Pat Farrell Tournament 2024
After weeks of planning and Wednesday training sessions it seemed appropriate that the sun would come out for the 3rd annual Pat Farrell Tournament on Sunday May 5th at the Clogherinkoe/Broadford club grounds.
There was a great representation of players pulling on a jersey from preschoolers to 6th class students, something which we think Pat Farrell would have enjoyed. The infant classes, joined by the preschoolers, put on a great display of skills followed by a match. Not sure who was more proud, the parents observing or the children on the pitch! The First and Second classes played out 4 quarters of matches and you could really see where the training sessions had brought the kids along skills wise, they were also great for encouraging each other at all times. After these games each child received some jellies and medals kindly sponsored by Chris Farrell.
There was a bit more of a competitive edge to the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class games. The managers had their eyes on the cups at hand more so than the children!! After a series of round robin games, there was a shield final and a final.
Well done to all the players who really worked hard in warm conditions to put on an outstanding display. Well done to the 2 eventual shield final winners captained by Daniel Lally and Sophie Rentes.
The honours of overall winners of the tournament came to an epic climax and a last kick of the game to win it with a marvellous winning point by Abbie Kenna. The team captained by Fionn Nolan and managed by Clare Nolan and David Cully. The cups were presented by Chris Farrell.
This ended the action on the pitch for the day but the fun was not over! There was a delicious barbq being served up while DJ Brad had everyone up dancing in the outdoor bar area.
These days do not just happen on a whim and we would like to firstly thank the Farrell family for coming along and allowing us to remember Pat and the valuable contribution he has made to football throughout the parish and indeed through Kildare through his participation in Cumann na Bunscoil. Thank you to Chris also for presenting the medals and cups to the players alongside words of encouragement.
Thank you to Neil and Yvonne for pulling it altogether after a lot of organising and what’s app messages, all the coaches that have gone into the schools and offered their help today, all the people who worked on keeping everyone fed throughout the day, the referees, Clocha Rince and Broadford NS for facilitating the sessions and lastly (but most importantly!) all the boys, girls and their parents for embracing the sessions and turning up today in great numbers. We hope the children will continue to play football and we would encourage anyone who isn’t doing so to think about joining in with Balyna Juvenile Club or Balyna Ladies Football Club.
We look forward to 2025 and what The Pat Tournament brings then.
