Ireland 2008
This year’s Anglo Celtic Challenge was held at Letterkenney in the Republic of Ireland. For those of you who have never heard of this event it involves a teams from England (Cumbria), Scotland (Ayrshire), Northern Ireland (Glengormley) and Southern Ireland (Rapho) and is aimed at friendship in sport. There are two age groups under 15 and under 17.
Representing Cumbria (and England) were :-
Under 15
Kieran Parrinder
Sarah Kirkby
Jenna Selen
Dan Larmour
Arthur Bridgemanquin
Lauran Little
Jonathon Blain
Helena Woodburn
Mike Phizaacklea
Rosie Mason
Under 17
Adam Kapustynskyj
Rae Larmour
Scott Clarke
Jasmine Oaks
Matt Skillen
Ashlea Chester
Jonathon Cummings
Laura Westgarth
Jonathon Mossley
Ellis Littlehales
For some day one Friday started at 4:30am, meet our coach (bus) at Wigton and drive to Barrow for our first pick up at 8:00am. A short drive picking up at varied points on route to Stranrear for our 15:45 ferry to Belfast. Once on board the ferry the girls indulged them self’s in a much needed nail manicure and paint (we might not win much but our girls have the best looking nails) whilst the boys hit the games machines. Once in Belfast a further two and a half hour drive to the lovely Gartan outdoor activity Centre just outside Letterkenney, our home for the weekend, some 12 hours after leaving Barrow.
Then it’s a fight for the rooms, Ayrshire had arrived much earlier and acquired the best rooms but we had second pick as the Irish had not arrived yet. The older children found rooms that sleep seven (not much sleep to be had in there) whilst the adults took what was left.
The whole day’s badminton had Cumbria written all over it, after the main event the organisers ran a singles tournament which our players dominated.
The Under 15s won the main event winning all three matches and Mike Phizacklea won a thrilling boys singles final 21-20 and Helena Woodburn won an all Cumbria girls final with Jenna Selen finishing runner up. The under 17s came runner up in the main event but Jonathon Mossley won the boys singles and Rae Larmour runner up in the girls singles.
The only dampener was that the two Andy’s were challenged to a game by two Irish team managers. Well this drew the biggest crowd of the day with lots of shouting and heckling, we lost 21-19, 21-19 (sorry team) but one of their players was half our age (well that’s our excuse).
Off to the local hang out spot for tea, burgers or a nice steak a few goes on the games machines and back to the centre for another night.
8:30am start for our journey home it was 10:00pm when I crawled through my front door, but it was worth the effort. I am sure some MSN addresses were exchanged with our Irish and Scottish friends, but that’s what the event is all about “Friendship in sport”, next year Ayrshire host the event but as for 2008 WELL DONE CUMBRIA
