NEWTOWN: Newtown GAA's new season got under way last Saturday with our opening league clash in Tinahely. In a hotly contested and gritty game, the lead changed hands several times.

Tinahely took the lead in the opening minutes with a well placed point, but Newtown responded brilliantly through Pádraig Doyle who scored a sublime goal and two points by Brian Doyle saw Newtown storm into a 12 to 0-1 lead early on. Tinahely rallied and battled back, shocking Newtown by scoring 7 unanswered points and taking a lead of 0-8 to 1-2 into half time. Newtown opened the second half with a point from Terry Murphy, and Phillip Martin but Tinahely scored twice in response.

With the score reading 0-10 to 1-4 to Tinahely, Newtown were awarded a penalty, which Ross Odlum coolly slotted home into the bottom right hand corner to bring the game back to parity with only ten minutes remaining, 2-4 to 0-10. Brian Doyle sent over what was potentially the winning point in the dying minutes to give Newtown a slender 2-5 to 0-10 lead.

But with literally the last kick of the game, Tinahely pointed from a free kick. As the kickout was taken, the referee blew the final whistle and the sides ended their opening encounter with a draw.

With the new season now in full swing, here are the people guiding the fortunes of Newtown GAA Club for 2010: -Senior: Joe Clifford, Pat Carthy and Pat Kenny. Junior: Jas Carthy, Marty Heffernan. Minor: Shay Power, Ross Odlum, Rory Chester. U-16: Papa Davis, Brigid Davis. U-14: Trevor Doyle, Tom Cronin. U-12: Peter Turner, Tom Doyle, Sean Power. U10: Marty Heffernan. U-8 Football: Frank Murphy, Mark Doyle. U-10 and U-8 Hurling: Shay Walsh, Andy Kavanagh. We sincerely hope that all our management teams have a most prosperous and successful season in 2010.

Congratulations to all our Inter-County teams, our Senior Footballers, our Ladies Team and our Hurlers, following their successful weekend.

Please note that club membership fees are now due and must be paid in order to ensure membership for the coming year. Senior Membership is €40 and Juvenile Membership is €15. There will be a registration night in the Newtown GAA Clubhouse on Wednesday 7th April at 7pm. All those who wish to become members or renew their memberships are asked to attend on that night. For anyone who wishes to pay beforehand, they can contact Brian Doyle (Senior Registrar) or Brigid Davis (Juvenile Registrar).

Newtown GAA Lotto Jackpot now stands at €5,600. Be sure to play!

ST. PATRICK'S

The Senior footballers got a win over old rivals Kiltegan in their first league game on Saturday afternoon, coming out on the right side by 2 points. Both sides were experimenting and some early season rustiness was on view, but a win is a win! The Junior A team get their league campaign off with a home game against Balinacor on Saturday afternoon, please check with John Smith (Manager) and the fixtures for details.

St Pat's Ladies played their first game this year on Sunday against Clara in the Junior Cup. After a tense first half, St Pat's finally came out on top, with the scoreline not reflecting how difficult this game was. Captain Liz Malone was outstanding at midfield, chipping in with two goals with Carol Smullen giving a great full back display. They were ably assisted in the backline by Sorcha Doyle, who made a welcome return from injury, and Sarah McWalter. In the half forward line, Orla Redmond and Laura Manley notched up 2-7 between them with Caroline O'Neill and Ruth Byrne also getting vital scores each from the full forward line. Final score was St Pats 7-9 Clara 3-4.

The club had a super evening on Friday, March 26 when boys and girls from u-7's to u-18 were presented with their Championship and League medals plus Certificates at a function held in the St. Pat's Clubhouse.

We would ask anyone who took photos to please send them to Mick Dwyer at

mickdwyer@mjd.ie - in order that we can get them up on the web site.

We would very much appreciate if the above could be done.

Many thanks is extended to everyone who helped make it a great evening and in particular the Ladies , Veronica, Trina, Jane, Joanne, Marion, who did trojan work in the catering arena.

To Wille Fahy thanks you very much for the work in the hall all day on Friday.

Brian O'Connor, Stephen McNulty and Veronica Leonard , were worth their weight in gold trying to push back the "tsunami type" onslaught of children at the crisps.sweets and mineral bar. (See page 26)

U-12 Hurling Training continues on Saturdays at 4-15pm in Dunbur.

The Dunbur Park activity schedule is fairly full at present,with training and games coming fast and furious down the line. Please keep in contact with Eddie Leonard 086-8349272 as Eddie is in charge of all activity (training and games in Dunbur Park).

KILTEGAN

Hard luck to David Lofts who represent the East in the All Ireland Talent Show last Sunday night and did everyone proud. Thanks to everyone for supporting David. The Lotto numbers for last week were 05, 07, 09, 17 there was no winner and 5 match 3 winners, Bruno Vallimano, Ann Grant Byrne, Philip Hobson, Nuala O'Farrell and Bridget Pendergast. This week's jackpot stands at €8,600 and the draw takes place in the "Talk of the Town".

Registration day will now take place on Sunday 14th March in Kiltegan GAA field for all age groups from 4 years upwards. The boys and girls will be greeted by senior players and coaches of the club and also fun and games will be provided. The senior footballers played their first game of the League away to St Pat's on Saturday evening, losing by two points, 0-6 to 0-8.

Our annual dinner dance in conjunction with the camogie club was an outstanding success on Saturday night in Inisfail. Co. Chairman Andy O'Brien and President Peter Keogh represented the county board and Dave Murray represented the camogie club. (See Keogh's Corner)

BALLYMANUS

The lads had a good run out last weekend against the Fighting Cocks and challenge Clonmore this Friday evening in Clonmore. It was good to see a few 'new' and 'not so new' faces in action, particularly as things take shape for the opening game of the league against Ballinacor at the end of the month. There was no lotto jackpot winner for the draw held Monday March 1. Rory is collecting membership at the minute players (non-students) €30; players (students) €20; non-players €10; juveniles €3.

SHILLELAGH

The club extends best wishes to Laurie Cullen who is recovering from a knee operation. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Congratulations to Dermot and Jenny Nolan on the recent birth of their daughter Lexi. Membership is still due, €50 for players and €25 for non-players. This includes free entry into the lotto draw which takes place fortnightly and can be paid to any committee member. The GAA club nursery continues every Friday evening from 7-8 in the Courthouse, Shillelagh. The age groups involved range from 4, 5 and 6 year olds and also the 7-8 year old category which are now preparing for the u-8 Go Games. Please contact Paul Behan or Richard Lambert for further details.

The next club lotto takes place on Monday 15th March with a jackpot of €6,000. Tickets available from committee members, Parkview, Kenny's Bar, Village Takeaway and the local Post Office.

STRATFORD/GRANGECON

Our Juvenile club had a very successful registration day on Saturday last. It was great to see so many new faces. Anyone who was unable to make last Saturday for registration, please note that registration forms will be available at training next Saturday morning. Well done to our Minor players who had a good win over An Tochar in their first match of the season on Sunday morning last. The next minor match is away to Coolkenno next Sunday morning.

Senior and Junior training continues this week on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7.30pm sharp. The first Senior League division 1 match takes place this Saturday afternoon at 5pm at home, and what a first match it promises to be versus our near neighbours Baltinglass. The club is calling on all members and supporters to turn out in force to support the team for the first local derby match of the year.

Hard luck to club Senior player Mark Caplice and the Wicklow u21 football team on their defeat to Laois.

CARNEW

First home game of the year and first win. In what was not a vintage game, a good win was the main thing. The first half was a scrappy affair and the half time score of 0-5 to 0-2 reflected this. The highlight of the first half was a point from senior debutant Brendan McCrea who looked very comfortable all day in his first game with the big boys. He finished the game with two points and at only 17, this signals a bright future for the club. With the introduction of John Doyle and Cormac Doyle as subs, we had three minors on the field by the end. Joe Murphy had both his kicking boots on and scored six points from both feet. A left footer from 36 yards was the pick of them. Final score was Carnew 0-13 Eire Og 0-6. Well done to all the Scor lads and ladies. They swept the boards on Saturday night and progress now to the next round. Don't forget to keep buying the club lotto tickets. It is the monetary lifeblood of the club and keeps it going.

AGB

Club members donned their finest gear for the club's annual dinner dance in the Arklow Bay Hotel last Saturday night. Well done again to the Senior Ladies team who picked up their Senior County Championship medals on the night. This is the girls second year to be County Champions; a fantastic achievement! A number of awards were giving out with county player and last year All Star nominee Ciaran Hyland picking up Clubman of the Year. Senior Player of the Year went to Darren McAndrew while Liam Rotchford picked up Junior Player of the Year. James Tyrrell was awarded Minor Player of the Year. In the ladies section, Senior Player of the Year went to Orla Byrne and Lorraine Bracken was awarded Junior Player of the Year. Jessie McElheron won the Minor Player of the Year. Congratulations to everyone!

Wow what a start our Ladies Junior Team had with their first game of the season! The team beat Donard 6-11 to 11.The manager was spoilt for choice with the panel that he had stalwart performances by all. Although we only played 11 a side our management team were able to give everyone a bit of the action. The morale, teamwork and general camaraderie was a pleasure to witness. Lenicha O'Neill gave a great performance in the backs with her opponent finding it hard to get past her. Becky Condren played a stormer scoring one goal in the first half and 3 in the second. Goals were also scored by Stephanie Martin, Emer Flannery and Niamh Arthur. Our Ladies Senior Team also had their first outing on Friday night against Valleymount, winning by a point. The score was 5-7 to 4-9. Great win girls! The men's panel training will take place this Thursday night at 7.30 in Ballymoney. The men's team will be gearing up for more action this weekend when they take on Dunlavin this Saturday in the second league match of the season. Don't forget about the fancy dress Leprechaun 5km Fun Run on St Patrick's Day! It's leaving from Pearse Park at 11am and is in aid of the AGB building fund and Brainwave Ireland. For sponsorship cards contact Ann at 0860703504. Watch out for our Academy Players in the St Patrick's Day parade. Contact Gillian on 086-2260046 for more info.

AGB JUVENILES

Training is up to full speed at Pearse Park, with the u-12 Girls striding towards Wicklow Feile on the 28th of March. They are constantly honing their skills, increasing pace and fine tuning agility in their training sessions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The girls are mature enough to realise that you get back what you put in, so keep up the dedication girls it will pay off in the end.

The u-14 boys are also focusing on the County Feile in April, building on their current training plan and including some of the experiences they gained while taking part in the Wicklow Development Squad. Yet again, there was a large turn out for the u-9 boys training on Friday evening, despite the cold.

Even after a very late night on Saturday, the coaches and parents of the Academy turned out at 10am on Sunday morning for another thoroughly enjoyable training session, where having fun is the main focus of the session. Please make sure all children are dressed for the unseasonably cold weather, they may be warm when running around, but when off the ball the cold sets in. For more reports check www.arklowgaa.ie On Saturday night we had our annual Dinner Dance in the Arklow Bay Hotel, it was great to meet up with the other coaches, players and the administrators who make the club run as smoothly as it does. There were several awards presented on the night, but the ladies stole the night when they showed their gratitude and appreciation to their coaches and mentors for all their hard work and commitment, it was a very emotional occasion. The night was finished off by dancing into the early hours with Fusion keeping us all up on the floor with great music.

Diary Dates: Don't forget to get your sponsorship cards filled out for our Fancy Dress Leprechaun 5k Run on 17th March at 11am with proceeds going to the building fund and Brainwave Ireland, this is a very worthy cause, so come on get involved.

GLENEALY CAMOGIE

The Glenealy girls travelled to O'Moores, Co. Laois on Saturday, March 6 to play the third round of the Leinster League. The girls had a very quiet first half with the half time scoreline reading 1-3 to 1-0. The girls upped their game in the second half finally winning out on a scoreline 6-6 to 1-1. Orla Redmond, April Dickenson, Aimee Beale, Lisa Hogan, defended bravely while midfielders Laura Manley and Vicky O'Gara continuously battled while the Glenealy forwards began to find the net in the second half.

Scorers: Patriece O'Gorman 2-2, Pamela Maher 0-2, Audrey Bermingham 2-0, Natasha O'Gara 1-0, Laura Manley 11, Vicky O'Gara 0-1. Best of luck to Glenealy girls who play Naomh Brid, Carlow, in the next round.

AUGHRIM JUVENILES

Evidence of all the hard work that Des Burton has put into coaching in Aughrim National School certainly paid off in the last few weeks. On the first outing they played Moneystown in Roundwood and came away comfortable winners on a scoreline of 7-5 to 5-4. Their next outing last Wednesday was against near neighbours Annacurra where Aughrim were again successful winning on a scoreline of 3-7 to 1-2. Their third match was against Glenealy last Friday and they completed a hat trick of victories on a scoreline of 4-10 to 1-2. Certainly this group of players are showing great skill and promise and augurs well for the future of both the School and the Club. The panel of players on duty was - Brian Lynch, Eoin Forsythe, Alfie Breslin, Anthony Toomey, Daniel Cathan, Dan Owens, Adam Rochford, Eanna Owens, Aoife Bolger, Shane McGuickian, Stephen O'Byrne, Dylan Toomey, Aidan Stokley, Emma Byrne, Rory O'Doherty, Denis Quigley, Lorcan Shannon.

The cooperation of the teachers in the school and also the great assistance given by Michael Owens to Des Burton is very much appreciated by the club.

DONARD/GLEN

Our division 1 league game agains Rathnew was called off so our Ladies were the only ones in action over the weekend. They played AGB in a Winter League game in Ballymoney on Sunday afternoon

For one reason or another we were minus ten of the county championship winning team. That gave us a chance to introduce Amy Kelly, Sue Wilson and Samantha Mills to competitive football for the first time. Emma Harney returned after a long lay off trough injury and Andrea Birchall returned after a long break due to her studies.

Sunday's team was M. Slater, M. O'Neill, C. Byrne, A.Birchall, E. Harney, L. Quinlan, A. Kelly, C. Harney, O. Kealy, S. Byrne, N. Walshe, L. Dwyer, S. Wilson and S. Mills Next week we play Coolkenno at home There was no winner of last Monday's lotto the winning numbers were 5, 16, 23 and 24. There were three match three's The Juvenile registration and open day is on Saturday 13th March from 12-1 in the football field. This is for all children aged 4years and upwards. All old and new members are welcome. For further information contact Helen 0876470422.

HOLLYWOOD

We are delighted to announce our bi annual car draw will take place this July, with tickets going on sale shortly. The Academy continues on Wednesdays for 5-8 year olds, Thursdays 9-12 year olds and Fridays 12-16 year olds. Mens training for both Juniors and Seniors continues on Tuesdays and Fridays. All are welcome. Membership for 2010 is now due, members must fill in the new application forms which should have made their way to all households in the community. Please return these to any member of the Executive by March 19th. New members are always welcome. Senior League, Division 1, began with a defeat away to Baltinglass, this Friday the seniors face Blessington u-lights in Hollywood at 745pm.

RATHNEW

All roads lead to Newtown on this Friday evening for the long awaited U-16 Championship final Rathnew against Bray Emmets. Throw in is at 7.30pm. Please check fixtures column to confirm. We wish the team and management all the very very best of luck. Tomorrow evening (Thursday, March 11) a meeting regarding juveniles will take place in the clubhouse at 8pm. Anyone interested in helping out for the coming year is invited to attend. A milestone birthday in the Village last week, Mrs. May Jacob was '90'. Congratulations May.