Barryroe GAA

20 August, 2019

A great week of fun and games was had by all at this year’s Cúl Camp held in Páirc Uí Mhurchú where approx 160 children took part. Along with all the local boys and girls we welcomed cúl campers from neighbouring parishes and holiday makers from at home and abroad who laughed and played various fun games under four spectacular days of summer sun. The addition of the new second pitch ensured that every group had plenty of space to practice and learn their skills as well as make some new friends along the way. We were privileged and delighted to welcome some Cork players who gave generously with their time as they went around to each group. Briege Corkery put the older girls and boys through their paces and told them that after nearly 20 years of training with Cork she still gets up early a few times a week to go to the ball alley to practice her skills before work.

Maurice Shanley from Clonakilty arrived with the Munster and All Ireland U20 football cups along with team coach Keith Ricken. There were some very interesting questions put to our county stars from all the groups which had some of the lads tongue tied but pride of place went to one of our U8 cul campers who proudly stood up and told us that his dad had a trophy at home but wasn’t sure what it was for…

Undoubtedly the star attractions that got the most excitement and biggest cheers were for our own local Cork minor football heros Ryan O’Donovan from Barryroe and Jack Lawton from Timoleague. To see two local lads that have attened many cul camps in their time and who will now represent their county in an All-Ireland football final is an inspriation to many young players and adults alike. All the local boys and girls who attend training each week will find Ryan with many of his friends, cousins and team mates having fun and practicing at the pitch nearly on a daily basis. We wish both Ryan and Jack every success and luck in the final and hope they enjoy the amazing experience of All Ireland Final Day.

Cork hurler Darragh Fitzgibbon also visited each group and told them that he wasn’t always selected on the Cork development squads as he progressed in his underage carrier. He also emphasied that through hard work, commitment and constantly practicing at home he eventually made the minor, U21 and senior Cork teams. One of our U10 girls asked what his greatest sporting moment was and he replied that winning a county title with his home club of Charleville was the most enjoyable moment of his career.

Our traditional end of week barbeque was one of the highlights of the week and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

A massive word of THANKS to Dan and Clara Moloney who again sponsored all the burgers and sausages and to Michael Hurley who again very generously gave us the loan of his barbequee to cook the food.

We would like to thank coaches Niamh Sugrue, Amy Allen, Podge Collins, Sean O'Donoghue, Shane O’Donovan and Gavin Webb who came in for the week and did such a fantastic job of keeping the cul campers on the go with loads of fun games and activities.

A special word of thanks to all our helpers for the week, who put up and took down the goals each day, tidied away the gear and helped and entertained the cul campers. We would be unable to run such an event only for their involvement and it was great to see so many of them getting involved in a community event.

A continued word of thanks to Pa Barry who keeps the grounds in such good condition and had the grass cut several times during the week and also put together and placed the goals in all the locations around both pitches.

Special thanks to Mark Hand for the loan and use of the tent for the week.

We would especially like to thank all the local coaches, all the parents who supervised and did first aid and the traffic management each morning and afternoon, the ladies that organised, cooked and handed out the food for the barbeque, kept the dressing rooms and toilet facilities in immaculate condition, all of whom gave of their time for free and also did a fantastic job. As always its shows our local community at its best when everyone rallys around, gives selflessly of their time and without whom our cul camp and indeed our GAA club would not exist. GO RAIBH MILE MAITH AGAIBH GO LEIR.

Last but not least a big thank you to all the girls and boys who attended our cul camp of 2019. It was a pleasure to see the fun and laughter they were having all week around both pitches. We hope that it was a memorable experience and they continue to play and enjoy our national games.

A big thankyou to Padraig Collins, Cul Camp Coordinator 2019 for all his efforts in ensuring a great camp and for the pics and report.