalled the start of joyful Éire Óg celebrations.
Team: Conor Browne, Gavin O'Shea, Brian Lawless, Dara Devine, Kieran Sheehy, Conor Nolan, Alan O'Donovan, Fintan O'Shea, Nicholas Quirk, Conal Deeney, Sam Molloy, Daniel Clarke, Rory Lucey, Fionn Carroll, Eoin Dorgan.
Subs: Cian Hanlon, Seán Mason, Conor Bevan, Niall Sheehy, Neil Browne, Eoin O'Neill.
Mentors: Conor Lucey, Gerry Browne.
This is a great bunch of lads. They are very skilful and have shown immense character over a season in which they were beset by injuries, fixtures complications, floodlight failures and the trauma of losing a close friend.
CLUB DRAW; As the 2015 season fades the thoughts of the Éire Óg coiste turn to matters administrative and financial. High in its list will be the ball wall, the plans for which are at an advanced stage. But ball walls do not come cheaply so its financing will present a huge challenge to the club. For years now the club has held a Christmas draw the proceeds of which had proven invaluable in paying for insurance and team registration. However it has been decided this year to forego this draw and to put our fund-raising efforts into selling tickets for the countrywide GAA draw in March which has very attractive prizes.
The club draw night was a very pleasant social occasion and it was felt that it would be a shame to let it into abeyance so the coiste has arranged an informal social get-together for December 19th.
AGM: Other dates to be noted: the agm has been fixed for December 9th and the juvenile celebration night for Friday 27th November.
RACE NIGHT: Éire Óg, like all clubs in the condae, has been asked to lend its support to the Race Night in Shelbourne Park which has been organised by Wicklow GAA for Sat 28thNovember. Tickets are 20euro and also entitle you to participate in a draw. From all accounts last year's race night proved to be a very enjoyable occasion and your support would be greatly appreciated.
