Local Community Policing host hurling and camogie fun day
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Ella Kiernan, Nollaig Finnerty and Robyn Duffy from Milltown NS.Image 2 of 12
The students who took part in the blitz and fun day on Thursday week last.Image 3 of 12
Niall McEnroe from St Ernan’s and Rían Williams from St Tola’s.Image 4 of 12
Left, Emmett Corrigan and Bernie Corroon (games development coordinators).Image 5 of 12
Garda JP Dunning, Garda Sean O’Mara, Garda Carmela Corbett, Garda Paul Martin, Garda Neil Donnelan, Garda Martina Walsh and Sgt Brian Stones at St Loman’s GAA for the hurling and camogie fun day.Image 6 of 12
Conor Regan, Jack Gillen and Kevin Regan from the Westmeath hurling team.Image 7 of 12
TY students from Coláiste Mhuire and St Finian’s College were coaches and referees for the blitz.Image 8 of 12
Anna Healy from Rochfortbridge.Image 9 of 12
Emma Broughan and Karen Goldrick from Westmeath Camogie.Image 10 of 12
Sgt Brian Stones and Sarah Clancy from Emper NS.Image 11 of 12
Lilly Ward from St Mary’s in Rathowen.Image 12 of 12
Lucy McGrath from St Tola’s NS.Nearly 200 children from 11 schools took part in a hurling and camogie super games blitz at a sun-soaked St Loman’s GAA grounds on Thursday May 9. The blitz was hosted by Mullingar Community Policy, in conjunction with Westmeath GAA and Westmeath Camogie.
The excitement reached fever-pitch when the Garda Air Support Unit arrived from Dublin and performed a fly-over. “The kids got a great thrill out of that,” Sergeant Brian Stone of Mullingar Community Policing said.
Gardaí from the Community Policing and Roads Policing Units were present, along with the new communications van that recently joined the fleet at Mullingar Garda Station, and is described as “a great piece of machinery”.
The objective of the exercise was to promote a healthy lifestyle and sport, “but the main thing really for us was to get to know these children and for them to get to know us, to build a rapport and to promote An Garda Síochána in a positive light, break down barriers”, Sgt Stone said.
They invited fifth and sixth class boys and girls from schools in the district to take part. “We mixed up all the teams; they all played on different teams, not just their schools, and that way they got to know each other, and it put them outside their comfort zone a little bit,” Sgt Stone said.
Transition year students from Coláiste Mhuire and St Finian’s College coached the teams and refereed the matches, and Sgt Stone thanked them and their teachers for their help. Gda Martina Walsh of Mullingar Community Policing was the driving force behind the blitz, with help from others in the unit. They also got great help from Darren Magee and the development officers with Westmeath GAA and Westmeath Camogie, Sgt Stone said.
He thanked St Loman’s GAA for providing the pitch and Garda Nigel Hogan for his hard work in organising the event. He also thanked Lidl for sponsoring treats for the children on the day.
“It was a great day,” Sgt Stone said.
“We got to rev the motorbike and turn on the sirens on the cars. It was great!” one young participant reported.
“We had a great time at the Garda hurling blitz in St Loman’s. We had so much fun with ice creams, helicopters, handcuffs and motorbikes we forgot to take a photo of the hurling! Thanks to all for organising a great day,” Milltown NS posted on their website.