GREYSTONES RUGBY CLUB: The weather played havoc, with Greystones Rugby Club's AIL Division 2 game against DLSP being cancelled on Saturday last.

'Stones have not been having a good time of it this season and lie rooted firmly at the bottom of the league, so after the Christmas break they were hopeful that they might arrest the problem with back to back home games against Salmo and Clonakilty on Saturday next (weather permitting).

The game against Salmo coincided with the 90th birthday of the sole surviving founder member of Greystones RFC, Eric Archer, a man well known in Irish rugby circles and of course in the Greystones area.

In 1937, Eric, along with Leslie Doyle, Donal O'Sullivan and Bill Dennihy formed the rugby club at a meeting in the Carnegie Library and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Archer family is of course well known in North Wicklow and indeed beyond and thier family-run building and window business companies will celebrate 100 years in existence this year also, with sons Robin, Derek, Dougie and daugher Gillian and indeed grandchildren at the helm.

It was hoped that the pre-match lunch would be an ideal occasion to honour this fine gentleman with most former Greystones Irish internationals attending and with best wishes from abroad from both John Robbie and Peter Muller, but the weather put paid to that, however Club President Donal Gannon and Chairman Sonny Kenny were able to present Eric and his wife Ruth with gifts and well wishes on the day from the members of the rugby club at their home where his family were celebrating the occasion. Happy Birthday Mr. President. This coming Saturday, January 16, sees Clonakilty making the journey to Dr. Hickey Park, again weather permitting, for another vital game for both clubs. There is also another special occasion with the game receipts and an auction of 30 specally designed jerseys being worn by 'Stones in the match, which will be auctioned after the game in aid of The Wicklow Hospice Foundation.

The Foundation are hoping to raise €3 million over the next three years having secured a two-acre site at Marrahmore, south of Brittas Bay, generously donated by The Columban Sisters and 'Stones are delighted to be able to contribute in some small measure to this.

The Chairman of the Foundation is local doctor Brendan Cuddihy, who was for many years (and indeed still looks after many of the players) the Greystones RFC Honarary Club Doctor.

Brendan was most grateful to Greystones RFC for their generous gesture. He and his colleagues Dessie O'Toole and Tom Fortune, along with oher members of the Foundation will be in attendance on Saturday for what is hoped is a successful occasion both on and off the field.

We would also like to thank MSL for the sponsorship of the playing jerseys.

SOUTH EAST ROAD CLUB

The severe weather conditions have been responsible for the curtailment of South East Road Club activities. Cyclists tend to err on the side of caution where icy conditions are concerned.

However, the South East Road Club sent a strong contingent to the Noel Redmond Memorial race, which was organized by Slaney CC. Matt and Becky Heaney, Niall Heffernan, Stephen Furlong, Tony Breen and Anthony Mills travelled to Enniscorthy.

Other members of the club were unable to reach Enniscorthy due to difficult driving conditions on the Arklow/Gorey bypass route.

The underage race was hotly contested with Niall Heffernan taking his first win at under age level with a terrific surge for the line, having been part of a breakaway group.

Becky Heaney was again in the medal category with a terrific fourth place. They are a part of a very promising under age South East Road Club squad.

The senior race was fast and furious with a very good field with clubs from all over Leinster competing. The difficult conditions resulted in some riders having falls. Matt Heaney had a nasty spill but is on the mend.

Despite numerous attacking and counter-attacking moves the race ended up as a bunch sprint with a fantastic fourth place going to SERC member, Anthony Mills, who is only in his first year of racing.

In fifth place was Anthony's nephew, Tony Breen who has just left the under-16 category and to take fifth place in such a high standard race indicates that he is a very talented young cyclist with a great future the sport.

Members are reminded that there will be a second coaching session on Saturday next with one of the country's leading cycling coaches, Martin O'Loughlin taking charge.

As the first coaching session was so successful, due to popular demand it was decided to organise another coaching day.

This day is confined to senior riders only but the underage section will have an opportunity on Sunday to compete for Leinster team places as the selection is part of an underage training camp, which is being held in Bray.

WICKLOW ROVERS

Well first week into the new year and we're carrying on from where we left off before the Christmas break with the weather yet again the big winner.

First we had the rain and wet conditions in November and December that caused havoc with the fixtures, now its the arctic weather of January with snow, ice and frost causing cancellations to fixtures.

The complete Wicklow Schoolboys/Schoolgirls fixtures all fell foul of the adverse weather.

Nothing escaped the weather as the Wicklow District Football League and the Leinster Senior League fixtures were all wiped out by the bad weather.

The club would like to thank Donal Dunne for the making of the clubs history DVD for the recent club reunion and to Billy Alexander for the 1988 Wicklow Cup Final DVD that was shown on the night.

Congratulations once again to our U-9C team on achieving runners-up spot in the league recently. They took on Aughrim Rangers in their last game in the hockey pitch.

Aughrim came to Wicklow already crowned champions and with a 100 per cent record so our lads needed a win to take the runners-up spot.

They knew they were in for a tough game. After a close game, our lads came out on top in a 1-0 victory with Morgan Freeley scoring the only goal of the match.

The full panel of players is as follows: Zara Browne, Scott Burleigh, Geoff Butler, Becky Corrigan, Morgan Freeley, Ben Griffin, Conor Hawes, Chris Hudson, David Hudson, James Lang, Cian O'Reilly, Seán Redmond, Jack Gibney, Ciarán Gilpin, Stuart Cox, Ronan Murray, Kirsty Roche, Jonathan Hodgins, James Kelly and Carl Somers.

The team is coached by Alan Cox and assisted by Ger Drennan and Gerry Gibney. Well done lads.

WICKLOW GOLF CLUB

The following are the results from the recent competitions held at Wicklow Golf Club:

Men's Singles, 13-Hole competition held on Thursday December 31: 1st. Peter Byrne (14) with 29 points; 2nd. Mark Redmond (Blainroe GC) (+2) with 28 points.

The result of the 13-Hole Sweep held on Sunday January 3 are; 1st. Gavin Campbell (18) 32 points; 2nd. Rob Quigley (14) 32 points; 3rd. Ray Moran (20) 31 points.

The next Winter League matches will take place on the weekend of January 16th and 17th, weather permitting. Please keep an eye on the club notice boards and the electronic time sheet for specific details of competitions.