Once again Cumann na mBunscol is indebted to Andrew Cornyn who once again organised a comprehensive hurling fixture list during 2004. In the earlier part of the year St. Conan’s won the INTO Mini Sevens and went on to represent the Garden County in the regional festival. In the MacDonald’s sponsored Lift and Strike competition two boys from St. Patrick’s Wicklow, Jim O’Brien and Stefan O’Brien won the county competition. They then went on to win the competition outright in June and July in Croke Park while St. Pat’s retained The Wicklow Times Cup. With the new school year starting in September, it was time for the autumn hurling leagues to get under way. This year fourteen teams participated, slightly up on previous years. Let’s hope that this trend continues in 2005! In division one there were four teams. Games were played on a home and away basis. St. Cronan’s were the outright winners. Six teams took part in division two. These matches were played on a home or away basis, with an effort to reverse the location of the previous year’s fixture. In a very tight division Scoil Chualann overcame Ashford in an exciting final. In division three four teams from the smaller schools in the county took part with the honours going to Glenealy. Perhaps the highlight of the Cumann na mBunscol year came in the Leinster Indoor Hurling Tournament which was held in December. Wicklow qualified for the semi-final as they were the best runners-up having only lost to Wexford in their opening match. The garden County disposed of Westmeath in the semi-final to book a place in the final against their old rivals Wexford. Wexford were favourites to take the title but the Wicklow lads were determined to reverse the result of their opening match. They did so with a scoreline of 4-1 to 3-1. Is this the beginning of a new era in Leinster hurling? Does your school want to be a part of it? If so get hurling and participate in the many Cumann na mBunscol events that are planned between now and June!

This was a great game to watch with Scoil Chualann taking the lead with an early goal in this Roinn a hAon Allianz Hurling League. By the half-time mark St. Cronan’s were leading by two or three points. Captained by Padraig Hogan they showed great skill. In the second half they played brilliantly. The atmosphere was fantastic. St. Cronan’s supporters were cheering loudly and boosting the confidence of the team players. With a couple of minutes to go Scoil Chualann’s best player was hit in the hand and managers rushed on to the pitch to attend to his injury. It was a great game enjoyed by both sides. (Report written by a pupil in rang a sé St. Cronan’s)