GAA its in our dna

Our Club will be celebrating 121 years of a rich and colourful history this year. The records over those 121 years show that many of us have ties to the club going back many generations. Over the course of the year we will try and share as much information about our past members as we can.
To begin, we shall start from 2017. Every week we will get to know a little bit more about our present players and our hard working committee members as member profiles will be uploaded to our Clubs facebook page over the summer.
To get the ball rolling, this week we had the profiles of Joe O’Neill & Annette Mangan.

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INTRODUCING OUR FIRST PLAYER/COMMITTEE PROFILE

NAME: Joe O’Neill

AGE: 38

ORIGINALLY FROM: Whitestown Stratford

OCCUPATION: Dairy farmer

TEAM: semi retired/junior team

COMMITTEE POSITION: Juvenile club chairperson

POSITION PLAYED: the full back line, each position

FAVOURITE POSITION: Full back

COMMITTEE / PLAYER HISTORY: Played all my underaged football with the parish team St Josephs in Baltinglass. Started playin with the Stratford Grangecon Junior team when I was 15, progressed to the senior team at 17. Won the intermediate league and championship in 2007, feel like there’s a junior championship in me yet. Was club treasurer and School links Coach in the past. This is my first year as Juvenile Chairperson.

OTHER SPORTS PLAYED / INTERESTS: hurling, like running, looking at cows, talking about cows, eating cows!

YOUR CLUB AMBITION: For the club to grow and unite the community like it did in the past and some success on the field would be nice

WHY I LOVE OUR CLUB: it’s in the blood, grew up watching my dad play for Stratford, been wearing the maroon and white for as long as I can remember, have it tattooed on my arm for gods sake!
It’s hard to explain, sometimes I can hate it as much as I love it, it’s a huge part of the O’Neill family life. Will always be our club

IF I WON THE CLUB LOTTO I WOULD: take the wife on hols

EXTRA COMMENTS : Driving into the field always make my heart swell with pride, finest damn field in Wicklow. My playing days are numbered but I hope I have a long future ahead serving the club as best I can. Hon’ Stratford/grangecon

#loveYourClub #community
Joe is your point of contact for any Juvenile issues or queries. If you would like to become involved in the Juvenile club please make contact. He will help you as best he can or direct you towards the appropriate club officer. 0872198662

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OUR NEXT PLAYER/COMMITTEE PROFILE
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NAME: Annette Mangan

AGE:Over 50 !!

ORIGINALLY FROM: Kenmare, Co Kerry. Kerrywoman through and through!

OCCUPATION: Adult Literacy Organiser for KWETB West Wicklow

TEAM: My son Michael plays on the adult team and has played all the way up from U14 when Stratford Grangecon became a juvenile club and hosted a Feile team in 2007.

COMMITTEE POSITION:
•Presently Club Registrar which includes membership collection and player welfare.
• Club contact for sales of club gear /leisure wear.
• Assistant Lotto Co-ordinator and Lotto Team Leader.
• Plus a myriad of other jobs!!!!

HISTORY WITH CLUB: I have been involved in the club for approx. 8 years in various roles.

OTHER SPORTS PLAYED OR INTERESTS:
Hill walking. Boring life!!

YOUR CLUB AMBITION :
• Encourage all to have pride in our Club and to support it in whatever way is possible.
• Foster a sense of community and camaraderie within the Club.
• Have a Club that sustains itself and is open to change.

WHY I LOVE OUR CLUB:
I was brought up with the good, the bad and the ugly of the GAA and know no different. It provides such an opportunity for children to develop, grow and get fit.
IF I WON THE CLUB LOTTO I WOULD: Wait till it happens. Here’s hoping!!

#loveYourClub #pride #community

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INTRODUCING THE NEXT PLAYER/COMMITTEE PROFILE

NAME: Ross Coogan

AGE: 17

ORIGINALLY FROM: Winetavern, Stratford

OCCUPATION: Student

TEAM: Stratford Grangecon Intermediate team

POSITION PLAYED: Wing forward

FAVOURITE POSITION: Centre forward or Midfield

PLAYER HISTORY:
Played with Stratford from u8’s to u14’s then I played for Michael Dwyers until this year, now I’m on the intermediate team.

OTHER SPORTS PLAYED / INTERESTS: Soccer

YOUR CLUB AMBITION:
To win the intermediate championship, and keep the squad we have going strong for many years to come

WHY I LOVE OUR CLUB:
Nothing beats going out playing for your own hometown, plus by far we have the nicest pitch in Wicklow, used to spend 90% of my summers down there

IF I WON THE CLUB LOTTO I WOULD: Get car insurance
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