Kilkenny Legends David Herity and Aidan Fogarty made the long trip to Clonduff Park on Saturday 28th July on what turned out to be one of the wettest days for many years but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of either the tutors or their students in the inaugural Sean Cairns Memorial Hurling Camp!
The Heavens had opened so Plan B was put into operation for the youngsters – and indoor session in Hilltown Youth Club. 36 youngsters aged U6/U8/U10 attended the first session with 18 U12/U16 attending the second session – each group receiving 45 minutes expert tuition from David and Aidan.
There was no such luxury as an indoor session for the adults – after a quick bite of lunch it was out into the continuing downpour for the Senior Camogs for an hour long session and this was followed by the Senior Hurlers. All agreed that the coaching sessions in the pouring rain with David and Aidan were amazing experiences and was tremendous preparation for their upcoming championship bids!
Dermot and his staff were not thwarted with the proposed barbeque – it was cooked and eaten indoors (reminiscent of Mrs Bucket’s ‘Outdoor Indoor BBQ). Presentations of Clonduff jerseys were made to the lads and Aidan delivered an inspirational speech. The Galway v Clare semi final was onscreen and the Senior ‘trainees’ then attended former team mate Pearce Branagan’s Month’s Mind Mass before returning to the Club with the Branagan Family.
Despite the dreadful weather David and Aidan gave our players an experience they are unlikely to forget for many years to come! Thank you lads! Thanks also to the Cairns Family, to the Hurling sub committee who organised the event, to those who provided/cooked the eatables, or helped in anyway make this an unforgettable memorial of a true Clonduff man – Sean Cairns.
