Senior Notes: Intermediate - A Barry O'Donovan led Blessington second string (Intermediate) tea helped by the regraded Jonathan Daniels almost took advantage of an Eire Og team short of their three county players in Greystones for the Campus Oil Div 1A football league on Friday 27 Feb. Blesso started best and led for most of the first half until James Leonard got his fist to the ball landing in the square and ended in the Blesso net. Eire Og upped their game early in the second half with a Robert Gilligan save from Sam Thompson kept the Blues in touch. In fact, Wire Og only added one point in the fourth quarter of the game and the Blues will kick themselves that they kicked 8 second half wides to Eire Ogs 3. The game was refereed by Anthony Nolan who will ref the NFL game Cork v Kerry. Final score 1-07 to 0-05.
County Seniors - Hard luck to Wicklow Seniors who were beaten on a scoreline of 2-06 to 2-18 by Offaly in Aughrim on Sun 1 Mar in the league especially our club lads Michael, Anthony, Paul McLoughlin and Kevin John Rodgers.
Ladies notes: The Blessington ladies competed in the Senior Cup at the Paidi O'Se tournament last weekend. Blesso faced local side Corca Dhuibhne in the semi final. Final score 3-10 to 2-04 to the local side.
Girls training - U8 & U10 Tues 6-7pm starting Tues 10 Mar. U12 & U14 Tues and Thurs 7-8pm starting Tues 10 of Mar. U16 Wed at 7.30pm. Junior and senior ladies teams Wed and Fri 7.30-9pm. Gaelic for mothers and others Wed 7-8pm. New players for all our teams always welcome contact Maura Reid on 087 6548744 or Jess Carroll 086 8602822.
Wicklow U21's - Hard luck to Wicklow U21s who were defeated in the Leinster U21 champ on Wed 25 Feb by a good Longford side. Well done to all involved especially our club lads Jonathan Daniels (Manager), Thomas Donohoe, David Boothman, Barry Finan, Jordan Nolan & Patrick and Mikey O'Connor.
Wicklow Minors - Hard luck to the Wicklow Minors who were beaten in their final Leinster League game at home to Cork on Sat 28 Mar on a scoreline of 1-08 to 2-12. Blessington were represented by John Murphy (Manager), Martin Shannon, Conor Kenny, Patrick O Connor, Peter Manning, Jack Cotter and their Kilbride Colleague Aaron Curran.
Physio - The physio will return to the clubhouse on Tues 3 Mar.€5 per visit.
Fixtures at a glance
U16 Mon 2 Mar away to Skryne (Meath) at 7.45pm
U12 Mar 7 NKL game at home to Allenwood at 4.30pm.
Juvenile Notes:
Blessington GAA Registrations - U10 to Minor - Outstanding registration and subs will be collected by the managers of each team. Registration to be paid asap with all subs to be paid by 28 Mar. This is a tedious job so please co-operate with the manager to ensure that all fees are paid by the deadline.
Blessington GAA Academy commenced the season on Sat 28 Feb. There was a great turnout and everyone was delighted to be back. Well done to the ladies on the registration tables who were kept extremely busy. Registration will continue for new players over the next couple of weeks. All new and existing players must be 4 years old and come from the Blessington area. Subs for the Academy (age 4 to 8) to be completed by 30 May. Reg €20 first child and €10 for every child thereafter. €50 subs per child per year. Enquiries regarding the Academy to Sarah 087 2231284.
U8 training - We had 25 prayers at our first training session of the year with a good mix of players from last year and lots of new faces.
U10 Blitz - National Go Games week 2015 is a celebration of children playing Gaelic games and marks the start of the playing season. Clubs to send boys and girls on Tues 31 March in Blessington GAA from 10am - 12 noon football only Blessington GAA and surrounding clubs. Contact Paul Garrigan.
U10 training - 35 U10 kids turned up on Sat morning for our first u10 training session. We will continue to run training on a Sat from 10-11.30. Big thanks to Cara and Kevin for putting their hand up to assist. It's a lotta lotta kids and with about 7 more to come back to us, busy times ahead. We will start back on Wed at some future date when the Baltic weather subsides. Coaches are old and gone a bit soft... well the old fella's anyway... Just a quick reminder re gumshields... gotta have 'em! Big thanks to Mary O'Loughlin who did not spot that fellow parents had taken a step backwards when I was looking for an Excel admin guru for recording attendance. With Dave's assistance (thanks Dave, appreciate that), I look forward to excellent records and regular updates. Thanks Ann and co for offers re jerseys and parents who assisted in collecting cones and balls etc. All very much appreciated. Remember, coaches stay warmer than parents standing at the pitches edge. No previous experience needed. On the job training provided. Rewarding career awaits.
U12's - NKL Blessington at home to Allenwood at 4.30pm.
U16's - Our U16's are away to Skryne from Meath away on Mon 2 March at 7.45pm. This is the final game in the Leinster League. U16's League kicks off on 30 Mar.
Training times - Academy Sat 10am - 11am, U8 Sat 10am and from April also Tues evenings at 6:30. U10 Sat 10am to 11.30am and on Wed when evenings get brighter. U12's - Mon and Wed 6.45pm - 8pm, U14's Mon and Wed 6.45pm - 8pm. Blitz in Ballinakill on 14 Mar at 2pm and friendly at home on 29 Mar. League games kick off on Wed 1 Apr.
Féile Peil na nOg - Plans and actions are now in place for the Féile Peil na nOg which will be hosted in South Leinster (Wexford, Wicklow and Carlow) this year. 16 weeks and counting. Blessington are hosting a boys and girls team and the Féile will take place on the weekend of 26 - 28 June. We will know what teams we will be hosting in early April. Can parents who are hosting please return the Garda Vetting forms with your son or daughter by Wed of this week the very latest. Forms were due in to Croke Park at the end of Feb. Please Like and Share our new Blessington GAA Feile 2015 Facebook page. If anyone has any pictures or any information that can be used on the page please contact Noreen on 087 2858375.
The GCA Football Academy is running a joint fundraiser between the Hurling and Football squads for 2015. On 11 April at 11am in Ballinakill Centre of Excellence the Wicklow GCA is inviting all parents, family members and friends to take part in a Fun Run/Jog/Walk while supporting the development of young County Footballers and Hurlers in Wicklow. Registration will take place on the day at 10am. Adults €10, U16's €5 and family of 3 or more €20. For more info contact Hugh Kenny on 087 2718537. Training continues for the academy squads.
Lotto: Our latest lotto jackpot of €9800 was NOT won. The next jackpot will be €10,000 on Tues 10 Mar in Mick Reids. Numbers drawn were 1.2.6.7. 2 people matched 3 numbers Ann Reid, Main Street and Teresa Maguire c/o Mary Mc Loughlin each received €150. We thank you for your continued support returning your tickets and don't forget you can also buy tickets online at www.blessingtongaa.ie.
Coach training - Pre Season training Workshop for all Clubs in Hurling & Football coaches from all age groups Juvenile to Senior Level on Wed 18 Mar 7.15pm Wicklow GAA Centre of Excellence / Ballinakill. Cost €5 per Coach to be paid on the night - Pre Booking is important. Contact Hugh Kenny, Paul Garrigan, Garrett Doyle, Colm Gaskin and Leighton Glynn. The workshop is conducted by Des Earls and Gary Jameson.
Code of Ethics and Garda Vetting - All coaches and mentors need to be Garda Vetted and have attended a Code of Ethics training course. Garda vetting forms can be found on our website www.blessingtongaa.ie under the juvenile tab and then in the Feile folder there are 2 vetting forms. One for coaches and one for host families for Feile. Fill out the vetting form and contact our Children's Officer Eoin Phibbs who will send it to Croke Park. 086 8282033. The club is organising an in-house Code of Ethics course in Mar. Date to be finalised. Max participants 16. Please contact Noreen on 087 2858375 to register.
Referee Recruitment - There is a county drive to get more referees to officiate at our games and they are looking to unearth some new hurling referees in the county. If interested please contact John Keenan on 086 8465587 or [email protected] or [email protected].
Eircom recruitment - As sponsors of the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football championship, eircom are keen to give GAA players and members the opportunity to compete for upcoming job opportunities within their company. Further information about eircom's apprenticeship and graduate programmes is available on eircom's early talent careers page http://earlytalent.eircom.net, as is the online application form. Applications for both of this year's programmes are open now, and close on 6 March 2015.
Fundraisers -
Clothes collection - Blessington GAA Club is collecting good quality second hand clothing suitable for re-use. All Clean unwanted Clothes, Bed linen, Towels and Textiles including Shoes, Bags, Belts and Soft Toys. But please keep separate from Clothes and Textiles. Books are also accepted - But no School books (Text or Copy) Magazines or Diaries or Newspapers. Closing Date. 27th March, 2015. Deliveries can be made to the GAA Pitch on Mon 9, Wed 11, Fri 14, Mon 16, Fri 21, Mon 23 and Wed 25 Mar. Evening Deliveries will be accepted between; 7.30pm & 9pm each evening and on Sat between 11.30am & 1pm. If you cannot deliver but have donations please contact any of the following. John Magee Snr., 086 8717483 or Breda Brophy 087 2253892.
Topaz Cash for Clubs - Blessington GAA are registered to participate in the Topaz Cash for Clubs promotion. Anyone who wishes to support the club can pick up a card in any Topaz garage. A stamp is given for every €40 purchased and 5 stamps are required to fill a card. We need to fill 300 cards to be entered into a draw. Our unique ID number is 10209. Please contact Noreen to return any completed cards on 087 2858375.
General club notes
The club sends its sincere condolences to Mick Mills and his family on the sad passing of his brother Brendan who passed away in Kilkenny on Sat 28 Feb. Full details of funeral arrangements on RIP.ie. Ar Dheis De, go raibh a anam dilis.
We have still have some "Macs in a Sac" rain jackets and fleeces for sale. €15.Contact Noreen 0872858375. Limited stock remaining.
Birthday greetings - Zac Keogh, Max Kehoe, Sean Lambe, Adam Humphries, Dara Richardson, Stephen Byrne, Robert Jacob, Megan Stynes, Aoibeann Bailey, Daniel Connors, Florin Veres,
Remember to keep updated on what is happening in the Club log on www.blessington.gaa.ie or Facebook. We have a new Club Text Phone for all alerts on Fixtures, Lotto and Club Events, if you wish to be added please text the phone 085 1607808 with your name, you must be 18 or over to receive the texts.
If anyone would like to have anything included in the notes, please email or text Noreen by 8pm on Sunday night. [email protected] 0872858375.
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