On Friday, November 17th, the Devenish Complex in Belfast played host to a joyous celebration of club GAA, not the all stars, rather the O’Donovan Rossa Juvenile community. In a heartening event, the first juvenile celebration evening since the challenges of Covid brought together approximately 250 kids, parents, and friends. This gathering served as a tribute to the dedication of volunteer coaches, the passion of young players, and the often-overlooked contributions of parents. The focus of the night was to acknowledge the effort and growth of young players ranging from U11 to U16, encompassing both boys and girls across all codes. Emphasising long-term development, the speakers highlighted the importance of teamwork while recognising players who embodied the values of dedication and individual performance. The presentation of awards featured senior players and friends of Rossa, including multi-World Champion handball legend Fiona Shannon, who paid a special tribute to the highly successful handball squad. For the girls’ teams, Jane Adams, Sarah Armstrong, Mo Quinn, Bronagh Orchin, Bronagh Rogan, and Caragh Shannon added a special touch to the evening. All-Star Camoge and Rossa Legend, Jane Adams, took a moment to honor her own hero, Maggie Armstrong, who played a pivotal role in Jane’s career and continues to support Rossa camoges. Supporting the boys were a distinguished lineup of Rossa and Antrim talent, with Stephen Beatty, Gerard Walsh, Cormac McGettigan, and Dominic McEnhill presenting prizes to the U11 to U15 teams. With a special mention for our u15 footballers who made great strides this year. The event was a resounding success, and the Rossa Juvenile committee extends gratitude to all sponsors for their invaluable contributions to making this celebration possible.
