The News:
Juvenile football and hurling coaching returned to the field on Fri. 30th March and Sun. 1st April. The number of new members joining is up considerably this year with a large number of junior and senior infants attending. The number of new coaches/mentors attending is also up considerably with magnificent support from the ladies GAA Club, all of which suggests a bright future for BME GAA.




First Aid:
20 Juvenile coaches/mentors/parents attended a First Aid Course recently. The course was specifically structured to equip attendees with the basic skills required in the use of a First Aid Kit and general guidelines to follow in the event of a sports injury. (Thanks to Pascal Walsh from the Red Cross and Michael Hogan for co-ordinating this important course.)

Dates to remember:
A Parish field day is to take place on the 6th May this year in the BME GAA Grounds. During the day and as part of the many activities being planed there will be juvenile football and hurling matches. (Look out for more details for this one)

The date for the BME Annual GAA Summer Camp is fixed for the week the 3rd – 7th of July. The GAA Summer Camp is one of the highlights of the Juvenile Year and with the number of new members rising all the time this year promises to be very successful. (More details to follow.)

Football & Hurling Go-Games:
Go-Games for U9 football/hurling is to be rolled out this year by the Kildare South Board. At a recent workshop held in Moorefield over 50 coaches/mentors attended. With U8’s up and running from last year this will mean that Go-Games will provide games for U7, U8, and U9 for the coming year. With the experience from last year under most South Kildare Clubs belts the bottom line with regard to Go-Games is



that it is all about given children the opportunity to take part in small sided games. Clubs with equal numbers of players of equal age will be matched and all the children get to play and get lots of touches on the ball in different positions through out the game.


Last call for the Annual Juvenile Membership of €25 for the first child or maximum €40 for 2 or more children.
Also please don’t forget the €1 bucket at the Friday evening and Sunday morning sessions as this kitty money is used to purchase new balls, cones, Goal Posts, hurleys etc. for the coaching sessions.


Fixtures:
The U11 football league gets up and running on Wed. 25th April. Paul Murphy along with Henry, Dermot, Jarlet and Joe are putting the panel through their paces in preparation for this very exciting league. (Full list of fixtures to follow)

Results:
U16 Boys
A depleted Oliver Plunkett's met a resurgent Na Fianna in difficult and wintry conditions at Eadestown on 18th March.Plunkett's played with a strong and gusty wind in the first half. Na Fianna started well and went 2 points up before Plunkett's went ahead for the first and only time in the match with a well taken penalty by Cian Bolton. Na Fianna continued to dominate the first half clocking up a goal and 7 points by half time. Plunkett's only other score in the first half came a point from Cian Bolton. Na Fianna started the 2nd half they way they concluded the first, scoring 3 goals and 4 points in the second half with Plunkett's battling well with good individual scores from Paudie Ryan and Luke Smith and an excellent 2nd half goal from Cian Bolton, following a 40 yard run. Na Fianna were deserving winners and have set a very high standard for other clubs to aspire to.
The final score was Na Fianna 4-12 to Plunkett's 2-3.
Best for Plunkett's were Luke Smith, Ethan Harney, Cian Bolton, Paudie Ryan, goalie Mark Murphy who had a couple of spectacular saves, Willie Burke, and Aron McCabe.

Plunkett's got back to winning ways again in a closely contested game away to Clane on Saturday 24th March. Clane started strongly and went 4 points up before Michael Mullan pointed for Plunketts. A goal from Mullan and a 2nd by Aron McCabe kept Plunketts in touch with a half time score of Clane 0-9 to Plunketts 2-1. Clane continued to pick off successive points in the second half, while Plunketts continued to keep in touch with goals from Aron McCabe, Cian Bolton and Paudie Ryan. Plunketts were fotunate to run out winners by 2 points with a final score of 5-2 to 0-15. Goalie Mark Murphy pulled off some excellent saves once again.
Best for Plunketts were Tutty, Burke, Healy,Bolton, Mullan, McCabe and goalie Mark Murphy.

Oliver Plunkett's travelled to Johnstown Bridge to play Balyna in their 4th game in the U16 league. Balyna started strongly and went a point up to open the scoring and to take a lead that they never lost. Paudi Ryan pointed from a difficult sideline angle. Balyna replied with 5 points before Plunketts got on the scoreboard with a fisted point from Michael Mullan. An excellent goal from Cian Bolton left the half time score 1-2 to Balyna's 0-12. Plunketts battled well in the second half against a stronger and more physical Balyna side with a goal from Tagdh Beirne, 2 points from Cian Bolton and 1 from Brian Murphy. Balyna were the better and stronger side on the day and ran out winners on a score line of 2-5 to 0-18. Mark Murphy kept another clean sheet and pulled off a number of good saves.Best on the day for Plunketts were Michael Tutty, Conor Healy, Brian Murphy and Tadgh Beirne.
Next up are Kill. (Plunkett match reports by Pat Mullen).