CHUMANN CHLUAIN DAIMH LÁ NA gCLUB 2021

Chumann Chluain Daimh Lá na gClub 2021

(Clonduff Club Day 2021)

What an amazing day Sunday 29th August turned out to be in Clonduff Park, bringing to an end the 8-week long programme of summer activities.

The players from all teams in all codes were divided into Provincial teams (Ulster, Munster, Leinster, Connaught) of equal ability – team mates playing with and against each other and wearing the colours of their assigned province.

Kayleigh McPolin got proceeding under way at 2pm singing Amhran na bhFiann and the field sports got under way immediately after. Rivalries were immense and the craic mighty. To accommodate the dual players, Hurling, Camogie and LGFA were played firstly in staggered intervals followed by boys football and U7 football for all. The older boys, whilst waiting for the football took part in a Basketball shoot out. Whilst all this was going on, the cultural side of our club kept us all entertained throughout the programme, some having initially played in their team games.

There was an amazing atmosphere and for good measure the weather was very kind indeed – dry and warm but not sunny! Tables and chairs were available for people to sit around and eat their burgers, drink tea, coffee, soft drinks, listen to the entertainment or simply chat!

Towards the end of the programme Miss Una Lawless, former principal of St Patrick’s Primary School, who officially retired last Friday visited the club and a presentation was made to her by the Club Chair Anita Brannigan, on behalf of the entire Clonduff Club Community and thanking her for the mutual co-operation between school and club over the years.

On display throughout the afternoon were: the new L.á na gClub Shield, Ulster U20 Cup, Co Senior Football League Cup, Camogie Feile Cup, Football Feile Cup, U18 LGFA League Cup and U13 Camogie Championship Cup which was won earlier in the day.

The programme concluded shortly after 5pm and whilst the tallies were being finalised the winner of the Basketball shootout was presented with his prize – CJ Grant scored an amazing 19 out out 20 baskets!

Clonduff Ulster team claimed the bragging rights and the shield was presented to the youthful captains (U7) of each code – Cara Quinn (Camogie), Fiadh Maginnis (LGFA), Paudie Matthews (Hurling) and Owen McGreevy (Football).

There are a lot of people to thank for helping make the day such a success – Anthony Grimes who pulled the whole programme together and the code representatives on the organising committee, Dermot Fitzpatrick for all the pre-event preparations – sourcing stage, filling potholes, revamping BBQ and providing the walkie talkies, Brendan Murray for Traffic Control, Barry Doyle for the amazing sound system, Dermot McCartan for the two trailers that comprised the stage, Damien Henning and Paul McConville for providing power to the stage, Shereen and Darren Feenan in the control centre with Shereen taking on the duties of Bean an Tí, Caroline McGreevy, our Cultural Officer for organising the entertainment, the U18 Ladies Footballers who coordinated the three fields and manned the walkie-talkies, Goretta, Noleen and Shane Cairns with Cadhla Gilbey in the very busy shop, Laurine, Dermot, Cathy, Paul, Ciara and later Shane in the extremely busy BBQ area, the mentors and referees for the day, and the great army of volunteers who helped set everything up in the morning and then clear away afterwards. A special big thank you to the participants whether on the field or on the stage – perhaps both! And to Fr Charlie for the use of church car parks for the afternoon.

Feedback was fabulous with many people expressing the hope that such an event could become an annual event!