Fun and Friendship at Leinster U10 Blitz
Fun and Friendship at Leinster U10 Blitz
August 20, 2019
Fun and Friendship at Leinster U10 Blitz
While traffic streamed toward Croke Park on Sunday last, over 500 u10 players from eleven Leinster counties gathered in Bray Emmets GAA for the annual Leinster U10 Club Blitz. The blitz was ran Go Games style after its relaunch earlier this year. More info on Go Games available here.
After their successful Gaelic4Girls programme earlier this year, we were delighted to be joined by four clubs who have completed the programme. Carlow’s Ballinkillen Newtown and St Andrews arrived to Bray with two teams each with St Josephs from Louth and Tullamore from Offaly also entering teams.
Teams were divided across four pitches and each team played four 15 minute games where participation and respect were the key ethos of the day. Great credit must go to the mentors and parents of the teams who encouraged, supported and celebrated the teams from the first whistle to the last, despite the blustery showery conditions.
Speaking of whistles, we were fortunate to be joined by twenty Go Games referees who ensured the ethos of the day was upheld. A big thank you to Eimear, Jessica, Martha, Petra, Aishling, Clara, Aoife, Ciara, Aisling, Amy, Aoífe, Jasmine, Charlie, Susanna, Abbie, Keela, Aisling, Caoimhe, Roisín and Emma. Without our referees, we have no games and we are delighted that these girls have taken up the whistle and did a great job in getting the games starting on time while refereeing the games to a high standard. Our sincere thanks to our senior LGFA referees Mags Doherty, John Bermingham, Stephen McNulty, Terry Canavan and Derek McKittrick who provided support and advice for the young Go Games Referees.
Given the difficulties in coordinating such a large blitz, Leinster LGFA are deeply grateful to Leinster Assistant Treasurer Joe Fox and Wicklow Minor Players Síofra, Caoilfhinn, Shona, Lucy and Lauren, and Bray Emmets players Adam, Eoin and Kevin who helped make sure all pitches ran smoothly. Thank you to Leinster President Dominic Leech and PRO Aisling Clery who were on hand to assist.
A massive thank you to our Games Development Officer Suzi Doyle. Preparation is key and Suzi had every little detail seen to before teams arrived in Bray. Running a blitz of this size is no mean feat, but Suzi had even the smallest of details looked after.
Finally, to our hosts Bray Emmets GAA – a big thank you. To all the volunteers who helped with parking, food, lining of pitches etc, it was a truly wonderful day and this was largely down to the warm welcome teams received. A big thank you in particular to Liam, John and Ann for their help with organisation.
Games finished shortly after 2pm and we are looking forward to next year already! Well done to our participating teams!
Carlow
Ballinkillen Newtown (x2)
St Andrews (x2)
Dublin
Ballyboden St Endas (x2)
Garristown
Naomh Olaf
Scoil ui Chonaill
Shankill
St Finians Swords
Kildare
Kill
Milltown
Moorefield
Raheens
Round Towers
Laois
Portlaoise
St Brigids
St Conleths
Longford
Killoe
Louth
Glenn Emmets
Hunterstown Rovers
St Fechins
St Josephs
St Mochtas
Meath
Walterstown
Offaly
Edenderry
Naomh Malaoise (x2)
St Manchans
Tullamore
Westmeath
Athlone
Caulry
Milltown
Multyfarnham
Wexford
Crossabeg/Ballymurn
Shelmalier (x2)
Wicklow
Ashford
Bray Emmetts
Carnew
Kilcoole
St Patricks
Tinahely