Cobh’s Busy Weekend Round-Up

Garda Eric McCarthy (Cobh), Davin O'Neill (Cork City) and Fionn Duggan who received the Under 8 player of the year

Cobh Garda District Soccer Blitz – Friday/Saturday August 7th/8th

What a busy weekend of sporting activity Cobh has just had. On Friday afternoon we took in the Cobh Garda District Soccer Blitz where hundreds of kids took part in this annual soccer event organised by Cobh Garda in conjunction with local soccer clubs. This two-day event brings hundreds of kids together to take part in soccer competitions with medals and trophies awarded to winners and runners-up in each of the several age groups ranging from Under 8yrs to Under 18’s. Local Community Garda Eric McCarthy, who organises the event with some of his collegues told Cobh Edition ”I’m very grateful to be involved in this annual community project. It’s great for the kids and enables us to establish a greater sense of community spirit. The soccer skills that some of the kids display over the two days is amazing and no doubt some of them will go on to perform at a top level. It will be an even bigger thrill for the kids and we have former Cobh Ramblers player Davin O’Neill here with us for the day on Saturday”.

Davin who is now is his second season with Cork City told Cobh Edition ”I remember when I was this age and playing in these district leagues. It used to be the highlight of our summer and now it’s an honour for me to be asked here today to present the medals and trophies. It’s been an enjoyable day so far and fair play to the local Garda and clubs for getting involved”.

Happy Campers Before Their Lap Of Honour

More photos from this event are available to view on the Cobh Edition Facebook page HERE : http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=25873&id=100000500037233

Cobh GAA 5km Walk/Run Saturday August 7th – 11.30/12.00pm

In the past three years Cobh Gaa Club and its supporters have raised €4875 each for the hospital in Cobh and Marymount Hospice, a total of €9750. Again this year all members, young and old, and their families, were asked to make a special effort to come out and walk/run and help raise much needed funds for our two designated charities. Non-members members were also permitted to take part by making a small donation before the event. Cobh GAA would like to thank everyone who took part and will let people know exactly how much was raised when all sponsorship cards are returned.

More photos from this event are available to view on the Cobh Edition Facebook page HERE : http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=25861&id=100000500037233

Cobh Pirates Sponsored Run – Saturday August 7th – 1.00pm

A group of approximately 30 runners took part in the Cobh Pirates Sponsored Run on Saturday for Charity. The runners met up at the Cobh Pirates Club at 12.30pm and headed off through the streets of Cobh at 1.00pm. This was a club fundraiser organised and run by the players themselves to help meet their funds for the year.

More photos from this event are available to view on the Cobh Edition Facebook page HERE : http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=25862&id=100000500037233

Escape From Spike Island Swim – Sunday August 8th – 4.00pm

The 4th Annual ‘Escape From Spike Island Swim’ took place in glorious sunshine yesterday, when forty swimmers from around the country braved the the cold water and hazardous currents to take part in this one mile open water swim from Spike Island in Cork harbour to Cobh to raise funds for the Lions Club.This was a Swim Ireland insured event and fell under the Open Water Swim Committee. Swimmers were ferried to Spike Island by several high-speed small boats and the race got off at 4.00pm with Brian O’Shea (pictured) being first across the finishing line in a time of 00:24:34.

Speaking with Event Safety Coordinator Joanne O Crualaoich she explained that ”All swimmers should have at least swam in the Open water environment this year and be capable of swimming the distance before their entry was accepted. Obviously we would have liked more swimmers but we were very conscious of safety so the number was limited. We’re delighted to be able to do this event and the people of Cobh are great in coming out to support us every year. I’m not sure exactly how much we raised this year but it is expected to be somewhere in the region of €1500”.

The first five swimmers across the finishing line were:

Brian    O’Shea    00:24:34
Danny    Coholan    00:25:43
Ellen    O’Brien    00:26:13
Danny    Walsh    00:26:26
Robbie    Allen     00:26:38

The winners of the individual groups were:

Brain O’Shea (male, wetsuit)
Ellen O’Brien (female, togs)
Danny Walsh (male, togs) note Danny is also our Cobh finisher
Liadha Hourihane (female, wetsuit)

Swimmers Before The Event

First across the line was Brian O'Shea in 00:24:34

More photos from this event are available to view on the Cobh Edition Facebook page HERE : http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000500037233&v=photos#!/album.php?aid=25956&id=100000500037233