Over 200 youngsters converged on a sun-kissed Clonduff Park on Saturday 17th August to celebrate Ella’s short life – she would have been 10 on Tuesday 13th August. The day was all about ‘Football Fun in the Sun’.
Nine different clubs provided 16 teams – five at P1 and eleven at P2 – Bryansford, Glenn, Saval, Rostrevor (one team each), Mayobridge (2), Cumann Pheadar Naofa (2), Burren (2), St John Bosco (2), and Clonduff (4). There was some great football and coaching on show.
The event got underway with Ella’s big sister and All Ireland Scór na nÓg Solo Singing Champion Aoife Singing Amhrán na bhFiann.
The day ran like clockwork and at the end every child was presented with a medal and a packet of Jelly Tots (Ella’s Favourite) and had group photos taken. Then it was into the Clubrooms for lunch which was provided to every man, woman and child who attended. Special thanks to O’Hares Bakery Warrenpoint and Cunningham Butchers Kilkeel for providing the baps and hotdogs free of charge, to the parents of the children and the Trainor Family for the sandwiches and buns etc; to Conor Darcy for designing the beautiful programmes and Mourne Office Supplies for printing the programmes also, free of charge. Your generosity is so appreciated by everyone.
Grateful thanks to all those who donated such an abundance of food – the excess was donated to Newry Homeless and MACS Supporting Children and Young People in Downpatrick.
We are indebted to all those who attended, those who referreed including 4 Clonduff Young Volunteers – Paudy Clancy, Poddie Morgan, Darragh McAlinden and Lauren Kane, the organisers – Anthony Grimes and his team of U6 mentors assisted by Kieran and Majella Kelly, the army of volunteers who ‘were just there’ particularly those working in the kitchen and those who tidied up after; the team of Young Volunteers who were responsible for the photographs – Kayleigh, Niamh, Erin and Orlaigh and of course Goretta and Noleen in the shop
Such an event couldn’t be run without help and that was very much in evidence on Saturday.
