A reception to mark Bishop Paul Colton’s forthcoming retirement was held in the clubhouse at Garryduff Sports Centre at Rochestown, Cork on Saturday, 11th April. Garryduff is the sports centre of the ICICYMA – Incorporated Church of Ireland Cork Young Men’s Association, founded in 1870 – of which the Bishop has been Patron since 1999.

On behalf of everyone, Carol Jermyn, spoke warmly about the Bishop’s association with the Club as the longest-serving Patron in the Club’s 156-year history. She shared particular memories of Bishop Colton’s active involvement with the Club, including when he accompanied the team and supporters to Prague in 2004 for the European Hockey Championships.

Carol said

‘You have been actively involved in the life of the Club for all those year and you stood alongside us as Patron and friend in good times as well as in very challenging days.’

On behalf of the Management Committee of ICICYMA Carol then presented the Bishop with Honorary Life Membership. He is only the eleventh person in the history of the club to be awarded that honour. Mrs Susan Colton was presented with flowers and both she and the Bishop were presented with a gift to mark the occasion.

In his response Bishop Colton shared some memories of the first hockey match for the club as an under-12 year old when the pitch was at Glasheen Road ‘sloping downwards towards The Lough in Cork.

Bishop Colton said:

Receiving this honorary life membership is genuinely one of the greatest honours of my life. My family and I have always appreciated the genuine warmth of the welcome and hospitality we have received here at the Club. So many here have become good and reliable friends. It has been an honour to serve as the Club’s Patron for more than 27 years.

Afterwards everyone headed out to the pitch side for that day’s men’s firsts hockey fixture when Church of Ireland were playing Cookstown. After the match, the reception continued in the Clubhouse.