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Date	2010-03-08

INTERMEDIATE FOOTBALL The venue for the Éire Óg v Kilcoole 2009 League game was in a state of flux up to well after lunchtime on the day of the game. The original choice was Roundwood but, because of the state of the pitch, this was ruled out as were subsequently a number of other venues. When Kilcoole sportingly agreed to play on our home patch we were, thankfully, spared the totally undesirable option of a postponement. In other days the confusion sown by such uncertainty would have greatly restricted the number of spectators at the game. But buíochas to the modern means of communication, the information texted, twittered and blogged its way around Greystones and Kilcoole and the match had by far the biggest ever attendance at an event in the Éire Óg grounds. The late notification called for an “all hands on deck” approach to the preparing of the pitch. A call answered by Ray, son Johnny, Patsy, Anto (capt.), Philip, Gerry, Fergus and his brother Johnnie, all of whom laboured mightily in the spills of the cold afternoon rain to have everything in readiness. Spectator interest clearly indicated that much was expected of this local derby as a contest and the large contingent from Kilcoole was a clear indication that the “goosebankers” were in Greystones with intent. Happily the match lived up to expectations and we were treated to an all-action sporting event which excited with its skills and knife-edge uncertainty. One has to confess that our victory was of the “getting out of jail” variety but that does not take from it as an achievement. Those people who may have been anticipating a more convincing win would surely have been underestimating Kilcoole and the motivation they would be deriving from the desire to take the scalp of their ‘uppity’ near neighbours and age-old rivals. They did, after all, finish on equal points with Éire Óg in the league and had beaten us in the head-to-head. On the night they had shown themselves to be no mean footballers and for much of the game led Éire Óg a merry dance. It is greatly to the credit of the Éire Óg team and to the management that Kilcoole did not win out. Our players never relented and, helped by some strategic substitutions, somehow found that extra energy and determination to fight back from being 4 points down with time running out. DINNER DANCE A vox pop after the Dinner Dance established that young and old had found it a very enjoyable occasion. That it was so is a great tribute to the organisers who were presented with huge logistical problems: the presentation of medals to the three county champions and of trophies to those who had made particular contributions on and off the field, and speech making from notables. All to be implemented with due solemnity and without crossing the boredom threshold while leaving adequate time for tripping the light fantastic. President Danny Hatton welcomed the guests and congratulated the various team managements on their achievements. HURLING The hurlers have returned to training in anticipation of their participation in the Leinster League which will be getting under way shortly. Attendances at the training sessions under Ciarán Goff have been very encouraging. A team, shorn of its county panellists, played a junior side from Ballyboden St. Endas on Saturday in what turned out to be a competitive game and a very useful work-out for the two sides, both of whom showed some signs of rustiness after their long lay-off. James Kelly, Daniel O’Connor and Paddy O’Sullivan did well for Éire Óg and young Hughie O’Neill looked sharp up front. At the Dinner Dance Brendan Cuddihy was called upon to make the presentation to those hurlers deemed to have made a contribution above the ordinary in 2009. As we watched a crutch-assisted Brendan make his way to the podium, the clichéd “physician heal thyself” came to mind. Paulie Sutton whose goal getting exploits, including the winning goal in the championship, were a constant feature throughout the year was awarded the trophy for Player of the Year and Peter Keane whose bravery in the tackle and energetic running were an inspiration to his team mates received the accolade of Hurler of the Year. Michael Walsh and Mark Doran were recipients of the minor hurling awards. They both also played on the Junior Championship team, Michael in the half-forwards and Mark in goals. Their awards were well earned.

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