Clonduff GAA Club rolled out the red carpet for the San Francisco Youth Board Feile team (U14) on Tuesday 25th June 2013. The youngsters were our guest while fulfilling the year long dream of playing in the All Ireland Feile Finals in Derry over the weekend of 28th-30th June – a trip of a lifetime!
Clonduff organised a mini blitz involving neighbouring clubs Mayobridge and Kilcoo (thanks to both clubs for accommodating our visitors) and in the three games which the visitors played they displayed terrific Gaelic Football skills and won all three of their games – a good omen for their Feile Finals! They had also visited and played games in Waterford and Kildare where two of the coaches originated. Their final preparation game was in Pairc Esler on Wednesday night v Shamrocks. But it was in Clonduff, the home of the McKay sisters, Fiona and Siobhan where the biggest welcome awaited.
Clonduff’s Christina McConville, well used to singing Amhran na bhFiann around the County’s grounds at championship and inter-county games, did likewise at the start of proceedings on Tuesday evening and then proceeded to sing the American National Anthem! Two games got underway simultaneously, refereed by our inter-county referee Kieran Branagan and his brother Paddy (also qualified referee). Following the games the members of all four teams were presented with commemorative medals and invited, along with parents and other family members to partake of eats and refreshments in the clubrooms, passing beneath the Welcome Banner (Kieran Tumilty) above the entrance.
An amazing spread for everyone, prepared by Noreen Tumilty, Lorraine Bloomfield, Laureen Harper and a great band of helpers started the evening’s entertainment where Joseph Farrell’s tiny tots gave a great display of Set Dancing and the Kelly and Murray Families (reigning County Scór Sinsir Champions) regaled us with a wonderful traditional music repertoire. A few short speeches and a Framed Jersey exchange followed before the cutting of the welcome cake specially designed and made for the occasion.
We wish the young lads every success in the Feile Finals and win or lose we hope they take away and cherish the memories and the friends they made along they way.
