Great Summer Camp ...

Shamrocks’ summer camp concluded this week and over 100 youngsters from the ages of 6-12 enjoyed a fantastic week of activities. 17 male and female club coaches, who all play for Shamrocks at under-17 and minor level, spearheaded the camp under the supervision of the football committee’s adult coaches. The feedback from the participants and their parents was overwhelmingly positive and Springfield was a hive of activity, laughter, fun and excitement. Great Credit is due to the underage coaches whose enthusiasm, knowledge and patience were vital ingredients in ensuring a successful camp so Leah Glynn, Conor Heffernan, Aaron Russell, Caoilinn Walsh, Annmarie O’ Reilly, Shane Ormsby, Peter Finch, Callum Rigney, Gary Branigan, Gavin Pierce, Matthew Ryan, Conor Fagan, Luke McCabe, Adam Glynn, Tadhg Sheridan and Dylan Carey can feel proud of their efforts. Credit too to the organisers of the camp for their preparatory efforts which have helped the smooth running of events. At only €30 per child for three days, it is doubtful if there was better value on offer anywhere else and Limerick hurlers were not the only GAA players to enjoy a visit by an ice cream van.

Despite the slightly less than favourable weather on the last day of the camp, the sight of the Ice Cream Van made the 100 participants and their 17 coaches forget the light drizzle and helped to ensure that the week’s activities ended on a suitably high note. This was arguably the best-ever Shamrocks’ summer camp and the endeavours of the 17 underage players played no small part in ensuring a great time for all the youngsters. The ringmaster himself of all Shamrocks’ underage activities, Pat Collins, was there in a dual capacity as underage Secretary and doting grandfather to three boys at the same time as his granddaughter was representing Ireland in Abu Dhabi in the world Mixed Martial Arts championships.

The adult coaches who helped to organise the camp and were present during the week included Karen Hegarty, Emma Morris, Gary Corroon, Barry Kelly, Orla Ni Mhurchú, Robbie Boyle, Laura Timoney, Oliver Keating, Aimee Forde and Adrian Keaveney, their presence was greatly appreciated and a mention to the club’s coaching officer Liam O’ Reilly, whose superb pre-camp coaching session with the underage coaches was invaluable.