Stradbally GAA

Lotto Draw Monday Night 31st of August

Jackpot €6,700 - No Winner

Lucky Dip Winner €50 - Sinéad Ní Fhaoláin

Thank you for playing our lotto. Your continued support is much appreciated and it enables the development of our club.

There are no words to describe the dark cloud that descended over Waterford Garda station last Friday when word filtered through of the untimely and unexpected death of Sergeant Brendan Breen.

A Kerry native, he transferred to Waterford from Crumlin Station having previously worked in the GNDU. In his role as the CPD Sergeant he led a team who welcomed every new probationer Garda to the division and guided them in the right direction as they set out on their new careers.

His infectious 'can do' attitude and his ability to talk to people and connect with them, meant that he left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

To his wife Cathy, and children Aidan, Grace and Róisín, there are no words. Ye are his pride and joy... His everything.

In the wider community, he was heavily involved in his local Stradbally GAA where he was a coach, mentor, manager. Furthermore, he was a referee with the juvenile and underage Waterford GAA as well as a selector with the Waterford Minor Footballers.

He had time for everyone and was a great man for the chats. He knew something about everything, and if he didn't he would put you in touch with someone who did.

Brendan's larger than life character will be deeply missed in the station, on the pitch sidelines and in his home in Stradbally.

Rest in Peace Brendan.

Results
At the business end of the underage championships Stradbally were busy on 4 nights last
week, when we had either a county final or a semi-final. On Monday 24 th the under 16
hurlers played their division 1A county final against group team St Olivers in the Fraher Field
where they won on a scoreline of 7:10 to 4:18. The Under 12 hurlers played the plate semi-
final against Lismore on a wet Tuesday night in Lismore where they were only 2 points down
at half time and eventually lost by 4 on a scoreline of 2:09 to1:08. The young lads had a
good campaign, winning the football division 1 Cup final and getting to the semi-final in the
hurling shield, staged an exhibition game for our Argentinian visitors as part of World
Games, they can head back to school with their heads held high. It was good to see them in
the field honing in on their skills again later in the week. The Minors played the Division 2
Shield Final in the Fraher Field on Wednesday night against group team Portlaw/Ballyduff
Lower where they lost on a scoreline of 2:14 to 0:17 and now head back to the football

championship which starts next week. The Under 14 hurlers had the Division 1 Plate semi
final against Abbeyside on Thursday 27 th , which they won on a score line of 3:19 to 3:07 and
now await De La Salle in the final. This represents not only a huge commitment by the club,
its volunteers and young players but also by the parents and grandparents who ferry children
to games and training throughout the year. At this stage, every underage grade from Under
12, Under 14, Under 16 and Minor will have contested a county final in either cup or
shield/plate at division 1 or 2 levels in 2026 and we still have some football competitions to
come. This shows huge incremental improvement in recent years in the underage club, much
of which is being led by our own former players. We now return to football for Senior, under
16 and Minor grades and face Rathgormack in both underage games next week. Our Senior
group consists of Ballinacourty, Roanmore and Rathgormack and begins on the week 11-13 th
September. It is a tough group and the team will need every bit of support we can get. The
other senior group consists of The Nire, Gaultier, Ring and Kilrossanty.
County Division 1A Hurling Champions

Stradbally team and mentors standing to attention for the National Anthem, great to be
back in Co Finals, hope we will have many more nights like this.
On Monday evening Stradbally took on group side St Olivers in the Division 1A final in the
Fraher Field and after a hard-fought game which ended level at full time and after 20 minutes
of extra time won narrowly by one point on a scoreline of 7:10 to 4:18. It is true goals win
matches. As Bord na nÓg member Brendan Breen, handed over the cup to Stradbally captain
Gearóid Power, the Stradbally supporters were joyous on the Fraher Field. Colum Power was
named man of the match and will attend a Bord na nÓg awards ceremony later in the year.
The winning panel was Fionn Costelloe, Ronan Curran, James Keane, Niall Ronayne, Conor
O’Reilly, Colum Power, Adam Casey, Andrew Walsh, Gearóid Power, Rian Jones, Adam
Curran, Riain Casey, Ronan Cunningham, Ryan O’Donnell, Cian Curran, Dan Walsh, Oisin
Casey, Kevin Óg Coffey, Corey O’Donnell and Donnacha Power. In the end Waterford GAA
had to turn off some lights to urge the Stradbally supporters to leave the venue after the
presentation, from which the team returned to the club for food and refreshments. It was
great to be on the Fraher Field once again winning a county final but on a more serious note
for the future of games in the county, Stradbally was the only club team participating in the
two games on Monday night, all the others were group teams.

Stradbally under 16 hurlers Division 1A champions, battered and bruised after the final
Hurling helmets
Waterford GAA made a decision to play hurling first and football second in 2026 and as we
reach the end of our hurling journey for 2026, we once again address the issue of unsuitable/
unapproved/unsafe hurling helmets in the interest of the safety of our players. The new
design of hurling faceguard is currently at the final stages of testing by manufacturers. To
combat the use of illegal and/or tampered faceguards that do not pass the IS 355 2006 safety
standard, the GAA has created its own version that will eventually be worn across the board
in hurling at club and county level in all grades. Samples have been sent to Sweden to test the
performance of the facemasks of the helmets trialled by the official licensees. Again, we
want to remind players that injuries caused by the wearing of faulty helmets will not be
covered by the player injury fund. Eventually it is envisaged the quality of the helmets will
be policed by match officials and if the seal has been interfered with the player will be
booked and if they refuse to change the helmet, they will be shown a straight red card.
Condolences

Brendan Breen RIP

The peace and tranquillity of a normal summers day was broken by the shock, heartbreak and
disbelief in the club and parish on Friday with the news of the sudden death of Brendan
Breen, who since he came to Stradbally had become so much a part of our club. As a Kerry
man, Brendan was GAA through and through, Austin Stacks loss was Stradbally’s gain, when
Brendan came to Stradbally. His passion for underage GAA, his integrity, and his good
humour will be greatly missed. He always knew what the right thing to do was and always
believed in doing it.
Stradbally GAA/LGFA extend our heartfelt sympathies to his wife Cathy, son Aidan,
daughters Grace & Róisín, his mother Agnes, siblings Declan, Gerald, Elaine and Miriam, his
colleagues in An Garda Siochana and his extended family in Kerry and to all who knew him.
We will remember them in our prayers at this sad time.
Brendan came to live in Stradbally while stationed as a Garda Seargent in Waterford and
played a valuable part in the life of the club here, being part of the club executive committee
and representing the club as delegate to Bord na nÓg. He was a very committed worker on
any committee he was part of. Within Waterford GAA , he refereed at both juvenile and
underage levels for a number of years. He was also involved with Deise Óg in the Town &
Country Leagues and in Development squads. Earlier this year he was a selector with
Waterford Minor Footballers in what was their most successful campaign in a long number of
years. His son Aidan was one of five Stradbally players on that minor panel in 2026. Many
of our memories of Brendan will be of his joy at good displays of the county team in
Lemybrien. His young daughters Grace and Roisin play football for the ladies teams and he
was a great supporter of the efforts being made in that side of our club.
His last official function on behalf of Bord na nÓg was to present our own Gearóid Power
with the Under 16 Division 1A cup on Monday night last. Hard to believe that someone who
was in such jovial spirits on Monday night could have died so soon. Brendan, with John
Coffey, managed the club minor hurling team to contest the County Shield final last
Wednesday night in the Fraher Field. Little did any of us think then, that it would be the last
time we would see him. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal. Ní bheidh a leithéid ann arís.
Elena Barnes We also extend our condolences to the Barnes family on the passing of Elena
who died abroad recently. Elena played for Stradbally in the 70s and her ashes will be buried
in the family plot on Saturday morning September 5 th . May she rest in peace.
Club Lotto sponsored by Alaska Fireplaces
Monday August 17 th . Lotto €6,600 no winner, numbers were 9, 22, 28, 29. Lucky Dip of €50
was won by Eoin Corbett Congratulations Eoin and thanks for supporting the club
fundraising activities. The next draw will be on Monday 31 st . August. Lotto will be for
€6,700 Tickets are €5 for three lines.
https://stradbally.clubforce.com/products/lotto/stradbally-gaa-lotto Paper tickets are
available in the shops locally and at the Saturday market.
Field Developments
As funds become available through grants, fundraising or through donations, the club
endeavours to develop and refurbish the facilities on an ongoing basis. With the nights
drawing in, the current project to refurbish the lights on the top field was prioritised and the
new LED lights got their maiden switch on last Friday night in a senior football challenge
game against Gaultier. The switch to LED lights will hopefully be cheaper to run and more
sustainable in the long run as well as giving a brighter light. The original lighting has served

the club well for nearly 20 years. Refurbishment of existing facilities continues in both fields
and across the grounds and buildings, with more developments planned subject to budget.
The club is very grateful to those who support us financially for their continued support.

The new LED lights on the Stradbally GAA pitch.
Irish Wheelchair Association Tractor Run
The Stradbally GAA Centre will host the IWA annual tractor run in aid of the Waterford
branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association on Sunday 13 th September from 12 noon.
Déise Draw
The August Deise draw was held on Wednesday and again Stradbally had no winners. The
€12,500 was won by Damien Burns, Dunhill. Full list of winners available online.
Social Centre
The social centre is open every Sunday night for a social chat, refreshments and outside of
this, is available for functions if required by club members and the wider community, 2 nd day
of weddings, christenings, funerals, etc. Music and craic most weeks, check the Stradbally
GAA page for updates.
Stradbally Ladies Football and Camogie Notes
Senior Ladies
Quarter Finals are due to be played on weekend of 5th/6th September.
Junior Ladies Football

After four rounds our Junior Ladies sit second on the Junior B championship table. With 9
points on the board, they trail Ballysaggart on scoring difference only. They will meet Na
Deise in the Semi Final fixed for weekend of 19th/20th Sept.
College places.
Congratulations to the boys and girls going on to 3rd level who got their CAO offers this
week, for others there are plenty of further education and apprenticeship opportunities out
there and many available nearer home.
Back to School
This coming week will see our young players return to school for the next academic year.
After a glorious summer of sun and sporting fixtures it is time to settle back to routine for all.
For those making the transition to new schools we wish them all the best for the upcoming
year and beyond.
Gathering on the Green
In glorious sunshine the Gathering went off a treat on Saturday 22 nd . Locals and visitors had
a great time as witnessed by the crowds gathered and the many photos circulating on social
media. The money raised went to Féileacáin a neonatal loss charity and the Stradbally tidy
towns committee.

A good overview of the people gathered for the Gathering watching the activities in the
square.

The Irish Dancers who did the parish proud by qualifying for the Munster Fleadh this year,
getting ready to perform at the Gathering on the Green. The dancing lessons will return to
the GAA club early in September, all new participants welcome and maybe some of the
older group who stopped during covid might consider returning.

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