White’s Cross GAA were once again the first out of the traps this year holding the very first GAA Cúl Camp in the country this summer, running from June 24th to 28th, taking advantage of the relatively early date for summer holidays at Upper Glanmire National School.
First and foremost a big thank you to the one hundred and thirteen boys and girls who attended this year’s camp. Thanks to the Coaches and their Assistants who worked diligently and enthusiastically all week to ensure all participants benefited from the activities. Thanks to Kellogg’s for their sponsorship of these GAA Summer Camps across the country each summer – once again the kit was considered to be ‘very cúl’! Thanks also to Cork’s GAA Development Officers Noel Crowley and Colm Crowley – both provided very welcome assistance in the running of the camp.
The camp was spread across two venues, with the younger children based at the Upper Glanmire Community Centre and the rest based at White’s Cross GAA grounds. Thanks very much to Upper Glanmire Community Association for the use of their facilities. Whilst the week proved very nice weather wise for the most part, torrential rain on the Friday morning could have put a real dampener on proceedings only that we were able to transfer ninety of the children to the sports hall and adjoining amenities. The battle hardened eldest group were left to tough it out in the great outdoors – as it transpired the rains passed over after thirty minutes and they were basking in sunshine again before the day was over. Indeed White’s Cross GAA camp has never had to cancel a day of activities in its twelve years in existence.
Thanks to White’s Cross GAA Adult and Juvenile Club members for all their assistance – the work being put in by these two committees in the past number of years is nothing short of massive. The outcomes are evident for all to see – the astro-turf surface recently laid at the hurling wall was a great addition to our camp this year. Meanwhile the walkway constructed around the perimeter of our main playing field was used for our sponsored walk on the last day of camp.
Thanks to our guest visitor to the Camp, Kellogg’s Cúl Camp Ambassador Eoin Cadogan. Eoin actually arrived in the middle of the aforementioned downpours on the Friday morning, and waited very patiently as we implemented Plan B, by transporting ninety or so of the attendees from the GAA grounds to the sports hall. Eoin in addressing the different groups spoke of the importance of diet even for young players and of the need to look out for ones team-mates both on and off the playing field. In the follow up questions and answers sessions our attendees were particularly keen to get an insight from Eoin in terms of how to deal with having his brother playing on the same team as him – Alan Cadogan has proven hugely effective to date in his debut season with the county hurling squad.