John Lockes Callan GAA

What a morning it was at John Lockes Park when St. Catherine's Club of Cork came to visit with 3 teams to take on the Lockes. Its not the first time St. Catherines came to visit as 30 years ago they paid a number of visits to play the Lockes and in turn underage teams visited East Cork to return the favour. Ironically St. Catherine's is the home club of Lockes man and County Treasurer Barry Hickey. Barry was in his element meeting up with people from his home parish. Many of them were children of men Barry would have hurled with. St. Catherines mentor Pat Fitzgerald said he came to play in Callan many years ago and a link up with a work colleague Conor Roche son of Eric Roche and the late Frances Roche helped to connect the clubs again. It was hard to believe that on 21st September that the sun shone so brightly and certainly was t-shirt weather. The Lockes ladies really put on a wonderful spread of food and have to be congratulated. The Cork club were so appreciative of the efforts of the John Lockes and were totally bowled over by the spread of food that was put on display. Club Secretary Declan Roche formally welcomed St.Catherines and said he was delighted with the support from all the parents and encouraged them to keep coming with their children. He said that hurling and Gaelic Football was the winner on Saturday and it was all about enjoying the games. Barry Hickey was so proud of the achievements of what the John Lockes had developed at the new John Lockes Park and was also delighted that his own home club came to Callan. He told of his early years in Callan when he used to travel home to hurl with his home club and then by accident was asked to attend a John Lockes AGM and came out after having been appointed club secretary. As we all know Barry was one of the Driving forces behind the development of John Locke Park back in the 1970's and early 1980's and he and Barrie Henriques will always be remembered for their grit and determination. Pat Fitzgerald of St. Catherine's thanked the John Lockes for facilitating them on such a beautiful day and congratulated the John Lockes on their wonderful new facilities and wished the Lockes the best in the future. Without repeating ourselves here but it has to be said the spread of food was wonderful and the food and cakes that remained were donated to the open day at Mount Carmel so as well as been the largest organisation in the parish the Lockes also help in giving back to the parish. Well done all. Log into the John Lockes Facebook page to view all the photos from the great day at https://www.facebook.com/johnlockesgaa.callan