New North Antrim hurling club Naomh Padraig - up and running!

This event was to say thanks to the six local businesses who sponsored the new purple and gold team kits. Paul McSparran, Chairman, was delighted to meet and acknowledge the sponsors.

The evening was memorable for the young hurlers lining out- some for the very first time. They were joined by hurlers from Ballycastle and Slaughtneil who came to make it a great evening.

The minor game was against Dunloy in the Darragh Cup.

And it was special to have three-year-old John Og Darragh present, all kitted out at a Darragh Cup game in memory of his Uncle John. And the minor game was one that kept everyone anxious right to the very end. Dunloy were winners by 3 points and their keeper Ryan Elliott was brilliant.

The consensus was that Naomh Padraig had hurled well and that is what Naomh Padraig is about - developing decent hurlers so that Armoy, Carey and Cushendun can hurl at senior level as separate clubs. The coming together is all about that pulling together at juvenile level and then at senior level striving to keep your own club to the fore.

The atmosphere, the buzz and the shared understanding was very evident on Friday past. The Naomh Padraig club really appreciated North Antrim GAA Chairman Owen Elliott coming along to wish us well in the journey ahead.