A DAY TO REMEMBER
Ellen Kinch Memorial Cup is a super success again
TINAHELY GAA Club played host to the Ellen Kinch Memorial Cup tournament last Saturday afternoon and the event proved to be a wonderful success yet again.
A total of 10 teams took part in the annual 7s competition with football of a very high standard on display throughout and banter and craic galore as the day progressed.
Eight teams from within County Wicklow lined out while there were also visitors from exotic places like Ballon in Carlow and the Sarsfields team travelled over from Laois to be part of the festivities.
“It went absolutely brilliantly,” said organiser Jackie Kinch. “We had 10 teams and the day ran very smoothly and everyone had a great time. We raised over €1,600 for Barretstown as well and the day was really great and there was a great spirit around the place with some really good competitive games over the course of the afternoon,” added Jackie.
With Ballon and Sarsfields travelling to take part in the event, a freshness was evident from early on and the unfamiliar players added a rich dimension to the games.
The Laois side were the overall winners on the day thanks to them playing some really superb football and Jackie Kinch said that although there was a different context to the game with the outside clubs the atmosphere of fun and lightheartedness remained unchanged.
The Laois women defeated Tinahely 1 in the final and their Senior status in Laois proved telling and the fact that they have appeared in a Leinster final and a Leinster semi-final over the last two years.
As well as the football, the day was also livened up by competitions outside the white lines with a ‘Guess what’s in the box’ game proving quite tricky with the prize being a signed All Blacks 7s jersey.
Donegal footballer Michael Murphy donated 15 pairs of gloves which were provided as prizes in a second competition and Cork’s Juliet Murphy has dispatched a Cork jersey to Tinahely for the winner of the Player of the Tournament award which just happens to be, wait for it, Jackie Kinch.
Jackie is adamant that it is not a “fix”. Yeah, whatever Jackie!
On a slightly more serious note, Jackie wishes to offer sincere thanks to all the footballers, the helpers and all those who attended the event and helped raise money for Barretstown, a place and a cause that is very close to Jackie’s heart.
“I want to thank everyone who helped out, all the supporters, and all the footballers for coming down because without them the day wouldn’t have been a success for a great cause. It’s a great cause and a great place that helps other kids out,” she said.