50 Bliain ag Fás

The 24^th November was a night to remember for Allianz Cumann na mBunscol when guest of honour Brian Cody launched the ‘Caoga Bliain ag Fás’ book which documents the history of Cumann na mBunscol since its foundation in 1971. The book has been a project for the last 3 years for authors Ciarán Crowe and Cathaoirleach Joe Lyons. Every county in the country is represented and it would be an excellent stocking filler for Christmas and a good read for the long winter evenings. Wicklow Cumann na mBunscol was represented on the night by Ciara Fagan, Andrew Cornyn and Jim O’Riordán.  For anyone who is interested the direct link (hardback) is:

https://www.omahonys.ie/50-bliain-ag-f%C3%A1s-50-years-of-gaelic-games-in-primary-schools-p-10573958.html

and (paperback) is:

https://www.omahonys.ie/50-bliain-ag-f%C3%A1s-50-years-of-gaelic-games-in-primary-schools-p-10573951.html

National Awards – Closing Date is 10^th January

The Cumann na mBunscol Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday 8^th March at the Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar Co Westmeath.  The AGM will take place the following morning on Saturday 9^th March at 11.00am, also in the Mullingar Park Hotel.

Please see link below with the Awards Booklet which confirms categories, etc.  Please note that the closing date for submission of awards entries is Wednesday 10^th January 2024.

https://www.cnmbnaisiunta.com/cmsfiles/items/downloads/1-CornmarketAwardsBooklet2024.pdf

North-East Wicklow

3rd & 4th Class Girls Show their Footballing Talents!

The rescheduled 3rd & 4th class Girls Participation Blitz took place in Bray Emmets GAA Club on Wednesday 8th November in sunny and dry conditions. 30 teams from various schools participated on the day with each team playing four matches. The matches were very competitive with lots of great footballing talent on display. There were no goalkeepers so the emphasis was on point-taking to score. Many examples of great shooting were on view for all the spectators to see. A huge thank you to our Young Whistlers from 5th & 6th class who came along to assist with refereeing the matches. Many of these children recently completed a Young Whistler Course. Well done all!

The day of matches was a great success and it was very encouraging to see over 300 girls participating in the blitz. Well done to all schools who were involved and who are promoting Gaelic Games in their schools. The participating schools were; Newtownmountkennedy PS, St Brigids, St Laurences, Greystones ETNS, Greystones Community School, Gaelscoil Clocha Liatha, Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, Roundwood NS, Scoil Na Coroine Mhuire Ashford, Nun’s Cross, Gaelscoil Chill Mhántáin, St Patricks WW Town, St Peters, Holy Rosary and Kilmacanogue NS.

27 Teams at 3^rd and 4^th Class Boys Football Blitz
There was great excitement on Thursday 16th November as the much-anticipated rescheduled 3rd & 4th class boys’ participation football blitz got under way. For many of the boys it was their first experience of an Allianz Cumann na mBunscol blitz and they certainly made the most of the opportunity with a fine array of skills and team work on display. The turnout on the day was very positive with 27 teams representing 12 different schools. A special word of thanks and praise for the many Young Whistlers who assisted with refereeing at the blitz. All the Young Whistlers went about their task in a very fair, friendly and assured manner. It was heartening to see the next generation of Young Whistlers begin their refereeing journey as without referees we have no game. Thanks as always to Bray Emmets and Dave Barry for hosting and setting up pitches. Well done to all the players, mentors and Young Whistlers who made this day such a success.

Schools represented: Kilmacanogue NS (2), Newtown (2), Ashford (3), St. Laurence’s (5), St. Cronan’s (2), Nuns Cross (2), Greystones Community National School (2), Greystones Educate Together (3), St. Brigid’s, St. Peter’s, Holy Rosary (2), Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath (2).

South Wicklow

Super Days Out at the 1st and 2nd Class Indoor Boys and Girls Football in Aughrim

Well done to all the schools who participated in the recent indoor blitzes for 1^st and 2^nd class boys and girls held in Aughrim. Special mention to the Young Whistlers who took charge on the day, it was great to see you putting skills learned into action.

Girls’ teams: St. Saviour’s, Tinahely, Annacurra/Ballycoog, Laragh, Nuns Cross and Aughrim.

Boys’ teams: Aughrim, Bearna Chlé, Nuns Cross, Annacurra, Ballycoog/Annacurra, St. Saviour’s, Kilcommon, Crossbridge, Rathdrum, Laragh and Tinahely.

Young Whistlers Whistle Ready in the South

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol held a Young Whistlers referee course in Aughrim for children in the south of the county.  Well done to all the boys and girls who volunteered to be trained up as Young Whistlers and we look forward to seeing you refereeing games in your locality in the future.

West Wicklow Fixtures

Friday 1^st December               Girls’ 3^rd/4^th Football 9 aside              Baltinglass

Please contact Cormac Noone for football (086 7013403) or Conor Daly (086 0442762) for hurling if interested.

Please note: Each blitz is scheduled to have an 11am throw-in. Blitzes would generally be finished by 12.30pm. Number of players on a team can be slightly altered to accommodate different schools. Size of school will be factored in on the fixtures as much as possible for fairness. Blitzes will remain as participation games.

Please send results, reports or photos to pro.cnmb.wicklow@gaa.ie, follow us on twitter @cnmbwicklow Keep up-to-date with all Allianz Cumann na mBunscol news in Wicklow on our website www.cnmbwicklow.ie