Ashford GAA

There was no winner of this week’s Ashford and Glenealy GAA Clubs Lotto Jackpot worth €6,500 (16/01/2012), Numbers drawn were 3, 5, 13, 24. However 5 people matched 3 numbers and shared €300. Brian Plunkett (Chesters), Paul Fenton (M. Behan), Sinead Todd (S. McDermott), Jim Vickers (S. Driver), Daire Nolan (S. McDermott). Next week’s draw will be held in Chesters with a Jackpot of €6,800. Don’t forget play lotto on line in the comfort of your home www.ashfordgaa.com

Ashford GAA Club would like to congratulate all the winners of the Wicklow GAA Sports Stars who received their awards from Christy Cooney President of the GAA at a function in the Arklow Bay Hotel. In particular well done to Enan Glynn from Glenealy Hurling Club who won the Senior Hurler of the Year Award.

Kelloggs are the new sponsor of the GAA Cul Camps. Ashford GAA Club have hosted this event for many years, we trust that the County Board will look favourably on the Club to manage another Cul Camp this year. More details to follow.

The Clubs AGM was held in Chester’s on Thursday 12^th January. The following officers were elected:

Presidents: Eamon Downey, Mick Behan, Sean Lally, Tom McHugh.

Chairperson: Ronnie Phillips.

Vice Chairperson: Pat Doyle.

Secretary: Mick Purcell.

PRO: Pat Lawless.

Registrar: Conor Behan.

Ass Registrar: Philip Doyle.

Club Coaching Officer: Stephen Behan.

Juvenile Secretary: Amanda Duffy.

Executive Committee: Above plus Myles Manning, John P Downey, Derek Connolly, Ken O’Brien, Pat O’Connor, Paddy Downey, Liam Byrne, Gavin Connolly.

In the Secretary’s Report Mick Purcell states under the heading of Sub-Committees we need to be much more pro-active in this area. I would suggest that we comprise a limited number of these committees for 2012 to cover the major areas involved in running a modern GAA club. Each subcommittee will be chaired by an agreed member and the Chairman of each group, along with the elected officers of the club, to attend our monthly meetings. The present system is far too unwieldy in my opinion and is very unfocussed, with our meetings merely turning out to be talking shops a lot of the time. The Secretary went on to state under the heading Wicklow GAA Strategic Vision & Action Plan 2011-2012. This plan was launched in Nov.2011 and is intended as a blueprint for Wicklow GAA for the next 10 years. It’s success will be linked as to how the 39 clubs in Wicklow and the County Board progress and cooperate over the next decade. Do we want Ashford GAA to be at the vanguard of this progress so as Wicklow GAA can be pulled into the 21^st. century? It’s up to us as members to do our bit and make Ashford GAA a proud club to be a member of.

The Chairman Ronnie Phillips stated that getting a lease for the pitch was the highlight of the year, the significance of this cannot be over stated. We must now move on with the development of dressing rooms as quickly as possible. Again the grounds were kept in great condition, a big thanks to Mick Purcell for all his work. As you can see by our accounts, more effort must be made to raise funds in order to run the club and get the new development off the ground. The Lotto Committee do sterling work and keep going without fuss, we are extremely for their efforts. Our Treasurer Annmarie Manning has done an excellent job and we are very grateful for all her work. The Chairman went on to say that he was stepping down as Intermediate Football Team Manager, he thanked the Club and players for their efforts throughout the years.

The Club Coaching Officer Stephen Behan stated in his report that it was very important that we get as many people as possible in the juvenile/coaching management side of the Club to ensure that we encourage the children to play our game. Without this we will struggle in later years at senior level. It must be said again this year there was a shortage of volunteers to look after the teams and this will need to be addressed next year. If there isn’t enough help to look after each team it leaves a lot of responsibility with the one or two mentors, which makes the job very difficult and takes some of the enjoyment out of what should be an enjoyable experience. He would appeal to any of the senior players or parents to get involved with the juveniles and help spread the workload and ensure that the club moves forward in the future.

The PRO Pat Lawless mentioned that playing 14 competitive games in a calendar year in the County Football League Division 2 and the Intermediate Football Championship was simply not good enough. Our competitors play at least 24 games with a dedicated schedule of games. Ashford had no league games for three months with games being cancelled or changed to an alternative date at very short notice. He requested the Chairman to discuss this matter with the CCC. He also stated that few finals were being played in Ashford, in particular the County Junior A Football Final between Kilmac and St. Patricks should have been played in the village. Bringing in extra revenue from supporters into the village would encourage local traders to invest in our club. Remember in 1988 16 finals were played in the village and we saw a local businessman invest €7,000 into the club.

Ashford GAA Club will hold their AGM on the on the 12^th January 2012 in Chester’s at 8:00pm.

Pat O’Connor provided me with a copy of the 1988 Ashford GAA AGM schedule. Officers and Committee were; Pat Lawless, Frank Higgins, Eamon Manley, Pat O’Connor, Mick Behan, Sean Lally, Mick Quinn, Tom McHugh, Mick Collier, Fergus Higgins, Kiernan Lally, Sean Snell, Pat Carthy, Eamon Downey.

Ashford played 41 games in various competitions from Minor to Intermediate, Won 13, Lost 28 and scored 28-188 against 60-267.

The Treasurer reported purchasing a new set of Goal Posts costing £60, while Electricity for the year cost £214.36. Medical Expenses was £114. Income from the County Development Draw was £788, while the County Board Refund was £748.

The Club won their first major competition in 13 years, the won the Veha Cup in Aughrim beating Ballymanus 2-7 to 1-9 after extra time.

The Youth Officer Sean Lally gave a detailed report on the progress in the Juvenile sector of the Club, fielding teams at U10, U12, U13, U14 and U16. Sean finished his report by stating that all players gave their best during the year and despite not winning any trophies, we all won by participating.

The Ashford and Glenealy GAA Clubs Lotto will take place Monday 9^th January for €6,200. The draw will take place in Chester’s, don’t forget while tickets are available from all the usual outlets you also can play Lotto in the comfort of your home www.ashfordgaa.com

Ashford GAA Club wish to extend their deepest sympathies to the Quinn and Walsh families on the death of Mary Walsh nee Quinn (formerly of Mount Alto, Ashford). Mary died suddenly on the 27^th December. She will be sadly missed by her husband Peter, children Caroline and Chris, her father Kevin, brothers Mick, Paul and Liam, her immediate families and friends. May she rest in peace. Mick Quinn was a key player on the successful team that won the Wicklow Senior Football Championship for Ashford in 1974, Mick also played a leading role in the Club during that era.

The Ashford and Glenealy GAA Clubs Lotto will take place next week on Monday 9^th January for €6,200. The draw will take place in Chester’s, don’t forget while tickets are available from all the usual outlets you also can play Lotto in the comfort of your home www.ashfordgaa.com
The last lotto to take place was on the 21/12/2011, there was no winner of the jackpot worth €5,900 (19/12/2011), Numbers drawn were 2, 8, 18, 19. However 4 people matched 3 numbers and shared €300. David Driver (S. Driver), Becky Grant (S. McDermott), Sonny Byrne (A. Murphy), Ann Farrell (P. Farrell). Christmas Bonus P. Kavanagh, A. Shannon, S. Lawlor & R. Byrne, P. Reynolds. Sellers Draw Sadie Dempsey, Sheila Driver, Damien O’brien, Robert Byrne.

There was no winner of this week’s Ashford and Glenealy GAA Clubs Lotto Jackpot worth €5,900 (19/12/2011), Numbers drawn were 2, 8, 18, 19. However 4 people matched 3 numbers and shared €300. David Driver (S. Driver), Becky Grant (S. McDermott), Sonny Byrne (A. Murphy), Ann Farrell (P. Farrell). Christmas Bonus P. Kavanagh, A. Shannon, S. Lawlor & R. Byrne, P. Reynolds. Sellers Draw Sadie Dempsey, Shelia Driver, Damien O’brien, Robert Byrne. Next week’s draw will be held in Chester’s with a Jackpot of €6,200. Don’t forget play lotto on line in the comfort of your home www.ashfordgaa.com

The Wicklow GAA Yearbook featuring Ashford GAA Club on two pages is now available from

Ashford Fair or from Club PRO Pat Lawless (087 2540550) at €10. The book has many photos of

Ashford GAA teams from Under 8 team up to our Intermediate team. This book is an ideal

Gift and a must for every family engaged in GAA throughout the Parish.

Ashford GAA Club will hold their AGM on the on the 12^th January 2012 in Chesters at 8:00pm. Nominations and Motions should be forwarded to the Club Secretary on or before the 6^th January. Secretary email: mp30@eircom.net Home Address 30 Bramble Glade, Ashford, Co. Wicklow.

You can find our yearbook for 2011 here

There was no winner of this week’s Ashford and Glenealy GAA Clubs Lotto Jackpot worth €5,600 (12/12/2011), Numbers drawn were 3, 9, 22, 25. However 4 people matched 3 numbers and shared €300. Cora Byrne (B. Evans), Nicola Phillips (C. Byrne), Shelia Driver (S. Driver), Mick Ryan (S. McDermott). Christmas Bonus Viv & Sharon, M. Hender Phillips, Ian & Mary, Caoimhe O’Neill. Sellers Draw Ester Doyle, John Downey, Chester’s, S. McDermott. Next week’s draw will be held in Chester’s with a Jackpot of €5,900. Don’t forget play lotto on line in the comfort of your home www.ashfordgaa.com

The Wicklow GAA Yearbook was launched to-day at the Convention in Aughrim. Ashford GAA Club is featured over two pages with eight team photos from Under 8 through to the Intermediate Football Team. This book is an ideal Christmas Gift and a must for every family engaged in GAA throughout the Parish.