Off the beaten track: A selection of stories from last week's championship

Putting in the hard miles
Turning up to support your local GAA club every week is something that comes naturally to many in our communities. But becoming a dedicated worker within your local club takes a bigger commitment. On Sunday morning last I wandered into Munday’s Field in Ballyshannon for a walk and also to take in the second half of the Ladies Intermediate Championship game between Aodh Ruadh and Ardara.

On my way around the pitch, I met Thomas Boyle from Ardara with a physio bag in hand, heading for the gate. He had left Ardara probably around 9am and travelled to Ballyshannon to help out with the ladies and was then making the long trip north again, this time to Magheragallon, Gaoth Dobhair, to help out with the Ardara senior and reserve teams.

His wife, Kathleen (one of the Glenfin Wards), was helping out on the sideline in Ballyshannon while daughter Niamh is a committed player; while in Gaoth Dobhair, son Tomás, was part of the Ardara senior panel. Just one day in the life of the Boyles - and there are many families like this in the GAA. PC