U12 Trip
to Croke Park
With great excitement, as well as a few sleepy heads, our U12 boys and
their mentors together with some parents and supporters boarded the bus
bound for Croke Park at 6.30am last Wednesday. The boys were heading to
GAA HQ to take part in the Connacht Council's Go Games event and spirits were
high as the stadium came into view. After a quick snack our 30 players were
divided into two squads and readied themselves for action. Both squads played 3
games of twenty minutes duration against teams from all over the province with
regular rotation of players ensuring maximum enjoyment of the
experience for all. The players acquitted themselves admirably on the
famous green sward which was a great credit to their mentors and the work they
are doing with them.
Once the games had concluded, the boys had lunch, after which there was a
stadium tour. Our tour guide insisted on questions being asked and the lads
duly obliged, with a few testing ones thrown in for good measure! From the
dressing rooms to the warm-up area we proceeded out the tunnel to gain some
idea of what it must be like to run out on match day. After visiting the souvenir
shop it was back on the bus. A welcome food stop was enjoyed by all and
after a fabulous day we arrived home safe at 8.30.
Great credit goes to all involved in this initiative from Connacht
Council to the Games Managers/Coaches and Croke Park Staff for managing an
event of this scale so smoothly. Thanks also to the club executive for their
support and to team mentors/managers for their meticulous preparation to ensure
the boys got the maximum enjoyment from the day. Finally a word of praise
must go to the players who represented
themselves, their families and the club so well. They conducted themselves
impeccably both on and off the pitch and truly embraced the occasion with
songs, laughs and great fun in plentiful supply.
Team 1: Alfie McDermott, Kevin Davitt, Oisin Hennessy, Oran Harte, Tadgh
Doggett, Zach Gilligan, Cathal Hughes, David Kennedy, Hughie Doherty, Shane
Prior, Jack McDaniel, Mark Keane, Tadgh Murphy, Luke Gilligan, Cathal Gilligan.
Mentors: Ronan Hennessy, Michael Keane, Phillip Gilligan.
Team 2: Andrew Connell, Keelan Boyle, Hubert Healy, Keelan Schoen, Oisin
O'Neill, Thomas Lee, Cillian O'Neill, Eoghan Healy, Oisin Whelan, Ronan Adams,
Shane O'Loughlin, Thomas Kinane, James Lynch, Eoghan Fenton, Aidan O'Loughlin.
Mentors: Patrick Healy, Ken O'Neill, Stephen Whelan.