Issue link: http://digitaleditions.uberflip.com/i/1192470
GFP HEC CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS 42 | WINTER 2019 | www.ladiesgaelic.ie GAELIC4MOTHERS & OTHERS BLITZ GAELIC4MOTHERS & OTHERS BLITZ T he great philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once said: "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest achievement". On an early October's morning in north Dublin, over 2,500 Gaelic4Mothers&Others participants gathered and they were all there for a wide range of reasons. Although it was Autumn, the mind could be tempted back to Springtime as each team stepped off the buses with the different colours mingling; it resembled a garden awakening from its winter slumber. This year, we welcomed more teams than ever before. 120 teams from every province in the country descended on our traditional homes for the National blitz in Naomh Mearnóg and St Sylvester's clubs. The facilitation of such a huge number of teams in the two adjoining venues, over 20 pitches, was only possible due to the authentic volunteerism shown by the members of both clubs. The huge logistical undertaking was made even more laborious by a full week of torrential rain before the event. The volunteers worked from dusk till dawn every day to ensure that 2,500 participants were not disappointed. From early morning, the buzz of the day and the fun theme were palpable. The carnival atmosphere became more and more elevated as each bus arrived and old friends were reunited either at the car park, registration desk, or at the bustling shop that resembled Arnotts on a Saturday in late December. The PDC World Darts championships could not even compete with the creative, themed, and at times extravagant fancy dress that was on display. Once the formalities were completed, the mass warm- up commenced. All 120 teams descended on the Naomh Mearnóg astro-pitch, where there were five stages set up so our instructors could be seen by everyone in the huge crowd of participants. Indeed, it would be very difficult to describe to a passer-by, who may be out simply walking their dog, what exactly was happening, with booming pop music accompanying an aerobic/dance session of a mass number of people, where participants had donned full convict, Mrs Doyle, Dominos pizza, and nun outfits, to name but a few. The smiles and fun that everyone was having were a theme that would continue for the rest of the day. Once the ball was simultaneously thrown in on all 20 pitches, the fun truly had begun. The skills on show would be welcome in any sporting theatre and for while, for some, there may have been an absence of silky skills, they atoned for this with effort, fun and teamwork. Inclusion is one of the main themes of the programme as a whole and it was visible in abundance from the start of the day until the finish. Everyone got equal playing time regardless of whether they were new to gaelic football or were ex-club players. As the day progressed, so did the rainfall, however, the players might as well have been playing on a beach in Lanzarote as such were the levels of fun and enjoyment that they were getting both inside and outside of the four white lines of the pitch. The volunteer referees deserve much credit for adding to, and at times, joining in the fun to create the joyous atmosphere that cannot be bought or paid for in any sense. Truly priceless experiences. The day consisted of 6 teams per pitch, where each team got to play at least 5 other teams in 10-minute games. Throughout the afternoon, new friendships and bonds were formed that will truly last for many years to come and some clubs had organised to meet up in the weeks after the event for social events and some recreational games.