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Community Corner

Parade Kicks off Gaelic Games

Teams from around the globe gather to celebrate Irish games and heritage.

The Rockville Centre streets lit up in Irish spirit on Thursday night when the village hosted the 2010 Continental Youth Championship (CYC) Tournament parade for the first time.

After considering a number of prospective locations, Rockville Centre championed as the premier home for this year's parade, which commemorated the opening of the Gaelic football, hurling and comogie games that are taking place now through Aug. 1  at Nassau County's Eisenhower Park.

The international competition, which features players from the United States, Canada, London and Ireland, is held each year in an effort to engage the Irish community and promote appreciation for Gaelic games.

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Dan McKenna, chairman of both the New York CYC Host Committee and the New York Minor Board Gaelic Athletic Association, said he personally recommended Rockville Centre as the preferred parade location since he is well familiar with the village from having frequently visited his in-laws, who live in the village.

"Rockville Centre is known for its strong family ties and close-knit community, which really captures the essence of what our CYC Tournament is all about," explained McKenna. "On top of this, its rich presence of restaurants and bars are an added bonus since it provides our visitors with a source of entertainment throughout the weekend games."

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Providing a boost to Rockville Centre's economy, the village has been designated as the CYC's host city for dining and entertainment. McKenna said the town and its restaurants are being heavily promoted through word of mouth and a Welcome Package that the CYC has distributed to all of the Long Island hotels, which have an approximate total of 1,100 rooms reserved.

While the CYC tournament is generating more business to Rockville Centre, the CYC gained tremendous value when it came to planning the parade.

Michael Keane, chairman of the CYC Steering Committee said, "Many of the people who worked on organizing our parade were among the same people who are regularly involved with coordinating the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade, which has a solid following and stellar reputation," Keane said. "Their knowledge, expertise and resources helped simplify and streamline our preparation – especially when it came to securing the permits and lining up our marching band."

Former president and chairman of the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's Parade, Michael O'Reilly of Rockville Centre, said he was happy to have dedicated his time to organizing the parade and proud that Rockville Centre was selected as the host.

"Holding the CYC Tournament parade here is perfect since there are so many Irish-born and Irish American residents living in Rockville Centre," said O'Rielly. "This parade provided our Irish community with the opportunity to celebrate and promote their Irish heritage."

The festivities did more than just keep Irish culture alive. It also preserved the life of such Gaelic sport groups like the Rockville Centre-based Long Island Gaels Athletic Club, which is competing in this year's CYC Tournament.  

LI Gaels Club member Nicole Kerr, 14, of Rockville Centre, said she was happy that the celebration made its way to Rockville Centre and is helping promote a sport she loves to play.

"Playing Gaelic football is a lot of fun," she said. "You get to meet lots of friends around the word while keeping the Irish tradition alive."

Stepping off at 7 p.m. Thursday night before cheering crowds, CYC participating teams formed what looked like the United Nations as they sported their jerseys and banners, proudly marching through the streets of Rockville Centre, starting at North Forest Avenue and concluding at Village Hall.

The parade brought more than just the CYC teams, which consisted of teams from United States, Canada, London and Ireland, to the heart of Rockville Centre. Ireland will receive a glimpse of Rockville Centre's festivities when the parade is eventually broadcasted by the Irish television station TG4, who was in town last night covering the parade for a documentary it is doing about this year's competition.

Organized by the Gaelic Athletic Association, the annual Continental Youth Championship Tournament features 150 teams comprised of both male and female teams, ranging in groups from under eight through under 18 , who compete in approximately 280 games. The competition encompasses the popular traditional sports of Gaelic football, hurling and camogie.

 

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