Aodh Ruadh comes together for inaugural Colman Kerr charity match
Last Thursday we paid tribute to the memory of Colman Kerr with our inaugural Colman Kerr Charity Match. It was a wonderful day in so many respects and one which saw all the values on show which Colman so strongly embodied; A passion for sport, a love of the craic and, most importantly, consideration for those less fortunate.
The day started with Colman's children, Cliodhna and Oisín, taking on each other in a mixed game between the under 14 boys and under 16 girls. It was a great curtain raiser and thanks are due to Claire Flood and Barry Ward who pulled the teams together for the day. There were a few aerial acrobatics before a splendid rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann was sung by Farah Bogle and then it was on to the main game of the day.
This saw an Aodh Ruadh selection take on the Rest of the World, who lined out in the blue and white of Colman's native Fanad. Four quarters were played with the final quarter seeing the ladies take to the field. In all, over a hundred players lined out over the course of the day. The senior game was greatly enhanced by the commentary of Sean Perry and Billy Grimes who didn't sugar-coat their views on the unfolding action. Big thanks to the pair from all in the club for the huge part they played in making the day a real fun event.
After the action concluded presentations took place on the pitch, compèred by our recently installed club Chairman, Diarmaid Keon. The first presentation was to captain of the Aodh Ruadh side who overpowered the Rest of the World in the senior game, Paul Kane stepping up to receive a beautiful trophy kindly donated by Deirdre Kerr, a wooden ball with a dedication and featuring the crests of Aodh Ruadh and Fanad Gaels. That was followed by the presentation of commemorative pictures to the Kerr family on behalf of the club. The family were also presented with a signed Aodh Ruadh jersey.
Patrick McBrearty of the Bluestacks Special Needs Foundation then came forward to say a few words before the Kerr family presented him with the proceeds of the day's fund-raising, a sum of just over €3,000. It was a profoundly enjoyable and moving day in so many respects and one that no one would have appreciated more than Colman. Great thanks are due to all who took to the field, the managers who gathered the teams for the day and also to Terence McShea and Shane Toolan who shared reffing duties. Thanks also to all those who helped out with the catering in Aras Aoidh Ruaidh throughout the day and did such a great job of foddering the athletes!
Thanks to Rosemary Downey and Pauline Faherty who did a powerful job on the face-painting. Thanks to Emma Gaughan and her team of helpers on the shop. Thanks to Paddy Kelly, whose kids quiz proved very popular. Thanks also to Cathal Maguire who videoed the day's events and hopefully we'll have that up on Sham TV in coming weeks. Form is temporary, class is permanent I think is the phrase! Finally thanks to everyone who helped on the gate, gathering the money up, to the Park Committee for making Father Tierney Park and having it in such good condition, and anyone else who helped in any other capacity whatsoever. It was really a great club effort and a day that will live long in the memory.
Last modified: Monday, 1 June 2020 at 1:11pm