Laois Today: In Pictures: Laois camogie side swaps hurls for wooden spoons for club and community initiative

Banríon Gaels Camogie Club conducted a virtual bake off competition last week which saw members swap their hurls for wooden spoons to give back to people in their community.

The club, which is has players from Portarlington, Emo, Killenard and the surrounding areas, made a real splash with this initiative.

Their brief was to bake a cake or buns and donate to a front line worker, a relative or neighbour who is cocooning, a shopkeeper or whoever they chose to in the community.

The response was huge with all types of creations being baked.

A photo of the cakes and buns was sent to the judge, Killenard native and Banríon Gaels mentor, Julie Anne Behan, co-author of cookery book “Now you’re cooking”.

A teacher of Home Economics in Portlaoise College, she said: “The high standard of baking from our young girls was very impressive though next time I’m making sure there is a taste test, virtual bakes are not as delicious for the judge!”

The winners were sisters Carina and Ella O Hanlon who play on our U-14 and U-10 teams respectively.

They made a variety of buns and donated to neighbours. As a prize the girls will receive a signed copy of Now you’re Cooking.

In second place was Alison Brady, third place was Ava Beth Howlin and a special prize for technical difficulty went to Hannah O’Donnell for her cinnamon rolls. The girls will all receive a club t-shirt.

Communications Officer, Rena Killeen explained: “The virtual bake off was the Club’s initiative for saying thanks to the community of Portarlington, Killenard, Gracefield and Emo for their support throughout the years.

“The virtual Bake Off initiative was designed to give back to the wider community and to raise awareness of our camogie club. In total 18 premises were visited, including the workers at Odlums who are keeping us all in flour.

“Many shops in town also received a visit as did the Fire Station, Primary Care Centre, sports shop, fish shop, butchers.

“Parish Priest, pharmacists, credit union, many front line workers, many Nanas and Papas and not forgetting two postmen.”

The bake off fostered some friendly competition among the players and people of the community certainly benefited from receiving the treats.

Banríon Gaels is almost seven years established and is the youngest Camogie Club in Laois. They field teams from U-8 to U-16 and have had success at County winning the Laois Shield Final at U-12 level in 2018 and 2019.

Check out some great pictures below: