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Cushendun - Emmets

After the successful Intermediate Hurling Championship success of 2007 it could easily be considered that this years campaign by our senior hurling team has been somewhat disappointing. However with the emigration of several players, a few retirements and an increasingly 'ageing' team it was always going to be difficult to reach the highs of the previous year. A disappointing league campaign followed by a first round exit to the up and coming Clooney Gaels in the Intermediate Championship has brought the club to what will be a very difficult period in the clubs history. Unfortunately the reserve team had to withdraw from the North Antrim Junior League as the 'bodies' simply were not available.

We are now facing the effects of failing to maintain a successful youth policy during the past 15 years. Ironically this was one of the most successful periods for the senior team during the clubs history and a lesson has been learnt for all clubs that success can be short lived and the importance of implementing and maintaining a successful youth policy is essential in ensuring a solid future.

Hopefully with the formation and ongoing development of St Brendan's we will be able to guide the club through this difficult period. The amalgamation is proving to be a great success and ensures that underage players can now be catered for at all levels. St Brendan's now fields teams from U10 right through to U21. This would simply not have been possible without the formation of St Brendan's.

The U10 team won the North Antrim Division 2 championship by defeating Loughiel in the final. The U12, U16, U18 and U21 teams all competed well in their relevant competitions. The most successful team however was the U14 team who won the Division 1 North Antrim Feile, Section 3 of the Ulster Feile and Division 1 of the North Antrim Championship. They were also runners up in the All County Feile and the North Antrim League. A special mention needs to go to Conleth McNeill who represented the club and county in the All Ireland U14 skills competition and managed to achieve a very commendable fourth place.

Camogie continues to make a sound revival within the parish. An U10 team is being developed and the U12 team won seven out of eight league matches. Older girls within the parish are currently being accommodated within neighbouring clubs and it is hoped that we will be able to field a senior camogie team within the next few years. The ongoing success of Cross & Passion College and Garron Tower will help to achieve this goal.

The success of a GAA Club cannot be measured solely on its 'on the field' activities. The club continues to be the centre for many social activities within the local community. The festival week again proved to be a huge success and the marquee located within the grounds of the club was the focal point which allowed the hurling club, the camogie club, the development group and the parish all to raise much needed funds to the benefit of the whole community. A few new events such as pig racing and a foam party helped to ensure that people of all ages and abilities were catered for during this week.

A special mention needs to go our club chairman Sean McKendry who for the second year running sold the most tickets in the Saffron Draw. His foresight and ability to embrace the fundraising concept meant that he managed to raise almost £12000 (essentially single handed) for the club.