Club Notes 03/11/2024

Good evening. This is the final chance to get your nominations and motions in for this year’s AGM. Closing date is Monday 4th November. All paid up members should have received emails regarding the AGM by now. AGM will take place on Monday 18th November at 8pm sharp in the No.1 school. Looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible as it’s your chance to have your say and air any views that you may have about our club.

Senior Men

Our senior men’s team are in the process of looking for a new manager. Please send your expression of interest to secretary.blessington.wicklow@gaa.ie by cob 15th November

Senior Ladies

Blessington GAA & LGFA Club are seeking expressions of interest for the role of Senior Ladies Manager.

Please get in touch by cob Friday 15th of November to blessington.wicklow@lgfa.ie

Minor Boy’s

On Bank Holiday Monday October 28th was our County Minor A Final in Aughrim v An Tochar, the previous year’s champions. We have had an amazing panel who had worked hard to reach this final and I knew we were ready for this last battle.

We also knew nothing would be easy against this well experienced team. Our players were maybe unsurprisingly calm, which I felt reflected how ready we were.

 Parade was over and the time had come for lads to do what they done best to play GAA at the highest juvenile level in our county, representing their club, families and, mostly themselves in a final we have dreamed of since day 1 with this amazing bunch. We started well but struggled at times to break down a well drilled An Tochar side and we missed a few early chances and went it at halftime 0.5 to 0.3 behind.

At halftime the Management discussed what changes we could make but decided to leave as finished first half for few minutes of Second half but a few strong words were said in dressing room and deep down the lads knew we were not playing as a team and this was one of our number one goals we set out at beginning of year meeting. Also we discussed hurt of losing two previous finals.

So the lads went from dressing room with only one thing in mind to become county champions. We started second half stronger but as first half we struggled to make our possession of ball count on the scoreboard. This group never give up, and we always had hope we could succeed .And with about 10 mins to go a couple of positional changes, things started to go our way. Their work rate and never give up attitude started when we were 3 points down and when Jack Murray kicked over a great free.Eneryone stepped up a level from goals through to forwards. Then up stepped Luke Higgins to swing over a sweet left foot point and the belief really kicked in. That play was followed by 2 epic points from Patrick Small to put us 8 points to 7 points up and the final whistle blew.

Unbelievable scenes happened in Aughrim as the pitch was invaded by a sea of blue and white. It was the proudest moment for me as manager . 

Then Ronan Smyth (Captain) lifted the cup in the stand as this group of lads achieved only what they deserved for years of hard work.

Celebrations began and well deserved for this group and thanks to Lee and fire brigade the lads had an amazing homecoming to supporters and fireworks.

Thanks to An Tochar for a great game but also a tough way to lose.

Huge thanks to all Players Parents, Local Schools and to everyone from our club for all the support, best wishes, and congratulations after the win as without a great club ethic these lads could never have achieved such highs.

Thanks especially to Ben Reid, Eddie Boylan, Steven Bohan, Curtis Geraghty, Maebh Corr (S&C) Gillian Balfe (Admin), Lisa Jackson(social media)  and Jess Brennan as nothing is possible without the hard work, time and dedication these volunteers give to our club.

 Blessington 2024 Minor A Football Champions !!!

U9 Boys

That’s a wrap for the season.

Huge thanks to the coaches, especially Orla, Paul, Patrick, Ronan and Gareth for giving up their time on Mondays evenings and Saturdays to guide these boys on their GAA Journey.

Thanks to the parents for travelling the length and breadth of Wicklow and Kildare to facilitate games.

Great way to finish a season with a pizza party and the Minor A County Champions, players and manager Jimmy Mulhall bringing up the Cup to share with the boys!

Enjoy the break; it’s needed, see you all in February.

U6 Team

The Blessington U-6 team had a great morning playing their first u6 game against Eadestown. The kids played 2 games and showed great skill and determination and they really enjoyed themselves. Thanks to Micka Nugent (former Blessington player) and the coaches of Eadestown for travelling to Blessington for the game

Senior Ladies

Blessington GAA & LGFA Club are seeking expressions of interest for the role of Senior Ladies Manager.

Please get in touch by cob Friday 15th of November to blessington.wicklow@lgfa.ie

Thanks to the outgoing management team for your time and dedication for the past couple of years.

Minor girls

Our Minor Ladies will be heading out to Bray on Sunday the 10th of November at 11am to play AGB in the Minor A Final. All support is really appreciated.

Club History

Today 3rd November 2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of Blessington winning the 1974 Junior Championship v Carnew played at Baltinglass. 

Final score 2-4 to 1-3.

Team was:

Mick Doran, Patsy O'Donoghue, Shay Sargent, Andy Doran, John Magee, Pat Quinn, Martin Hennessy, Tommy Cullen, Arthur Hennessy, Popsy Finnegan, John Finnegan, Jerry Hennessy, Paddy Murphy, John Coogan, Seamus Breen.  Subs: Christy Nolan, Davy Byrne, Des Kennedy, Tom Mc Grath, Paddy Sargent.

Scorers: Paddy Murphy 1-0, Popsy Finnegan 1-0, John  Finnegan 0-3, Seamus Breen 0-1.

Manager: Gerry Mc Intyre.

Selectors: Jimmy Hughes, Pete Nolan, Paddy Magee, Peter Finnegan,  Toddie Hennessy.

Thankfully most of the team are still with us todayl but let us remember those who have departed this life, namely Mick Doran, John Magee, Christy Nolan, Davy Byrne, Des Kennedy & all of the Management team

This win whilst not particularly notable in itself, it kick started a great era for Blessington culminating in a Senior Championship in 1983.

This was the first Adult Championship win for the club in over a generation.

Let us continue the success of a previous generation & look forward to the years ahead with confidence.

Cros Bhaile Coimin Abu.

Irish language and culture

Free Irish Story time for Children will resume in Blessington Library next Sat 9 Nov and will be held weekly until 14 Dec. Session starts at 1pm. Storytelling, bingo, colouring and conversational Irish for children aged 4 to 8 years old. Prizes, stickers and goodies each week. For more information call Noreen 087 2858375. Funded by Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha agus CLG Cros Bhaile Coimín.

Condolences

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Tom Fisher and family on the passing of his Dad Peter.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam 

You can keep up to date on all club related news across all social media and also with our new Tik Tok account Blessington GAA Club.

For all thing LGFA related you can contact Olivia on 086 030 8395 and for everything else football or club related you can contact myself Lisa on 086 376 7534 and pro.blessington.wicklow@gaa.ie