First Gaeltacht hurling competitors in Dungloe an enormous success

Dungloe noticed a first-of-its-kind Gaeltacht hurling competitors happen over the weekend, with groups from Donegal, Derry and Mayo participating.

The inaugural Comórtas Iomána na Gaelige noticed ten groups in motion within the all-Irish language match, which was labelled an enormous success by its organisers, who say it’s the first hurling match for groups from Gaeltacht areas or who want to promote the Irish language.

Two of the match’s Coordinators, Cormac Hartnett and Daithi Roberts, stated the concept for the Irish language hurling match happened as Gaeltacht hurling golf equipment felt they wanted a nationwide platform to showcase the excellent work that Gaeltacht areas are doing to advertise hurling and the Irish language.

“There are no less than ten Gaeltacht hurling golf equipment up and operating now in Gaeltacht areas and so they simply needed a possibility to play hurling with one another and promote the Irish language.” “We’ve got a brand new Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga right here in Dungloe and when she heard about our plans to advertise the language and to host the primary ever Comórtas Iomána na Gaeilge match in our personal membership she was delighted to again and assist the initiative. That was the catalyst that we actually wanted to roll up our sleeves and make it occur,” they stated.

Daithi and Cormac additionally stated that the match required an enormous quantity of organisation to happen:

“We had about twenty 5 folks on the committee from the beginning and we met recurrently, planning every little thing from lodging, meals, an official programme for the weekend, media publicity, sponsorship, leisure even all the way down to medals and plaques for every staff.  Trying again now, lots of people stated we had been loopy and that groups wouldn’t journey however we knew that if every little thing was finished accurately and that if the main focus and ethos of the match was right then folks would purchase into the idea and that’s precisely what occurred final week.”

James O Hagan (Vice President of CLG An Clochan Liath) presenting the cup for Workforce of the match to Lochrann O Donnghaile of Ghaeil Dhoire.

The match additionally noticed some recently-formed groups make the journey to Dún na nGall, together with a staff consisting of Irish-speaking hurlers from south Derry, in addition to the Gaeltacht Iorrais membership from north Mayo which had solely been fashioned in February of the 12 months.

Gamers from Gaeltacht Iorrais in Mayo, who made the lengthy journey to Dungloe for the match.

Gaeltacht Iorrais Chairperson Ciaran Ó hEadhra stated that they only needed to come and assist Dungloe within the new enterprise: “When the soccer Comórtas was based again within the late 60’s our native membership CLG Bhéal an Mhuirthead was one of many first golf equipment to get on board so once we heard a couple of Comórtas Iomána we stated immediately that the hurlers from the identical space would do likewise and be concerned from the very begin. To be trustworthy, it was an excellent weekend. Large credit score should go to Dungloe GAA for having the braveness to run with the concept.  Our lads completely loved the weekend, the hurling was nice, we spoke loads of Irish and we will definitely be again.”

Gael Doire Theas, the Derry staff who travelled to Dungloe for Comórtas Iomána na Gaeilge.

The staff that travelled from Derry, Gaeil Dhoire Theas, was an amalgamation of hurlers from south Derry who all converse Irish and needed to assist assist the concept. Their chief Pádraig Ó Mianáin stated the match was an excellent concept.

“A match like this one bonds hurlers and Irish audio system collectively and that was very evident over the previous weekend.  A match like Comórtas Iomána na Gaeilge creates a group and it retains them collectively.  This weekend has introduced our personal staff nearer collectively and we definitely have made new associates.  We’re simply so grateful that we had been invited to partake. I hope it will get the assist it deserves and that it grows and expands much more within the years to come back.”

The Gaeil Leitir Ceanainn staff who took half within the match.

The An Clochan Liath staff that defended their residence floor throughout Comórtas Iomána na Gaeilge.

The match organisers say that TG4 and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta have already proven an curiosity within the match and they’re hopeful they’ll broadcast the finals dwell within the not too distant future.

Daithí Rogers as talked about above, is from Gaoth Dobhair GAA and stated that everybody is speaking in regards to the lack of funding and assist for the so-called weaker hurling counties.  “This match is an excellent instance of what might be achieved if you get the suitable folks concerned with the suitable imaginative and prescient and drive.  I hope Croke Park takes discover as I’m satisfied this match has an incredible future if it will get the suitable assist,” he stated.

Native Dungloe camogie volunteer Ramona Uí Scanláin stated internet hosting the primary ever Comórtas Iomána na Gaeilge in Dungloe would encourage the following era of younger hurlers and camogie gamers within the area.  “Younger camogie gamers and hurlers in our membership can now see the alternatives which can be obtainable for them in the event that they proceed to play the sport.  Bringing sport and the Irish language collectively on this enjoyable manner is such a optimistic factor for younger folks to see,” she stated.

First Gaeltacht hurling competitors in Dungloe an enormous success was final modified: October twenty sixth, 2023 by Workers Author