Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí
By Gaelscéalaí Inis Eoghain
CLG Malainn's Vice-chairperson and U10 coach, Pat McLaughlin has taken Aogán Ó Fearghal's mantra to heart.
"Praise the youth and they will flourish! I couldn't agree more with an t-Uachtarán Chumann Lúthcheas Gael," said the Bord Inis Eoghain Underage Secretary.
He added: "Over the past three or four years, young people in the peninsula have had the opportunity to play more matches, thanks to Bord Inis Eoghain's decision to organise new competitions for our U8, U10 and U12 Gaels.
"This initiative is now beginning to bear fruit. We have definitely seen a big jump up in standards this year, with CLG Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin reaching the County U16 Division One League Final and CLG Iorras reaching the U14 Division One County Final.
"The amount of work which the GAA clubs and coaches throughout Inishowen have put into their underage teams over the last few years has been phenomenal.
"Speaking as a member of Bord Inis Eoghain, I am so proud every time I attend one of our underage competition finals. Whether it is the Maurice McMenamin Memorial Cup, Joe McGeady, Gerry O'Neill or the Darren Downey/ Gary McLaughlin Memorial Cups, our clubs host the biggest and best supported finals in Donegal, complete with our now traditional marching bands. They are the envy of many other Regional Board's," added Pat smiling broadly.
Responsible for organising all of the underage fixtures in Inishowen, Pat paid particular tribute to his late colleague, Gerry O'Neill.
He said: "A long-time member of CLG Bun an Phobail, Gerry passed away suddenly in December 2010. He was a former Treasurer of Bord Inis Eoghain and one of the founder members of Colaisti Inis Eoghain.
"Another youth-focussed project, Coláisti Inis Eoghain was established in 2010, in partnership with the peninsula's five post-primary schools: Carndonagh Community School, Coláiste Chineál Eoghain, Crana College, Moville Community College and Scoil Mhuire.
"Coláisti Inis Eoghain plays in the Rannafast Cup and Corn na nÓg, two very prestigious Ulster competitions for U16 and U14 boys respectively.
"Bord Inis Eoghain was delighted when Gerry's wife Winnie and his family gave their permission for one of the Bord's competition's to bear his name, which is now considered the "Blue Riband" of Underage Football in Inishowen" said Pat.
Ever innovating, one of Bord Inis Eoghain's newest competition is the Philadelphia Cup was launched during the summer of 2015.
Pat explained: "This is a competition specifically for six reserve and junior teams from Carndonagh, Malin, Moville, Muff, Urris and they were joined by CLG Brian Og's of Steelstown in Derry.
"The addition of a Derry team to this competition, led directly to Bord Inis Eoghain's decision to invite U9 and U11 teams from both Brian Og's and Doire Cholmcille to participate in a new Go Games Tournament this autumn. An invitation was also extended to Naomh Colmcille in Newtowncunningham and St Eunan's in Letterkenny, with the competition, which is due to be completed in a couple of weeks, being yet another outstanding success.
"The idea behind this move was to help the clubs in the wider Donegal / Derry area to grow and strengthen, by playing competitive football, without having to travel big distances to and from matches! This is only the start of things to come," said the Malin man.
A true black and yellow however, Pat took pride definite in his the latest developments in Ireland's most northerly club.
"It was great that members of CLG Malainn gathered together in our clubhouse on Sunday to watch the All Ireland final between Dublin and Kerry on the big screen. It was just a pity that Donegal were not playing. Nevertheless it was a lovely occasion.
"And only a couple of weeks ago, Minister Joe McHugh opened our new gym, which will soon house treadmills, rowing machines, spin bikes, exercise bikes, as well as weight machines and an array of loose weights. It will also have with full changing and shower facilities.
"CLG Malainn's gym is another example of the fantastic work which the Development Committee has put into the club. Our thanks must also go to the many volunteers who helped out in any way in the construction and completion of the project," acknowledged Pat.
If Pat McLaughlin's enthusiasm is a barometer, the future at CLG Malainn is buzzing!