Twenty years ago, in 2005, the Club’s Summer Camps were still in their infancy. No one could have imagined the longevity the Camps would have, or the thousands of children who would participate, or the many hundreds of players who would coach over the next two decades. A conversation between Brian O’Regan, the then camp co-ordinator, and Eoin O’Riordan, whose son Daniel was taking part in the camp, led to Leahy O’Riordan coming on board as the Summer Camps first sponsor. They were joined the following year by Jack Nolan of Cruinn, and this year by Mikes Bikes. Eoin probably expected his two other children Emma and Ben to attend the camp in the following years (they did) but it’s unlikely that he thought his children would also serve their time as camp coaches. And no one could have foreseen an association of twenty years between The Ballyboden St. Endas Summer Camps and Leahy O’Riordan.
It’s not Leahy O’Riordan’s only contribution to the Club, as those wearing jerseys on various teams over the years will know, and there’s been many more quiet contributions of support over the years. And it’s not Eoin’s only contribution either, as he has soldiered on the sidelines and done his share of mentoring as his children have come up through the club. On the twentieth anniversary of that chat with Brian O’Regan, and on behalf of the thousands who have enjoyed the Summer Camps, Míle Buíochas Eoin, agus Míle Buíochas Leahy O’Riordan.