An amazing week was had by all at St Patrick's Cúl Camp during the last week of June. Seventy-two girls and boys, from all over Fairfield County, and as far afield as Ireland and Hong-Kong participated in an action-packed and fun-filled week of Gaelic football, hurling, and camogie. It was a truly Irish-American experience, with kids and coaches from both sides of the Atlantic. Cúl Camps (cúl, pronounced cool, is the Irish word for goal!) are the official summer camps of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA,) and are held in every county in Ireland as well in the United States and many other countries where Gaelic sports are played.

In its fourth year here in Fairfield County, many of the kids were 4, 3 and 2-year veterans of Cúl Camp, while for others this was their first year, and for some it was their first time ever playing Gaelic football or hurling. Campers were divided into 4 age groups: Ulster; Munster; Leinster; and Connaught (the four provinces of Ireland,) and by the end of the first day a great energy and camaraderie had already been established.

The main athletic field of Notre Dame High School (and indeed their other very useful facilities!) proved an ideal and convenient location for the event - thank you to them for their hospitality. Even the weather was on our side; it was not too hot or humid, relatively comfortable (for a CT Summer) with no daytime rain, so there were no interruptions to the activities and games. With the help of tons of sun screen and hundreds of bottles of water everyone made it through the week fully hydrated and with minimum sun-burn!

Each day was an intensive 6-hour round of drills (personal and group); soloing, hand-passing, kicking and point/goal scoring skills; three on three games; scrimmages; stretching; and more! Footballs and sliotars (hurling balls) flew through the air at lightening speeds. Participants improved their skills, learned new skills, increased their level of fitness, got plenty of fresh air, grew in confidence, made new friends, and deepened old friendships. Most of all, they had fun in the process. They were exhausted and happy at the end of each day. In addition to being introduced to the thrills and excitement of Irish games, campers will have improved their skills on the (American) football, soccer, field-hockey, lacrosse, and baseball field, and the basketball and volleyball court!

The coaches (local Fairfield county and from Ireland) were friendly and enthusiastic, and inspired the kids to rise to the challenges. Many of the coaches went home with new nick-names, but I wouldn't want to embarrass anyone here - whatever happens at Cúl Camp stays at Cúl Camp!

Lunch at Sacred Heart was a big hit every day - good food and plenty of variety. It provided a welcome break for everyone in the middle of the day, given the energy expended by kids, coaches and volunteers alike. A big thank you and compliments to the Sacred Heart University food service contractor. And dare I mention that other ball sport - lunchtime also doubled as an opportunity to catch up with the daily goings-on of the World Cup!

All participants received an official St. Patrick's GFC Cúl Camp jersey at the end of the week, and camp closed on a high note with group photographs on the field, and final games played in front of a crowd of parents, grandparents, siblings and other supporters. There followed speeches and a well-earned award ceremony back at the Gaelic American Club later in the afternoon. Refreshments were available, and traditional music was provided by the McLean Ave band, led by the great Padraig Allen.

Like all such successful and worthy events, none of this happens by accident. Hours, days and months of planning and organizing by many dedicated (and already busy!) people were put in both behind the scenes and on the field, so that our kids could experience Gaelic football and hurling here in Fairfield County. You all know who you are, and at the risk of offending anyone by not mentioning them below, on behalf of everyone who participated, I would like to thank the following, in no particular order - our:

Coaches:
Emmet Conlon - Fermanagh;
Simon McDonagh - Fermanagh;
Matthew Jackson - Fermanagh;
Joe McCormack - New Haven;
James Quinn - Tyrone;
Adrian Coyle - St Patrick's;
Pat Daly -Leitrim.

High school volunteers:
Claire Feeney - St Patrick's;
Elizabeth Croker - St Patrick's;
Maggie Keary - St Patrick's;
Eimear Ryan - Tipperary;
Declan Ryan - Tipperary;
Brendan Watcke - St Patrick's;
Rachel Watcke - St Patrick's.

Parent/Adult volunteers:
Mairéad & Pat Ryan - Tipperary;
Jarlath Carbin - Cavan;
John Hickey - St Patrick's;
Mike O'Donnell - St Patrick's.

Grandparent volunteers:
John Halpin - St Patrick's;
Jim Feeney - St Patrick's.

Camp doctor:
Dr Pat Carolan - St Patrick's.

Camp Trainer:
Wes Lyons - St Patrick's.

And last but by no means least, a very special go raibh míle maith agaibh to Jimmy & Caroline Feeney, for their time, enthusiasm, hard work, and commitment to Cúl Camp, and without whom it would not have happened.

Mary Curley
PS If you enjoyed Cúl Camp, please remind your friends that they can learn, train, and play Gaelic football and hurling through the year with St Patrick's GFC. See contact link on left of this page. Tweet

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