September 3rd, 2021

A Chairde,

We hope you are keeping well and are enjoying the weekly updates. See below this week’s notes along with a poetic reflection on the closure of Clubs during the lockdown composed by Lorcán O’Rourke:

“Bits & Bytes”

  • The first Kildare GAA Club Draw will take place next Friday @ 6:30pm in Joe Mallon Motors, Sallins Rd. Each ticket bought will assist your Club with projects they are completing. Contact your local Club to purchase your ticket or alternatively you can purchase online https://member.clubforce.com/kildareclubdraw2021 Congratulations to Robertstown who claimed the early bird prize.
  • The Kellogs GAA Cúl Camps were a massive success in Kildare this year with each attending child receiving the famous Cúl Camp kits. The GAA have provided all those unable to attend camps the opportunity to purchase these kits for €35 via http://gaa.ie/kelloggsculcamps
  • Gaelic Armour were this week announced as a new gear supplier for the GAA. They now become one of a number of approved suppliers of GAA merchandise.
  • The Manguard Plus Minor Football Championships commence next Wednesday evening. A full list of fixture for one of the most eagerly awaited and competitive Championships can be found on https://kildaregaa.ie/fixtures-results/
  • The official GAA match programmes for tomorrow week’s All Ireland Senior Football Championship Final will be available to pre-order from Thursday next week. Click on the following link to purchase your match day programme https://www.dbapublications.ie
  • Congratulations to Brendan Cawley from the Sarsfields Club who was this week appointed as linesman for the 2021 All Ireland Football Final between Mayo & Tyrone. This is a fantastic achievement for Brendan who progressed through the ranks of Kildare GAA & Leinster. Joe McQuillan from Cavan is the man in charge on the day.
  • Best wishes to Pa Monaghan from the Raheens Club who will be competing at the Tokyo Paralympics Wheelchair Marathon on Saturday night commencing at 10:30pm.

In Praise of our Cill Dara Boys and Girls

I heard the sound of silence
When the virus closed the fields
The gates were locked, and pitches blocked
While the grass grew tall and green

The clubs and fields were empty
With pitches out of bounds
Where we love the hurling and football
With friendships all around

The players they all stayed at home
To protect their health and friends
Checked their kit and heard the call
A hurley, football, a back yard wall

I heard it in the early morning
All day long it rang
In every estate and park
And from midday until dark

The sound of sliotar on camán
Pinging on the garden wall
The thud of football leather
Echoed out a call to all

They practised all the skills
The boys and girls in every team
They got ready to play again
When better days were here
It was tough at home all day
They dreamt of games on GAA fields
With friends and family all around
When whistles would blow another day

They dreamt of games in summer
Of county finals in September
Trophies to be collected
Fond memories to remember

They kept up their practice
And got their skills in tune
There’s magic in their hands and feet
To make the scoreboard sing