Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin

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 5^th and 6^th 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, 11^th 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.

Wicklow to the Fore in Cornmarket National Award Nominations

The good news filtered through recently that Wicklow is featuring heavily in the Cornmarket National Award nominations. Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin has been nominated in two award categories, namely the ‘Allianz PR’ award and the ‘Social Media’ award; and as well as this St. Laurence’s O’Toole NS Roundwood has also been nominated in the ‘School of the Year’ and ‘Promotion of Gaelic Games and Culture’ categories. This is a super achievement for the Garden County in this 32-county competition. The Cornmarket National Awards will be held in Mullingar on March 8^th. We wish all involved the best of luck as they fly the flag for Wicklow.

Girls’ Wicklow Times Shield Day 1 on the 7^th March

Thursday 7^th March at 10:30am in Bray – 11-a-side.

Points only, goalkeeper. 3 points for a point, 1 point for a goal.

Day 1 of the Allianz sponsored Cumann na mBunscol Wicklow Times Shield takes place on Thursday 7th March in Bray Emmets GAA Grounds at 10.30am. We kindly ask schools to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier in order to start the Blitz at 10:30am.

This is an 11-a-side girls football tournament for 5th and 6th class, no age limit, goalkeeper, with 3 points awarded for a score over the bar and 1 point awarded into the net (the emphasis on point scoring).

Date: Thursday 7th March

Time: 10.30am

Location: Bray Emmets GAA Club

Rules: 11-aside, goalkeeper, 3 points awarded for over the bar, 1 point awarded for under the bar.

Please let Ronan Keddy, Oifigeach Peil na gCailíní know via email/WhatsApp (086 3021594) no later than Tuesday 5th March if your school will be in attendance and, if so, how many teams you will be sending.

The results from Day 1 will be used to grade and assign teams to a particular division for Day 2 of the competition which will take place on Thursday 21st March. Trophies and medals will be awarded to the winners of each division on Day 2 of the competition.

Please note Cumann na mBunscol blitzes are all teacher-led events – team mentors are needed to make themselves available to referee games in some circumstances. We also ask all schools to assist with tidying up pitches at the end of the blitz i.e. goals moved to sidelines, poles & cones collected & returned to container by astro.

Schools must be registered with Cumann na mBunscol to participate in Cumann na mBunscol activities.

North/East Fixtures for April

Boys’ Football Allianz Coughlan Cup Day 2        

11^th 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

18^th 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 1^st and 2^nd Class Girls Indoor Football in Aughrim

Well done to all the schools who attended the 1^st and 2^nd Class Girls Indoor Football Blitz in Aughrim on 22^nd 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.

1^st and 2^nd Class Boys Showed Their Footballing Skills

On the 29^th February it was the turn of the 1^st and 2^nd 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.

West Wicklow

5^th and 6^th 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.
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 thanks to Jonathan Daniels GDA, Michael Moran Dunlavin NS & JP Moran Blessington GAA for assisting and refereeing.

Upcoming Fixtures

*7^th March      3^rd & 4^th class Girls                                         Football          Dunlavin

*21^st March     5^th & 6^th class Girls                                         Football          Baltinglass

12^th April        5^th & 6^th class Small Schools (MIXED)         Football          Stratford

19^th April        3rd & 4^th class Boys                                       Football          Hollywood

3^rd May           5^th & 6^th class (MIXED)                                 Hurling           Kiltegan

17^th May          3^rd & 4^th class Small Schools (MIXED)         Football          Hollywood

24^th May          3rd & 4^th class (MIXED)                                Hurling           Dunlavin

7^th June            2^nd 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 8^th of March, and the 22^nd 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