Ibar's-Shels celebrate 50 years
More photos:
THE St. Ibar's-Shelmalier club celebrated a fabulous camogie milestone on Saturday last - with a lot of help from their sporting friends. Hollymount was a hive of activity from 10 a.m. until just before 2 p.m. as the 50th anniversary of their formation in 1960 was marked with a series of fun blitzes.
The Glynn-Barntown, Rapparees, DavidstownCourtnacuddy, Blackwater, Buffers Alley, Faythe Harriers and Oulart-The Ballagh clubs were all represented too on a memorable occasion as the hard-working organisers showed that the next 50 years and more of this proud, progressive club will be in very safe hands.
The event was staged by a diligent club committee spearheaded by Mick Lanigan (Chairman), Sinéad Kelly (Secretary) and Mairéad Potter (Treasurer), and the three club pitches were looking resplendent as the air reverberated with the clash of the ash and the excited shouts of participants, mentors and supporters alike.
It was a true celebration of the game of camogie and St. Ibar's-Shelmalier, with young players in the Under-8, Under-10, Under-12 and Under-14 categories all playing a full part before enjoying the hospitality of the hosts.
The two members of the All-Ireland Senior final team from the club, Kate Kelly and Katrina Parrock, were on hand to present medals to all those involved, and they made a special plea for as many youngsters and parents as possible to travel to Croke Park to support them on Sunday week.
The blitzes couldn't have gone ahead without the valuable input of the referees, all drawn from St. Ibar's-Shelmalier, and great credit is due to Francis Neville, Ornagh Cullen, Chris Gordon, Áine Leacy, Hannah Duggan, Elaine Banville, Ciara Neville and Niamh Doyle for their diligence with the whistle.
It was a particularly special day for the young St. Ibar's-Shelmalier players and their mentors - Tricia Fielding, Stan O'Leary, Angie Hearne, John Kenny, Paddy Campbell, John Harding and John Kelly.
