Club Notes 29/09/2024
Good evening. We start with some positive news on the sports capital grant. We were absolutely delighted to receive confirmation that the club has been awarded €149,495 from the fund. This will go into the development of our new clubhouse and dressing rooms.
A huge amount of work went into the application of the grant and many thanks to everyone involved. This task was steered on by Eoin Phibbs and we got great backing for the Taoiseach Simon Harris and also Avril Cronin.
The future is bright for Blessington GAA.
Continuing with the positives, on Friday 27th September The All Star coaches organised a very successful bingo and karaoke night in the Ramblers Rest pub. It was great fun with big support from our members and the Blessington community.
The fundraiser was for the new sensory room that will be adjacent to the Astro which will be installed within the coming months.
On the night some of the senior players and mentors presented the All Star coaches with a very generous cheque of €2000. This was money raised from theirown fundraising event that took place in July.
There was a raffle on the night, with lots of fabulous prizes donated by Blessington retailers,who are always so supportive of the All Stars.
Thank you, to all the people who helped out on the night. Special mention of thanks to Sinead Johnston the bingo master and Bernadette Ellis the bingo checker.
A massive thanks to the lads Aaron Keogh, Cillian Bailey, Brian Bohan, Craig Maguire, Jack Hardy and Lee Brennan for the big clean up in the gym. The lads did a terrific job and we ask everyone to please respect it and absolutely no football boots are to be worn inside the gym please.
Minors Boys
The lads will play the next round of their championship on Wednesday October 9th against AGB. This match takes place in Baltinglass at 7pm. All support is really appreciated.
U11 Boys
The parents who travelled to Ballinakill on Saturday for the boys U11 end of season blitz were rewarded with some very entertaining football. Two physical and evenly matched games against AGB and Annacurra were a good way to finish the regular season in Wicklow. Each of the lads played their part on the day. The lads have a couple of games remaining in the Kildare league in October.
U7’s
Our super U7s were out in the Kildare League this morning away to Kilcullen. Brilliant team performances from the lads with some great tackling, passing and shooting on display..Well done to all the lads, Thanks to the parents for travelling and to Kilcullen for hosting.
Girls Football
U14 White
Another game of 2 half’s last Sunday v Bray in U14 Whites final game of the championship.
Bray took the lead with 3 unanswered goals in the first half giving us a real challenge at half time but the girls went out in the 2nd and got stuck in. Helped by 2 goals from Emily they scored 2:6 in the 2nd half but unfortunately it wasn’t enough.
The attitude and work rate is something the girls should be proud of and they left the pitch with their heads high knowing what they are capable of.
U14’s
Anyone who ventured out to Arklow last Sunday afternoon to watch our u14 girls, play their div.1 semifinals against AGB, got to see the game of the year. Blessington got off to a great start scoring 3 goals in the first 5 minutes. AGB didn’t panic and worked the ball into the Blessington half and scored 2 goals in reply. This set up the standard of football for the remaining of the half with both teams trading scored throughout. Half time score was Blessington 5-02 AGB 4-09.
In the second half we came out fast and scored a goal and a point to level the game straight away. Scores for both teams were hard to come by in the second half, as every girl on the field gave it their all. In the end we lost out by a small margin of 2 points, Blessington 9-07(34)AGB 8-12(36).
POTM goes to Lucy Keeley who was on fire in front of the goal. We would like to thank AGB for their hospitality in providing refreshments for the girls after the match. The coaches would like to say how proud they are of the girls and their commitment they gave to each and every game and training session throughout the year.
Healthy Club
On Tuesday evening over 30 players, parents and coaches from the U14 girls teams took part in the ‘Movember Ahead of the Game’ programme, covering Mental Health awareness.
This was a very valuable programme with great feedback.
Thanks to everyone who came and facilitators Johanna Quinn (Westmeath Football) &
Corey Scahill (Mayo Hurling)
Blessington GAA will have a stand at the upcoming Connecting Communities Roadshow in association with the County Wicklow PPN. The Roadshow takes place in St Kevins Hall on Tuesday October 1st from 16:30 to 20:30. Come along and find out us and more of what’s going on in your community.
Irish language and culture
Date change!
Blessington GAA have received funding from the Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha (Joe McDonagh Foundation) and this is part funded by Blessington GAA to host a series of "FREE Irish storytelling for children" between the ages of 4 and 8 which will be held in Blessington Library for 8 sessions commencing Sat 28 Sept, 12,26 Oct, 9,23,30 Nov, 7 and 14 Dec 2024 from 12 noon to 1pm. This event is open to all children in the community but numbers are limited for each session. Please contact Noreen on 0872858375 to book a child's place. Places will be offered on a first come first served basis.
Scór na nÓg news
Scór na nÓg will be held in Éire Óg Greystones on Friday 18th Oct. This competition is aimed at anyone born in 2007 or later and be U17 on 1/1/24. We are looking for participants, boys and girls, for the following categories: Solo singing, Ballad group, Recitation, Instrumental group, novelty act and a girls team and a boys team x4 for the Quiz. Anyone interested in taking part, please contact Noreen on 087 2858375 asap.
Wicklow News
Please find attached details of our Winter Award 1 Youth/Adult Coach Education schedule for Football and Hurling. Please circulate among your coaches and get them to register through the link below. Last year we had a fantastic responce to our Award 1’s and hopefully with your commitment and dedication to ensure all our coaches have reached the highest coaching standards possible we look forward to more well attended courses. Microsoft forms Football link for coaches to express their interest https://forms.office.com/e/9HCy0vaPer Microsoft forms Hurling link for coaches to express their interest https://forms.office.com/e/qpEmi2c3Sr
Condolences
We offer our heartfelt condolences to Sean Dempsey on the passing of his Mam Betty Dempsey last week.
Ar dheis De go raibh an hanam
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