SUPERSTARS Winners

Post date: Aug 14, 2013 10:25:11 AM

A Sunny evening, a large crowd, an engaging MC & 24 fine athletes was all that was needed for a marvellous two hours of spectator entertainment at Edenderry GAA Grounds last Saturday. The CLUB SUPERSTARS was an outstanding success with Edenderry GAA Senior Footballers rising to the top just ahead of Ballyfore GFC & Edenderry RFC. However all participants must be commended for contributing to the success of the event. The ‘Hurler on the Ditch’ often criticises however the braver man is the man that takes part, especially when the contest is very obvious like a test of speed, endurance or strength. The Club appointed three adjudicators to oversee the event to ensure fair play. Local Garda Niall O’Leary, Edenderry GAA & Offaly Club Referee John O’Reilly along with Army Fitness Instructor David Cullen played a key role in the proceedings and went through the rules with each participant before the event commenced.

Following a splendid rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann by Mag Fuery, the MC for the evening Mr. Jimmy O’Grady welcomed all spectators and participants to the event. Following a quick interview with the team Captains, the 100m Sprint took place. A cracking race unfolded with Edenderry Senior Footballer Sean Pender leading them home, closely followed by Dean Cummins representing Derry Rovers. The pace was quick by as MC Jimmy O’Grady eluded, Jamaican, Usain Bolt would continue to sleep easy.

Next up was the much anticipated Chin-Up competition, the bar was erected specially in the Stand so that everyone could view the event. This test of body strength was made all the more difficult by the large crowd gathered and the watchful eye of David Cullen. David was there to count the reps. and ensure the technique was correct. A draw was made to determine the order and representing the Edenderry Hurlers Brendan McDonnell set the pace with 11 reps in a minute. This was matched by Eddie McDonald of ETFC before Colm Byrne upped the ante with 16. David Brady then hit the bar and managed to pip Colm by one, before Oisin Kelly representing ERFC seemed to seal it with an impressive 19. Last up, with the target known was Gavin Hoey for Derry Rovers. Gavin with special gloves for grip pumped away to beat Oisin by one before impressing a vocally supportive crowd with an extra one to make remarkable 20 full arm chin ups in a minute. This had the Rovers on top of the leaderboard and Pat McBride’s dream of taking two cups away from Edenderry GAA in the one year was firmly in tact.

The test of endurance followed as the participants lined up for the 1500m race (4 laps). Jimmy O’Grady used him commentary skills to great effect as he described the action over the course of the race. Podge Hanlon for Ballyfore set a blistering first lap pace of 1.05.7, this proved too much for Martin McBride and Ross Hendy and they began to tail off the pace. The 2^nd and 3^rd lap eased of to 1.19.1 and 1.17.8 before Stephen Guing for the Edenderry Senior Footballers hit for home with a lap an a half out. A strong finish from Stephen and a 1.20.0 final lap spread out the field. He was followed home by Podge Hanlon (Ballyfore GFC), Sean Marshall (ETFC), James Coffey (Edenderry Hurlers), Ross Hendy (ERFC) and last but no means least the oldest participant on the day Martin McBride (Derry Rovers). Martin finished to a rousing round of applause from all present.

The strongmen were up next and the pace of proceedings reduced dramatically as all participants easily lifted the early weights and kept themselves in contention. Under the watchful eye of adjudicators, Cullen, O’Reilly & O’Leary the lifting began at 60Kg and increased at 10kg increments until they reached the 100kg mark. The first to falter was Edenderry veteran Cillan Farrell lifting for the Hurlers, he was closely followed by Ozzie Cummins representing the Senior Footballers. Surprise package Johnny Goulding was next out at 115kg, super lifting for the soccer star. Lucas – The Polish Power – lifted very well for Derry Rovers but failed at 120kg. This left the two biggest men Paul Duffy & Liam Holt to battle it out for 1^st and 2^nd. Holt came out on top lifting a phenomenal 125kg (nearly 20st).

The win for Edenderry RFC and the excellent effort by Lucas left the scores Edenderry GAA (F) 25, Derry Rovers 24 and Edenderry RFC 21 going into the final event. The 800m relay would determine the winners of this highly competitive set of events. It consisted of 2 full laps of the track with each of the 4 team participants completing ½ a lap each. This very exciting event really had the crowd going and was preceded by interview with a representative from each club. After a shaky start the Edenderry Senior Footballers won the race with Sean Pender taking them home. Ballyfore nabbed 2^nd place to jump up the rankings and with the Edenderry Hurlers in 3^rd in meant they avoided bottom of the table.

The Final scores and standings were;

1^st Edenderry GAA (Football) - 35

2^nd Ballyfore GFC - 28

3^rd Edenderry RFC - 27

4^th Derry Rovers - 24

5^th Edenderry GAA (Hurlers) - 14

6^th Edenderry Town FC – 12

This was an excellent event and was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. Much thanks must go to all of the competing clubs, our MC Jimmy O’Grady & our Adjudicators David Cullen, Niall O’Leary, John O’Reilly.