St. Pat’s Victorious at Allianz Tráth na gCeist
Bhi craic agus ceisteanna againn i Lynhams oíche Déardaoin seo chaite. Over one hundred pupils from all over the county made the trip to Laragh for the annual Allianz Cumann na mBunscol, Tráth na gCeist. Lynham’s did brilliantly to accommodate us again as the event continues to grow in popularity year on year. Twenty-seven teams competed across eight rounds, racking their brains to dredge up past players, managers and generally obscure knowledge. In the end, St. Patrick’s NS, Wicklow Town came out on top for the first time in well over a decade. They scored a total of 59 points on the night. Second place was decided by a tie break question, as both Roundwood NS and Kilcoole PS were tied on 57 points, and it was the Roundwood school who pipped it. A huge thanks must go to the schools who donated ever so generously to our raffle, with a huge haul of GAA equipment, and the odd bit of chocolate being brought home by many young pupils. The teachers present on the night were flat out handing out the prizes, on top of collecting, correcting and updating the scores. Tá buíochas ar leith ag dul dóibh as a gcúnamh. Finally, thanks to all the parents who brought the young stars to Laragh, on a dark and uninviting November evening. Go raibh maith agaibh as bhur dtacaíocht leanúnach.
Huge Turnout at Boys Blitz
Following the disappointment of having September’s blitz cancelled due to poor weather conditions the 5th and 6th class boys of the North East were truly chomping at the bit to get going on November 9th last. Luckily, we were blessed with a fine day this time around. The turnout was huge with 37 teams participating on the day. It was great to see the wide range of schools in attendance giving their boys the opportunity to pull on their school jerseys and take part in this participation blitz. Many thanks to Bray Emmets, Willie Braine and all the schools and team mentors who helped make the day possible.
Hurling and Camogie Young Whistlers Trained Up
Allianz Cumann na mBunscol held a Young Whistlers referee course for Hurling and Camogie in the North East of the county on Wednesday November 8th in Kilcoole Primary School. The participants were made up of mature, responsible 5th and 6th class boys and girls who share a passion for hurling and are interested in learning more about refereeing.
The coaching session was led by North East GDA (Games Development Administrator), Conor Daly, who engaged the group in discussion about the basic rules of the game and how best to communicate those rules to players, coaches and spectators alike. There was a high level of genuine interest from participants, as evident from the very pertinent questions asked. It is heartening to see the next generation of young whistlers begin their refereeing journey, as without referees, we have no game! Thank you to all the boys and girls who volunteered and we look forward to seeing you refereeing your local hurling and camogie games in the future!
Course participants: Emmie McClurg, Kody Burnett Murphy (St. Fergal’s Bray), Annamai Gaskin Kelly (Roundwood NS), Lucie Carey, Dina Rizo (Gaelscoil Chill Mhantáin), Tom O’Riordan, Rachel Merriman (Kilcoole PS), John Hogan, Ben Sweeney, Joseph Purdy, Jack Taylor (St Cronan’s, Bray).
Some reasons for getting involved in refereeing (children’s answers):
Interested in GAA
Want to learn the rules better
Have fun
What does a good referee look like (children’s answers):
Be fair and firm.
Like to be fair to both teams.
Know rules.
Explain to players what they did wrong.
North-East Wicklow Fixtures
*3rd & 4th GIRLS BLITZ RESCHEDULED – 15th November*
The rescheduled Girls’ Football Participation Blitz for 3rd & 4th class will take place on WEDNESDAY 15th November in Bray Emmets GAA Club.
Please note an earlier start time for the Blitz this year – 10:30am.
We kindly ask schools to arrive 15 minutes earlier in order to start the Blitz at 10:30am.
Young Whistlers are welcome to attend to assist with refereeing on the day.
Team Mentors are asked to support the Young Whistlers with refereeing. Team Mentors may be needed to referee as well.
Matches will be 9 a-side.
Matches will follow the 2-touch rule (1 hop, 1 solo; 2 solos).
Points only
Date: WEDNESDAY 15th NOVEMBER
Time: 10:30am
Location: Bray Emmets GAA Club.
Please let Ronan Keddy (Oifigeach Peil na mBan) know via email/WhatsApp (086 3021594) by Tuesday 14th November if your school will be in attendance and, if so, how many teams you will be sending. Please also let him know if you are sending Young Whistlers.
*3rd & 4th BOYS BLITZ RESCHEDULED – 16th November*
The rescheduled Boys Football Participation Blitz for 3rd & 4th class will take place on THURSDAY 16th November in Bray Emmets GAA Club.
Please note an earlier start time for the Blitz this year – 10:30am.
We kindly ask schools to arrive 15 minutes earlier in order to start the Blitz at 10:30am.
Young Whistlers are welcome to attend to assist with refereeing on the day.
Team Mentors are asked to support the Young Whistlers with refereeing. Team Mentors may be needed to referee as well.
Matches will be 9 a-side.
Matches will follow the 2-touch rule (1 hop, 1 solo; 2 solos).
Points only
Date: THURSDAY 16th NOVEMBER
Time: 10:30am
Location: Bray Emmets GAA Club.
Please let Áine Quinn know via email/WhatsApp (086 8803729) by Wednesday 15th November if your school will be in attendance and, if so, how many teams you will be sending. Please also let her know if you are sending Young Whistlers.
South Wicklow Fixtures
1st and 2nd Class Indoor Girls Football in Aughrim
Please fill out the form below to register your interest in your school participating in the 1st and 2nd class girls indoor football blitz planned for 16th November 2023 in Aughrim. The focus for the day is on participation so this will not be a competitive blitz. Smaller schools may decide to group together with another small school. Teams will be 7 aside.
Registration will be open until Monday 13th November at 3pm.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvudoHWnttXjpjv3RVQG4PLw5HM1tGy4uzPOmGgMQFkTKw0Q/viewform
Allianz 1st and 2nd Class Boys Football – Indoor Thursday 23rd November at 10:30am in Aughrim Community Hall. 9-a-side.
West Wicklow Fixtures
Friday 24th November Boys’ 3rd/4th Football 9 aside Dunlavin
Friday 1st December Girls’ 3rd/4th Football 9 aside Baltinglass
Please contact Cormac Noone for football (086 7013403) or Conor Daly (086 0442762) for hurling to confirm if you will be taking part.
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
