HURLING
SENIOR MEN
Our intermediate hurlers had an overall disappointing year, being eliminated at the semi-final stage of the championship was way short of the target this year. However, there are always positives when you see the previous year’s minors take their first steps in adult hurling. Des Byrne, T J Copeland and Conor Jameson all had positive impacts for the club this year. When you add that to the growth of last year’s graduates and their accomplished performances along with the work in juvenile teams again this year then there is much to be hopeful for in the near future. The average age of this panel is still young and with the right direction from both coaches and senior players and full application from all, success will not be too far away. Massive thank you again to John Somers, Jason Redmond, Kevin O’Reilly, Vinnie Byrne, Peadar Keogh, Sinead Wixted, David Carroll, Paul Gilbert and Tom Byrne for all their work and time throughout the year
PANEL: Tony Kinsella, Bryan O’Leary, Charlie Monaghan, Cian Doyle, Colin O’Connor, Conor Doyle, Conor Jameson, Daniel Long, Darragh Walker, Des Byrne, Eamonn Doyle, John Cushe, John Furlong, Jimmy Dignam, Keith Barnes, Keith Long, Martin Gilbert, Paddy Mellon, Sean Somers, Shane Mellon, TJ Byrne, TJ Copeland, Tiarnan Mellon, Tyrone Byrne
MANAGER: Sean Pierce
ARP Senior Team 2019
U7 and U9 HURLING
It was another great year for our academy and U9 squads with plenty of hurling and fun had by all. We started back training after St Patrick’s Day, and we had great numbers from the start.
Our first game of the year for U9 was on the hallow turf of Croke Park on the 13th of April 2019. Our U9 boys played a club from Westmeath on the weekend of Monster Go Games organised by Leinster Council. This was a great day out for these young hurlers and their parents. Thanks to all those who came out and supported them on the day.
The Go Games season started back on the 10th of May 2019 with the first round of matches in Parnell Park. There were nine rounds of matches at various venues throughout the year and the season ended with a Monster Go Games Blitz in Ballinakill on the 7th of September. Throughout the year we had great support for the families of our young hurlers, which was great to see, and I hope this trend continues.
COACH: Philip Byrne
Under 7 Arklow Rocks Stars 2019
Under 9 Arklow Rocks Stars 2019
Go Games Croke Park April 2019
U11 HURLING
Our talented group of u11’s enjoyed yet another successful hurling year. With their pre-season done their sights were set on the league.
They had mixed fortunes in the league, but it did not deter this group of players from learning the art of hurling getting used to playing on a bigger pitch and a faster paced game. They stood up to these challenges extremely well by training week in week out and successfully improving each week as a team. With several positional changes and different plans in place the lads grew as an excellently ran league progressed. It was great seeing the team grow in confidence, ability and awareness of the few changes made which ultimately led them to their county final which led to a fantastic win to a gallant Bray Emmett’s side.
Success can be measured in different ways whether its winning or losing but for this team it was success in fielding all their league games a happy team and rising to the challenges put in front of them to which they admirably rose to, so yes it was a successful year for these kids …a team to watch for in the years to come!
We would like to thank Pettitt’s Supervalu for their continued support
PANEL: Edward Breslin, Mark Gleeson, Finn O Leary, Cian Doyle, Thomas Bracken, Tiernan Pierce, Brett Gordon, Sylvester Bourke, Kory Merrigan, Nicholas Maxwell, Leighton Dempsey, Bill Connors, Sean Farrell, Se Killoran, Jim Connors
COACH: Bryan O’Leary
ARP U11 Hurling Team 2019 with their coach Bryan O’Leary
ARP U11 Hurling Team 2019 ARP U11 Captain with the Cup
U13 BOYS
The lads competed in Wicklow’s Premier u13 hurling division. A tough division which provided games fortnightly and all 9 games played without any walkovers or games being called off.
Training for this young and unfamiliar team was all games based and it was not long before a team was formed.
We competed in Leinster’s Cross Border cup, Wexford tournaments and endless practice matches in Wexford and Dublin.
We then competed in the championship reaching the final against arch rivals St Patricks. We were given no chance, but against all odds we prevailed as County Champions 2019, to thunderous celebrations in Ballinakill and in Arklow.
Overall this was a great year for this group with most players involved in winning 2 county medals.
PANEL: Adam O’Leary, Robert Waddell, Aaron Hughes, Tiernan Pierce, Tiernan Ghana, Cian Redmond, Sé Killoran, Paudraig Kelly, Patrick Shaw, Bill Connors, Eric wright, josh Curran, Daniel Massey, Jamie Somers, John Erasmus, Jack O’Reilly, Darragh o Connor, Donnacha Murphy, Theo Byrne and Matt Byrne
COACHING TEAM: Jason Redmond, Liam Murphy and Bill Connors
ARP Minors and Under 13 Team 2019 – After their wins in Ballinakill
Our U13 Captains ARP U13 Team 2019 with their coach Jason Redmond
U17 HURLING
After a great 2018 and having lost eight of our 2018 starting panel the minor team needed to rebuild and the younger players would have to step up to replace some very strong players that had moved up to the adult ranks.
Again, the year started very early so our first outing was in early March travelling to Glenealy who are never an easy team to beat and with a very young team this was not going to be easy. The game started slowly but as the game proceed our more experienced players mainly Daniel O’Reilly, Darren Reilly, Shane Browne, Ross Kenny in the backs and PJ O Connor and join captains Torna Mulconroy and Liam Somers started to take a hold on the game. The second half was going to plan with all the younger players Casey Doyle, Matt Curran, Seasamh Kelly, Dara Furlong and Liam Murphy all showing the were well able for the step until a bit of a melee resulted in two rocks men getting red cards. The last 15 minutes were a little less comfortable than we would have liked but the lads fought to the end and won by five points.
Our next game was against the old revivals and current county champions Carnew in Carnew. This was going to be a very tough test and with two suspended our panel was limited. This turned out to be the game of the year with both teams going at it full throttle. Again, our more experienced players were outstanding, and all the newer lads gave it their all. Carnew took an early lead but the Rocks never let them get more than two point up. At half time there was only one point in it. Carnew got the first score of the second half but the Rocks ten had a purple patch with scores from Liam Somers and Torna Mulconroy from frees, taking over from PJ O’Connor who was having an off day. We were then hit with a sucker punch when Carnew got a Goal to go back into the lead. Grand stand finish now as we were into the last few minutes. Our backs were outstanding now repelling everything Carnew had then with only seconds on the clock Liam Somers won a free and up step PJ O’Connor from 50 yards and scored to level the game. Great game, great result, a DRAW.
There was a 12 week break for the Celtic challenge and we had a great representation with 9 players spread over the 2 county teams. Well done to both teams who had great success the Gold team getting to the quarter finals and the Blue team reaching the semi-final going down to a very strong limerick team.
The league resumed in July after the exams and up next was a very strong Michael Dwyers. This was probably our worst game of the campaign but in fairness we were missing a few key players and our training had been very disjointed due to the Celtic challenge and the large number of players we had involved. Our next 2 games were against Bray and North district. Using mostly the younger lads to give them more game time we were comfortable winners against Bray and unfortunately North district gave us a walk over.
Now the championship started with our first game against Carnew. Once again, this game had everything except the right result. After some confusion, and the umpires disagreeing, the referee took the Carnew umpire’s word and disallowed a perfectly good goal for the Rocks and Carnew went on to win by a point. This was bitterly disappointing for the team but on they went and to Glenealy where all the training and the game time the young lads were getting was starting to show with the Rocks coming away with a very good win. Up next was Dwyer again and for the second time we did not play well and had to accept a good lesson but still a win over Bray and North district and we had a semi-final spot booked.
The pressure was now on the lads as this was Championship and we could not afford any slip up and, in fairness, this team delivered with two very strong performances to book a semi-final against Michael Dwyers
The semi-final was played in lovely weather on a good pitch in Pearse park. The first 15 minutes were a disaster for us with Dwyers scoring at will and after 20 minutes were leading by 14 points. The management team made some positional changes and were forced to sub Oisin Dunne who broke his hand. These changes seemed to settle the lads and they got back into the game with points from Jason Breen, PJ O’Connor, Torna and Liam Somers. Then just on the stroke of half time Liam Somers won a high ball, turned his marker and rifled to the net to leave eight points in it. The second half was all the Rocks and hard as we tried, we had left ourselves too much to do. We kept them to only three points in the second half but ended losing by three. Dwyers went on to win the final by eight points. Well done to them.
The B final against Bray was the last game of the year, indeed the last ever minor game for a lot of these lads. Most played as if their life depended on it. Bray put up a hard battle in the first half but once again our backs were way too strong and even though our forwards were a bit slow getting going by half time, we were 0.11 v 1-3 up. The second was all the Rocks and the game was all but over after 12 mins when Dara O Shea and Liam Somers goaled. Shortly after PJ O’Connor got the first of his three to finish off and challenge what Bray were offering. Torna Mulconroy picked up the man of the match award. Well done to all the lads.
A big thanks to all the parents and supporters of the minor team and special thanks to the management team of Joe Connors, John Somers, Donal Brown, Sean O’Shea, John Byrne, Kit man John Copeland and stats man Peadar Keogh
Best of luck to all the lads moving up to the adult ranks next year we know that you all have a great future in the game and especially in our club.
ARP Minors Team 2019
Joint captains Liam Somers and Torna Mulcroney receiving the Minor B Cup
ARP Minor and U13 Teams 2019 together after both their wins in Ballinakill.
ARP Brothers In Arms – six sets of brother in the Minor and U13 Teams 2019 together after both their wins in Ballinakill.
CAMOGIE
Camogie continues to grow here at Arklow Rock Parnells GAA Club. We still do not have a ladies team but are hoping to change that next season. We did field Under 8s, Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s and U16s this year. Hopefully in 2020 we will have a team in each category.
We also welcome our new Camogie Secretary, Richelle Wood. She has done an amazing job and is helping improve and grow all aspects of our club. A special mention to our “Super Subs Ladies”, Breda McCarthy, Richella Wood and Daimhnait McDonough, for all your administration help throughout the season and to all our Super Parents who are there when we need them. It really does take the whole Rocks family to make it all work.
U6 and U8 CAMOGIE
At this age Camogie is all about fun and we try to fit as much in as possible here at Arklow Rock Parnells Hurling and Camogie Club. We train on a Saturday morning. We take part in Wicklow’s Go Games. It is a great team sport for girls even as young as four or five. We have had a couple of mums be totally surprised at how much their daughters learn and how well they can play with a hurl and sliotar whilst wearing a helmet. We would encourage all parents to let them have a go.
A good year was had by our little Rockettes. A great group of girls which are a joy to coach. A lot of last years under 8s moved up to under 10 so this is a very young team. We have some new players join us which is always good. Our older girls helped them settle into the team. We played our first blitz of the season on 11th May. We played a further eight blitzes over the summer. We won some and lost some but the improvement with each blitz
The Under 8 Camogie trained together the Under 7 Boys which was very successful for both groups so thank you to Philip Byrne for the joint training. Also, a big thank you to Danny Curran who helped with training!
At the Rocks this year we had some brilliant events. As always, we start with the St Patrick’s Day parade and with our special guest and mascot Mr Parnells. All the Rocks were in great voice and spirit on the day. Our amazing Summer Camp was our biggest to date and our end-of-season event saw 60 young camogie and hurling players go to Fun Works for soft play and laser-tag. We had the whole place to ourselves which meant we could have even more fun!
Thank you to all the mums, dads and grand-parents who committed to getting to training and matches, catered at home blitzes, washed the team jerseys and supported our team and club. Outstanding!
We are delighted that most of these fabulous girls are back in action with me next year whilst we must let some go as they are moving up. The U10s team will see the benefit of their skills next year. Keep up the good work, little Rockettes!
PANEL: Caoimhe Kinsella, Clíona O’Donovan, Ellie Ried, Emily Allen, Hannah McGeachan, Jade Flusk, Jessica Pierce, Lily Curran, Lily O’Donnell, Maisie Byrne, Eva Mellon, Kate McGeachan, Kaylin Kinsella, Sophie Breslin, Sophie Scallon, Michaela Kinsella, Chloe Kentch
COACH: Penni Heald
ARP Under 8 Camogie Team 2019
ARP Under 8 Camogie Team 2019 at a blitz
Arklow Rocks Hurling and Camogie St Patrick’s Day Parade 2019 with special guest, Mr Parnells.
U10 CAMOGIE
Our Under 10 girls once again had a very successful season. We had a lot of girls moving up from under 8 and had some new members join the club. Our numbers grew again with 24 players in this group at the end of the season. We played our first blitz of the season on 11th May. We played a further eight blitzes over the summer and in all we were fielding two teams. As usual our parents did a super job of organising refreshments for the visiting teams at our two home blitzes. Even playing three matches in most of these blitzes we were almost unbeaten throughout the season. The girls trained hard throughout the year and several of our team also played with the under 12 team when they were needed. Most of the team also attended our super Summer camp which was a great week of training and fun. All the girls have improved greatly as players this year and will undoubtedly have continued success as they move towards competitive games in the years to come. It was not all work this year. We did make time to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and had a great end of season trip to Funworks in October. Well done to all our superstars!
We look forward to a great season next year with this team and some very talented Under 8’s that are moving up, and though we will certainly miss those that are leaving to go to the Under 12 squad, we wish them every success!
PANEL: Suin Byrne, Olivia Byrne, Gracie Byrne, Sadbh Fitzgibbon, Kara Gager, Sophie Hughes, Niamh McGeachan, Aoibhe Merrigan-Carroll, Abbie Reid-Furlong, Ciara Chell, Annie Breslin, Elsa Byrne, Grace Furlong, Emilie Vautrin, Caoimhe McDonagh, Karla Redmond, Kate Geraghty, Mia Flusk, Meadh Riley, Olivia Del Rio, Zoe Walsh, Lucy Forde, Mia Kavanagh and Hannah McGeachan.
COACH: Fiona Byrne
Arklow Rocks Hurling and Camogie Club – St Patrick’s Day Parade 2019
U12 CAMOGIE
This team started out their year in April participating in four Blitzes for four weeks in a row. By competing in these blitzes, it allowed the girls to go forward and take part in the league of the u12 competition. The league took place every Friday night for a period of 12 weeks with games home and away. We had a panel of 16 girls with the majority traveling to all games making it a very competitive panel as games were only 11 aside.
We had a great year winning 9 of the 11 games played in the league, which was a brilliant campaign. The girls then played in the final’s night in Ballinakill at the end of August where we came up against our nearest and dearest rivals Avoca. In what was a very close contest the girls were eventually beaten by 2 goals to 1. Even though the girls were disappointed with the outcome, they can be very proud of the year they had. They showed great commitment over the whole year and the improvement in their play and skills was just great to watch. They grew as a team and became great friends over the year. They were a privilege to coach, and we look forward to seeing them grow and achieve as they go forward in the age groups at Arklow Rock Parnell GAA Club.
PANEL: Ailbhe Wood, Alaoise Geraghty, Ava Wolohan, Bronwyn Crummy, Cloe Eyre, Clodagh Carroll, Ellie Jane Merrigan Carroll, Emma Jane Reid, Erin Byrne, Freya Molloy, Isobel Byrne, Kitty Byrne, Leah Mellon, Maeve O’Donovan, Niamh Farrell, Poppy Heald, Saoirse Chell, Sinead McCarthy
COACH: Vinnie Byrne
ARP Under 12 Camogie Team 2019 with their coach Vinnie Byrne
U14 CAMOGIE
This team started the year in the league on the 15 of April and played every Monday evening for 13week in the league. We started with a panel of 13 girls at 14 age group and the rest is the panel was made up of six girls playing up from the u12 age group. We played 12 games in the league winning five games. We are very close and competitive with about six clubs in the league at our level and we compete with the stronger more established teams in the league but their heritage and history makes them very strong at the under-age level.
Having competed strongly all year the girls qualified for the shield final in the u14 championship losing out on the day to a very strong Kiltegan team.
We had a few girls who took part in the u14 county development squads over the year and the improvement their game was evident in them due to their training with a higher standard player bringing them on.
Two girls committed to the panel whole heartedly and had their reward later in the year by being part of the U14 Wicklow team that won their All Ireland blitz on the weekend of the Camogie All Ireland Finals and parading their trophy at halftime in the All Ireland Final. Well done to Grace Delaney and Aine Byrne. We hope that their achievements will be an inspiration to other girls in the club to go and play for their county teams.
PANEL: Abbey Wolohan, Ailbhe Wood, Aine Byrne, Aloise Geraghty, Amy Lee Hill, Aoise Dunning, Ava Wolohan, Bronwyn Crummy, Ciara Lancaster, Deirbhile Gavaghan, Elizabeth Bourke, Erin Bardon, Erin Byrne, Grace Delaney, Isabelle Chadwick, Saoirse Chell, Sarah Kealy, Sophie Mooney
COACH: Vinnie Byrne
ARP Under 14 Camogie Team 2019
Under 14 Camogie Team with coach Vinnie Byrne
U14 Wicklow County at Croke Park which included two of our Rockettes, Aine Byrne and Grace Delaney
U16 CAMOGIE
This team we started with nine girls at the age group with the remainder of the panel made up of the girls from the U14 panel. Over the duration of the year we gained a number of new players and it is hoped that these new girls will continue to play through the age groups with the club. We played eight games in the league section of this age group every Wednesday night, winning two. We then competed in a five-team championship qualifying for the shield semi-final out of this group. The girls in this group were very impressive in their perseverance. They had some difficult games and still managed to keep coming back for more games and training when it would have been perhaps easier for them to pack it in. They were a great group of girls to coach, with each very strong in their personalities and opinions but always willing to learn and improve. The future is bright if we can keep this group together and we look forward to seeing them back in the field in 2020.
PANEL: Abbey Wolohan, Ailbhe Wood, Aine Byrne, Aisling O’Connor, Allanah Chell, Amy-Lee Hill, Aoise Dunning, Ciara Lancaster, Deirbhile Gavaghan, Elizabeth Bourke, Grace Delaney, Isabelle Chadwick, Jessica Mellon, Jody Walsh, Kelly Somers, Lily O’Toole, Nicole Yau, Roisin Murphy, Sarah Keeley, Sophie Mooney, Tegan Doyle
COACH: Vinnie Byrne
ARP Under 16 Camogie Team 2018
SUMMER CAMP 2019
This event is getting bigger and better each year at Arklow Rock Parnells Hurling and Camogie Club! The great weather made for a fun packed week for a record number of boys and girls take part, over 140.
Obviously, Mr Parnells, our friendly mascot joined us for Summer Camp although he did hide indoors when the water fight started.
A fabulous job was done by all the coaches and assistants making these camps a week of fun and games for all, with a great atmosphere. On top of the hurling/camogie skills and games being practiced there was also water fights, an outdoor disco, our annual girls v boys obstacle courses.
There was even a visit from the ice-cream van. Well they had all played so hard they deserved their ice-creams. Great fun for all ages, including the coaches.
Coaches and Helpers: Vinnie Byrne, Phil Byrne, Fiona Byrne, Jason Redmond, Penni Heald, Tim Byrne, Des Byrne, Tom Byrne, Fionn Merrigan-Carroll, Orlaith Kelly, Aife O’Brien, Emma Breen, Aine Byrne, Alannah Chell, Jessica Mellon, Maisie Mellon, Oisin Kelly, Kelly Somers, Jamie Somers, Roisin Murphy Liam Murphy, Bartley.
Tom Byrne testing the kid’s skills.
Summer Disco Limbo
It was great weather, and they had all played hard so definitely deserved their ice-creams.
Getting ready for the Girls v Boys Obstacle Race
Obstacle race in full swing
Although some coaches got stuck!
Even Mr Parnells needed a sit down after all that fun.
ARP Summer Camp 2019 – that is one big, happy group!
OUTINGS
U7 and U9 Go Games Blitz April 2019 – receiving the cup, every player and coaches dream
ARP Club outing to the Camogie Finals 2019 at Croke Park – we all agree that this is going to be an annual trip from now on
End of Season outing 2019 at Funworks, Arklow – 59 children from our u6, u8, u10, u7 and u9 teams with their coaches Fiona Byrne, Philip Byrne and Penni Heald
THANK YOUs
What a year 2019 has been here at “The Rocks”. The improvement, growth and effort put in by the players, coaches, administrators and committees is much appreciated and illustrated in the club. A big thank you to the parents, who have catered at blitzes, got their players to their matches, helped when needed and supported the club. Without your support and commitment our teams would not be as successful as they are.
Appreciation and debt must be paid to Jack O’Reilly for his work on maintaining the grounds. The grounds are always in top condition and the pitch is a joy to play on. A task not getting easier with the growing numbers
To our Executive Committee a huge thank you on leading us through a successful year and to all our sponsors, your continued support is invaluable to “The Rocks”. Well done everyone and here is to a bigger and more awesome 2020 with some exciting times ahead. Carraig Parnell Abú!