Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin

Feast of Football at the Wicklow Times Shield Day!

Bray Emmets GAA club hosted Day 2 of the Girls Football Wicklow Times Shield for girls in 5th and 6th class last Thursday, 18^th April. 18 schools participated with 29 teams in total competing across the 6 divisions. The participating schools were: Scoil Chualann, Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh, St Peters, Ravenswell, St Brigids, St Laurences, St Kevins, Greystones ETNS, Greystones CNS, Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, Kilcoole PS, Newtown PS, Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin, St Coens, Scoil na Coroine Mhurie Ashford, Wicklow ETNS, Holy Rosary and Kilmacanogue NS. Over 300 girls playing Gaelic Football on the one day is a testament to the promotion of Gaelic Football in our clubs and schools. The skill level of the players was great to witness with excellent scores being taken. Each team played a minimum of three games. There were 6 divisions and the top two teams in each division contested a final. The Division 1 final was played between Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh and St Brigids, Greystones. After a great game of football, Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh were victorious and took home the Wicklow Times Sheild for 2024. The results from the other divisions are as follows: Division 2 Winners Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin 1, Runners-up Newtown 1. Division 3 Winners Kilcoole PS, Runners-up Holy Rosary 1. Division 4 winners Wicklow ETNS, Runners-up Gaaelscoil Chill Mhatáin 2. Division 5 winners Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath 2, Runners up Newtown 2. Division 6 winners Holy Rosary 2, Runners -up Greystones CNS. Thank you to all the referees and to Bray Emmets for assisting in the set-up of the pitches and hosting the blitz. Thanks to all the schools for participating on the day and supporting the Cumann na mBunscol activity.

County INTO Skills Challenge Final Winners, Croke Park Awaits

The annual Cumann na mBunscol Wicklow Skills Challenge County Final took place in Ballinakill on 17^th April. The winners were as follows:

Boys Football: Eoghan Fitzgerald (St. Mary’s SNS, Blessington)

Girls Football: Niamh Ní Churáin (Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh), Leah Kinsella (Scoil Naomh Bríd, Knockananna)

Hurling: Bobby Murphy (Scoil Naomh Bríd, Knockananna), Conal Bairéid (Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath)

Camogie: Laci Graham (St. Patrick’s NS, Bearna Chlé)

Huge congratulations! These top performing pupils will have the opportunity to represent their school and county during the half-time of selected All Ireland Series games during the summer. We hope they have a fantastic and memorable day out.

Regional INTO Skills Challenge Winners

The Skills Challenge took place in regional venues on the week schools returned after the Easter break. On the 9^th April the North East qualifiers were held in Bray Emmets. Those who qualified in Bray included:

Girls Football: Niamh Fanning (Roundwood NS), Niamh Ní Churáin (Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh)

Boys Football: Ronan Merrigan (St. Coen’s), Paddy Mac Sheáin (Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath)

Camogie: Ali Rae De Rá (Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh), Roisín Ní hAnnaidh (Scoil Chualann)

Hurling: Conal Bairéid (Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath), James Doherty (St. Cronan’s)

On the10^th April the South qualifiers were held in Ballinakill. Those who qualified included:

Girls Football: Cáit Duffy (St. Brigid’s, Annacurra), Leah Kinsella (Scoil Naomh Bríd, Knockananna)

Boys Football: Alex Ward (Kilcommon NS), Ollie Madigan (St. Patrick’s NS, Bearna Chlé)

Camogie: Laci Graham (St. Patrick’s NS, Bearna Chlé), Sadhbh Ní Éigeartaigh (Ballycoog NS)

Hurling: Henry Doyle (St. Saviour’s NS, Rathdrum), Bobby Murphy (Scoil Naomh Bríd, Knockananna)

On the 11^th April the West qualifiers were held in Blessington. Those who qualified included:

Girls Football: Isabelle Fadian (Scoil Niocláis Naofa), Lauren Mann (Scoil Naomh Iósaf, Baltinglass)

Boys Football: Eoghan Fitzgerald (St. Mary’s SNS, Blessington), Evan Miley (Scoil Niocláis Naofa)

Camogie: Lucy Doyle (Rathcoyle NS), Ella O’Toole (Rathcoyle)

Hurling: Cian Harrington (St. Mary’s SNS Blessington), Harry Keogh (Scoil Naomh Bríd, Talbotstown).

Wicklow Represented at Half Time Against Westmeath

Well done to the boys who represented themselves, their schools and their county so well at half time against Westmeath in O’Moore Park on Sunday 7^th April.  The team was a mixture from schools across the county: B. McCoy, K. McCoy (Scoil Chaoimhín Naofa, Glendalough), E. Miley, C. Grace (Scoil Nicoláis Naofa, Dunlavin), J. Byrne, A. McCarron (St. Laurence’s, Greystones), C. O’Brien, R. Scully (Greystones Community National School), and D. Butler, B. Morrissey (Holy Rosary, Wicklow town). A memory the boys will always have to cherish.

North/East

Rounders Training Course for Teachers on 29^th April

There will be a Rounders training course for teachers on Monday the 29^th April, from 1:30 p.m. (sharp) until 3 p.m., in Rathnew AFC. Rounders is a fun, inclusive game which is one of the four official GAA codes. As part of the course, teachers will be provided with the basic rules of rounders as well as drills which can be used in schools with pupils. A short game of rounders will also be played on the day, providing real time practice and thus, the opportunity to ask questions on aspects of the game too.

Similar to the blitz format of the Cumann na mBunscol, it is hoped that a rounders blitz would be organised at some stage in the future or schools could organise games between neighbouring schools. If you have any questions, feel free to email Chloe (chloedoyle9@gmail.com) or Helena (helenanidhuill@gmail.com).

Looking forward to a good turnout on the 29^th April.

Boys’ Football Allianz Coughlan Cup Day 2 Rescheduled for May 2nd

Unfortunately, this event had to be postponed as the pitches in Bray Emmets were closed due to the weather conditions. It has now been rescheduled for Thursday 2^nd May in Bray Emmets.

West Wicklow

3^rd and 4^th Class Boys Football in Hollywood

On the 19^th April there was a 3^rd and 4^th Class Boys Football Blitz held in Hollywood. Schools represented included Hollywood, Dunlavin, St. Mary’s, Baltinglass, Donard, Gaelscoil na Lochanna, Tynock, Stratford and Knockananna.

Lots of Activity in the West for Girls

There was a 3^rd and 4^th Class Girls Blitz held in Dunlavin. The blitz was made up of teams from Baltinglass, Dunlavin, Donard, Hollywood, Gaelscoil na lochanna and St. Mary’s in Blessington

Then last week there was a 5th and 6th class Girls Blitz in Baltinglass where Baltinglass, Hollywood, Knockananna, Dunlavin and Valleymount competed.

Upcoming Fixtures

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.

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