Amy Boyle on Goal Mile and miles more goals

When you play a sport at the top level, you can come under various spotlights. One of those shone on our Saffron midfielder, Amy Boyle. Approached by a media company working for AIB, Amy was asked to become the camogie representative of the four codes associated with the charity Goal. Amy made herself available last night for a few photos and a chat. But before we delve into that, let’s discover a bit more about Goal and the Goal Mile.

“Goal was established in 1977 by sports journalist John O’Shea and four friends. Deeply moved by the plight of street children they encountered on a trip to Kolkata (Culcatta), India, they decided to set up an aid organisation dedicated to helping the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

From these humble beginnings, Goal emerged as an important humanitarian response agency, capable of responding quickly and effectively to crisis and disaster. Goal staff, or Goalies, have been recognised for their commitment, courage, and willingness to go the extra mile to help those in need” - extract from the Goal web site.

So, what is the Goal Mile then?

The GOAL Mile is one of the most popular and longstanding fundraisers in Ireland. The first GOAL Mile took place in 1982 when GOAL's late chairperson and international athlete, Noel Carroll, asked local people and their families to run a mile at Phoenix Park on Christmas morning for GOAL.

Much to everyone’s delight, more than 250 people turned up. The following year saw the event move to Belfield, University College Dublin.

This year more than 160 GOAL Mile events will take place around the country, and thousands more participants will take part virtually around the world.

With new locations announced each year, they have come a long way since that first Mile in 1982 – raising millions for GOAL’s life-saving work.

Essentially you register your interest on the web site here: https://www.goalmile.org/about

And then choose a venue to perform your mile on a day in December. Your signup fee gets you your jersey, covers organisational overheads and then you are offered a personal fund-raising portal, which you can share with family and friends. And there’s a silver lining for GAA clubs. After registering, fill in the online competition entry form, complete your mile and your nominated club could win a €1000 prize in the Goal Mile draw.

Amy was called to a photo shoot at C.L.G. Na Fianna grounds, Glasnevin, on the north side of Dublin. A cold day Amy informs us, but enjoyable all the same. We caught up with Amy in warmer surroundings near her home in the Millennium Centre, Loughgiel just ahead of her club’s AGM, for a friendly chat.

Amy leads the conversation, “I hope to complete my own Goal Mile virtually this year. There’s a few Miles happening around Antrim and if there’s enough local interest, I’d certainly do that in Loughgiel but now with it being close to Christmas, it’ll be good to get the Mile complete before December runs out.” As the Goal organisation responds to crisis, Amy clarifies, “Just like everyone else, I don’t get to see what’s raised or specifically where funds are distributed as that’s left to needs and the team, but my role has been about being an identity that hopefully will connect with an audience to persuade them to do a Goal Mile for the worthy causes and I’ll use the occasion to do some of my own promotional effort for Goal.”

Having access to one of our most respected playing Saffrons, it was an opportunity to ask Amy, what of her own goals for 2025, “Probably two things immediately come to mind, retaining the Ulster championship for Antrim and we’d all love a run down to Croke Park for another All-Ireland Intermediate final.” Last on Amy’s list, but assuredly not the least, club comes to mind for the Shamrock girl and a mention of going one step further in 2025 brings a smile to Amy’s face. “We came so close, and we’ll draw inspiration from that!”.

For anyone interested in doing their own Goal Mile there’s still time to register for your own virtual walk or run and who knows, you might even be interested in joining the Cherryvale Mile on Christmas morning!