GAA club extends a hand of friendship from Clonard to Coventry with successful tour
IT took months of planning on the part of coaches and mentors. But as youngsters from Na Fianna Clonard GAA Club stepped off the team bus in Coventry, they were determined to give a good account of themselves in front of their UK counterparts and do their club and county proud.
It was the first time that the club from Coolcotts Lane had brought a youth team overseas. Coventry was the ideal choice, as it’s host to a large Irish diaspora and boasts three well-respected GAA clubs in St Finbarr’s, Four Masters and Roger Casements.
The choice of a tour to St Finbarr’s was no coincidence and reflects the strong links forged with the midlands club in recent years, with them having travelled to Wexford with a junior team back in 2022.
The tour began with a hotly contested hurling match against Birmingham-based Erin Go Bragh, who were themselves runners-up at U17 level in the All-Britain Championships.
While the Birmingham side clocked up some early points, the Clonard lads eventually found their groove and emerged winners on a score of 2-8 to 2-2.
Sunday saw a double header between Clonard and St Finbarr’s. First played was a high tempo football match, in which the lead changed hands on several occasions. Once again though, it was the Wexford side who emerged victorious on a score of 2-6 to 2-4.
With many of the St Finbarr’s players having never played hurling before, the teams were mixed for the next match and Clonard players on both sides got stuck into the game, passing on a love of the game to their UK counterparts.
The Wexford group managed to squeeze in other activities too, such as go-karting and catching a rugby game at Butts Park Arena between Coventry and Birmingham Moseley.
“We are so grateful to St Finbarr’s GAA, the boys and their parents for all their hospitality,” Na Fianna Coach Mark Moore said. “The weekend has made memories which the boys will long remember. It was just an amazing opportunity for our team to be ambassadors for their club and county and to play our national game overseas. It’s definitely something we hope to repeat in coming years.”
Meanwhile, St Finbarr’s were delighted to host the Wexford team.
“It was a delight to host them,” coach Phil Savage said. “For me, the highlight was seeing so many of our boys take up a hurl for the first time and play their first match.
“Our team has made great new friends and we’re already planning our trip over to Wexford in 2025.”