GAA’s deep roots demonstrated as company sponsors two Offaly clubs

The junior hurling name saw an uncle and nephew compete against each other.

THE deep roots that the GAA has in a variety of ways was perfectly demonstrated last week when two clubs sponsored by the same company clashed in an Offaly Junior Hurling Championship game.

Powerfully strong family connections resulted in Tullamore company, Baby Moon becoming the main sponsors of both Kinnitty and Shamrocks GAA Clubs this year. It was a special occasion for the company when they met in last week’s group game in Mucklagh with Shamrocks getting away to win a high scoring shootout by 4-19 to 1-17- the Baby Moon name adorned the front of both sets of jerseys.

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Located at Cloncollig Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Tullamore and the stockist of a variety of equipment for babies, including strollers, car seats, cots, accessories and much more, Baby Moon has a foot in both clubs.

It was opened a few years ago after Barry and Grace Mooney returned home from London, setting up their family home at Glaskill, located between Mucklagh and Rahan.

Barry Mooney is a former Offaly and Shamrocks footballer. One of four brothers and one sister from a great Mucklagh footballing family, he won a National Football League medal with Offaly in 1998 and was outstanding on the Shamrocks team that were so close to a historic first Offaly Senior Football Championship title in the 2000s. They suffered heartbreaking defeats at the hands of Tullamore in the 2000 and 2007 finals and Rhode in 2005.

Older brother Ronan won Leinster Senior Football Championship and National Football League medals with Offaly in 1997 and 1998 while his twin Conor was in the defence with him on those Shamrocks teams and younger brother Leonard was one of the main men in attack.

Grace is a McRedmond from Kinnitty and while now firmly entrenched in her new home and Shamrocks GAA Club, her home club remains close to her heart. Along with her sister Hazel, also married to a well known Shamrocks GAA Club hurling activist, Paddy Guinan, they were instrumental in a Shamrocks Camogie Club being formed some years ago while Grace has served as PRO of Shamrocks GAA Club.

Above: Baby Moon, Tullamore have sponsored both Kinnitty and Shamrocks this year and they met in the Junior Hurling Championship last week. Left to right, Grace Mooney, Matty McRedmond, John Kinahan & Barry Mooney.

Keen to support the GAA at local level in a meaningful way, Barry and Grace decided to honour both sides of the family by sponsoring both Shamrocks and Kinnitty this year.

The fixture took on an extra special significance for Grace as her brother Mattie McRedmond was the Kinnitty captain while her nephew, Luke Guinan, eldest son of Paddy and Hazel, was on the Shamrocks team. Luke helped put one over his uncle as he played very well for Shamrocks, scoring 1-4 in their impressive win.
“To see both sides of the family representing their clubs, in such a meaningful game, was something truly special,” smiled Grace.

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Barry Mooney talked about how much it meant to them to sponsor both clubs. “As a family-run business, there’s no greater satisfaction than giving back to the community that supports us. Moments like these make it all worthwhile.”

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