This has been one of the busiest and best weekends our Under 8s have ever had. It kicked off on Saturday morning with our boys against two lovely groups of lads from O’ Tooles GAA. I'm not sure what they're feeding them in O’ Tooles but if the GAA doesn’t work out then they could consider putting together a basketball team. We played two good competitive games and our lads held their own. There were loads of highlights from both games. Leo stroking the ball around as ever, Daniel doggedly wrestling the ball off opponents or Louis bravely blocking down a shot in a manner that would have impressed “Brick” Walsh. We were a player short on one team so Oisín shuttled back and forth nonchalantly playing his heart out on both pitches - a lad to watch for the future. Aaron sprinted at his usual breakneck pace the length of the pitch while Liheng defended the goals from all attackers. A super morning down by the Liffey.
On Sunday morning we played away to St. Finians in Swords. This was the girls first match on their own so it was a big occasion. The matches didn’t disappoint and our two teams got stuck in. Sibhéal knocked over three scores within the first few minutes and it looked like a David Clifford like performance was on the cards. Finians came back very strongly and Rosie was busy between the sticks. Louise had the most determined of looks on her face as she bashed her way through the opposition and passed to her team mates. Meanwhile on the other pitch there was a battle Royale underway. Casey firmly pulled down her pink cap and played well both out the pitch and in goals. Alicia and Nina put on a talented display as their colorful caps bobbed up and down the pitch. We may need to make sure that Cara’s granny and grandad come to every game. She ran around the pitch like a spring lamb under their loving gaze. She ran up to me at half time and said “that’s the best fun I’ve ever had”. If I’m honest I caught my breath for a second after she spoke. “from the mouths of children”…
But there was no time for hanging around Joe and Jenny had organized a mammoth Easter egg hunt in Grangegorman so we had to stuff the jerseys and balls in a bag and say our goodbyes. An hour later 100 kids were skipping around GG looking for clues and hunting for the elusive Easter eggs.
The GAA is a special and unique organization with volunteers at its core and St Brendan’s reflects its best parts. This weekend wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for all our volunteers. From Jenny and Joe playing the Easter bunny, Ciaran, Thomas, Paul and Tony managing the boys teams and Pedro and Chris running the show with the girls they showed what a few energetic and thoughtful people can achieve. You’d do it every weekend just to hear Cara say again “this is the best fun I’ve ever had”.
