Club Notes 30/06/2024
Good evening. All the schools have finished now for the summer holidays but there is still loads going on within the club to keep everyone busy. Have you booked your childs place for the Kellogs Cul Camp starting next Monday 8th July – 12th? There are still a few places available so book now to avoid missing out gaa.ie/kellogsculcamps. This camp is open to everyone in the community and not just club members. Looking forward to seeing you all next week.
We had both the girls and boys from Blessington GAA representing Wicklow in the Feile competition at the weekend. Again we thank everyone who kindly sponsored and supported both teams. Here are the reports from the team managers Wes and Barry.
Boys National Feile 24
What a weekends football our U15 boys team gave us in the All Ireland Feile competion in Castlerea Roscommon .
We were in Div3 and grouped with St Lomans ( Westmeath ) Moyle rovers ( Tipperary ) Magharcloone ( Monaghan )
First up was a tough game v St Lomans , Lomans were hot favourites after winning the last 3 Westmeath Feile’s . Our lads were on top form from the off and delivered a huge performance to come away with a 6 pt win .
Next up was Moyle Rovers . We knew a win here would mean we would top the group , We were slow to start and it was a dogged game and the Tipperary outfit were hard to shake off , Mid way through the second half we lost our captain and key player James Mc carney to a nasty shoulder injury .. we missed a couple huge chance to push out our lead and suffered the ultimate sucker punch of conceding a last minute goal with the last kick of the game which meant the game finished in a Draw , Tough result to take after leading through out .
Our final group game saw us play Magharcloone , A draw would mean we would make the cup semi finals . As the heat sored injuries and cramp were setting in and their was tired bodies everywhere , The lads battled hard and lead 4-3 at half time in a hard hitting game . Magharcloone pushed on in the second half and edged in front . Knowing a draw would see us through Blesso pushed to get back into the game but we came up just short loosing by 2pts .
As a group of coaches we can only be immensely proud of these young men and how they carry themselves and represent our great club and we commend them on the efforts they gave for the blue & white jersey all weekend .We showed we are a match for anyone when we are at the top of our game .
It was not our day but memories of lifetime were made . Further bonds built and experience gained. Huge thanks to all the parents for the fantastic support and what an enjoyable night everyone had together afterwards in the Hudson Bay hotel .
Final step on this memorable weekend was a visit to Bay-sports water park where everyone had a blast ..
A huge thanks to everyone for the huge effort with sponsorship and all the work that went into making it the weekend it was and to our main sponsor Monadnock construction with out all of this we could not of had the weekend we had .
Girls national Feile 2024
What a brilliant day our u15 girls had on Saturday! We set off on our long journey west from the club grounds at 7am, having arrived in Clonberne the girls got off the bus on great spirits, we unfortunately came up aginst very strong opposition in Portlaoise, Ballinderry and Clonmel, following the group stage we went into the shield competition where after an incredible match against Walterstown, came up just short losing by 5 points! The girls were an absolute credit to the club for their determination, never give up attitudes and their behaviour and manners which was commented on and complemented by the referees, we as coaches are extremely proud of the girls and thank them for their commitment and brilliance throughout the year, we would also like to thank our large travelling support who travelled over to cheer on the girls, lastly we would to thank all our generous sponsors and our fundraising committee for all your support and work, the future is bright for Blesso!
U10 Boy’s
It was a great evening of football against Stratford Thursday gone. We made a Lazurus like recovery from the first game a few weeks ago. Lazurus was a great man, but he couldn’t kick points like the Blessington U10s.
Ladies Football
Tough day at office for our Under 16 girls on Friday evening. They came up against a strong, well prepared AGB team in the league tonight in Blesso.
Loads of learnings to take from the game and we go again. Well done as always girls for the
efforts.
U14 Blue
Our u14 blue team travelled to Bray last Sunday afternoon to play their final game of the league. This was a very one-sided game, as Bray were missing a few players. Blessington put the pressure on very early with a very quick goal, that set the tempo for the rest of the game. Even though Blessington won the game comfortably there is still things to work on for the championship. We would like to thank the parents and supporters who travelled to all our league matches, and we look forward to the upcoming championship
Irish Culture
On Tuesday 25th June 2024 Nóirín Ní Aodhagáin Caomhanaigh and Pat Molloy attended the meeting of Irish language officers with with six Kildare clubs. Blessington GAA are the only Wicklow club to attend. The meeting was chaired by Seán De Paor from Glór na nGael and was held in Rathcoffey GAA. The meeting focused on what clubs are doing with regards to participation in The Joseph McDonagh Foundation and Networking. The next meeting will be held in Two Mile House on Tuesday 24th September 2024.
Ar an Máirt, 25 Meitheamh 2024, bhí Nóirín Ní Aodhagáin Caomhanaigh agus Pádraig Ó Maolbhuaidh i láthair ag an gcruinniú d’oifigigh Ghaeilge le sé gclub Chill Dara. Is iad CLG Cros Bhaile Coimín an t-aon chlub as Cill Mhantáin ar fhreastail siad orthu. Seán De Paor ó Ghlór na nGael a bhí ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú agus bhí sé ar siúl i CLG Ráth Cobhtaigh. Dhírigh an cruinniú ar a bhfuil ar siúl ag clubanna maidir le páirt a ghlacadh i bhFondúireach Iósaf Mhic Dhonncha. Beidh an chéad chruinniú eile ar siúl i dTeach an Dá Mhíle Dé Máirt 24 Meán Fómhair 2024.
Ag cruinniú Fóraim Chill Dara den Fhondúireacht i gclubtheach CLG Rath Chobhthaigh bhí, ó chlé: Leo Ó Seanáin (CLG Baile an Mhuilinn), Séamus Ó Mídheach (CLG Ard Cloch), Rachael Uí Bhaoill (CLG Teach an Dá Mhíle), Pádraig Ó Maolbhuaidh (CLG Cros Bhaile Coimín), Nóirín Ní Aodhagáin- Caomhánaigh (CLG Cros Bhaile Coimín), Rita Ní Dhubhaill (CLG Maigh Nuad), Paddy McGovern (CLG Rath Chobhthaigh), Eoin Ó Ceanainn (CLG Baile Éilís) agus Seán de Paor (Oifigeach Forbartha)
Kaleidoscope Pop Up Gaelteacht
We had two fantastic days Kaleidoscope Family Festival where we held our first ever Pop-Up Gaeltacht. We had sunshine and showers but it didn't stop the cúpla focail a labhairt. Thanks to Emma Gilheany , Aoife Mescall, Martin Shannon, Mairín Higgins, Sinéad, Patricia, Pat Conlan, Eoin R and his pals for volunteering. We will be back next year, bigger and better.
Wicklow News
The launch of the upcoming Championship was held in Echelon Park on Friday evening along with the official opening of the new warm up area. Thanks to everyone who turned up on the night and we take this opportunity in wishing our 3 adult teams the very best of luck in your games. We hope to see as many as possible make the trip to Aughrim to support these fantastic bunch of lads.
A tribute to Nuala Haughian by Michael Sargent
Blessington GAA delegate Michael Sargent paid a warm tribute to the late Nuala Haughian of Kilbride GAA Club at Monday’s evening’s county board meeting in Echelon Park Aughrim.
Mrs. Haughian, mother of 15 children including Kilbride GAA Club Chairman and Wicklow referee Diarmuid Haughian, passed away unexpectedly at Naas Hospital on Tuesday 18.
Speaking to delegates in the meeting room in Aughrim, Michael Sargent said that Mrs. Haughian was a “formidable and feisty lady” and a “wonderful friend”.
“Known to lots of us as Mrs. H, Nuala was a formidable and feisty lady, a wonderful friend,” he began.
“Kilbride village (to where Nuala and her late husband Paddy came in 1969) was the pride of her life, as was her local Kilbride GAA Club, where herself and son Diarmuid have done such tremendous work on pitch developments in recent years.
“In fact, Nuala had spent Sunday 16 June at the local field day catching all in sundry for a raffle where she raised €1700. Son, Diarmuid of course is a well-known referee in Wicklow GAA.
“Nuala has been at the heart of all community developments and social initiatives over the past forty years.
“A founder member of Blessington & District Forum and a constant member over the intervening years, Nuala attended the monthly Forum meeting on the Monday evening before her untimely death next day.
“Blessington and Kilbride GAA clubs were the principal early beneficiaries of Nuala’s great energy as all eight boys played for the St Bridget’s combination of Blessington and Kilbride. There were great games, great memories and Mrs. H was a big part of all of it, supporting, cheering, transporting in her minibus and keeping order.
“Nuala and her late husband raised 15 children, eight boys and seven girls and all fifteen were able to travel home from distant parts for the funeral mass on Saturday last.
“Nuala’s passing leaves a large void in the Haughian family, while the Kilbride Blessington area has lost an iconic figure, there won’t be the likes of Mrs. H again.
Our sympathies to Eilis, Aine, Mairead, Sinead, Nuala, Sheila and Grace and to the boys Sean, Cathal, Ciaran, Hughie, Niall, Cormac, Eamon and Diarmuid,” he added.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh an aimn dilís.
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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