Great Turnout at Young Whistlers

Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Chill Mhantáin held a Young Whistlers referee course for Gaelic football in the North East of the county on Wednesday September 28th in KilcoolePrimary School. There was a great turnout, with eleven different school represented on the day. The participants were made up of mature, responsible 6th class boys and girls who share a passion for Gaelic football and are interested in learning more about refereeing.

The coaching session was led by North East GDA (Games Development Administrator) Garrett Doyle, 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 6th class boys and girls who volunteered and we look forward to seeing you refereeing your local Gaelic football games in the future!

Some reasons for getting involved in refereeing (childrens’ answers):

Interested in GAA

Want to learn the rules better

Have fun

What does a good referee look like (childrens’ answers):

Be fair and firm.

Like to be fair to both teams.

Know rules.

Explain to players what they did wrong.

Course participants: Ezra Doyle-Matthews (St Cronans, Bray), George Donnelly (St Cronans, Bray), Ruairi O’Brien(Kilcoole PS), Ronan O’Brien (Kilcoole PS), OrnaghMcDermott (Kilcoole PS), Saoirse Byrne (Moneystown NS), Jack Magee (Moneystown NS), Cillian Mac an Airchinnigh(Scoil Chualainn), Kate MacNamara (Greystones CNS), Tom Malone (Greystones CNS), Jack Campbell (Roundwood NS), Niamh Carpenter (Roundwood NS), Jack Gavin (Newtown PS), Clara Kirwan (Newtown PS), Jasper Kitson (Réalt naMara, Brittas Bay), April Donohoe, (Réalt na Mara), Niamh Holohan (St Brigids, Greystones), Sal Maxwell (St Brigids, Greytones), Sean Minto (Kilmacanogue NS), Eva Morgan (Kilmacanogue NS), Kate McGillicuddy (Greystones ET) and Arlo Thompson (Greystones ET).

Boys Football Kicks Off the Year in Style in Bray and Ballinakill

Thursday, 29th September saw some fine footballing talent in the 5th and 6th Class Boys Allianz Football Participation Blitz in both Bray Emmets and Ballinakill.  It was a sunny autumnal day and conditions were perfect for playing fast-paced and entertaining football.  The beauty of participation blitzes is that teams play in a non-competitive environment which encourages an atmosphere of teamwork and creativity, but most of all joy in playing the game.

In Bray Emmets 21 teams represented their twelve schools with pride and the pitches were a hum of activity for the afternoon. Thankfully we were blessed with a dry day and the boys made the most of the opportunity to practise their skills. Huge thanks to Bray Emmets for hosting the event and to retired teacher Dave Barry for setting up the pitches. We are also very grateful to referees, Ella, Orla, Luke, Josh and Éanna who helped to keep proceedings running smoothly in a very fair and friendly manner.

Participating teams: St. Peter’s Bray, St.Fergal’s Bray, St. Cronan’s Bray (2), Kilmacanogue NS (2), Newtownmountkennedy (2), Kilcoole (1), Scoil na CoroineMhuire Ashford (2), Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath (2), Greystones Educate Together (3), Gaelscoil Uí Chéadaigh (2), Holy Rosary Wicklow (2), St. Brigid’s Greystones (1), Greystones CNS.

Participating teams in Ballinakill: Annacurra, Laragh, Ballycoog, Avoca, Moneystown, Shillelagh, Gaelscoil an Inbhear Mór, Carnew, St. John’s SNS, Aughrim, Nun’s Cross, Brittas, Bearna Chlé.

The Future of Camogie is Bright with Super Skills on Show in Bray and Aughrim

There was a great day of camogie held on the 6th October in both Bray Emmets and Aughrim.  

In Bray the schools represented included St. Pat’s Wicklow, St. Peter’s, Gaelscoil na gCloch Liath, Kilcoole Primary School and three Greystones schools (Greystones Educate Together, Greystones Community National School and St. Brigid’s) teamed up to field two teams.

In Aughrim the schools represented included Crossbridge, Annacurra/Ballycoog, Aughrim, Avoca, Carnew​

All the girls showed great skills, rising the ball, catching and blocking.  The future of camogie in Wicklow is an exciting one with these girls involved.

Boys’ Allianz Hurling Blitz Days Coming up in Bray Emmets and Aughrim​

The Boys’ Allianz Hurling Participation Blitz for 5th & 6th will take place on Thursday 13th October in both Bray Emmets (North/East Wicklow) and Aughrim (South Wicklow).  

North/East:

Date: Thursday 13th October

Time: 11:45 am 

Location: Bray Emmets GAA Club 

Teams: Matches will be 9 a-side but can be adjusted depending on the numbers of both teams.

Please let Brendan Doyle (Hurling Officer) know via email or WhatsApp message to 086 0782403 by Tuesday 11thOctober if your school will be in attendance and, if so, how many teams you will be sending.  

Exact details & fixtures will be sent the day before the blitz once we have all the teams that are participating.  Please note team mentors may be needed to referee some games. 

South

Date: Thursday 13th October

Location: Aughrim

Teams: 7 a-side

Please contact Padraig Murphy if interested in attending using the following link:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKJioYz3m_UmA3QDmlSHwAKx3AmpJLb3aZ_KWcflzHumpjpQ/viewform

Wicklow Times Participation Day (3rd and 4th Class Girls Football)

20th October at 11.45 a.m. in Bray GAA grounds – Girls’ football blitz, nine-a-side and no age limit.  Points only. Young Whistlers can be used.

Allianz Football Participation Day (3rd and 4th Class Boys)

27th October at 11.45 a.m. in Bray GAA grounds. Boys’ football blitz, nine-a-side and no age limit. Points only. Young Whistlers can be used.

Allianz Tráth na gCeist is on the 10th November​

It’s time to get those thinking caps on again as the annual Cumann na mBunscol Tráth na gCéist is coming up.  It will take place on Thursday 10th November at 7.30 p.m. in Lynham’s Hotel in Laragh.  Any school that is interested in attending should contact Billy Cuddihy by email (cuddihybilly@gmail.com) by Friday the 25th of October. There is a maximum of 4 pupils per team (no subs allowed sit with a team) and each school is allowed to bring up to three teams if they wish. Parents may attend but seating has been limited in the past.  Each school is asked to bring some small GAA related prizes for the raffle on the night. It is always an enjoyable night and we look forward to seeing you there.

Wicklow Times Participation Day (5th and 6th Class Girls Football)

This day, which had to be cancelled due to the bad weatherhas been rescheduled for the 10th November at 11:45 a.m. in Bray Emmets – Girls’ football blitz, nine-a-side and no age limit.  Points only

Points of Interest from National General September Meeting

Rúnaí Brian Cornyn and PRO Pamela McDermott attended as the Wicklow delegates at the National Allianz Cumann namBunscol General September Meeting in Jury’s Croke Park Hotel on Saturday 24th September. The room buzzed with enthusiasm as primary school teachers made plans for a full year of Cumann na mBunscol activity. Cumann namBunscol’s aim is to make Gaelic games the games of choice for boys and girls in Ireland’s primary schools, and very often is the case that it is in the primary school that children get their first introduction to Gaelic games and subsequently go on to join their local club and possibly play for their county.

Some of the points to note included that:

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 namBunscol news in Wicklow on our website www.cnmbwicklow.ie