Message from CPN Coaching and development Officer Ronan Mc Mahon:

I was a very proud man this week to see how well the representatives from Cumann Pheadair Naofa CLG conducted themselves at Campa Chormaic, An tIúr Agus Múrna.

It is obviously a huge honour to be associated with Campa Chromaic and a great privilege to help live out the ideals of Cormac Mc Anallen through this unique type of camp which encourages kids to partipcate in Gaelic Games and develop their understanding of our native language.

All of the teachers, and in particular Johnsie (Gareth Johnston) commented on how well behaved the Warrenpoint kids were and I would have to second that. Indeed a couple of club reps came close to winning boy and girl of the course respectively after a vote by the team of Campa Chormaic. Amy Freer picked up the pupil of the class award in Rang Justy. Congratulations to Amy on receiving this individual award. 

It was also very encouraging to see Cathaoirleach of An Coiste Peile, Liam Howlett, at Friday's presentation alongside U8 boys and U12 girls mentor Paula Howlett. Roisn O'Hare U12 girls mentor, and Hugh and Susan Carr (Club members) also attended the presentation. Incidentally great credit should go to Liam Howlett for showing the imagination to organise a bus for kids, saving parents money and time during the week. Mc Anulty's resident bus driver Gerry,  who is also a self taught Irish speaker, was highly praiseworthy of all the kids on the bus. There were kids on the bus from other clubs as well and we would wish to praise them for their impeccable manners also.

The week included guest appearances from,  but not limited to, Paul Mc Grane, Cathal Murray, Eoin Mc Cartan, Declan Mussen, Collette Mc Sorley, Kevin Mc Kernan and Daniel Mc Cartan. Aaron and Stephen Kernan had also planned to be there on Friday but a club committment cropped up and they realised at a late stage they were unable to attend. Stephen obviously attended the launch and we thank him for that.

I would like to reiterate my thanks to my club for it's support, which has again this week proven itself to be a great cumann. First and foremost thanks to Club Assiatnt Secretary Eugene Gallagher and School liaison Officer Anne Mc Cormack for attending the launch of Campa Chormaic a number of weeks ago. Thanks to our parents/coaches and school liaison officer for encouraging so many kids to attend, thanks to Liam for organising a bus to faciltate so many in going, thanks to An Coiste Peile for lending the use of some equipment while we waited for our delivery to arrive from our suppliers. Thanks also to some key members of our senior committee for helping to ensure that the week was well supported amongst our councillors and associated parties. Without going into the finer details, the support of CPN in planning for the camp was invaluable.

Apart from the wide smiles and the constant wearing  of the unique Campa Chormaic jersey, there is  no telling how far reaching the impact of Campa Chormaic  will have on our kids.  There are however a few things, amongst many, for certain - they have grown in confidence - become more independant -  understood how the virtues of hardwork and honesty as lived out by Cormac will strengthen their character and resolve- developed their skills in football, hurling, camogie, handball, rounders at the state of the art St Colman's College site - listened to and learnt from the words of vastly experienced football, hurling and camogie players and coaches -  met new friends  - played alongisde boys and girls from neighbouring clubs and counties - experienced education in a more relaxed and sociable context  - come together as Point boys and girls and flown the club flag in ambassadorship in another venue and last but certainly not least sown the seeds to learning their native language.

A chairde, once again i would like to record my thanks to everyone in CPN who supported this history making camp. I am pretty confident that the vast majority of CPN reps this year will return, hopefully accompanied by a new group of blues!

Pics to follow.

Ronan