Hi °C | Lo °C GOREY RUGBY
Gorey R.F.C's James Nolan has been selected to captain the Irish Under-18 club team in their upcoming series of international fixtures. James also recently captained the Leinster Under-18s to victory in their inter-provincial championship.
The Ireland Under-18s kicked off their campaign against Scotland in Ashbourne on Saturday with a 16-16 draw. James, who hails from Shillelagh and is the son of proud parents Terry and Maria, has come through the Gorey mini and youth system and is a shining example not only to those coming up the ranks behind him but to everyone in the club.
Everybody in Gorey R.F.C. wish James all the best for the remaining games of this international series. James is the first Gorey clubman to captain an Irish team and that is a fantastic achievement by any standards. James attends Coláiste Bhríde in Carnew whom he also represents with pride on the playing field.
Gorey R.F.C. have also recently launched 'Ruggo', their club lottery to help fund this fast-growing club's development into the future. Tickets are selling very well with the first draw taking place at the end of March. Tickets for the year cost €104 or €26 per quarter and are available through the club or from Michael Stokes in Gorey Photo Centre.
Gorey Under-17s recorded a convincing win over a tough Dundalk team in Clonattin.
It only took Gorey five minutes to get on the scoresheet when Aaron Davies went over for the first try, having picked up a lovely chip over the top from Conor Butler.
Gorey continued to pile on the pressure and it wasn't long before Sam Kennedy was rewarded with the first of two tries for the lightning-fast winger. The try was converted by centre Cathal O'Neill to leave the score at 12-0 with 20 minutes gone.
Sam Kennedy added his second try with another from Conor Kinsella to leave the home side leading by an impressive 24-0 at half-time.
Dundalk came out for the second-half with a renewed spring in their step and they put Gorey under pressure for a lot of the time and were rewarded with a try.
But Gorey proved too good and Paul Boyle added another try to leave the final score at 29-5 for the home side.
The Under-7s played in the Kieran Burke festival of rugby at De La Salle Palmerstown. This event is the largest Under-7 blitz of the season and involves over 700 players from a wide range of clubs. Revenue generated goes to the National Children's Hospital.
Gorey had 18 players divided into two teams. This was a great opportunity for Gorey players to experience playing a variety of other rugby clubs. Gorey faced teams like Bective, Greystones, Old Belvedere, St. Mary's, Terenure, Navan, Seapoint, Wicklow and Wanderers.
Each match was of short duration but the Gorey players were quick to make their mark. After losing some training time recently due to a run of bad weather, the lads showed great enthusiasm to get back on the rugby field.
The Gorey boys made some great runs with each team making very good breaks down the wing. The teams showed good defence also with the players tagging opposition well as they made any ground.
Both Gorey teams made some great passing moves and the players moved forward well, displaying good ball-handling skills as they approached the opposition defence.
Each game produced a few fine tries with a good number of Gorey players going over the line. Gorey seemed to grow stronger as a team as the games progressed and fared very well in the event.
All of the players had great fun and enjoyed the experience. Many thanks to all the parents and supporters for coming to the match.
GOREY CELTIC F.C.
It was a busy weekend for all involved with Gorey Celtic F.C.
Our Under-9 team travelled to Tombrack on a bitterly cold Saturday morning and competed in three games. We're not judging these young Celtic cubs' progress on results but on their manner and the way the game is played. Special mention to Ultan O'Donovan and Lee Butler who scored some great goals.
Our Under-10 girls had a local game away to Courtown Hibs and came away with a well-deserved 0-0 draw considering that Courtown are top of the league!
Result of the weekend for Celtic went to our Under-14 girls' team which travelled down to Kilmuckridge and beat St. Joseph's 5-0. An Amy Wilson hat-trick complemented by goals from Caragh Marie Clarke and Eabha Cahill ensured a great win for Tina Clarke's young charges!
Peter Finn and his Under-13 boys made the long journey to Ballycogley worthwhile after they won in a six-goal thriller. Michael Dunne grabbed a brace, while Ross Pedoe and Pádraig Keegan got a goal each.
John Lavery stepped in to take our youths down to St. Joseph's and came away with a creditable 2-2 draw. Jakub Kondel earned the plaudits, scoring both goals, but as we all know it's a team game.
Sadly, our Senior second team fell to defeat in our league fixture versus Enniscorthy Town on Sunday morning, going down 2-0.
Our Senior first team had a great result against Ajax in the Wexford Cup, beating our hosts on penalities after the game finished 2-2 A.E.T. Wes Fitzpatrick and Matty Kavanagh scored for Celtic in normal time.
Celtic scored all their spot kicks with Wes Fitzpatrick, Robbie Troope, Terry Carey, Ross Reardon and John Kavanagh keeping their heads from 12 yards. Celtic's hero was stand-in 'keeper Mark Doran who replaced the unavailable Sammy Griffiths and saved a spot kick to send Celtic into the next round.
The lotto jackpot currently stands at €2,400. Tickets are €2 each and available from most managers, committee members and at the club shop on a Saturday. Draws take place every Tuesday with the next draw tonight (February 26) at 10.45 p.m. in Paddy Blues.
There is a limited stock of crested O'Neills club gear, including beanie hats, fleeces and boot bags, available in various sizes. Further details from John Clarke on 086-1959220.
Get fit and have fun by playing five-a-side on our newly-refurbished astro pitches. Fully floodlit courts are available for hire at €50 per hour. Contact Nicky Murphy on 087-2721675 for enquiries and bookings.
COOLLATTIN GOLF
Next weekend belongs to incoming Captains, John Thompson and Mary Timmins. On Saturday night the club the incoming Captains will host a fun table quiz. The genial quiz master will be popular Tinahely man, Peter Brennan.
It should be a great night of fun. The entry fee is €20 per team of four. If you do not have a team, bring a spare fiver with you and we will fix you up with three brain boxes. The quiz gets under way at 8.30 p.m.
The Captains' drive-in takes place at 1 p.m. on Sunday next. It will be interesting to see what form of transport that the incumbent Captains will use. Over the years the transport used has varied from a helicopter (during the heady days of the Tiger), to horseback, to the tricycles used by Joe and Hazel in 2012.
John's body language would seem to suggest that he has something special up his sleeve. The drive-in will be followed by a nine holes scramble. At 4.30 p.m. we will have a short ecumenical service when we will remember all of our deceased members. The evening will conclude with refreshments and, no doubt, a few celebratory drinks.
Since the beginning of January over one hundred intrepid golfers have been braving the elements to play in the 2013 winter league. Not even the loss of competitions due to the bad weather has dampened the enthusiasm generated by the closeness of the scoring.
Only five points separate the leading seven players in the nett section. The leaders are: Pat Moore (115), Donal Levingstone (112), Brian Shannon (112), Aidan Travers (112), Declan Traynor (112), John Byrne (111) and Anthony Cousins (110).
The top gross prize seems to be destined to go to three handicapper Ronan Doyle (74). Next to Ronan are Pat Moore (65) and Ger Clooney (64). In the team event, Pat Moore, Declan Traynor, Brian Shannon and Lar O'Brien have just two points to spare over John Kinsella, Anthony Cousins, Peter Deegan and Gerry Byrne.
Well done to the group, who label themselves 'The Disciples', who braved the arctic conditions to play in Killerig on Friday last. Best score was returned by eleven handicapper Tom Wilkinson who returned 31 points in the 14-hole event.
Runner-up was Ger Bolger (14) with 28 points. This coming Friday sees this group return to Coollattin for a Chapman fourball (bet you never heard of that one!). All are welcome (members and visitors).
BALLYMONEY GOLF
Nine holes, February 6: 1, Ed Walsh (11), 20 points; 2, Stephen Greene (23), 20 points; 3, Donal Byrne (5), 19 points.
Singles stableford played last weekend: 1, Ed Lysaght (24), 39 points; 2, Kevin Byrne (19), 39 points; 3, Paul Doyle (12), 39 points.
Midweek nine holes: 1, Sammy Walker (8), 24 points; 2, Gavin Griffiths (16), 22 points; 3, Donal Byrne (5), 21 points.
Weekend stableford singles: 1, Ed Lysaght (24), 44 points; 2, Kevin Byrne (19), 43 points; 3, Donal Byrne (5), 40 points; 4, Alan Goff, 40 points; front nine, Gavin Duffy; back nine, Richard Mackey.
