Sarah Jane McGeown
CEANN Creige Hurling and Camogie Club has become Scotland’s latest GAA Club after an official launch in the East End of Glasgow.
The new club—named after its birthplace Craigend —currently offers children between the ages of 4-14 the opportunity to actively get involved in the most skilful game in the world—hurling. However, ambitious plans are also afoot to develop sections at senior level in camogie and hurling, creating a clear and vital pathway for all players in the club to progress.
“We’re delighted our new club is up and running and really looking forward to strengthening the next generation of talent in Glasgow,” new club chairman, Liam Luporini, said. “At the minute we have around 30 children at youth hurling each week and have already laid great foundations with our ladies’ camogie team who train every Wednesday night. The only thing missing is a pathway for our young boys. There’s interest there though, we just hope that with our new club structure and the support we will offer, we can bring that interest to life.”
Vice-chair, Jeanette Findlay, also shared her delight of the new club, highlighting in an area with great potential to benefit from.
“Ceann Creige Hurling and Camogie Club will play such an important role in the East End,” she said. “It spreads Irish culture and sport in an area which has not always had its presence, but is a fantastic resource for local parents who want their children to be engaged in sport and be part of a good friendly club.”
Support
While Ceann Creige have been extremely busy the past few months laying the foundations and getting things off the ground, the new management committee strongly agree they couldn’t have done it without the support of the Scotland County Board and their local community.
“On behalf of the committee, we offer our thanks to Scotland County Board for their backing and support this last few months, it’s been invaluable to the whole progress,” Liam said. “We’d also like to express our gratitude to the parents of our players and the East End community who have been so supportive of what we’re trying to achieve. It’s a classic example of a GAA community coming together to support each other. We have also made fantastic links with the local schools and can’t thank them enough for their support.”
Depute headteacher of St Francis of Assisi Primary School in Baillieston, Fergus Donnelly, added: “We’ve worked with Grace and Liam for a number of years and they have been amazing with all the support they have given to the local schools. We’re very excited about the formation of this new club and once we heard, we were straight in with a proposition of an after-school club, which we’re delighted to say the club have accepted.
“This will take place next week, offering our children an exciting opportunity to participate in hurling sessions, supporting a pathway to community sport sessions out with school. We are very excited to welcome the new club to our school and look forward to developing our partnership and school club links further in the future.”
Get involved
Liam also has also urged anyone who would like to get involved and join them as their new club (above) develops, to get in touch.
“If you are considering joining Ceann Creige, or have a child who’d like to join, please contact us. Youth training is at 5.30pm-6.30pm at Rose of Lima Primary School. Camogie training is at 7pm-8pm at Glasgow Green every Wednesday. Everyone is welcome.
“Come along and see what you think. If playing isn’t your thing, we have lots of ways for people to get involved especially around sponsorship, which is a vital part of any club. We would be very happy to have a chat about this or any other positions in the club.”
There are busy but exciting times ahead for Ceann Creige, but it’s heartening to see the club making its mark already in the East End. Hopefully there will be more good news and successes to report on in future and the club will feature in the pages of The Irish Voice too.
For training details or any other enquires you can contact Liam: 0780315044. You can also get in touch or keep up to date with Ceann Creige Hurling and Camogie Club by following them on Twitter: @CeannCreige or like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CeannCreige
