Clanna Gael Fontenoy: Great community spirit at Clanns


The girls’ minor footballers came out in force to support the Global Clanns initiative and help raise money for local charities – seen here resting after a long run

Felix O”Regan

As in many other organisations and locations, the Covid-19 pandemic brought a strong sense of community to the fore at Clanna Gael Fontenoy (Clanns). This was particularly evident in a number of initiatives that saw support and assistance being provided to vulnerable members in our communities.Supporting local communities. As part of our Global Clanns initiative in mid-June to get people active by ‘virtually’ successfully circumnavigating the globe, some €20,000 was raised for three deserving charities: Enable Ireland (provision of support services to children and adults with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities), the Iris Charles Centre (provision of services to older people in need) and The Light House (provision of assistance and support to the homeless). Hundreds of club players, members, supporters and friends participated and contributed to this success. According to Club Chairman, Bernard Barron: “This initiative was really well supported by club members, as well as the wider communities of Ring-send, Irishtown, Sandymount and further afield in Ireland and abroad. It was great to see so many adults and kids getting involved, having fun, doing exercise, as well as contributing generously to such deserving lo-cal charities.”Another initiative saw a team of volunteers from across the club making themselves avail-able to respond to the needs of elderly and vulnerable neighbours. A designated phone number and email address enabled callers to seek practical and safe assistance.This could be by way of having groceries and other shop-ping dropped to their door, receiving a wave from the gate, or a chat on the phone. This initiative stemmed from an idea developed by retired primary school principal, Peter McCabe. Club Secretary, Brian Delany, worked closely with Peter in coordinating the provision of services through a team of volunteers. The club was especially honoured to subsequently receive a framed commemorative scroll from Dublin City Council in recognition of the work under-taken. Celebrating high standards of play. A strong guiding principle for the club is that player participation is key and any on-field success after that is a bonus. That said, when players achieve particularly high standards or teams win competitions, this is duly celebrated. Among some notable success-es prior to the Covid-19 lock-down Evan Caulfield’s achievements with the Dublin U20s football team stand out. Playing in midfield in the semi-final against Meath, his fielding and distribution – not to mention his three points from play – contributed hugely to a convincing win. And his contribution in that midfield role was instrumental to Dublin’s 0-18 to 0-8 win over Laois in the final and their capturing the Leinster title. Rebecca McDonnell has also featured well with the Dublin Ladies footballers in the National League. But it’s her stellar performances for the Clanns Senior Ladies that led to her being awarded club ladies football Player of the Year. Adult hurlers show good form Our adult hurlers have al-ready got their postCovid sea-son off to a flying start: firstly by winning a series of friendly matches against such strong op-position as St Vincents, Naomh Fionnbarra and Good Counsel; and then winning their opening championship fixture against one of the powerhouses of Dublin hurling, Faughs. A sluggish enough first half display still saw Clanns take a 1-6 to 0-2 half-time lead, the highlight of which was a glorious point from Paddy Hogan when he fielded Dean Fitzpatrick’s well-directed puck out to swivel and strike between the posts from distance and near the sideline.Following strong words of encouragement from team men-tors, Colly Reynolds and Ciarán Ó Murchú, the players lifted the pace and quality of their play in the second half. A string of well-taken points from play gave them great momentum, which they managed to hold for most of the remainder of the match. Sean Curzon was particularly effective during this period, both Seamus McCann and Karl Morgan did a pile of good work in the middle third throughout the match, while Colm O’Connell and Conor Rimmer both scored at critical times in the game.When Clanns came under pressure, the full-back line of Eoin Barron, Joe Jordan and Colm Kirby O’Briain proved well up to the task. They’ll be hoping to continue that winning form (2-13 to 1-6) in their other championship outings against Ballinteer St Johns and Bally-boden St Endas.