Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin
Four National Awards go to the Garden County
On March 8th all roads led to the centre of the country to Mullingar for the National Cornmarket Cumann na mBunscol Awards. These awards are like the Oscars for primary school teachers involved in the promotion of Gaelic games in their schools and counties. The glitz, glamour and nail biting were all evident as teachers from the 32 counties were present as the awards were announced in order from 3rd place to 1st place. Wicklow Cumann na mBunscol was announced as the first winners of the night as it scooped 1st place for its Social Media presence and then 2nd place for Public Relations. St. Laurence O’Toole’s, Roundwood also came away with 2 awards on the night, 3rd place in the Promotion of Gaelic Games and Culture category and 3rd place in Large School of the Year. What a night for the Garden County! A large group were present on the night from St. Laurence O’Toole’s to claim their well-earned prizes and Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin were represented by Cathaoirleach Ciara Fagan, Cisteoir Éamonn Hughes and PRO Pam McDermott. This is a fantastic achievement for Wicklow to be so highly represented nationally. Well done to all, huge congratulations!
Great Turnout at Day 1 of the Girls’ Wicklow Times Shield
Bray Emmets was the venue for Day 1 of the Wicklow Times Shield on the 7th March. There was a fantastic turnout and a high level of skill on show. Games were 11 a-side with 3 points awarded for a point and 1 for a goal. The standard of play was high with some fine point taking as well as super defensive skills. Schools represented on the day included Holy Rosary, Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin, St. Brigid’s, Greystones Educate Together, St. Coen’s, Ashford, St. Pat’s, Roundwood, St. Laurence’s, Nuns Cross, St. Peter’s, Wicklow Educate Together, Newtown, Ravenswell, Scoil Chualann, Kilmacanogue, Kilcoole Primary School, St. Kevin’s and Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath. Day 2 will take place on the 18th April.
350 Boys Show Great Teamwork and Football Skills
Successful Day 1 of the Allianz Coughlan Cup
What a way to spend the extra day! The extra leap year day of 2024 will live long in the memories of the 5th and 6th class boys of North East Wicklow who took part in Day 1 of the annual Allianz Coughlan Cup competition on Thursday last. Bray Emmets was the venue and a hive of activity for a blissful two hours – over 350 boys revelling in the opportunity to represent their schools in Gaelic football, developing both their team work and football skills.
We could scarcely have been luckier with the weather conditions – a beautiful spring morning greeted the 31 teams representing their 19 schools from across the region. Hard to believe the snow storm that lay ahead the next day!
Thanks as ever to Bray Emmets, Dave Barry, referees and the many volunteers who made the day possible. Some impressive kick passing caught the eye and many commented on the wonderful sense of comradery and respectful attitudes among the participating boys. Well done to all!
Our appetites are truly whetted for Day 2 of the competition which will take place on Thursday, 11th April, Bray Emmets.
Participating schools: Kilmacanogue NS, St. Brigid’s, St. Laurences, Greystones ETNS, St. Cronan’s, Ravenswell, Kilcoole, St. Peters, Newtown, Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, Holy Rosary, Ashford, Gaelscoil Cill Mhantáin, Roundwood, St. Kevins, St Coens, Nuns Cross, St Pats, and Scoil Chualann.
North/East Fixtures for April
Boys’ Football Allianz Coughlan Cup Day 2
11th April at 10:30am in Bray Emmets – 11-a-side.
Points only, goalkeeper. 3 points for a point, 1 point for a goal.
Girls’ Wicklow Times Shield Day 2
18th April at 10:30am in Bray Emmets – 11-a-side.
Points only, goalkeeper. 3 points for a point, 1 point for a goal.
INTO Skills Challenge Dates and Information
The annual Cumann na mBunscol Wicklow Skills competition will take place in regional venues on the week beginning April 8th.
· North/East Skills Competition – Tuesday April 9th in Bray Emmets.
· South Skills Competition – Wednesday April 10th in Ballinakill.
· West Skills Competition – Thursday April 11th in Blessington.
o Boys Football and Hurling Skills Test @10:30am
o Girls Football and Camogie Skills Test @12:00pm
· County Final in Ballinakill – Wednesday April 17th
*Please note – any teachers in attendance will be required to assist in the marking of tests.
Skills Test Enrollment Form (now online ONLY – please see link below)
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVlojU9aTaFewSDvpXghT_uNjR1lzUEyuQ02CecFWM0FGwBg/viewform
Please fill out the online Google Form by Friday 22nd March when enrolling players into the Skills Test competition. This helps the GDAs organise the smooth running of events as it provides them with key details in terms of names, numbers etc in advance.
Age Restrictions
Please take particular notice of the age restriction regarding this event. Note that the age limit has changed and is now the same for all schools regardless of enrolment numbers.
Participants must be Born on or after January 1st 2012
Each school is permitted to send 2 representatives per code to compete in
· Gaelic Football (boys)
· Gaelic Football (girls)
· Hurling
· Camogie
Each pupil will only be permitted to compete in one code.
If a child has represented Wicklow in Croke Park previously in any code they cannot take part at any level of the skills test again e.g. regional skills day etc.
The top 2 pupils in each code from each area will be invited to compete in the County Skill Tests scheduled for Wednesday April 17th in Wicklow GAA Centre of Excellence, Ballinakill.
The top performing pupils in the County Skills tests will have the opportunity to represent their school and county during the half-time of selected All Ireland Series games during the summer.
It is encouraged that each school host their own internal tests to aid selection of their representatives before forwarding them to the regional skill tests.
South Wicklow
A Great Day Out at the 1st and 2nd Class Girls Indoor Football in Aughrim
Well done to all the schools who attended the 1st and 2nd Class Girls Indoor Football Blitz in Aughrim on 22nd February. This was a 7 a-side blitz with unlimited subs. Schools represented included Coolafancy, Aughrim, Laragh, Kilcommon, Crossbridge, Our Lady’s Rathdrum, St. Saviours and Tinahely.
1st and 2nd Class Boys Showed Their Footballing Skills
On the 29th February it was the turn of the 1st and 2nd Class Boys to take centre stage in Aughrim. A great day was had by all who attended. Schools represented included Shillelagh, St. Saviour’s, Bearna Chlé, Kilcommon, Crossbridge, Laragh, Aughrim and Tinahely.
Junior and Senior Infant Introduction to GAA Day
Junior and Senior Infants from schools across the south of the county attended an ‘Introduction to Gaelic Games’ Day on the 7th March. It was wonderful to see the joy on the faces of children as they threw, caught and kicked balloons so they could experience success, used hurlógs, jumped over hurdles and crawled through tunnels; all activities chosen to develop their fundamental movement skills, skills essential to Gaelic games.
West Wicklow
5th and 6th Class Boys Had a Great Day Out in Blessington
Blessington GAA was the venue for a West Wicklow Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Football Blitz for 5th and 6th class boys on Friday 23rd February. 86 boys enjoyed the fresh conditions with each school team playing at least 4 games. Some great football was played with the emphasis being placed on foot passing with extended pitches and there was some great kicking on display.
Dunlavin, Donard, Valleymount, Hollywood, St Mary’s SNS Blessington, Blessington Educate Together, and Blessington No1 schools took part.
Thanks to Cormac Noone GDA for organising and to Blessington GAA for the use of their pitches. Thanks also to Jonathan Daniels GDA, Michael Moran Dunlavin NS and JP Moran Blessington GAA for assisting and refereeing.
Dunlavin hosted 3rd and 4th Class Girls Blitz
Dunlavin Gaa grounds was the venue for a very successful day of football for 3rd and 4th class girls in West Wicklow on Thursday 7th March. Well done to the girls from Baltinglass, Hollywood, Dunlavin, Donard, Gaelscoil na Lochanna and St Mary’s SNS, Blessington who all had a great morning practising their skills and having fun with their school mates. Thanks to Dunlavin for hosting and Cormac Nooone GDA for coordinating. We also had great help from local TY students who ably refereed the matches.
Upcoming Fixtures
*21st March 5th & 6th class Girls Football Baltinglass
12th April 5th & 6th class Small Schools (MIXED) Football Stratford
19th April 3rd & 4th class Boys Football Hollywood
3rd May 5th & 6th class (MIXED) Hurling Kiltegan
17th May 3rd & 4th class Small Schools (MIXED) Football Hollywood
24th May 3rd & 4th class (MIXED) Hurling Dunlavin
7th June 2nd class (MIXED) Football Blessington
Blitzes to take place on Fridays with throw in at 11am, please arrive in advance of this.
*Note that these two blitzes take place on Thursdays with the referendum on the 8th of March, and the 22nd being the last day before mid-term.
For any questions, please contact Cormac Noone (086 7013403) in relation to football and Conor Daly (086 0442762) for hurling.
Please send results, reports or photos to pro.cnmb.wicklow@gaa.ie, follow us on twitter/Instagram @cnmbwicklow Keep up-to-date with all Allianz Cumann na mBunscol news in Wicklow on our website www.cnmbwicklow.ie
