Mothers and Others hold Breast Cancer Ireland football blitz

ST ANNE’S GAA Club in Bohernabreena held a football blitz in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland, which saw five teams take part in the non-competitive event.

The event was organised by St Anne’s GAA for Mothers and Others group, which fielded two teams, while teams from similar groups in An Tóchar, Cuala and Summerhill GAA clubs also took part.

Mothers and Others centres on getting mothers of GAA players involved in the sport in an inclusive, non-competitive and social environment.

Glenda Murphy Smullen, who founded St Anne’s GAA for Mothers and Others group in 2019 alongside Grace Hillard, told The Echo: “The ethos of GAA for Mothers and Others is that it’s non-competitive, and that it’s for mothers and others who are usually on the sidelines when their children are playing.”

She added: “The blitz was super. It was really enjoyable. We were really nervous, because it was the first blitz we’d organised, but when we got into it, it was so much fun – it was over too quick!”

The blitz was organised by Ms Murphy Smullen, Ms Hillard, and coaches Alan McNamara and Seán Nevins.

Glenda, Niamh abnd Fiona with some of the club’s young members in Bohernabreena

Collections were held during the event to fundraise for Breast Cancer Ireland, and while a final figure for the amount raised was unavailable at the time of going to print, Ms Murphy Smullen is confident that a good sum of money has been raised.

Looking ahead, she said the club might host another blitz next year and she is encouraging other mothers, aged 25 and up, to join the fledgling St Anne’s GAA for Mothers and Others group.

“We meet in the club every Tuesday at 8pm,” explained Ms Murphy Smullen.

“It’s basically your hour out, we do a bit of training and we have a bit of a laugh. It’s a lovely thing to be involved in.”

For more information, visit the St Anne’s GAA Club Facebook page or contact Ms Murphy Smullen directly on 087 278 0491.