Club Notes 07/04/2024

Good evening. We are in the middle of adult league football and already we have our championship fixtures for our Senior men, Junior A and Junior B teams. It’s hoped that the championship will commence on the 2ndweekend of July. We will keep you updated closer to the time.

As we all back to training now all membership fees should be paid in full. You cannot train on the pitches, in the gym or take part in any matches if you are not a paid up member. If you have any queries about this you can contact the club registrar Darren on 087 226 4140. We are looking forward to a brilliant season and we wish every team the best of luck.

Fundraiser

We are absolutely delighted to announce the final tally for our jungle challenge is €50,000 We can’t thank the community of Blessington and all the businesses enough for all the support you have shown to the brilliant contestants. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed in anyway. And last but not least thanks to the super fundraising committee for all their effort and dedication.

Referees

There is a huge shortage of referees in county Wicklow and the ask is on for people to step up and train to become a referee. This includes juvenile all the way up to senior. Full training will be provided and if this is something that you would be interested in please contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

With there being such a shortage of referee’s matches may not go ahead which would be very disappointing. We also ask that All teams and management show their respect to the match officials at all times.

Juvenile Boys

U15’s had a good start to Div 1 with a strong win at home to Bray Emmets

Down a few 1st team players, big thanks to the U14 lads for stepping up.

Thanks to our team sponsors Monadock construction for their continued support.

U13’s

Great performance by our u13 team in the spring league on Wednesday evening vs St Kevins.

The lads worked so hard, with nice scores and teamwork both in and out of possession. The lads didn’t let up and worked to very end ensuring we came away with the win.

Thanks to both Conor and Aaron for stepping in to help the lads.

Thanks to all the supporters

Next up match this Saturday vs Round Towers in the Kildare league meeting 3:30.

U12 Kildare league

Blesso vs Round Towers

What a game , two evenly matched teams. With the wind involved it was certainly going to be a game of 2 half’s . Blesso playing against the wind in the first half, we knew we were going to be under pressure. Struggling to get out of our half against gale force wind and torrential rain where it was difficult at times to even see out the the field . We blocked , tackled everything in sight, half time arrived with Round Towers leading 5 points to 1 .

Second half we kicked on , taking our scores, again this team loves to get stuck in and we tackled everything. We started to get hold of the game and took the lead. Half way in second half , Round Towers scored a goal extending their lead by 2 points. In the final minutes of the half we pushed up on their kick out forcing a mistake and scoring the goal we needed. One final attack for Round towers broke down with our defence refusing to concede . We moved ball into the forwards and took the final score.

Final score .

Blessington 2:05 Round Towers 1:06

Great performance from everyone.

Thanks to all the supporters , they were certainly getting excited near the end.

Thanks to u11 lads (Tomas, Cian, Josh) who stepped in and did a great job as usual.

Thanks to Round towers for travelling down for the game.

Senior Ladies

The ladies were away to AGB today. Final Score AGB 1-14 to Blessington 5.12. Well done everyone.

Academy

The academy Blesso Blues returned last Friday evening from 5pm-6pm. It was great to see everyone again after the winter break, and also a big welcome to all of our new comers. Looking forward to a great season of skills, fun & games. See you all again next week at the Astro at 5pm.

Healthy Club

We are delighted to be one of the chosen clubs that will take part in a sun safe campaign starting soon. We will have sunscreen dispensers located (TBC) for your convenience on our grounds with information on how to stay safe in the sun. More details to follow.

Scor

Comhghairdeas to Sheila Naughton who represented Blessington GAA and Wicklow GAA in the Scór Laighean semi-final of Scór Sinsir on Saturday 6 April in Oulart, Co Wexford. Sheila performed in the Aistriseoreacht (Storytelling) category. Sheila progresses to the Leinster provincial final which will be held in The Downs, Co Westmeath on Sunday 21 April.

Maith thú Asia O'Riordan who performed "Irelands Call" in the Amhránaiocht Aonair (solo singing) category. This was Asia's first time competing at senior level and was unlucky not to progress. She will be back next year to compete again. A great days entertainment but a long drive there and back!

Comhghairdeas le Síle Ní Naughton a rinne ionadaíocht thar ceann CLG Cros Bhaile Coimín agus CLG Chill Mhantáin i gcluiche leathcheannais Scór Laighean de Scór Sinsir ar an Satharn, 6 Aibreán, in Oulart, Co. Loch Garman. Sheinn Síle sa chatagóir Aistriseoreacht (Scéalaíocht). Rachaidh Síle ar aghaidh go dtí cluiche ceannais chúige Laighean a bheidh ar siúl sna Dúnaibh, Co. na hIarmhí Dé Domhnaigh an 21 Aibreán.

Maith thú Asia O'Riordan a sheinn "Irelands Call" sa chatagóir Amhránaiocht Aonair. Ba é seo an chéad uair ag an Áise a bheith san iomaíocht ag leibhéal sinsearach agus bhí mí-ádh air gan dul chun cinn a dhéanamh. Beidh sí ar ais an bhliain seo chugainn le bheith san iomaíocht arís. Lá iontach siamsaíochta ach tiomáint fhada ann agus ar ais.

32,32,32 challenge

A group of five friends aged 22/23, Brian Kelly, Eoghan Diffley, Emmet Burke, Ciaran McManus, and Conor Murphy, have embarked on an ambitious challenge. Their goal is to kick points in all 32 counties of Ireland, visiting a different club pitch in each county. The group of young men, including four members from the St Barrys GAA club (Eoghan, Emmet, Ciaran, and Conor), along with Brian Kelly from the Newtown Cashel club in Longford, have decided to take on a challenge to support Conor's mother, Nicola. Nicola has recently received a diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease, and the 5 young men are determined to raise funds for her.

Blessington GAA club has been chosen as the Wicklow club to host this challenge. The lads will arrive on Saturday 11th May at approx. 1-15pm and we would love to see as many people as possible turn up and support the lads. More details closer to the date.

Wicklow Football News

It was a great week for Wicklow football with the minors playing against Wexford on Wednesday evening. Blessington was well represented with Patrick Small sharing joint vice captain. Also included in the panel were Max Kehoe ,Ronan Smyth, James Phibbs, Conor O’Toole, and Oisin O’Connell. Final score Wexford 0-08 to Wicklow 0-09.

The U20’s were against Carlow on Wednesday captained by Austin Brennan and had a fantastic win. Final score Carlow 0-7 to Wicklow 3-11. Well done everyone. They will play on Tuesday evening in Blessington. Details on tickets to follow.

The senior team were away on Sunday against Wexford in their championship and again Blessington was well represented . Well done to Kevin Quinn ,Craig Maguire and included in the panel was Dan Cooney. Final score Wexford 1-11 to Wicklow 2-09. Next match is against Kildare in Portlaoise on 14/04/24 at 1.45pm. Details on tickets to follow.

You can keep up to date on all club related news across all social media and also with our Tik Tok account starting soon.  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