Wonderful Summer Camp draws to a successful conclusion …
Mullingar Shamrocks’ summer camp for 6–12-year-old Shamrocks’ players proved a resounding success this week with 143 youngsters thoroughly enjoying a fun filled week of games, drills, activities and banter. And the penalty taking produced glorious misses and great saves. The weather gods also played fairly with ideal conditions prevailing. Camp organisers Pat Collins, Barry Kelly and Maria Carroll deserve great credit for their preparatory work which helped to ensure that all the activities ran smoothly. At €25 per child for three days of fun from 10-1, it was fantastic value too and credit goes to the 40 club coaches who gave of their time so willingly. Their efforts, patience and encouragement brought out the best in the children. The atmosphere in Springfield each day was wonderful and there was a lovely surprise at the conclusion of proceedings on Wednesday when each participant was presented with a brand-new Gaelic football, a gesture that brought wide smiles to many faces as the tired but exhilarated youngsters filed out of Springfield. Club PRO Tom Hunt was on hand as usual to take photographs of the event. Offaly Games Development Officer, Liam O’ Reilly was in attendance on Tuesday while also present during the week to assist the 10–11-year-old group was St. Pat’s Navan Senior Football manager, Enda Monaghan. The full list of coaches who helped out during the week was as follows: Cliodhna Spellman, Rian Adamson, Aaron Russell, Nathan Cornally, Nathan McLoughlin Purcell, Niamh Spellman, Karen Hegarty, Barry Kelly, Adrian Keaveney, Darren Fulham, Sophie Cadwalader, Eve Byrne, Jodi Aherne, Maria Carroll, Luke McCabe, Kevin Kelly, Seamus Wallace, Kenneth O’ Reilly, Pat Collins, John Ryan, Susanna Buckley, Sophie Hegarty, Shane Ormsby, Mikey Curley, Enda Monaghan, Liam O’ Reilly, Mike Brady, Niall Colleary, Derek Sheerin, Garrett Doyle, Leah Glynn, Oisín Geraghty, Dermot Morahan, Tadgh Sheridan, Micheal Burke, Ray Flynn, Matt Ledwith, Donal O’ Donoghue, Ruairi Hickey and Dylan Carey. The club is extremely grateful to you, the coaches, for ensuring a fantastic Shamrocks’ Summer Camp and to the youngsters whose enthusiasm and good humour made the event so enjoyable.
And when it was all over not a single sweet wrapper, or any other piece of litter was to be seen anywhere in Springfield despite the fact that 140 children had eaten their lunches on three successive days. Compliments to all concerned. No doubt this group of footballers will emulate the Dubs and become dressing room sweepers when they graduate to adult football.
Fógra: And speaking of Liam O’Reilly, the Offaly victory in Sunday’s All-Ireland Under-20 final was a reflection of the great work Liam and his coaching team is doing in the Faithful County.
Fógra Eile: On the only occasion Offaly won the All-Ireland Under-21 title the team captain was Garret O’Brien, now a member of Mullingar Shamrocks. We understand that Garret attended the final on Sunday wearing the jersey he wore in the All-Ireland final and it still fits perfectly.
