Passage to welcome 240 teams and 11,000 people for ladies football blitz

More than 240 teams and 11,000 people are expected to descend on Passage West GAA Club next weekend for their annual ladies football U8, 10, and 12 blitz.

The blitz will take place across Saturday and Sunday, September 7-8, and is the biggest blitz at these age groups in the country for ladies football.

From humble beginnings, it has grown in popularity year on year and the attraction for many is the fun element.

There are no scores kept and all games are played in a fun way that the players, coaches and parents can enjoy a day out of just playing football and not having to worry about it being competitive.

It takes a huge number of people to get such an event up and running every year, but one man spearheads it all and without his work and enthusiasm it wouldn't happen.

Francis McEveney is the main man behind this event and he spends months planning and getting everything right for next weekend.

"Last year we had 200 teams from all over Ireland attending the two-day fun blitz. It's the biggest blitz in Ireland for this age group," said Francis.

"Over the two days, we had approximately 11,000 people attending the blitz at Passage West GAA Club. This year we have 243 teams attending our blitz.

"They are coming from Galway, Dublin, Laois, Kildare, Kilkenny, Waterford, Kerry, Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and of course Cork. We opened the entry for teams last March and it was full in a day and half.

"We started the blitz in 2008 with just eight local teams and now its national. This year, after years of trying, we finally got the Artane Band to lead the teams in the parade on Saturday. On Sunday the Carrigaline Pipe Band will lead the U12 teams in the parade.

FUN

"This is no ordinary blitz, it's a fun blitz with face painting supplied by McDonald's, Douglas, DJs playing music all day, and a disco on Saturday night for all the teams staying over.

"This year we are delighted to have Lidl Ireland on board, they will set up a fan zone. Also Ballyhass Adventure Centre will be in attendance. The Kick Company from Monaghan will be showcasing their product - The Rebounder.

"We estimate the blitz brings in the region of €1.5m into the Cork economy, between people Staying in surrounding hotels, eating out and local shops.

The whole community gets involved that weekend helping us out. Every club gets the chance to play teams from other counties, and make contacts. In between matches, the players dance away to DJ Shane where he gives out loads of spot prizes for the best dance.

"As for the parade we have a cup for the best colourful team in the parade on both days. Teams come with drums plus other musical instruments, dress up in wigs.

"All teams must have registered by 10am, and the parade starts at 11am, from St Peters Secondary School. Matches start at 12 noon, or before, once all the short speeches are over. For the U8/10 blitz on Saturday we will have 22 pitches going. For the U12 blitz we will have 13 pitches going. All clubs must bring some older girls/boys to help out with the refereeing of games.

"So we are looking forward to a very busy, but enjoyable weekend," concluded Francis.