Lee and Imelda remembered at ‘Bridge charity matches
Saturday’s charity camogie and hurling games in Rochfortbridge to celebrate the lives of local Gaels Lee Wallace and Imelda Judge will live long in the memory of everyone who attended, organisers say.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, organiser Marion O’Riordan says that the event, which saw St Brigid’s senior camogie team take on St Sinchill’s Camogie Club from Offaly before the St Brigid’s men’s team took on Borrisoleigh from Tipperary, was a fitting way to celebrate the lives of Lee and Imelda.
“It was a huge success, thank God. I firmly believed that Imelda and Lee had a hand in the weather. We had no rain and, in fact, there was heat in the sun and plenty of ice-creams were bought,” said Marion.
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Dorothy Hanlon, Marise Carey and Maree Byrne at the challenge match. Thomas GibbonsImage 2 of 10
Ger Gill, Greg Balfe, John Weir, Tim O’Connor and Rob Deegan were the officials for the camogie match. PHOTOS: THOMAS GIBBONS Thomas GibbonsImage 3 of 10
Annarose Flood, Grainne Flood, Ellen Arthur and Katie Maloney on Saturday. Thomas GibbonsImage 4 of 10
Liam Maher and Margaret Ryan in Rochfortbridge. Thomas GibbonsImage 5 of 10
Shauna Cully at her hat stand. Thomas GibbonsImage 6 of 10
Marion O’Riardon and Michael O’Sullivan at St Mary’s GAA. Thomas GibbonsImage 7 of 10
Piper Anthony Kelly led the players on to the pitch. Thomas GibbonsImage 8 of 10
Sarah Corcoran and Johanna Maher in action. Thomas GibbonsImage 9 of 10
Tom Judge and Angela Wallace on Saturday afternoon. Thomas GibbonsImage 10 of 10
Colleen Gill and Robin Mooney at Saturday’s fundraiser. Thomas GibbonsSt Brigid’s Camogie Club came up with the idea for the event and were actively supported by the men’s club. Marion says that the level of co-operation shown by the both clubs and everyone that helped organise the event highlights all that is good about the GAA and the wider community in the Rochfortbridge area.
“Tom [Imelda’s husband] and Angela [Lee’s mother] were absolutely delighted. They both said that their families got huge support when Imelda and Lee were sick and after their deaths.
“There was such a good turnout and a great buzz and atmosphere around the place on Saturday,” she said.
All funds raised from the event, which ended with a night of ceol agus craic in Gonoud’s Bar, will be donated to the Irish Cancer Society and Sarcoma Cancer Ireland, the new charity that Lee’s family have helped establish.
KC Sports designed two new commemorative jerseys for the event, which proved very popular on the day with young and old and will be available to purchase for a number of weeks.
Thanking everyone who contributed to making the day such a success, Marion says that she and the Wallace and Judge families are so grateful for the generosity shown by everyone who attended Saturday’s event.
She also said that it was fitting way to remember two people who were held in such high esteem by their community.