On Tuesday 6th May 2014, the young Gaels, their teachers and club were honoured with the visit of the National President of the GAA (Uachtaráin) Liam O’Neill and other dignitaries to our two local primary schools. It was announced on Tuesday of the previous week that Uachtaráin O’Neill would be visiting St Patrick’s but it wasn’t until Friday that it was announced that it was also his intention to visit St Paul’s. The event was to mark the holding of Feile na nGael (Festival of U14 Hurling and Camogie) in Ulster in 2014 and 2015.The dignitaries were paying a visit to some of the primary schools that were situated within Gaelic Club areas that had agreed to host a Hurling and/or Camogie Club from another county – Clonduff Camogs will be playing host to an, as yet unknown Camogie Club – watch this space!
Uachtaráin O’Neill was accompanied by Diarmuid Cahill (An Riocht), Chairperson National Feile Committee and Ciarán Kearney, Camogie Development Officer, Ulster Council. Clonduff invited along the County Chair of Camogie Deirdre McGrath. Present from Clonduff were Brendan Murray (Chair), Anita Brannigan (Secretary), Lorraine Bloomfield (Treasurer), Tommy Kelly (Youth Officer), Des McNeill (Handball), Maura Quinn and Orla Maginn (Clonduff Camogie).
First call was to St Patrick’s PS (Top) where Mrs Kathleen Cousins (Principal), Plunkett McConville, Kitty Fegan, Meave McNeill (Gaelic Games Coaches) and the staff made everyone very welcome. The school’s Camogie team formed a guard of honour for the arrival (and departure) of the guests, teacher Miss Catherine Murphy sang Amhrán na bhFiann. After welcome speeches from Mrs Cousins and Brendan Murray, Kitty Fegan gave a short presentation on Feile and Clonduff’s involvement in it. Then the President took the floor – he spoke about his career in and out of the GAA, the importance and impact of Feile na nGael (Camogie/Hurling/Handball) and Feile Peil (Football). He finished the formalities by answering questions posed by the pupils. P7 pupil, Padraig Clancy made a very eloquent speech on behalf of the pupils and then it was time for the photographs.
The group, including representatives of Clonduff Club and both primary schools and Fr Cushenan and proceeded to Downshire Arms Hotel for lunch sponsored by Clonduff Club and then en route to St Paul’s made a flying visit to the club – the visitors were all very impressed!
At St Paul’s (Bottom) the party was met by Principal Vincent Devlin, Brian Collins (Chair Board of Governors) and representatives of each class. Following the introductions inside, four young girls gave a wonderful display of Irish Dancing and this was followed by the President’s address, including another question/answer session. The vote of thanks was made by Brian Collins and then everyone was treated to a wee cup of tea!
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