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It all came together at Armoy on Friday past to mark the formation of new North Antrim juvenile hurling club Naomh Padraig. This event was to say thanks to the six local businesses that had sponsored the new purple and gold team kits.
Paul Mc Sparran, Chairman of the new club which caters for the young ones of Cushendun, Carey and Armoy was delighted to meet and acknowledge the sponsors. "If we didn't have these sponsors ; we would have to put endless hours into fundraising. Our sponsors have shown great generosity in purchasing six full sets of jerseys, socks and shorts - for panels of 25! This finance has freed up time so that we can concentrate on hurling and the young ones".
And the evening was memorable - young ones lining out- some for the very first time; togging out and looking great in their new jerseys. They were proud and so were their parents.
And it was the same shared pride for the young ones of Ballycastle and Slaughtneil who came to make it a great evening.
And then there were others there. Some old hardened hurlers - to see and voice judgements about the
quality of the game nowadays and of our crop of minors?
The minor game was against Dunloy in the Darragh Cup.
And it was special to have 3 year old John Og Darragh present - all kitted out at a Darragh Cup game in memory of his Uncle John. This John Og is an Armoy man - his father Owen having emigrated from Cushendall to Armoy! Thanks John Og for this fond memory.
And the minor game was one that kept everyone anxious right to the very end. Dunloy were winners by 3 points and their keeper Ryan Elliott was brilliant.
And the consensus was that Naomh Padraig had hurled well . And the good young hurlers are being challenged to be better hurlers. And that is what Naomh Padraig is about - to develop decent hurlers so that Armoy, Carey and Cushendun can hurl at senior level as separate clubs. The coming together is all about that pulling together at juvenile level - and then at senior level striving to keep your own club to the fore!
And the atmosphere, the buzz and the shared understanding was very evident on Friday past. Lots of goodwill to work together for the common good.
And the Naomh Padraig club really appreciated North Antrim GAA Chairman - Owen Elliott for coming along to wish us well in the journey ahead.
Article and photo by Gerry Burns.
