.Young Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT’S proving to be a highly entertaining week for young Rockies as their annual summer camp continues.
This week has proven even more successful than the Cúl Camps last month, with around 150 kids registered to take part in the activities in the Connolly Park grounds.
Coaches have been putting the kids through their paces and honing their skills with, for the most part, some fine weather to enjoy.
Thursday was a special day as Kerry captain Joe O’Connor, along with teammates Greg Horan and Jack O’Shea, brought Sam Maguire for a visit. The fun’s not over yet thought as they have one more day of games on Saturday. Scroll down for photos…
Kerry captain Joe O’Connor with club and county teammates Jack O’Shea and Greg Horan brought Sam to Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Thursday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.Young Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanYoung Rockies with Sam Maguire at Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Thursday. Photo by Adrienne McLoughlin.Young Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanYoung Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Young Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanYoung Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Young Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanYoung Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Young Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanYoung Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Young Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot CreanYoung Rockies at the Austin Stacks Summer Camp on Friday. Photo by Dermot Crean.
.Coaches with children taking part in the Austin Stacks Inclusion Cúl Camp on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
SOMETHING very special took place at the Austin Stacks GAA grounds this week.
The Connolly Park venue hosted the first Inclusion Cúl Camp to be held in Kerry, with children from all over the Tralee area attending.
The camp was created to give an outlet for children with additional needs and came about thanks to the efforts of a number of parents and the Austin Stacks club.
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“There’s fantastic work being done here in Austin Stacks at the weekend with the Rock All-Stars programme which gives GAA opportunities to children who would not normally get them, so this was the next logical step,” said Colm O’Brien.
“Once the club came on board, it was very easy to organise after that. This is our starting point and the children are pioneering it and the aim is that it will be a permanent fixture in the calendar for Cúl camps,” he said.
Children taking part in the Austin Stacks Inclusion Cúl Camp on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
“Our coaches are trained to a high level. The majority of the coaches are coordinators on the Cúl camp programme, some would be SNAs and teachers, so we’re really spoilt with the quality of coaching we have here,” said Colm.
The Rock All-Stars initiative, which runs every Sunday at Austin Stacks, is already a big success. It is an inclusive initiative undertaken by the club and is open to any child with a diagnosis, providing a safe space for children to engage in social games and to learn some basic football skills.
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“The idea is other clubs will see this ‘GAA for all’ approach,” said another parent and organiser, Maura O’Sullivan. “It’s so accessible and easy to organise. It just takes a few people behind it to push it on and support from the club,” she said.
Children taking part in the Austin Stacks Inclusion Cúl Camp on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
“Austin Stacks have been behind us all the way on this, we can’t praise them enough. We’re very lucky to have this here this week,” added Maura.
Other people involved in the committee organising of the Inclusion Cúl Camp were Caroline O’Shea, Angela Yeates and Sandra O’Flaherty.
Also, John Lane and Sons sponsored meals for the kids from MJs Diner on Friday, John Healy Refrigeration sponsored ice-creams, Sandra O’Flaherty Reflexology sponsored medals while KOS Coaches in Ballyheigue sponsored certificates and a treat bag.
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• The Rock All-Stars initiative is open to all children, boys and girls, with a diagnosis taking place from 10am to 11am every Sunday at Austin Stacks GAA grounds. For more information, please contact Sarah (087-281 0239) or Sandra (087-294 6658).
Having fun at the Austin Stacks Inclusion Cúl Camp on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot CreanChildren taking part in the Austin Stacks Inclusion Cúl Camp on Wednesday. Photo by Dermot Crean
.The launch of the Ballymac Vintage Run at O’Riada’s last month.
CAR and bike enthusiasts are in for a treat this Sunday as the 12th Annual Car & Honda 50 run, organised by Ballymac Vintage Club, takes place.
Following the success of the format change last year, this year’s event will again begin with a ‘Cars & Coffee’ meet-up from 9:30am at O’Riada’s Bar & Restaurant Ballymac.
Later in the morning, drivers can take part in the optional run. This year’s route is a new one, not used before by the club, covering around 60km and finishing in Castleisland.
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All cars and motorbikes are welcome on the day, be they road, rally, vintage, or classic. The club gave thanks to generous sponsorship from local business, including the main sponsors: O’Riadas & BG Motors.
They will have over €500 worth of spot prizes on the day, with the first being handed out at 10am.
As always, proceeds from the event, will be donated to a worthy local cause, and this year all proceeds will be donated to Glanageenty Walkways. For more details, follow the event on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BallymacRun )
.The canal walkway from the Lock Gates to the swing bridge at Blennerville is closed until August 12. Photo by Dermot Crean
SECTIONS of the canal walkway and Lee walkway will be closed for certain periods during August due to ground investigations currently underway in the Tralee area to support the design of the Tralee Flood Relief Scheme.
In order to facilitate these necessary works, sections of the Cockleshell Greenway, Canal Path and River Lee Walkway will need to be closed on public health and safety grounds.
However, all public walkways will remain open during the Rose of Tralee festival period from Friday, August 19th to August 24 inclusive.
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The dates for the closure are as follows (see Section map below for guide);
• Section A — Cockleshell Greenway — August 24 to August 30
• Section B — Canal Path West from Lock Gates to Blennerville bridge — August 2 to August 12
• Section C — Canal Path East from Blennerville bridge to Marina — August 15-18 and August 25 to September 3.
• Section D1/D2 — Lee Walkway — August 25 to September 3
A map of where the pathway closures will be this month (only Sections A to D2 apply this month).
Further details of the ground investigation works and the project in general are available on the Tralee Flood Relief Scheme website by clicking here
