After all the grey skies and rain we’ve been having lately, Saturday 6 July was thankfully clear, if not bright, over in Castlerea, just in time for the fourth annual Project Match Castlerea Family Sports Day. The community came together in a big way — as they always do — and, once again, Castlerea Community School (CSS) opened their pitch and facilities up for the day; CSS staff Yvonne Hanbury and John Foley were on hand during the day to assist where needed.Seven sporting activities were available this year, gaelic football, hurling, boxing with Castlerea Boxing club, rugby, FAI soccer, hip-hop dancing and parachute games for over 70 kids aged 7-14 years. Sarah Mulligan and her team of the Roscommon Sports Partnership were on hand to assist with the games, and every child went home with a sports jersey that Project Match Castlerea and Roscommon Women’s Network fundraised to provide. We are also grateful for the support of Ciaran and his team at Civil Defence who have been on hand to provide first aid this year again as they have been for the previous three.
Access to sports and high spirits are what the day is all about. However, it could not have happened without the ongoing efforts of volunteers from the local community, parents and otherwise, and the donations and support from local businesses. The Lock Inn Pub, Pascal Fitzmorris, Harmac Co., Billy Doyle’s shop, and the HSE Drug Services all sponsored snacks, water and treats during the day. Jane Camargo was the DJ, and the raffle prizes were donated by Castlerea Prison, the Roscommon Senior Football team and the Roscommon Curtain Shop. Special thanks to the Castlerea students: Siobhan Conroy, Courtney Croughan, Ben McGovern, and Kelvin O’ Connell. Also Karen Kinder, Brendan O’ Halloran, Bianca Cooper and Shannon Joyce McCarthy for facepainting, gatekeeping and coaching. All of these were indispensible in creating a successful day.
A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers and businesses who supported the day and to all the children who participated.
Project Match Castlerea has been supported by Roscommon Women’s Network throughout the organisation of the Sports Day, but it is — and always will be — primarily a community and voluntary initiative. There’s updates and further information about all Project Match Castlerea activities (including their men’s group who meet in Cuan Aire every Tuesday morning) on this website. The committee is always seeking energetic and committed new members in order to continuing thriving; please, if you’re interested, contact the Roscommon Women’s Network at 094 9621690.