GOAL Mile Raised €2,786.40 on Christmas Morning

Joan Buckley Firies (left) and Maura Prendiville-Doherty, Castleisland at the annual GOAL Mile at An Ríocht AC in Castleisland on Christmas morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Sisters, Mairéad (left) and Eilish O’Leary with dad, Tom at the annual GOAL Mile at An Ríocht AC in Castleisland on Christmas morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Gina McElligott and Maurice Bowler and their pal Sally at the annual GOAL Mile at An Ríocht AC in Castleisland on Christmas morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Local men, Aeneas Horan (left) and John O’Connell taking part in the annual GOAL Mile at An Ríocht AC in Castleisland on Christmas morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Joe Walsh taking a break on the rails during his participation in the annual GOAL Mile at An Ríocht AC in Castleisland on Christmas morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Little Mai Doherty pictured with Castleisland Macra members, Christine Buckley and Maurice Roche at the annual GOAL Mile at An Ríocht AC in Castleisland on Christmas morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Hot drop – Cool outfits: Martin Dineen (left) pictured with Pats Broderick, Ailís Brosnan and Mary Lenihan looking after the annual GOAL Mile participants at An Ríocht AC in Castleisland on Christmas morning. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Imported it may have been, but the GOAL Mile idea is now an established fact in Castleisland on Christmas morning since 1999.

“It was wonderful to see such a great turnout so thanks to everyone who came along and made the event a great success. €2,786.40 was raised on the day and we’re grateful to all who supported the event on the day.

Concept Brought In

The concept was ‘brought in by ‘Ailís’s dad, by Denis ‘Flash’ Brosnan, Joe Walsh, Pats Broderick and the late Anthony Cronin all those years ago.

Though it started mildly enough it’s now an occasion for people to meet neighbours and friends home for Christmas holidays and to catch up on the news from home and abroad.

Waves of People

This Christmas morning waves of people from the area and well beyond flocked to An Ríocht AC stadium to do their mile for the designated charities, drink the obligatory hot port, be decorated with the badge of achievement, wish all round them Happy Christmas and New Year and go home satisfied.

It didn’t go unnoticed either that Minister for rural crucifixion, Shane Ross has really separated the Merry from the Christmas.

Consumption of Hot Port

It was evident most noticeably in the consumption of the traditional hot port this year – according to Pats Broderick.

While Denis Brosnan didn’t make it this time, he’s well on the mend and will be home over the next couple of weeks.

Good wishes were sent his way by many of the participants on this morning of mornings.

This year the funds raised will go towards GOAL’s overseas operations and two local charities, Pieta House and St. John of God /Oileán Beó Craft Co-Op which is based at An Ríocht AC.

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