3D Personnel delighted to continue as CLG Naomh Columba

3D Personnel were delighted to continue as CLG Naomh Columba main shirt sponsor for the 2023 season.

As the GAA All Ireland Championships wrapped up with wins for Dublin in the football and Limerick in hurling, the GAA community around Ireland turned their focus to the Club Championships.

Up and down the country GAA Clubs have finished their 2023 Championships campaigns, apart from the elite few progressing to Provincial and ultimately the All Ireland Club Finals. And so for the majority, thoughts now turn to the 2024 season and what it might bring.

For the players and supporters of Naomh Columba in the parish of Glencolmcille, in Southwest Donegal, the new season will see them back competing in Division 1 of the Donegal League, after a seventeen-year absence. Looking ahead to some of the tough battles to come should keep GAA spirits high 'in Thru', during the cold winter months!

And with the return of Jim McGuinness to senior county management with Donegal GAA it should make for an interesting 2024 GAA season.

Naomh Columba team at the Kilmacud Crokes 7's in Dublin — Image: CLG Naomh Columba at the 2023 Kilmacud Crokes 7's Tournament

Closing out a Successful Donegal League Campaign

A very positive Donegal League campaign saw Naomh Columba gain promotion back to Division 1 after a seventeen-year absence. They were promoted alongside Michael Murphy’s Glenswilly GAA (2016 Donegal Senior Champions). The 2024 season will see the Club resume a great rivalry with neighbours CLG Chill Chartha.

New Donegal GAA Manager, Jim McGuinness — Image: New Donegal GAA Manager Jim McGuinness

The Michael Murphy Sports Championship

Naomh Columba eventually made their exit from the Michael Murphy Sports - Intermediate Championship at the quarter final stage, with a disappointing defeat to CLG Termon.

CLG Na Dunaibh went on to win the 2023 Intermediate Championship and gain access to the 2024 Senior Championship.

In the Senior Championship final Naomh Conaill retained their title, overcoming CLG Ghaoth Dobhair on a 1:16 | 1:08 scoreline.

Over the winter months CLG Naomh Columba will turn their attention to the 2024 season and start to prepare for their return to Division 1 League football.

3D Personnel would like to thank all the players, back room teams and supporters for their hard work and support during the 2023 season. We look forward to continuing our support for the Club during 2024.

Image of Naomh Columba 10 Week Annual Draw sample ticket

The 2023 Naomh Columba Fundraising Drive

As with most GAA Clubs around the world, local fundraising is the lifeblood of the Naomh Columba Club. Providing the facilities and infrastructure to accommodate teams from underage right through to senior for both male and female participants, is no easy task. Helped by so many selfless Club volunteers and generous supporters and sponsors, additional fundraising is always required.

Naomh Columba recently ran their 10 Week Annual Draw, with a total prize fund of €30,000. This is the Club’s main fundraiser for the year and as such 3D Personnel were delighted to help in promoting the fundraiser.

The format for the fundraising campaign was a series of 10 Weekly Draws, with a total of 82 prizes on offer. The first draw took place on the 1st September 2023.

Each week offered prizes of €1,000 | €400 | €200 x 3 | €100 Vouchers x 2
Extra Draws - Week 1 for TV & Galaxy Tab | Week 6 - €500 + Dyson V10 Vacuum x 2
Bonus Draw (30th October) - €1,500, €1,000, €750, €500, €400, €300, €200, €150, €100, €100

The 10 Week Draw tickets cost €100, with an online draw portal in operation to allow for entries from all over the World.

We would once more like to thank everyone who helped arrange the Draws, to the ticket sellers, to the companies who sponsored the weekly vouchers, and to everyone who bought a ticket, or spread the word to family, friends and work colleagues. Thank you for supporting CLG Naomh Columba

Image: Philip Doherty, Michael Byrne and Kevin McNern

3D Personnel continue their Sponsorship of CLG Naomh Columba

CLG Naomh Columba enjoy a long-term relationship with 3D Personnel and their Managing Director, local lad Michael Byrne.

Growing up, Michael played for the Club at all levels. Michael took on the role of Club Chairperson in 2021 and has continued in this role. 3D Personnel have provided sponsorship at various levels down through the years. This season they continued as senior team and reserve team main shirt sponsors.

The 3D link runs deeper still, with no less than seven players from the senior and reserve team panels currently working at 3D Personnel. Joint senior team captains Philip Doherty and Kevin McNern are both employees and led the seniors to a successful league promotion to Division 1 during the 2023 campaign.

Michael had these words to say about our ongoing sponsorship of the Club:

It’s an honour to sponsor the Naomh Columba club especially for the hard work that goes in at underage level.
From my experience, the grounding that the club gave to me and lots of people from the area, this will stand to all the children in the long run.

Image: Michael Byrne, his son Cillian, coach Paddy Hegarty, Jamie Cunningham and his father Conal

Naomh Columba Easter Camp

For many of the clubs’ younger players, the Easter Camp is a great occasion for getting back into the swing of things. Learning new skills, improving techniques and above all making new friends is a big part of the Easter Camp experience. Listening to experienced coaches, learning new drills, playing football and having fun is a great way of spending a few days during the Easter school holidays.

The 2023 Easter Camp in Glen, which was sponsored by 3D Personnel, saw over a hundred children participating. Not only did they enjoy the experience, but each child left with a new kit bag, provided by 3D Personnel.

Attendance at the Glen Easter Camp was not limited to locals either, with participants from Dublin and Liverpool also enjoying the camp.

Cillian Byrne travelled from Dublin and had this to say about the Easter Camp:

I play with St Oliver Plunketts/Eoghan Ruadh in Dublin, but I love coming up to my Dad’s home club and doing the Easter Camp. All the people on the camp are great and I have made lots of friends for years to come.

Speaking after the Easter Camp, Jamie Cunningham, who travelled with his family from Liverpool had this to say about his experience:

It was great to take part in the Naomh Columba Easter Camp in Glen again this year. It was good to meet up with the friends I made last year, who I still keep in touch with.
The coaching is very good, and I can practice some new things at my own Liverpool John Mitchel’s club when I get back. I also got a great Naomh Columba bag sponsored by my Dad’s friend at 3D. I’m already looking forward to getting back in the summer!

Image: Cara and Conal Cunningham in Liverpool

Jamie’s Dad, Conal 'Beag' Cunningham also commented:

As a former Naomh Columba player it was great to see Jamie taking part in the clubs’ Easter camp again this year. Jamie, along with his sister Cara, play and train with their club John Mitchel’s in Liverpool, so it was great to hear some of the coaches complement Jamie’s ability as a Gaelic footballer. It shows that the coaching we are doing in Liverpool isn’t too far off.
It’s also a great way for our kids to make new friends in the area when home on holiday. With Xbox and social media the kids tend to have their trips to the parish planed out before we even cross Carrick bridge. Thanks again to the club and the sponsors for hosting another successful Easter Camp!

For more information on the Easter Camp see the Naomh Columba Facebook post below.