Le Tomás Ó Muirí

When you begin to say “every year is a milestone” and “it seems no length since last year’s final”, you know you’ve been around the block for a considerable period of time! For those of us that have lost this beginner status, Scór Caoga has urged us all reflect on the past, both inside and out of the cultural circle.

As I look back on my participation and involvement in the Association to date, I do so with great happiness and in many cases with humour! A question I’m often faced with is “did you play for long?” My first experience as a player was at under 10 football on a Saturday morning with our then Parish Priest, Fr. Denis Killion (R.I.P.). Despite much encouragement from Fr. Denis, my new sporting pastime soon dwindled and the end result was inevitable! However, all was not lost; I was introduced to the “ash plant” during my primary education in the rural school of Rahara in South Roscommon. For those of you who know me well enough, you’ve surely a different perception, but for the purposes of this article, it was hurling! I continued to play hurling for my final years of primary school and indeed for a period during secondary school at C.B.S. Roscommon, where we were coached at that time by Galway’s, Cathal Moore. This was also a second chance for a link with the club. Similar to my football experience, I was always given a great welcome by our coaches Joe Connaughton, Micheál Cox and Pronsias Killion. While my hurling time was short it was considerably longer than my football career. The old seanfhocal “Cuir síoda ar ghabhar agus is gabhar i gcónaí é” came home to roost! The men did their best, I enjoyed every second, but I came to appreciate the purpose of a spectator stand!

My final attempt as a club competitor was through Scór where I joined up with two other club men, Michael Egan and Michael Finneran (current Roscommon LGFA Manager) to form a team for the Tráth na gCeistenna. Unfortunately, we never achieved much success, but for me it was the start of many new friendships and hours of enjoyment to be spent up and down the country. One of the many doors Scór opened for me that seems to have remained opened with a strong wedge, was the area of administration. Having served as Oifigeach Cultúir agus Teanga in both my club and county, I now hold the position of Rúnaí Scór Chonnacht and am also honoured to serve once again on Coiste Náisiúnta Scór.

This administrative beginning in Scór has served me well and given me a solid foundation as I took up other onerous positions in the Association such as Club Chairperson, and County Development Officer but to name a few. In later years, I spread my wings getting involved with Club Planning and Club Officer Training, roles I continue to enjoy immensely. While I have gained much experience, I’ve learned many lessons but I’ve also come to realise and appreciate that there is a role for everyone in Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. I applaud the Association for recognising this and promoting it in its manifesto – “Tá áit dúinn uilig ann”!

Bainigí sult agus taitneamh as Scór!