Curtain came down on the on pitch action on Saturday with all squads enjoying final training sessions before the well-earned Christmas break.
One final event off the pitch – the Christmas Cracker Draw is on 22nd December. If you would like to support us please subscribe at https://www.ourgrassroots.ie/club/loughdergfc You could win the Lotto Jackpot of €1850 or a spot prize of a Nifty Fifty or one of the super spot draw prizes donated by the wonderful businesses in our community.
A massive Thank You to our draw sponsors - The Lakeside Hotel, Joanne's Boutique, Ponte Vecchio, J'Adore, Green Cross Pharmacy, Grogans Pharmacy, Kavanaghs Butchers, Bar One Racing, Queallys Supervalu, Collins Pharmacy, Devanes Butchers, Aldi Killaloe, Centra Ballina, Kevin McCarthy Painting – What a community, what a team! Teamwork truly makes the Lough Derg dream work.
And not forgetting all the other supporters and sponsors who sponsored us over the year, in particular the hospitality businesses that were so generous in support before their business were interrupted this year. Better days ahead and we look forward to supporting our local community businesses once it’s safe to do so.
2020 is a year we will never forget. We were all disappointed by restricted competitive football on the pitch but we innovated to do the best we could in the circumstances.
We still managed plenty of big wins though. Here's 10 reasons to be proud of 2020 -
1. We went digital to keep teamwork up when we were apart and used Zoom for strength and conditioning in every members home
2. We prioritised health and safety for all and the Clubzap tool made it seamless.
3. We took the time off the pitch to improve how we run our club and the club survey laid the foundation for our FAI Clubmark certification, the first club in the league to achieve it.
4. We overcame the county boundary lockdown, splitting our resources across Clare and Tipp to keep the show on the road – two towns, one heart.
5. We launched our Club DNA programme to ensure player centric learning and development at the heart of our academy, helping us fulfil our goal to deliver a lifelong love of the game from the very beginning.
6. Our girls went from strength to strength, numbers rising at all levels and an adults lady team flying the Lough Derg FC flag. And we got our 20x20 flag and certification for committing to promoting female participation.
7. When the games were paused we doubled down on training with all squads getting two sessions a week. And the non-contact is paying dividends with skills and touch getting sharper. We will be back, stronger!
8. We specialised, offering position specific coaching as we endeavour to establish our club as a coaching centre of excellence in the region.
9. Dreaming of the future and that critical second pitch, we launched our Grassroots Lotto which many of you have generously supported. What’s it all for? Our kids say it best https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXigxUIMgNI&feature=youtu.be From little things big things grow. Will you support us?
10. And on the pitch we were flying. We had teams at the business end of all the league tables curtailed in the 2019/20 session. And since the restart we have a host of teams with Cup finals to look forward to in the New Year. And our Junior Men too are sitting top of the tree in the Premier Division, within touching distance of the title. Top of the table at Christmas in a Summer League. That’s 2020! Fingers crossed, in 2021 we get back to full steam ahead with on pitch action and the efforts of 2020 set us up for a bright blue future.
To all our players, members, families, supporters, volunteers, businesses, friends, league officials and opponents from our football family, we wish you and yours a safe and happy Christmas and health, happiness and a feast of football and friendship in 2021.
Hon Derg!
