What a year this has been already. We had our 130 celebrations, the launch of the history book and a visit from the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. However, Feile 18 has probably been the most challenging yet rewarding event that I have had the pleasure of being a part of. To say that we, as a club, did not estimate the enormity of the task is an understatement. We had 32 visiting teams, their mentors and families availing of our wonderful facilities over the duration of the weekend.
Firstly, to host Feile we needed footballers and thankfully we are blessed with two great teams under the expert care of Sean and Eoghan and the rest of the U14 mentors. Thanks also to the players, their families, the wider Mayobridge community and anyone else who participated or donated to our various fundraising events and made sandwiches or buns. We are delighted that you were able to be part of our finals day in Mayobridge. A special thanks also to our host families who opened their doors to provide a home away from home for our guests from Portlaoise and Milltownpass and Joanne who coordinated the process.
Parking in the village was always going to be a challenge but thanks to Mayobridge Community Centre who allowed us the use of their premises over the weekend. This, along with Butterfield’s, McAlinden’s, Killen’s fields and Barry’s yard provided spaces for car parking. We are very lucky to have Brendan who captured so many photographs for us over the course of the weekend which will allow the wonderful memories to remain alive in years to come.
As St Patrick’s Park was to be the focal point of the weekend, Tom did not disappoint and should be applauded for the time and effort he spends looking after his hallowed turf. To Agnes, who had the mammoth task of feeding over 1000 people both young and old over the course of the weekend and to everyone else who stirred a pot, laid a table, fried, washed a plate, served etc I cannot thank you enough. Also thanks to the BBQ specialists who cooked burgers and sausages on Saturday and Sunday and Arnies who provided the burgers on Friday night and to Johnny, Sean and the entire bar staff along with the singers and musicians who brought the social club to life over the weekend and ensured the well didn’t run dry.
To Thomas, Jimmy, Kevin, Gerard and all our stewards who had the unenviable task of traffic management, whether that was cars or people, thank you all so much for your time. Thanks also to our pitch coordinators Declan and Nigel and their teams who along with Cindy and Pat Joe ensured the smooth and efficient running of 30 matches and allocation and coordination of dressing rooms. I cannot forget to mention Thomas for liaising with the Feile HQ and Dessie for his choice of music and keeping us up to date with all the matches. Thanks to Mairead and Helena for ensuring the 2 shops were stocked and to Julie, Bridgeen and Grace and our group of shop keepers. To all the young and not so young people who delivered water, ice pops/lollies, sold lotto tickets, picked up rubbish your help was very much appreciated.
Thanks also to NMDDC and anyone who supplied any type of furniture or equipment for use over the weekend especially our neighbouring clubs Kilcoo and Burren for the use of their flags to help us welcome our visiting teams (they even survived the weekend.) Thanks also to anyone who helped brighten up our village through the planting of flowers or the painting of fences. Thank you to all the individuals and businesses who sponsored us either financially or through the provision of food and drink and a special word of thanks has to go to Margo who walked 52.5 miles to raise funds for our club in memory of her beautiful daughter Nicole.
To Pat Joe Magee who as chairman has led all events this year, your leadership is inspiring and it is great to see so many volunteers getting behind the club under your tutelage.
Lastly, I would like to thank Diarmuid Cahill, Sean, and Paula on the National Feile committee who allowed us to showcase our facilities at a national level and most importantly our own Feile committee for making Feile such a success. These individuals went above and beyond what was expected of them. It is very true that if you ask a busy person to do something then it will get done.
I will leave the final words to a Mayobridge legend who said, ‘this weekend was better than winning an All-Ireland Senior Championship medal’. I really don’t think we could have better praise than that.
I am truly sorry if I have missed out thanking any individual or group.
Go raibh maith agaibh
Marie
