Eugene Leonard Family Fun Day a Huge Success for Desmonds

Local couple, Mary O’Brien and James Hayes at the Garda Eugene Leonard Memorial Family Fun Day at Castleisland Desmonds Grounds on Friday evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Denise Black pictured with her daughters, Isla and Lily at the Garda Eugene Leonard Memorial Family Fun Day at Castleisland Desmonds grounds on Friday evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Timothy Twomey and his daughter Ava pictured at the Garda Eugene Leonard Memorial Family Fun Day at Castleisland Desmonds grounds on Friday evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Adam Carmody from Currow was clearly enjoying himself with his mom, Carina at the Garda Eugene Leonard Memorial Family Fun Day at Castleisland Desmonds grounds on Friday evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Rebecca Walsh pictured with her daughter, Alanna Walsh-Murphy and Abigail Walsh Kelliher at the Garda Eugene Leonard Memorial Family Fun Day at Castleisland Desmonds grounds on Friday evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The Geaney boys, Jamie and David pictured with their parents, Marie and Paul at the Garda Eugene Leonard Memorial Family Fun Day at Castleisland Desmonds grounds on Friday evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Kerry and Desmonds minor footballer, Ruairí Bourke pictured with his mom, Denise, Castleisland with Máire and Michaela Curtin and their mom, Breda from Currow at the Garda Eugene Leonard Memorial Family Fun Day at Castleisland Desmonds grounds on Friday evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Paulette Leonard (left) pictured at the event dedicated to her late husband and founder, Garda Eugene Leonard at Castleisland Desmonds grounds on Friday evening with Marie O’Connor and Eileen Hickey. ©Photograph: John Reidy

William Wall with his son, Jackson were enjoying the Garda Eugene Leonard Memorial Family Fun Day at Castleisland Desmonds grounds on Friday evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Michaí Andrzejewski with his mom, Agnieszka Andrzejewska, Castleisland with her mom Lucy and Jerry from Poland at the revived and rededicated Garda Eugene Leonard Memorial Family Fun Day at Castleisland Desmonds Grounds on Friday evening. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Friday evening’s Eugene Leonard Memorial Family Fun Day was a huge success for Castleisland Desmonds GAA Club.

The event has been revived after a gap of nearly a decade and is now dedicated to the memory of its founder, the late Garda Eugene Leonard who started it all many years ago.

“Over 200 boys and girls from the local national schools took part in the many organised events on the evening and most went home happy after winning their first medal,” said event organiser, Pat Hartnett.

Range of Events

There was a host of other activities including: face painting; a puppet show; egg and spoon race; sack races;  three legged races; a penalty shoot out and many more.

“The teams were coached by our senior ladies and men’s players and they all enjoyed the experience so Desmonds won’t be short of coaches in the future,” said Pat.

“Medals were presented by our county stars,  Ruairi Bourke, Lorraine Scanlon, Cáit Lynch, Paris McCarthy along with Adam Donoghue and Brian Leonard.

Awards for Boys and Girls

“Best players awards for boys and girls were presented by Paulette Leonard  on behalf of the Leonard family.

“A group of around 25 people came together over the previous three weeks and worked as a team in the lead up to this event.

“Everyone did the job they were asked to do and then combined as a team to make this night the huge success it was.

Putting Smiles on Faces

“I would love to name them all but ye all know who ye are. The future of Desmonds GAA Cub is indeed bright and again thanks all for your cooperation help and kindness.

“It was all done for the young boys and girls of the town and the smiles on their faces on the night was just reward for all involved.

“Thank you all once again and next year will be bigger and better,” said Mr. Hartnett.

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