GOAL Mile Gains €2,000 at An Riocht in the Rain

Shona Heaslip, (left) pictured with: Catherine O’Sullivan, Fiona Kavanagh, Niamh O’Sullivan, Kate McSweeney, manager An Riocht AC and Liz Heaslip at the annual GOAL Mile at An Riocht AC on Christmas Morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Tom O’Connor (left) and Richard Harnett making their contributions to the collection box at the annual GOAL Mile at An Riocht AC on Christmas Morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The Boyle family from Scartaglin pictured after they braved the elements at the annual GOAL Mile at An Riocht AC on Christmas Morning. Included are Tom and Anne and their children Leah, Gary and Tommy. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Amari Pabon safely in the arms of dad, Bernie at the annual GOAL Mile at An Riocht AC on Christmas Morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Teresa O’Leary (left) with Patricia and Norielle O’Leary relaxing after the Christmas morning GOAL MIle at An Riocht AC. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Happy Christmas: Pats Broderick (left) and Denis Brosnan pictured during a break in their duties at the annual GOAL Mile at An Riocht AC on Christmas Morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Eileen and Joe Foran (left) pictured with Noranne and Richard O’Connor at the annual GOAL Mile at An Riocht AC on Christmas Morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Local man, James O’Connor having a hot drop after doing his round at the annual GOAL Mile at An Riocht AC on Christmas Morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Joe (left) and Tommy Martin pictured with Philip Horan and Buster at the annual GOAL Mile at An Riocht AC on Christmas Morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

One of the biggest gatherings in recent years heeded the invitation from Denis Brosnan and Kate McSweeney and turned up for the GOAL Mile on Christmas morning at An Riocht in spite of the incessant rain.
Some took inspiration from the fact that they were in the vicinity of a centre of athletic activity and took off for a few laps of the track.

Hot Port from Pats
Most ventured out for at least a lap before returning to the comfort and warmth of the club-house and a big, paper cup full of hot port from veteran publican, Pats Broderick.
Pats had set himself up – as many the time before – in the kitchen of the club-house and with steaming kettles and disposable vessels he kept the ‘spirit’ of Christmas flowing – with back-up from Denny McSweeney – in spite of the brisk demand from his appreciative customers.
The event has become one of the great Christmas meeting and mixing occasions in Castleisland since its inception in 1999.

€2,000 Raised in the Rain
A delighted organiser, Denis Brosnan rang later yesterday afternoon to announce that the gathering had contributed €2,000 to this year’s event.

“We opened the club-house as usual before the off time in the morning and we were there on our own for nearly an hour and I thought the weather had put people off coming out. But once it hit 11 the crowd began to arrive and that continued right up to close on 1pm. We’re delighted with the turnout and the total collected,” said Denis.

Divided and Presented

This will be divided and presented to: St. John of God, Castleisland branch; the locally based Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and to GOAL.
Denis, Pats and Kate wished all who supported the event continued happiness for Christmas and the New Year.
Cheque presentations to the charities involved will be organised, as usual, in the couple of weeks following the event.

At An Riocht AC  Draw

The biggest members’ draw of the year took place earlier in the week and the following winning tickets came out of the draw drum. The first prize of €1,000 went to Mike Lynch, Fahaduff with €100 each to: Noel McMahon, Firies; Caitriona Dennehy, Cordal and Sheila and Jerry McMahon, Kilcow, Castleisland.