The Gaelic Athletic Association's 125 Anniversary Celebrations are coming to a close and on November 1st the GAA returned to where it all began back in 1884. Exactly 125 years after the foundation of the Association at Hayes' Hotel a special commemorative day of celebration was held in Thurles. Mass celebrated by Archbishop Clifford of Cashel at Thurles Cathedral was followed by a procession to Dr Croke's statue on Liberty Square. A number of speeches were made before the President and Director General laid a wreath.

Newtownshandrum's exciting Munster Club win over Thurles Sarsfields rounded off a memorable day. Work on the graves of founding fathers John McKay (London), Thomas St George McCarthy (Deansgrange), John Wyse Power and Michael Cusack ( both Glasnevin) was also completed as part of the 125 Anniversary Year.

"The GAA: A People's History" was also launched this month to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The GAA: A People's History tells the story of how the GAA has carved for itself a unique place at the heart of Irish life. It outlines how Gaelic games and the social world which revolves around the Association, has shaped the lives of generations of Irish people at home and abroad. From parades and ballads to epic journeys across land and sea, this history of the GAA is as much about what happened off the field as what happened on it. Clubs play a central role in the growth of our Association and are featured throughout the book. Reflecting on where our clubs came from and how they have grown and developed over the past 125 years will help us to build a strong Association for the future.

Lisa Clancy, the GAA's Director of Communications issued a special word of thanks to all clubs who marked the year by organising their own unique events and to those who went to great lengths to celebrate Lá na gClub last May.

Bray Emmets will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2010.

Our AGM is on next Sunday 6th December 2009 at 8pm in Old Connaught Avenue. We urge all members and any persons interested in our club to attend. The AGM will start at 8pm sharp, so please be there early.

A reminder to all mentors that the pitches at Old Connaught are closed for games and training. This applies to all teams. We need to give the pitches an opportunity to recover from the continuous use that they been subject to over the last two months. We are also mindful of the Health and Safety issues that arise during the development work that is ongoing in O/C.

Well done to our four Bray Emmet Girls Jennifer Ryan, Rachel Cunningham, Sarah Longmore and Avril Byrne who took part in the County Final of The Scor na Nog in Laragh on Saturday 28th. A great night was had by all despite the weather conditions. We were not winners on the night, but the girls danced beautifully and we will be back again next year. Many thanks to Tom Walsh, Jackie Napier and Frankie Ryan for their help and support.

On Sunday November 22 our Intermediate footballers lost the Division 3 final, which was for the Johnny Fox Cup when they conceded a late goal. Bray Emmets finished top of Division 3 on 17 points, only dropping five points in 11 games. Ballinacor finished second on 15pts so both teams have been promoted to Division 2 next year.

That the game was played at all was a miracle because the pitch in Newcastle was in a treacherous condition due to the weather and there was a gale force wind blowing into the club house goal. Bray had the advantage of the wind in the first half but missed a number of chances and only led by nine points to five at half time. Ballinacor also missed chances in the second half and with a few minutes to go Bray still led by two points. Then Bray conceded a soft goal after they had a number of chances to clear the ball. Bray came back strongly and had at least three chances to level, with one of those chances being a goal opportunity. However time ran out for Bray and Ballinacor claimed the Johnny Fox Cup.

Both sets of players must be congratulated for the standard of football that they produced in the conditions. The entire Bray panel played well with Barry Lyndsey in goal making three fine saves. Final score was Bray Emmets 0-10, Ballinacor 1-8.

Team: B. Lyndsey, Eoghan Wogan, Geoff Morrissey, Rob. McNamee, Niall McCague, Des Kelly, Cailean Murphy, John Walsh,(1pt) Jonathon Scanlon, Brendan Snow, Conor Flannery, (5pts) Jamie Queney,(1pt) Dave Finn, Rory Breslin,(1pt) Ross McAnaspie (2pts), Liam Kenny, Gavin Cahil, Arron Murphy, Gareth Crowley, Ross Murphy, Stephen Ebbs.

The league which started in March in now completed. All the players are looking forward to the break and wish to thank the management team of Jimmy Ganly, John Delaney, John Walsh and Ray Donoghue for their commitment over the long year.

Our under 16 footballers played their 'A' championship semi-final against Baltinglass on Friday 27. 11 at Thomas Davis all-weather pitch on Kiltipper Road in Tallaght. The game was played on a cold, dry night, with a stiff breeze blowing. It was a great experience for all the players to play on the pitch where the conditions were excellence. We are really looking forward to having our own all-weather pitch early next year.

Bray had the advantage of the wind in the first half and got off to a good start scoring some fine points and a great goal from Chris Lyons. Bray built up a good half time lead of 1-8 to 0-1. Baltinglass had the advantage of the wind in the second but Bray got the better start with a point and then Hugh Douglas scored a fine goal. Bray conceded a goal but immediately responded with a goal from Pierce Sweeney. Baltinglass continued to press Bray, but the defence led by Philly Haughton was outstanding.

This was a good team performance with all the panel playing well. A special mention for our goalkeeper Tadgh Dornan, he made a few fine saves, Philip Haughton, Hugh Douglas Pierce Sweeney, Daire Lohan, Chris Lyons and Alan Cleary. We now await the winners of the other semi-final, Rathnew or St. Nicholas (Dunlavin/Donard) and a big effort will be required from all the panel to retain the under 16 title. Final score was Bray Emmet's 3-12, Baltinglass 1-3.

Team: Tadgh Dornan, Patrick Tunney, Diarmuid Masterson, Enda Molloy, Jim Doyle, Cathal O Dualleachain, Philip Haughton, David Sullivan, Alan Cleary,(1pt) Hugh Douglas,(1-1) Luke Maloney, Pierce Sweeney,(1-2) Daire Lohan, Nickolas Sweeney,(2pts) Chris Lyons(16), Muiris O Floinn, Cormac O Meadhra, Dan McCann, Lee Brandon, Josh Connolly, Ryan Fagan.

It was awards night on Friday night last for all our super stars from u-7s to our champions at u-12 level. We had some great support from parents and club members alike as the night was a big success. We would like this chance to say a big thank you to county star Leighton Glynn for giving up his Friday evening to present all the medals and tropies to our young stars, so thanks again for that. The night started off with our u-12s champions being giving a standing ovation as they entered the club with there captain Ben Keely holding the cup aloft. Now down to the awards, up first was the hurlers at u-7s level.

U-7s hurling player of the year Adam Bushe; U7s most improved player Conor Power; U-7s clubman Sam Brown; U-8s hurling player of the year Aidan Kavanagh, U-8s most improved Jack Corrigan; U-8s club person Sophie Delaney; U-9s hurling player of the year Sean Fahey, U-9s most improved Eoin O'Riordan; U-10s hurling player of the year Troy Scully; U-10s most improved Evan van der Bergh; U10s club man Cormac Barry. Well done to all.

Now to the footballers: U-7s level player of the year Callum van der Bergh; U-7s most improved Oscar Quinn; U-7s club man Oliver McElroy; U-8s player of the year Eoin O'Connell; U-8s most improved Jack Quinn; U-8s clubman Brian Maguire; U-9s player of the year James Maguire; U-9s most improved James McElroy; U-9s clubman Luke Dillon; U-10s players of the year Brandon Scully & AJ Porter; U-10s most improved Mark Mullan; U-10s clubman William Coogan. Well done to all.

Our U-12s all recieved their league medals, as this was a special year for this age group we could not pick a player of the year for 12s which would have been totally unfair to anyone left out so instead they are the team of the year for 2009. The last award on the night was a lifetime achievement award to Mr Pat Driver for all the work he has done at grass roots with U-7s level right through to the senior teams for many a year now so once again well done Pat. Can I (PJ Scully)

please take this chance to say a big thank you to Pat, Noel and Damian driver and also anyone else behind my award as it was way too much as I have achieved nothing yet for this great club of ours but thanks again.

Our indoor hurling is in full swing in Killian's hall every Thursday night at 6pm for all underage teams.

Date for your diary: Underage presentation night Thursday, December 4: 7-8pm for u-8 to u-10; 8pm ( approx) u-12 to Minor. Tá fáilte roimh mentors, players and parents. Club AGM: Thursday, December 10 at 8pm in the clubhouse; Christmas Draw: Saturday, December 19 in The Carrig Orchard.

Believe it or not , the County Minor Football Championship Final has not yet been played! Hopefully it will take place this week-end. See Fixtures for details.

Oyez!, oyez!, oyez! They've hit the streets and are flying off the sidewalks, those long-awaited tickets for the Éire Óg Christmas Draw. On offer is a fine range of prizes appropriate to the season - unfortunately, the results of a feasibility study have precluded the inclusion of such attractions as winter cruises or trips to Lapland. Ultimately the attractions of the draw are the purposes to which its profits are put: costs such as the registration of players, their insurance and public liability. These fall due at the end of January and are well in excess of €5000, a nightmare for our treasurer. A good outcome to the draw would greatly reduce the number of his hours lost to anxiety. So, bí fial más féidir libh. We're fully appreciative of the number of worthy causes assailing your shrinking, or even shrunken, purse at this time of year but please do give the Éire Óg draw (tickets €1, book €5) more than a second thought. Go raibh maith agaibh. Sellers will be at Tesco on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. If you are available to help, contact Carmel at 2872643.

Our hurlers' game in the semifinal of the Leinster Junior Championship had, because of the inclement weather, to be transferred from the sodden fields of Portmarnock to the all-weather pitch at St Brigid's in Blanchardstown.

The structure of hurling competitions placed Éire Óg at an immediate disadvantage, their opponents St.Sylvester's having had league games on the previous three weekends while Éire Óg hadn't had a competitive game since September 5. No need to guess who had the sharper responses to the game's exigencies. Further, our lads did not have experience of this type of pitch, in its nature unforgiving, it makes the jab lift extremely difficult, and it took some time to come to terms with its fast surface while St. Syl's, with a smart efficient brand of hurling, took full advantage of this quality and with dextrous flicks propelled the ball 20 to 30 metres along the ground. In the first half we played against a strong breeze and St. Syls had built up a lead of three points before Éire Óg got on the scoreboard through a well-taken point by Scott Smullen from 30 metres. During this period St Syl's Martin Ormonde was proving a handful in general play and was punishing relentlessly any Éire Óg indiscretions with his accuracy from placed balls. Points from Paul Sutton and Gino Fusciardi, who also had one of those 'oh, if only' shots into the side netting, had us, all things considered, in the far from hopeless position of 0-8 to 0-3 at the break.

In the initial stages of the second period the wind disadvantage failed to loosen St. Syl's grip on the game and they scored a goal, from a sharp angle by Tom Reddy, and a point without reply.

This team doesn't relent without a struggle and points from sub Phelim Byrne, Paul Sutton (0-2 from frees) and one from sub Leon Browne from all of 50 metres had us back in contention. The Éire Óg scoring was topped off by two beautifully taken 65 metre frees from Billy Cuddihy but this still left us 5 points in arrears when Westmeath ref Joe Cornally game blew for time.

Hurling is now in recess but our players, after a very successful 2009, are already looking forward to 2010 and their participation in the Intermediate Championship.