Erin’s Own Gaelic Athletic Association was founded in 1885 and since then has been the main sporting organization in the Castlecomer area. Hundreds of players and supporters have derived great enjoyment from involvement over the years. 2017 was a again a very busy year on and off the fields of play.
Erin’s Own fielded teams in 11 different grades of hurling from Under 6 right up to senior and in 7 grades of football in 2017. The introduction of football to younger age groups for boys and girls grades continued it’s success in 2017. The Girls football in particular reached a number of County Finals. The Gaelic 4 Mothers is an ongoing part of the club makeup both on and off the field of play. Since the introduction of camogie in 2015 it is gathering great pace whilst giving girls an extra option and further embracing Erin’s Owns role across the community. We were also proud hosts for Feile 2017 and welcomed Eire Óg from Ennis into our community.
The new building is complete and up and running with 2 top class dressing rooms with associated facilities and upstairs gives access to a newly equipped club gym and another gym area used for running fitness classes. 2017 was a busy year in this area with ongoing development and expansion of these indoor facilities. We completed the Ball Wall facility outdoors with full nighttime lighting and this will be painted and complete with safety fencing by the end of January 2018
On the playing field Erin’s Own were defeated by O Loughlins in the quarter Final of the Senior Hurling championship bringing the end to a mixed bag of a year. Our Junior team fell to defeat in the relegation final and will compete in Junior A grade in 2018. Most of our success continues at underage and our youngest teams are making huge strides.
Congratulations also to all our inter county representatives at all grades from Conor Fogarty and Conor Delaney at senior level. To Conor Delaney and Niall McMahon who both lined out and played excellently in the U21 All Ireland final and to John Dowd, James Brennan and Ross Connolly at minor level in the All Ireland semi final. We had 16 players in total wearing the Kilkenny jersey last year. Many of our members are also involved in the inter county coaching groups and that continues into 2018.
Fundraising is a necessary requirement for the upkeep of all clubs. The Kilkenny Outdoor Festival continued in 2017 and is going from strength to strength. We re-introduced the Golf classic and added a new event to the calendar with the help of the ladies football and G4M – An American Tea Party, great enjoyment was had by all who attended . Congratulations to all who helped out in any way.
In 2018 we will continue to raise funds to help in the management of the day to day funds. Starting the year is a fundraiser on behalf of Castlecomer day Care Centre, The annual Croagh Patrick Climb in Sat 20th Jan. Following that will be Fantasy Cheltenham in March and all the necessary details are available on our other website www.fantasycheltenham.ie . The lotto is a regular player every week and is proving to be very popular. The Piltown Draw is a steady earner and throughout the year. The Kilkenny Outdoor Festival will take place on July 14th so keep that day free in your diary. Also for the first time this year we will be having a Lip Sync competition later on in the year. We will be holding our second American Tea Party Plenty of variety, ways to earn and make money and also allow so many people work with and for the future success of the Club on and off the field of play.
We have the same administration for 2017 with Eamon Holland as Chariman, John Buggy, Secretary, Margaret Dillon Treasurer and Marie Therese Comerford Vice Treasurer and Deirdre Buggy PRO. We look forward to 2018 with great hope on and off the field of play.
With a membership of over 300 adults and almost 150 youths the club is in the enviable position of having two properties, the first – The Prince Grounds- which is in the town and the second -Canon Kearns Park- which is just on the outskirts of the town, towards Kilkenny.
For information in relation to GAA child safeguarding procedures go to http://www.gaa.ie/the-gaa/child-welfare-and-protection/
For any information on membership, matches or general enquiries just e-mail info@erinsowngaa.com and we will be back to you.
Last and by no means least we would like to thank our sponsors for their ongoing support and specifically Joe Comerford with The Academy Plaza Hotel, Dublin. To all sponsors ongoing thanks and to our members to please continue to support their businesses throughout 2018.
