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. 2019 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 7 right up to senior and in 7 grades of football in 2018. The introduction of football to younger age groups for boys and girls grades continued it’s success in 2019 and gained success with our U13 side winning a league and championship double. Our Intermediate side fell at the final hurdle for the second year in a row when losing out to a strong Mooncoin side in Nowlan Park. The Girls football continues to go from strength to strength. The Gaelic 4 Mothers is an ongoing part of the club makeup – both on and off the field of play and a great social scene surrounds this group. 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.
On the playing field Erin’s Own were defeated in the Senior Hurling Championship at the Semi Final Stage for the second year running. This time they lost out to James Stephens. This team went on an unbeaten run, similar to the previous year, late August right into October that will long be remembered. A disappointing performance on the day but again lots to believe and hope for into the future. Thanks to Liam Dowling, Michael Owens and Eamonn Jackman. Our Junior A team were the most successful when going from a relegation final the previous year to championship winners this year in a very exciting final coming out winners on a scoreline of 2-16 to 3-12. Congratulations to all involved as well as the backroom team of Davy Buggy, John Cahalane and Paddy Brennan. More success continued at underage and our youngest teams are making huge strides. Congratulations to our U13 Double Double Champions. It is not often a team manages to take home all 4 titles in its grade. Well done to players, parents and management. Well done also to our schools teams, young and old and in particular to Castlecomer Community School on their performances in the Hurling and Camogie schools finals. Well done also to the winners of the many tournaments that our teams participated in.
Congratulations also to all our inter county representatives at all grades from Conor Fogarty, Conor Delaney and Ciaran Wallace at senior level who fell on the final hurdle in the All Ireland Final. A proud day for the club to have 3 Erin’s Own players listed on All Ireland Day. 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 2020. We wish all our club players who tog out in the black and Amber all the very best in 2020.
Fundraising is a necessary requirement for the upkeep of all clubs. The Kilkenny Outdoor Festival continued in 2019 and is going from strength to strength.
In 2020 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 Friends Of Castlecomer Hospital, The annual Croagh Patrick Climb raised over €15k. 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 4th so keep that day free in your diary. We will be holding our third American Tea Party following on from last years success. 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 some administration changes for 2020 with Eamon Holland as Chairman, Davy Buggy Vice-Chairman, John Buggy, Secretary, Marie Therese Comerford Treasurer and Margaret Dillon Vice Treasurer and Deirdre Buggy PRO. We look forward to 2020 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 . Our main club sponsor is The Avalon House Hotel, Castlecomer with The Academy Plaza Hotel, Dublin. It is important that we continue to show support for our sponsors.
To Willie Forde, Eurospar and the many other sponsors ongoing thanks and to our members to please continue to support their businesses throughout 2020.
