Sal O’Dwyer

Originally published: Town Tattler Vol 4 Issue 5

Who is Sal

My name is Sal O’Dwyer. I am 35 years old and mammy to four kids. My son Harry, 7, has cerebral palsy and that is where my passion for Town Allstars comes from. My mother is a Byrne from Summerhill Lane, Portlaoise and my granddad is the legend, Ollie Byrne. My father is an O’Dwyer from Limerick.

Family History

The Byrnes have a long history of GAA and some have represented their county in GAA also. Being from the town I’ve been a part of the GAA for years and am slowly learning the ins and outs of working on ways to always improve our club.

Town Allstars

The Town Allstars were formed in 2021 after months of planning and it has been a roaring success since. A group of very determined mothers got together and put the plans in motion. Each of us had a personal reason for wanting the Town Allstars to be a reality as we each had a child with additional needs and we understand the importance of inclusion in sport. We felt that it was time for change and we wanted to have a place for our children to go and play sport in a safe and encouraging environment.

Allstars - When, where, who, how...

Our sessions are on a Sunday morning in Rathleague. We currently have 32 kids signed up between the ages of 4 and 12. We begin each session with greeting the kids and parents, then move onto a warmup in which we have some fun and play some games. We then move on to teach the kids some football skills and drills and we help the kids with balance and coordination skills also.

Communication is key and we always work hard at helping each child to be a part of everything we do. We finish each session with 10 minutes of parachute and this is a huge hit with the kids as they love the colours and the way the parachute moves. We laugh and play and we make wonderful memories along the way.

Town Allstars Pride

The Town Allstars has opened doors for so many kids and their families as it has given them a chance to be a part of their club, something which many families didn’t think they ever would.

To see our children wearing the town colours and playing sport is the greatest feeling in the world and we have Portlaoise GAA and all involved to thank for that.

Our proudest moment as parents and coaches was the day we watched the kids run from the stands in Croke Park onto the pitch to play football and hurling with many other inclusive teams from all over the country. The pride we all felt wearing the green and white that day was something we will never forget.

Coaches

The Town Allstars coaches are currently made up of myself, Breda Murray, Elaine Thompson O’Dwyer, Charlie Walsh, Christy Bannon, Denise Plunkett, Tommy Mulligan and Clare Dowling from Kildare. These are a hardworking and passionate group, and I am very lucky, as are the kids, to work alongside them all each week.

Aims

The aim of the Town Allstars is to teach the kids the basics of GAA skills and to encourage them all to get involved. We teach them how to throw, catch, bounce and kick the ball. We show them how to balance soft balls on hurls or beanbags on hurls. We teach them to walk or run while balancing the ball or bean bag on the hurls and we show them how to strike the ball on the ground with the hurls too.

We explain everything in broken down terms in a way which helps the kids to understand and then we walk them through it each week while encouraging them to always give it a go themselves.

We help them with their communication skills also by using visual cards and boards, while also using our hands and feet to explain each area to them. We help them with balance and co-ordination skills by using stepping mats, cones, small hurdles etc and we play many games in which we teach them how to wait their turn and to work as a team.

Development

Over the years we have seen these kids develop skills that they once never could and their strength and determination every week is what has made that happen. To see their progress has been a pleasure to watch and be part of.

Thanks

On that note I would like to take the opportunity to thank all for their help and support over the years and long may it continue. Portlaoise GAA Committee have been exceptional in the support they have given us over the years too. There was nothing we couldn’t ask for or about and they were always on hand to offer advice and support where needed and it is always a pleasure to work with them.

The Club

Over the years of being involved with Portlaoise GAA I have had the pleasure to be part of many different groups and committees. I have been involved with the organisation of the Dinner Dance for the past two years and although I did my fair share of giving out during it, I have thoroughly enjoyed it and the craic that we have had along the way. I have no doubt that I will be called upon again.

I recently got involved with the Town Tigers nursery group to help out where needed too and it has been great to see so many kids getting involved with the club from a young age.

Hopes for Portlaoise GAA Club

My hopes for the club moving forward would be to continue to see the Allstars thrive over the years.

I would love for the club to continue to promote inclusion and help in teaching and educating both kids and adults on the importance of inclusion along the way. I also hope to one day see our kids win a county final in O’Moore Park, a dream I’m sure for many.

I am a proud Portlaoise woman and an even more proud Portlaoise GAA woman.

Our Allstars motto is: Nothing is impossible, after all, the word itself says I’m possible.