LOCAL NOTES 4/5th May

AN TAISCE - SPRING CLEAN:

Reminder to all on the Granagh Road - Chawkes Cross to Hanrahans Cross - big clean up on Wednesday 4th May.    We will meet at Chawkes at 7.00pm, bring gloves and  if you have one, a hi-visibility vest.   All Welcome -  and especially those  who use the creamery car park  area, we would appreciate their help.

GRANAGH  UTD. F.C.

Lotto  Results:    Winning Nos. 3. 23. 24. 26.    No Winner.         Next  Week's  Jackpot  €9,450.00.                                                                   Lucky Dips:    Norina Sheehan, Granagh.  Nuala Stapleton, Granagh.  Jenny Gorey, Granagh.                                                                            Tickets available at O` Gorman's Foodstore Granagh, Hickeys Bar Croom, The Rock Bar Granagh, & Bennis'  Bar  Ballyagran.

Southend Manor:   We welcomed the U16 team, Manager and Coach to Estuary Park on a beautiful summer evening, Friday last.  They had been travelling  since five that morning from Essex.   Their club is situated at the mouth of the Thames, where it flows into the North sea.    The club was  formed in 1955, in 1959 they entered the Southend youth league in the lowest division and in the first year finished in bottom place.     Steady improvements were made in the Youth league and when players became too old to play in Youth Football the Club applied for membership of the Southend Borough Combination and was accepted into division five in 1964, reaching the premier division of that competition in 1969.  The Club made it’s mark in local football history during the 70’s and early 80’s by becoming one of the Borough Combination’s most successful clubs winning the Premier Division no fewer than six times, and runners up three times in twelve seasons.

In 1985, due largely to the enthusiasm and perseverance of it’s then Chairman, the late Malcolm Frost, the Club was accepted into the Essex Senior League where it has played since 1989.   The current Chairman, Bob Westley, has been in place since 1995 at which time the Club fielded only three teams.   In the ensuing years the Club has grown to the extent that a total of twenty two teams take the field each weekend.   This has been largely due to the collective decision which was taken at the end of the 90’s to establish a Youth Section.   Full F.A. Charter Standard status was awarded to the Youth Section of the Club in 1995 and the Club continues to be a major player in the local football scene and in the Community in general.    In Season 2003 Manor formed an twinning association with Charleville and  Mallow Football Clubs.              In 2011 we are delighted to say that the Manor is now twinned with Granagh  Utd.                                                                                                   After a very sporting match both teams retired to the Rock Bar, where the ladies had sandwiches and hot food ready.  John Hedderman made a presentation from the Manor,  of a set of polo shirts , to Kevin Clifford.   And along with that, from John himself, a set of top class kit bags.   Kevin thanked John on behalf of the club and stressed that they were not used to such generosity.   He thanked the Manor for travelling over and hoped that both clubs would have a long association and hopefully an exchange trip in the future.   Team Manager, Ian Ness made a presentation to the referee, Colum Dalton.   He said , referees are usually forgotten about, but without them the teams could not play and he reminded the players present, that they should always have respect for the referees.   Finally, Club Chairman, Bob Westley presented Kevin with the Twinning Plaque, which will be proudly displayed in the clubhouse.   Also present was team coach, Ciaran Law and a number of  parents who travelled with the team.                                                                                                                                                                                It   was a pleasure to meet such a lovely group of people and we hope these links will be strengthened in the future.     Many thanks to Kevin for the big clean-up of the dressing rooms and the pitch was in great condition.   Also to Carmel, Nuala and Theresa for the food preparation.

Results:    U8 League:  30/04/11.   Killeaney 3 - Granagh Utd 4

U12 Cup:   01/05/11.   Broadford Utd 2 - Granagh Utd 0
Junior : 29/04/11.
Newcastle West B 3 - Granagh Utd 1
Scorer for Granagh Kevin Fitzgibbon.

Gerard Fitzpatrick Tournament, Mallow, Sunday 1st of May.

Granagh Utd 2 -  Mallow Utd 0
Scorers for Granagh were Niall Clifford 1 & Kyle Cotter 1.

Granagh Utd 0 - Charleville 0.

Granagh Utd 1 - Mallow A 1
Scorer for Granagh, Padraig Lynch 1.

Granagh Utd 1 - Southend Manor F.C. 0
Scorer for Granagh, Shane Costelloe.

Granagh finished runner up to Charleville and received a lovely runner up trophy.
On behalf of Granagh Utd F.C,  I would like to thank Mallow for there kind hospitality in the Hibernian Hotel afterwards                                              and also for inviting us to take part in the tournament.

COMMUNITY  GAMES:

Sports Evening:   Our annual sports day will take place on next Sunday evening May 8^th at 6pm.   The venue is the Granagh Soccer grounds and admission will be 5 euro per family.   It is important to note that all attending should bring their own refreshments.  This is always a very enjoyable event with competitions for everyone including Mammies and Daddies.   As there are a lot of races to be run off we would appeal to parents to get there in good time as the first race will start promptly at 6pm.