‘Play for your County’ day for Disability Groups at Croke Park

On Easter Tuesday we had a fantastic turnout of young adults with learning disabilities to Croke Park for Ulster GAA’s activity day.

Groups from all over Ulster representing 7 counties attended to avail of the opportunity to play on the hallowed turf of Croke Park.

Ulster GAA Regional Development Officers Diarmaid Marsden, Shane McCann and Paul Callaghan have built up a network of contacts across the province from local disability groups whose members enjoy participating in Gaelic Games activities. And it was from these groups that the opportunity to play at Croke Park was provided.

Approximately 150 players (men and women) and 60 helpers got a tour of the famous stadium and then pulled on their county jerseys to play a series of games on the pitch.

Everyone got plenty of game time and played matches against at least 3 other county groups, with the standard of play in some cases exceptional.

The participants all received a prestigious Ulster medal as a memento of their special day and judging by the smiles on all their faces they really enjoyed the experience.

Participating teams/groups included Donegal Special Olympics, East Down Gaels, Drumlin House and Rehab Care from Cavan, Cookstown special needs and Omagh special needs from Tyrone, South Derry disability group, Monaghan Special Olympics and Armagh City ABLE group.

Hopefully these players can get further opportunities to play Gaelic Games and run out on the pitch at Croke Park!