July 4th 2014 marked the close of our fascinating Hurling week at Pairc Tadgh O’h-Ainnlaoi. I have no doubt if the late and great Ted Hanley was around this week he would have been very pleased and proud. A total of 110 boys and girls attended this special week where they were so fortunate to have such a talented group of Coaches to both introduce them to hurling on one hand and on the other to perfect and improve their skills. The reaction was so positive from both children and parents. The wonderful weather enabled many parents to stay and relish the best of Summer and observe the various drills and sessions from the coaching programme. Our kitchen was busy and all and sundry were treated with due courtesy.
We had two very welcome visitors today, Mary Hegarty, mother of the late Ciaran and her sister Jenny O’Donovan. They were welcomed by our Chairman Pat McCarthy who presented Mrs. Hegarty with our specially designed Club Ciaran shirt.
The pitches and surrounds were in wonderful shape, thanks to our Groundsman Pat O’Neill and Donal Turner. John Jordan was responsible for all equipment and each day everything was in place before matters got under way. With significant contributions from our Chairman Pat and our Vice Chairman Kieran Lynam all matters were in safe hands throughout the week.
The children were splendid all week and their parents can be very pleased and proud of them. The Coaches were loud in their praise of them. The hurley repair person got plenty of work too.
The Club Ciaran shirts were in the county colours this year and proved to be hugely popular.
Under age Chairman, Mr. John Twomey had many requests for extras to be used for gifts for cousins and friends. One request came from Paris. It’s a small world.
Before departing all children received the new GAA wrist band as a keepsake. One parent enquired, if we could keep the programme going for three weeks.
We must pay tribute to our senior Coaches who brought so much to the table, Aidan O’Leary, David Nolan, John Herlihy and of course our own Schools’ Coach Declan O’Neill. Their leadership and experience was invaluable, We had three wonderful lady Coaches, Gemma Kavanagh, Mary Coveney (grand daughter of the legendary Jerh. Coveney), and Sarah McCarthy. These ladies played a key role working with the beginners groups.One of the most defining initiatives undertaken by the Club this year was the Coaching certification course masterminded and spearheaded by Patrick Andrews. His pupils were mainly our Minor players, many of them are keen and splendid hurlers. The benefits of this course were clear to be seen this week by the manner in which these fine teenagers carried out all their coaching duties. The young aspiring coaches for Club Ciaran were David Andrews, David Raleigh, Brendan Crowley, Cormac Scriven, Mark Hitchmough, Nathan Hayes, Cannice Caffrey, James Lynam, Darragh Scriven, Seán Kidney, Andrew O’Grady, Christopher Hayes and Shane Kelleher.
When Club Chairman, Mr. Pat McCarthy spoke to the Coaches afterwards, he said that this week ‘s event was the most important undertaking in the Clubs calendar this year. He added that, going forward, these Coaches would provide a solid and fruitful future for our Club.
Peace and quite has returned to Pairc Tadgh O’h-Ainnlaoi and the rabbits can come out to eat and play again. No sooner, had the last car departed, Pat O’Neill was back on his tractor, trimming and cutting the grass as well as only he can do. A huge thanks is due to all concerned and the Chef in The Shanbally Deli who, each morning, produced the best of food for all our hungry Coaches. We will miss it next week!
Some our our Minor and U16 Club Ciarán coaches pictured with Mary Hegarty, mother of the late Ciaran and her sister Jenny O’Donovan
