*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
YOUNG ALL STARS took to the field of Cusack Park on Sunday prior to the biggest football game in the county.
Corofin and Éire Óg were represented by children ranging from five to twelve years old with additional needs who showed off the multitude of GAA skills they’ve learned.
Last May, Adrian Beakey of Corofin All Stars asked Clare Sports inclusion disability officer James Murrihy who himself managed the Kilmurry Ibrickane senior footballers this year, if their group could line out in Cusack Park on county final day.
This request resulted in the groups from Corofin and Éire Óg taking to the field of Cusack Park before the Clare SFC final between Éire Óg and Ennistymon. A new kit of jerseys, socks and shorts were worn by the Corofin All Stars for the occasion. The GAA All-Stars cater for children with additional needs of all disabilities in their local community. The aim of the All-Stars is to provide an opportunity for all children to be part of the local GAA community; to participate in sport; to socialise with others and to have fun. All children are supported by their club coaches and volunteers.
It follows Clare Sports Partnership in association with Clare GAA holding an Autism Activity Cúl Camp in Cusack Park for children on the ASD spectrum for the past two summers.
