On Sunday evening, it was a case of standing room only in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh as people gathered from throughout the parish to celebrate “The Family of Sports”. The event had been organised over the last number of weeks as part of the parishes preparations for The World Meeting of Families 2018. All sporting clubs and organisations and all the schools in the parish were well represented on the evening. People were asked to wear sporting colours or jerseys which added to the colour and joy of the occasion.

Approximately 30 sporting clubs along with the schools in the parish were involved in the procession, where representatives carried their flags or banners. The Cathedral looked splendid as it became a great blaze of colour, having been well decorated for the evening.

Archbishop Eamon Martin led the celebration along with Fr Peter McAnenly Adm and Fr Thomas McHugh CC was the Master of Ceremonies for the celebration. The opening commentary was delivered by Charles Vernon who will play with Armagh Harps against Maghery in next weekends GAA County Final. The Taylor Scallan School of Irish Dance was also involved in the celebration. The music was led by Armagh Diocesan Youth Choir along with Malachi Cush and Plunkett McGartland who joined on the evening. It was a very unique and joyous occasion as people gathered in huge numbers from all across the parish and beyond, to thank God for the gift of sport and to give praise for all of what we gain as a result of being involved in the great “Family of Sports”.