It’s been awhile since we put pen to paper given that we are all in a united national effort to curb the transmission of Covid-19 on the island of Ireland. We may or may not see a return to competitive action this season as we await the decision of our national affiliated body for what lies ahead.
Like so many others in these most unprecedented times, our resident GRD employee PJ Connell has hung up his high vis jacket for the time being due to current government work restrictions. We fully realise that we have been spoiled for some time now, thanks to the numerous years of dedicated service which PJ has put in to the maintenance of our facilities and club grounds.
Early on site in the morning PJ turned to his hands to almost everything…. strimming, pitch marking, painting, cleaning, tidying …….. PJ was always there to make sure our facilities were safe and clean for all those who play and visit Colemanstown United FC – no matter what kinda weather! No job has ever been too big or too small for PJ.
These last number of COVID-19 stricken weeks have truly shown the true worth of PJ’s work as many volunteers are now called upon to cut & line both pitches, mow the perimeter walkway, apply weed killer, battle that invasive weed mares tail, spread fertiliser, re-seed the goalmouths, maintain the clubhouse and all the other bits and bobs that require completion in our maintenance programme. We even had our U16 assistant manager and his wife spend their May bank holiday weekend painting the goalposts and main entrance gate. Thanks to Finnertys, Gurteen & Anthony Kelly for the shockwave aeration of both pitches which has helped our playing surfaces enormously. We are blessed with the number of generous and most giving volunteers any club on this earth could ask for. In this regard, we say ‘Thank You’.
‘Thank You’ to PJ and ‘Thank You’ to our great number of volunteers who take such pride and joy in our little club. As you drive towards the old ruins of Garbally Castle these days, your head just automatically turns left. And why wouldn’t it…. the place looks so inviting and splendid in this most beautiful sunshine. It would do your heart good to see the place beaming!