Star Appearances at GAA Summer Camp

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in partnership with St Joseph’s GAC, Glenavy was delighted to host an action packed GAA Summer camp on the club’s grounds along with a second camp held at Lough Moss Leisure Centre, Carryduff.

The camp welcomed sixty enthusiastic boys and girls aged 7-12 years to a week long programme of football, fun and friendship across both camps. The aim of the GAA summer camps was to encourage children to take up Gaelic for the first time and to get active, as well as to help develop the skills of existing players in a fun environment.

Both summer camps welcomed a guest coach appearance from two of the top GAA talents, Antrim forward Paddy McBride, and Armagh midfielder Oisin O’Neill. Both teachers by profession, Paddy and Oisin offered the children top tips and advice on how to grow and develop as a player, plus teaching the basic skills of soloing, fist and kick passing, shooting and tackling.

Speaking about the GAA summer camp, Councillor Sharon Skillen, Chair of the council’s Leisure and Community Development Committee said: “It is great to see so many boys and girls taking part in this year’s Gaelic camp at both Glenavy and Carryduff. The week has been all about getting active and having fun. The level of talent on display has been nothing short of impressive!”

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved for organising such successful camps for the second year running. I would also like to extend a special word of thanks to Mark, Ben and Josh, the coaches from St Patrick’s GAC, for their dedicated teaching and support throughout the week and the guest coaches for their appearances.”

Also commenting about the camps, Councillor Thomas Beckett, Vice Chair of the council’s Leisure and Community Development Committee continued, “The council is passionate about providing events and initiatives for children of all ages that encourages physical activity and ultimately promotes a healthier and balanced lifestyle.”

“It was fantastic for the children to see and hear from the guest coaches and to learn from their expert knowledge of the game.  I would like to extend a word of thanks to all those involved in making the programme a huge success.”

L – R: Jack Duffy; Kevin Madden, Community Sports Development Officer, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council; Cora Rogan; Paddy McBride, Antrim forward; Michael Duffy; Councillor Thomas Beckett, Vice Chair of Leisure and Community Development Committee, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council; Luke Brankin pictured at the Gaelic Summer Camp at Glenavy.

Guest Coach Paddy McBride, Antrim forward, shares top tips with children at the Gaelic Summer Camp at Glenavy.

L- R: Daniel Guy; Councillor Sharon Skillen, Chair of Leisure and Community Development Committee, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council; Ellie Cleland; Oisin O’Neill, Armagh midfielder; Rose McCartan; Kevin Madden, Community Sports Development Officer, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council; Osian Woods pictured at the Gaelic Summer Camp at Lough Moss Leisure Centre.

Guest Coach Oisin O’Neill, Armagh midfielder, shares top tips with children at the Gaelic Summer Camp at Lough Moss Leisure Centre.

Mark Churneck, Ben and Josh McMullan coaches from St Patrick’s GAC take the week long Gaelic Summer Camps at both Glenavy and Lough Moss Leisure Centre.