History was made today when the Dunderry u 16 Camogie Team played Rathoath in Martry this afternoon.I doubt if hurling was ever played in Martry before,much less camogie.Very kindly St.Ultans lent the girls the pitch as our own pitches at Dunderry and Rathcairn were unplayable.Can't beat good neighbours.
Although narrowly beaten the girls have great pride in the Dunderry jersey and fought to the bitter end..
The under 21 hurlers played their match in Dunganny ,having been rerouted there from KIldalkey which too was unplayable.The place was bitterly cold and I had to scarper before half time I was so perished.The boys were in total control at that stage and ran out comfortable winners in the end against Clanna Gael,who were short on the day.
Our boys have enough pride in the Dunderry jersey to make the effort to appear despite having had double cause for major celebration over the bank holiday weekend.
And now to history of a kind I would rather not report.Last year I got involved with an under 14 football team who did the unspeakable of awarding a walk over in the Football Championship.Subsequently they were unbeaten and were the only football team in the Club to win silverware.
A month ago I was again invited by Juvenile Chairman Darren Yourell to join him and Derek Hickey and get involved ..I did so gladly.To my astonishment I discovered that a few of the better players from last year had retired from the team and gone elsewhere to play other sports and that about half the team hadn't trained with the Club in the interim but were plying their sporting trades and training with assorted non GAA clubs around the County.
It was normal procedure for these players to play with us even though they don't train with us.This is totally alien to my concept of Club loyalty and totally at variance with my notion of promotion of our native games.which in Essenes means being available for training and matches in a condition mentally and physically to participate meaningfully.
I outlined this scenario.And then found that about five players were coming to our Saturday afternoon matches straight from the soccer fields of Meath totally exhausted after giving their all there.They were in no condition to play our matches in any meaningful way.
We were beaten so comprhensively by Dunsany and Oldcastle that it was a total embarrassment to the Club and an insult to the jersey.And this is in Division 5.
I totally qualify this by stating that there are a number of players who do respect the jersey and do their level best but worry that this total disrespect for the jersey and by extension the mentors and indeed the Club will too permeate their thinking.
Last week only 6 out of thirteen were willing to field and give preference to our native games.So we gave a walkover.
No sense of loyalty ,no sense of community and and some actually despise the game.
I am flabbergasted how it is possible that so many players ,who have been involved,coached and looked after by our club for over 5 years have so little respect for it and for our mentors.
I have discussed the matter with Darren and we are resolved to give top class coaching and attention to those willing to commit to Dunderry and restore pride in the jersey at that level,
This coaching will recommence this week .
I am mindful of the boast of Robinstown Club in the 1987 Meath yearbook,over a photograph of soccer posts fronting GAA goalposts that sporting harmony was the way to go.Not for Robinstown it wasn't.It ceased to exist permanently very soon afterwards.
We won't be making this mistake.
This is a rally to arms ,as it were for Gaels of this age group.
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