Letterkenny Gaels GAA Club hosted their annual U-10 football tournament last weekend at a sunny Páirc na nGael with over 350 children taking part.
Ten clubs from throughout the County fielded 24 teams in a tournament that involved three competitions, namely A, B and girls.
A total of 54 games were played in this well run tournament. The standard of football was excellent and three of the finals had to go to extra time to produce a winner.
The most pleasing aspect of this tournament was that there was not one incident of indiscipline in all 54 games. The boys and girls showed great sportsmanship and respect to their fellow players, the referees and coaches.
The A competition was won by Ardara who needed extra time to get the better of an excellent Termon team in the final.
The B final was won by Gaoth Dobhair who outscored Four masters in the final.
Finally, the girl’s final was the game of the tournament. The game needed sudden death to separate Ardara and Letterkenny Gaels, with Ardara getting the vital score to win the tournament.
Gaoth Dobhair did a treble in the shield competitions winning the A, B and Girls shields.
A special word of thanks must go to our sponsors Enda and Claire Nicholls from the Arena 7 and Kieran Barron from the Valu Centre.
The catering team were excellent and the Gaels parents fed the visiting crowd with some beautiful home baking and sandwiches.
Thank you to the senior and minor players for the refereeing and all the club members for officiating in the different roles throughout the day.
Gaels chairman, James Frain played a leading role on the burger bar with his wife Bernie there to keep a watchful eye over him.
Donegal Ladies Emer Gallagher and Roisin Friel were joined by former Donegal star Neil Gallagher to present the prizes.
The Club Chairman congratulated Emer and Roisin on an excellent Championship campaign with the Donegal Ladies in reaching the All-Ireland semi-final.
With a high drop out rate in girls sport, Jim said that the Donegal Ladies were an inspiration to all the girl players here today.
The A Player of the tournament award was won Shane Sweeney from Ardara. The B player of the tournament was won by Cian Heffernan from Gaoth Dobhair and Reiltín Doherty won the Girls player of the tournament.
Letterkenny Gaels would like to thank all the clubs, coaches, players and parents for coming along and supporting our club today. A great day all round for Letterkenny Gaels GAA.
The club would also like to extended a special word of thanks to Brian Sweeney and the Underage Football Committee and parents for organising and running another successful tournament.
