Camogie Mini All-Ireland Blitz a Huge Success!.
The second last Friday in June has now become an annual highlight in the Camogie Calendar. The 2014 version of the Mini All Ireland was again a huge success. In a club the size of Ballyboden it can be difficult to build links between the different age groups, yet on the evening of the Mini All Ireland players from every age and grade from under 8 to Senior level join together for a wonderful evening of hurling.
In total 204 players togged out to play – eight teams competed at junior level (under 8’s, 9’s and 10’s) and a further eight teams in the senior competition for the under 11’s, 12’s and 13’s). Four pitches on each side of the road accommodated a total of 36 games. The under 14’s provided the team managers assisted by some willing parents. The future of club management in Boden looks secure with potential of the calibre of Brian Coady and Davy Fitz to be seen with some of the team line outs and tactical substitutions. The under 16 teams provided the referees who did a great job throughout – offering the younger players in particular constant encouragement.
Yet again this year the weather obliged and in the scorching heat having an ice-cream van in the car-park was a welcome addition.For those who didn’t make it home before the event the hotdogs and burgers were a welcome dinner on the go !
Rathfarnham and District Credit Union provided very generous sponsorship and so the players were kitted out in a variety of brightly coloured T-shirts – they will get plenty of wear about the place over the holidays. Many thanks to Al McAuley and all of his staff, special mention to Rita Cullen who is pictured in the photo’s at the Presentation’
Craig and Donal Naessens kept the party mood going with their mix of tunes and cheerful banter.
Thanks to the players from our Senior team who presented all participants with a medal to mark the occasion. Putting 200 medals around 200 necks constituted a training session in itself !!
Congratulations to all who took part in this festival – games were played in a great spirit with plenty of good hurling. It is worth noting that there wasn’t a single bad pull all evening and there was no injury of note to any player. Also in terms of health and safety it seems a very short time ago that crossing the Firhouse Road with so many children was a complete nightmare. Again on this Friday evening the Pedestrian Crossing over to Cherryfield was of great benefit; again thanks to the local motorists who observe these lights so diligently.
Well done to the mentors from all age groups on their organisation, and thanks to the Camogie Committee for their support. Roll on the 12thAnnual 
Mini All Ireland in 2015 !!
