Summer Hurling 2010:

St. Vincents` Summer Hurling and Camogie fest started off on Tuesday 22 June at Ard Scoil Rís (thanks again Ard Scoil!) and we are delighted to report that the weather has also decided to "play ball" and the sun has been shining brightly to date!

The Summer Hurling programme was set up initially by two of our greatest hurling evangelists, Mick Connolly and Noel Drumgoole, with many others of like mind, too numerous to mention, providing great assistance over the years.

Summer Hurling takes place at Ard Scoil Rís from 6 - 7.30pm (boys/girls born 1999 or younger) and 7.30 - 9pm (boys/girls born 1998 to 1996) on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings for approx. eight weeks from June until August. There are trips to various Clubs around the country every weekend, bar the August Bank Holiday weekend. Selection for the trips is based on attendance at weekly sessions.

The numbers for the first two weeks have been very encouraging, taking into account there are still many fixtures being played in the Juvenile sections. We look forward to welcoming more players to the sessions and we would ask mentors to ensure that all their players are aware of the times etc. to ensure no-one is disappointed at not being involved.

Each player is guaranteed at least 44 hours of hurling over the summer. It`s also a great way to help boys and girls from various age groups have the opportunity to mix, thus creating a very natural opportunity for the players from St. Vincents` Juvenile sections to get to know each other.

On Saturday 26 June the boys travelled to Newry Shamrocks in Co. Down and the girls made the journey to Clonkill in Co. Westmeath. Approx 70 juveniles were involved in the trips, and a great day was had by all.

We travelled to Danesfort in Kilkenny on Saturday 3 July with the lads and the camogie girls went to Knockbridge in Co. Louth. On this occasion we had almost 90 hurlers and camogie players involved, and again the trips proved to be immensely enjoyable.

A very important and encouraging point worth noting is that we competed really well on all above trips.

Naomh Uinsionn would like to express our gratitude and thanks to the Clubs who have hosted us to date. The hospitality and welcome that we have received from each Club has been heart-warming.

On top of all this Sean Brady, in association with many helpers from our Mini-Leagues, brought 31 Under 7s to Drumlane GAA Club in Milltown, Co. Cavan last Saturday (please see attached report at: http://www.stvincentsgaa.ie/viewdetails.aspx?m=n&t=1&id=2132) to play football against the local side.

So, on Saturday, 3 July last, Naomh Uinsionn had 120 players from our Juvenile sections participating in trips to three different Clubs to play hurling, camogie and football!

We believe we`re doing something right!!

Watch out for details re. the Leinster Under 21 hurling final, fixed for Wednesday, 14 July in Parnell Park. As is our custom, we hope to bring our Summer hurlers along to the game to support the Dubs.