Enjoyable U13 Invitational Blitz held in Ahamilaa
On Sat 17th June the Street Carnival date was fixed, but months before Pat Harte was approached by Brian McGrath and Mark Wearen of St. Patrick’s Club ,Donabate Dublin to say that they were planning a trip to West Cork ,and when choosing a town to stay in with a hotel and a good host club, asked could we facilitate them in Clonakilty.
Of course with our association with quality pitches and Quality hotel it proved to be a hit for the travelling team, all 35 U13 and 25 parents decided to travel along , and were they impressed.
They also invited Castlehaven, Bishopstown with ourselves and made for a great afternoon of football in glorious sunshine. In a recent email they said “ I want to thank you and Clonakilty GAA for organising a fantastic days Football and your hospitality was second to none. The boys enjoyed the day immensely and are already talking about going on there travels again next year so a big thank you from St Pats and we look forward to meeting you again hopefully up in our place in the not to distant future.” .
It was in fairness to all the local club’s a great privilege to be associated with this kind of venture where we get a chance to see how different the big city teams approach the game on the field .
Another email back to the club said “. The spirit in which the games were played was fantastic and that comes from the mentors – the players were a credit to the mentors and themselves as we were treated to commitment and top class skills aplenty – no better way to spend an afternoon.” . “As our lads found out last year in Donegal and again this year in Cork, football is a national game and we all have a lot to learn pitting ourselves against the best from other leagues and locations around the country. With that in mind, we are looking to organize a blitz at our grounds in Donabate in the next 12 months and we will be issuing an invitation to our friends which will include Clonakilty,Castlehaven and Bishopstown”.
Pat wishes to thank all members of Clonakilty Gaa, from John ,Carmel ,Sean and Facthna in the facility all the helpers on the day in setting up and manning the shop. To Andrew Whelton our ref.But a word of thanks to Willie Griffin ,John McCarthy , Eoin Ryan , Sarah Jane O Donovan, but especially to our players who turned up on the day some coming out straight from the Carnival ,where they were entertaining the public , to participate in the day giving up their Festival for the good of GAA. Thanks lads and well done . Pat Harte.
