RTE 1 - Pride of the Parish

[GreatDayForTheParish]

This is turning out to be a truly great programme. Last weeks episode featuring Portumna GAA club presented by the Cannings was highly enjoyable but tonights (Friday 24th April 2009) epsiode featuring Inishturk GAA club was simply brilliant.

Compared to Portumna this club was akin to the third world; terrible pitch, all age groups training on the beach at the same time, incessant struggle for numbers, anonymous to everyone but themselves and mismatched kits. They do not take part in the Mayo league or the Mayo championship instead playing in the All-Ireland Island Championship every September. But despite all this what unfolded over the course of the programme, the story of the parish, was something special and testament to the GAA.

Brilliant brilliant tv, catch it online on the new RTE player if you missed it.

[bracknaghboy]

akin to the third world; terrible pitch, all age groups training on the beach at the same time, incessant struggle for numbers, anonymous to everyone but themselves and mismatched kits

Are you sure the cameras weren't in Bracknagh

[TheManFromFerbane]

Here here, I just watched it there last night on the Sky+. I was actually getting a bit choked up about it! It really is what our association is all about.

[Georgio1]

Lot of clubs in Offaly could take a look at it and see how much more they could do to develope the game here!

[bracknaghboy]

Because of the hurlers success in the 90's hurling in east Offaly experienced a huge surge in interest. Daingean (2 teams), Croghan, Rhode, Ballyfore, Ballinagar (yes its true Ballinagar played Junior B in 1999), Edenderry and Gracefield had 2 teams each. All these clubs played hurling during the 90's and early 00's.
Now just Edenderry and Gracefield have 1 team each and both are struggling for numbers, the rest will never hurl again. I've always said that there is an undisputable link between the demise of the county hurlers and the death of hurling in vulnerable areas of east Offaly

[TheManFromFerbane]

Just after watchin the Ballymun Kickams episode. F*ckin class one too. I have to say it's been a fantastic series so far and fair play to all involved.