Action from the junior Donegal v Poland game in Ballyare.
Members of the Polish Community here in Donegal had cause for double celebrations last weekend …on and off the football field!
To champion the diversity that Polish people bring to Ireland, PolskaÉire 2015 was been established as a nationwide festival to coincide with the UEFA Republic of Ireland vs. Poland qualifier last Sunday, March 29.
Donegal County Council led events here at local level. These included a get-together at the Donegal League headquarters, Diamond Park, Ballyare, Ramelton last Thursday evening for a challenge match between a council select and members of the county’s Polish community.
Apart from the game participants were able to enjoy the culinary delights offered up at an Irish-Polish style barbecue and a draw for three tickets to the game at the Aviva Stadium which were sponsored by the Donegal League. These were won by Wojciech Szatko. The F.A.I. through its local representative, Shane Barr also sponsored football kits, bags and balls for the children.
The proceedings opened with an underage game between Polish Sunday School and Donegal sides ranging in ages from 8 to 12 years old. The county team was made up from rising young stars courtesy of Kilmacrennan Celtic F.C. It was a competitive affair which ended all square at 1-1.
Next it was the turn of the adults for a 10-a-side game. The council select was managed by well known councillor and capable footballer in his day, Ian McGarvey while Jacek Bonia was in charge of the Polish team.
Councillor who lined out included Liam Blaney, John Seamais O’Fearraigh, Jack Murray, John O’Donnell, Martin McDermott and Dessie Shiels.
The rest of the team was made up by Trevor Scanlon, Stephen Corcoran Kevin Doran, Sean Quinn, Jaryd Bennett and Sean O’Donnell.
They were joined by Letterkenny mayor, Cllr Michael McBride who presented the prizes and Cllr Gerry McMonagle who was the council team’s assistant manager.
Errigal College teacher Robert Fabisiak, who was in charge of co-ordinating the event from the Polish side, hailed the event a major success adding the Polish Community had discovered a great new place in Donegal and felt “at home”.
The Polish side won 2-1 but the council team can take consolation that three men with strong Donegal roots namely Shay Given, Seamus Coleman and Aidan McGeady were important parts of the Irish team that managed to draw with Poland in the Aviva on Sunday night and keep alive hopes for qualification for the European Championships in France in 2016.
The Polish sides were:
Junior Team: Damian Kos, Tymothy Zygmunt, Bartłomiej Woźniczak, Jakub Bryg, Alan Paśko, Kamil Gacek, Jakuba Grzyb, Arkadiusz Gasior, Adrian Bernat, Adam Sienkiewicz, Samuel Stolarczyk and Olivier Stolarczyk
Senior Team: Jacek Bonia, Tomasz Szabelski, Dariusz Frankowski, Marcin Lubiński
Przemysław Kieloch, Emil Kieloch, Karol Woźniczak, Daniel Pietrzykowski, Arkadiusz Laskowski, Mateusz Ferenc, Robert Stolarczyk, Tomasz Dorawa, Adam Matwiej, Wojciech Szatko, Mateusz Fiut and Tomasz Tobolski,
The PolskaÉire 2015 initiative is led by the Minister of State for New Communities, Culture and Equality, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD at the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Department of Justice and Equality, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Dublin and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
The last event in the PolskaÉire 2015 programme in Donegal takes place this coming Thursday, April 2 in the Central Library, St.Oliver Plunkett Road, Letterkenny starting at 6.30pm
This is an evening of Poetry with world renowned Polish poet Wistawa Szymborska and music by 'The Hazels' Polish folk group. Polish pastries, tea and coffee will also be provided. This is a free event and all are welcome.
Telephone (087) 9670326 for more details.
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