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Summer Camp 2008
The Tullysaran Gaelic Summer Camp commenced on Monday 11th August with a total enrolment of one hundred and sixty-seven children having participated in the various activities throughout the week.
The event was organised by a hard working O’Connell’s summer camp sub committee headed up by Kevin Curran.
This six-day summer camp is one of the longest running and best attended in the county, perhaps even in Ulster, and congratulations to all those who worked so hard to make the annual O’Connell’s GAC Tullysaran Gaelic Summer Camp such a huge success.
On the Football coaching front the sub-committee is heavily indebted to Audi Hamilton, Justin Mallon and a large contingent of the Senior Football team, who gave their time and effort to ensure that all participants were expertly tutored in all aspects of the game.
The Camogie / Hurling element was expertly organised by Siobhan Mullen, Clodagh Doyle, Geraldine McCreesh and Seanna Mallon and indeed a large proportion of the children had their first ever taste of the world’s most skillfull game.
Particular thanks to Colette McSorley and Ronan McWilliams who not only coached but officiated at our presentation night. A mighty thanks to one and all.
All of the coaches were very well taken care of at mealtimes and the organising committee would like to thank Rosie Morton and her co-workers for their hard work and great food.
A number of parents provided lunch cover during the week and this was greatly appreciated by the coaching staff.
Highlight of the week was the visit of County Stars Ronan Clarke and Paul Duffy to the camp on the Thursday. Both met all of the age groups involved and answered questions, before signing autographs. Particular thanks to Philip Mallon for organising the visit which the children thoroughly enjoyed
The Blitz on the Friday as always was the great finale of the week and comprised of a Football Tournament and a Camogie / Hurling competition. All of the skills learned were eagerly and expertly put into practice culminating in Football and Camogie / Hurling winners in the Junior, Intermediate and Senior grades.
The week long activities at O’Connell Park concluded with a magnificent photograph being taken on Friday afternoon by photographers from the local press.
Included in the photograph were of all the underage participants, committee members, club coaches and guest coaches, Philip White (main sponsor of the club) and Stan Corrigan (sponsor of the annual Golf Classic). Also included in the photograph was a representative of Our Lady’s Primary School and Fr. Kevin Donaghy.
About 200 people were included in this photograph and it is one for the history books. A large framed copy was auctioned at the Summer Scheme Quiz along with an autograph book containing the signatures of all the guests and coaches who attended O’Connell Park throughout the week.
The funds raised on the Friday night through the auction, raffle and the sale of quiz tickets will help to finance the summer camp so thank you to all who supported this function in any way.
The committee would like to thank Martin McKinney who organised a very enjoyable and entertaining Quiz Night in Mary Ann’s Pub
On Saturday morning the participants were taken on a trip to Lisburn Omniplex. The children who attend the O’Connell’s Summer Camp look forward to this trip with immense excitement and they were not disappointed. Three bus loads of children, parents and coaches left Tullysaran on this trip and although a massive undertaking by the organisers it is a credit to all involved that the children were given such a memorable day out.
Fr. Kevin Donaghy said the Summer Camp 2008 Mass on Saturday evening and the summer camp children and coaches actively participated in every aspect of the Mass by supplying the music and hymns, carrying up the gifts, doing readings and Prayers of the Faithful. Eileen Mc Kee sang superbly at Holy Communion time followed by a skilful tune from Sé Harney.
Everyone involved with O’Connell’s GAC wishes Eileen McKee well when she competes in the forthcoming All Ireland Fleadh Ceol in Tullamore.
After the Mass the presentations were made in the Community Centre during which every single participant was presented with an O’Connell’s GAC 2008 Summer Camp Medal. Others were presented with individual and team awards.
The week long event concluded with club Chairman Anthony Rooney thanking everyone who helped to make the O’Connell’s GAC Summer Camp such a resounding success. The chairman made a final presentation to Kevin Curran and his wife Helen for their outstanding work right the way through the preparation, organising and implementation of the summer camp. Kevin and Helen were presented with a large framed copy of the photograph that was taken of the 200 or more people at O’Connell Park the previous day.
Copies of this photograph can be bought by contacting Roisin Corrigan. Funds raised will assist with the funding of the summer camp.
More photos available in gallery.
Fitness Classes Proved Popular
Made possible by funding that we secured through the Southern Investing for Health Partnership under their Small Grants Programme the club was delighted to be able to run ladies fitness classes aimed primarily at those ladies from aged 40 plus. The opportunity provided by the funding to improve the health and welbeing of our over 40 ladies became a reality and the classes proved very popular indeed. The classes commenced in February and ended in May. About 20 ladies attended the weekly one hour classes which were held in Tullysaran Community Centre each Thursday night.
The club is very grateful to Southern Investing for Health Partnership for the funding for the fitness classes and also the funding that enabled O’Connell’s GAC to have the Action Cancer Big Bus in Tullysaran for a day in February. The club hopes to bring the Big Bus back at a later stage and we intend to recommence similar fitness classes in September.
The photographs include some of the ladies who attended the classes with fitness instructor Ann Carson.
Helen Donnelly didn’t quite fit into the over 40 age group but seeing as she secured the funding and arranged the classes etc. we got her to make a presentation to Ann Carson on our behalf.
Check out the Photo Gallery for some pictures!
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