A Memorable Day of Rugby, Friendship and Club Spirit in Wexford

Sunday, 1st November, will be a day to remember for the De La Salle Palmerston FC Mini Youths, as 75 players from our U9, U10, U11 and U12 teams, accompanied by their parents, made the trip from Kirwan Park to Wexford for a fantastic day of rugby.

This was the first time our Mini Youths had organised an away day to coincide with the senior section, and it proved to be a wonderful success. The U9s and U10s kicked off proceedings at 12:15pm, followed an hour later by our U11s and U12s, with plenty of excellent rugby, enthusiasm and smiles throughout the afternoon.

A huge thank you to Wexford Wanderers for collaborating with us to make the day happen. Their hospitality was outstanding, with players and parents enjoying a BBQ while taking in the action from our adult Seconds and Firsts. The weather certainly played its part too, with blue skies and sunshine making it feel more like a summer’s day and adding to the already fantastic atmosphere among our travelling players and supporters.

The standard of rugby on display across all four age groups was particularly pleasing. It was fantastic to see the skill, commitment and passion shown by every team. Just as importantly, the players thoroughly enjoyed themselves, strengthened existing friendships and built new connections across the different age groups.

However, one moment in particular captured the true spirit of the day and our club.

Following a closely-fought defeat for our Firsts, our Mini Youths formed a guard of honour and applauded the senior players off the pitch. It was a wonderful gesture of support and sporting spirit from our young players at a difficult moment for the team.

Led by club captain Theo Hovenden Kelly, the senior squad then returned the gesture, forming a tunnel of their own for the Minis and thanking each and every one of them for their support.

It was a genuinely touching moment and a powerful reminder that De La Salle Palmerston FC is about much more than what happens on the pitch. The connection between our senior and youth sections is something to be proud of, and Sunday provided a perfect example of what makes our club so special.

We hope this will become the first of many such occasions, bringing our Mini Youths and senior teams together on the road. We look forward to welcoming Wexford Wanderers to Kirwan Park in return, with the rematches planned for after Christmas.

Once again, a sincere thank you to Wexford Wanderers for their fantastic hospitality, and to all the players, parents, coaches and supporters who helped make the day such a memorable one.

A fantastic day of rugby, friendship and club spirit — and hopefully the first of many!