MAKING MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME

ON Friday morning we all met up in Baltinglass GAA Club to get ready for our trip to Clan Na Gael,Dundalk who were hosting us.

We loaded our gear on the bus and took lots of team photos in our new Feile gear.

Soon enough we set off on the bus arriving in Dundalk later that day.

We played two matches that evening, Naomh Martin from Louth and won 3-8 to 1-2, and St Manchans from Offaly and won 1-9 to 1-3.

We then met our host families. Siofra (Adams) and I were staying with Rachel, Orlaith, Paula and Maurice Harrisson.

They were very nice and helped us settle in.

After a good night’s sleep we arrived back in the club the next morning to play against the host team Clan Na Gael.

I was marking the girl that I was staying with but still managed to score a point. We lost however 3-2 to 1-5. After this we took pictures with all the other teams as they were hosting St Jarlaths boys from Chicago also.

It was fun to meet them all. We had some free time so one of the Clan Na Gael mentors took us on a coach tour around the Cooley peninsula. The views were stunning.

After a quick picnic break in the woods we journeyed on to Mayobridge in Co Down to play our Cup quarter final v. Taghmon Camross of Wexford. We won 3-2 to 0-6.

We headed back to Clan Na Gael for a dinner. We were presented with jerseys which had both club crests on them and a medal.

After there was Irish dancing followed by a quick lesson from Paul who was part of the original Riverdance. There was a disco with a selfie mirror, cotton candy and popcorn machines. The team and I had lots of fun and took loads of pictures.

That night when we got back to the host house they presented us with Clan Na Gael half zip tops. This was a really nice gesture.

The next morning we had to say goodbye but took some photos together before we left.

We boarded the bus and the ex- citement kicked in as we travelled to Ardee for our Cup semi final v. Knockainey from Limerick.

Unfortunately we lost 5-6 to 3-5, but all agreed to stay and support them in the final.

In the break between we all bought Feile Hoodies to remember our time there. Knockainey went on to win the Cup in our Division.

We began our journey home and on arriving back in Baltinglass we received a huge welcome.

Germaines served us food and dessert and we all danced around the function room. It was so much fun. When it got late, people began to say goodbye until everyone went home with their families.

It was one of the best weekends of my life and we made memories together that I will never forget.