Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne USA Trip Schedule 2015
1 Thur. 26th Depart from Shannon 11.40am, arrive in Boston 2.30pm. Transfer to the Ramada Inn Dorchester. Evening meal followed by the option of a visit to ‘Boston Bowl’ entertainment centre.
2 Fri 27th Breakfast in IHOP followed by group visit to the Boston Shopping District. Cultural visit to the Richard J. Murphy Middle School followed by a game 6pm in the school gymnasium versus St. Ann CYO Basketball Club. After game get together with the club players.
3 Sat 28th Visit to the Irish Cultural Centre at Canton, venue for the 2014 GAA All Stars game, followed by a football game versus Roscommon Boston Ladies’ Football Club. That evening the team will attend a social function at the Twelve Bens, Dorchester where friends and relatives will gather. A presentation will be made to local organisers on behalf of the school and members of the team will perform some traditional Irish sets, tunes and songs.
** Given conditions on the ground in Boston it is more than likely this game will not go ahead. If so the team will instead visit the Museum of Science and maybe take a duck tour. The Twelve Bens function will be as listed above.
4 Sun 29th Morning Mass at St Ann’s Parish Church, followed by a visit to the Boston Museum of Science. 5pm- Pre game trip to savour the atmosphere and stores at the TD Garden Arena followed by attendance at the Boston Celtics v La Clippers NBA Championship Game as corporate guests of Patsy Mastrobattista, branch manager of ABC Supply Co., America’s largest wholesale distributor of roofing, sliding, windows and gutters. The team will receive a special stadium greeting from the Celtics and be allowed 20 minutes court time to shoot and drill after the game on the prestigious Celtics’ floor.
** Depending on what happens Saturday weather wise, if the Museum of Science visit has already been taken, we will have a coaching session with a top State coach at a hall in Dorchester instead. Then the team will visit a local radio station and perform some tunes live on air on an Irish traditional music show. The Celtic game complete the day.
5 Mon 30th Tour of Boston to include a visit to the State Capitol Buildings and City Hall where the team will meet with Mayor Marty Walsh. Members of the team will make a presentation to the Mayor and perform traditional Irish tunes. The event will be covered for broadcast on local TV stations. Evening meal at the world famous Boston Cheese Cake Factory.
6 Tue 31st Depart Boston for Holyoke, Massachusetts. The team will be greeted by our host families and taken to their respective homes. The group will dine in the Osaka Restaurant come evening, a restaurant famous for its quirky style of cooking and in-house entertainment.
7 Wed 1st Visit to the offices of ABC Supply Co. and on to the Holyoke Mall for some retail therapy. Evening free with host families.
8 Thur 2nd
8:15 Arrive at the Basketball Hall of Fame to meet the mini bus provided by the Springfield Police Department.
8.30 – Special private group tour of the Springfield Museums by Head of Security and former Deputy Police Chief William Noonan.
11.30am – Cultural school visit to Minnechaug Regional High School (Wilbraham Mass.) to experience education U.S. style. Athletic Director Mike Roy, Area Superintendent Marty O Shea and the school principal Mr. Stephen Hale will accompany us on a tour of the school.
12.00 – Lunch at Minnechaug
12.35 – The girls will then be split up and paired with members of the Freshman Basketball team and attend a class.
2.30 pm- Challenge game versus Minnechaug Falcons in the school gymnasium.
4.45pm – Detective Mike Carney will host a pizza party for the group at Red Rose Pizza, Springfield.
6.00 pm – Host Families to pick up the players at the restaurant. Evening free.
9 Fri 3rd
8:30 am – Group drop off at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
8:45 Arrive on Campus, Welcome at the International Centre, Campus Union 2F with Deborah Alm
9:00 Meet and greet with Dr. Mary Beth Cooper, President of Springfield College
9:15 Tour of main area of campus and College Museum–view Naismith collection and experience where the first ever basketball game was played and where Dr. Naismith invented the game in 1891.
10:00 Attend class in ‘Ethics in Sport’ with Dr. Ken Wall
11:00 Tour of PE Complex, Athletic Training and Strength & Conditioning Facilities
Meet Assistant Women’s BB Coach, Katie Kollar and team members.
11:45 Lunch in Cheney with basketball team members: Tables have been reserved. Lunch cost will be covered by the International Centre.
1:00 – Board bus and head to Downtown Springfield
1.30 – A visit to meet United States Congressman Richard E Neal.
2.30 – Visit and tour of City Hall with Mayor Dominic Sarno
3.30 /4pm – Special visit to Springfield Police Department for a tour and to meet Police Commissioner John Barbieri and force members with connections to West Kerry.
5:00 pm – Group to be picked up at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Evening – Free with host families.
10 Sat 4th:
8:15 Group drop off at the Basketball of Fame
8.30 – The team will be allowed the privilege of playing an exhibition game against East Long Meadow High/Middle School on the prestigious Basketball Hall of Fame Court followed by a tour of the Hall of Fame Museum and lunch.
Late Afternoon – Return to host families.
Evening – The team dine and meet friends and relatives at a special gathering at former Dingle CBS pupil Michael Corduff’s, Delaney House Restaurant. The girls will entertain the crowd with some traditional tunes and songs.
11 Sun 5th Leave Holyoke for Boston. Depart for home.