Our 125th anniversary celebrations took place last weekend and judging by the feedback were extremely successful with events over the two days enjoyed by all in attendance. Saturdays events in Emmet Park were primarily aimed at our underage stars with leagues for all age groups from 8 to 18 taking place. Our senior stars were on hand to manage each team and their experience and tactical awareness brought a great sense of competition to each game.
On Saturday evening we had mass in Ennybegs which was a celebration of club life and dedicated to all deceased members of the club. We wish to thank Fr. Sean Casey and Fr. Colman Carrigy who concelebrated mass and who certainly made it relevant to the occasion.
This was followed by an event in the community centre which was packed to capacity. The large crowd enjoyed hearing many club members reminiscing on their memories of club life over the years and their hopes for the future. The night culminated in Begley’s where Connie and Paddy were on hand to sing the night away.
On Sunday we kicked things off in Emmet Park at 1p.m. with the Cornhill set dancers led by Mickey Joe Keogh arriving in style on high Nellie bikes before entertaining us with several traditional dances. We then had an exhibition game on the main pitch with our stars from the 1988 to 1995 era facing off. The teams were led out by captains for the day Declan Rowley and Denis O’ Boyle after some much needed limbering up in the dressing rooms. We once again got the opportunity to marvel at the silky skills of such fine footballers as Declan Rowley, John and Andy Hughes, Mickey and Kevin Bracken not forgetting the tenacious defending skills of Brendan Bracken senior and Eugene Murphy. However the stand out performance went to Sean Clarke in goals who made several miraculous saves from all angles to remind us of his heroics in 1995.
This game was followed by a very interesting tug of war competition between teams from Begley’s and the Olde Forge as well as team of heavy hitters from the club. After several tit for tat battles and some fine pulling by all teams, Begley’s crew faced up to the Olde Forge in the final. In what was a tense battle Begley’s eventually managed to haul the Olde Forge over the line and claim victory. We then had an under 8 blitz with teams from Shroid and Clonguish taking part.
This was followed by the highlight of the weekend, The Michael Kiernan Cup which was contested by Killoe and Fr. Manning Gaels senior teams. In what was a very even battle throughout, played in worsening weather, the teams finished all square after 60 minutes. As both teams face each other in the league in two weeks time it was decided not to play extra time but to contest the league game for the cup in memory of Michael. Refreshments were enjoyed in the Olde Forge after the game.
Throughout the weekend we ran a barbecue with all money raised going to Motor Neuron Disease research. This is a cause close to the clubs heart and the donation will be made in the coming days. Our chairman Jimmy Halpin bravely took part in the ice bucket challenge on Sunday evening in front of a large crowd to finalise the fundraising effort.
We would like to thank all who helped out in anyway over the course of the weekend, particularly referees Jimmy, Padraig and Frank Toher who were on hand both days, our stewards who helped with the car parking, the ladies who operated the shop and served the tea, etc. and especially our neighbours who facilitated the weekend, as well as the visiting teams from Drumlish, Shroid and Clonguish. Here’s to another 125 years.
This week ahead is a massive week for our teams in the championship. On Wednesday evening our junior team welcome Sean Connolly’s to Emmet Park in the quarter final while on Sunday evening next we travel to Pearse Park to face last years beaten finalists Dromard in the Senior Championship semi final. This is sure to be a titanic struggle with our lads certainly going into the game as underdogs. We wish Tommy and the lads every success and hopefully we can push on in both competitions.
Our lotto draw took place in Begley’s on Sunday night for a jackpot of €3,500. The numbers drawn were 5, 10, 18 and 25. Unfortunately there was no jackpot winner. €20 winners were S. Ryan, Lanesboro, Gerry Shanley, Lanesboro, Oonagh Corrigan, C/O Doyles bar, Aidan McDermott, Moydow and Francis Courtney, Kilnashee, Drumlish. The sellers prize went to Berney Brady. Next weeks draw for a €3,600 will take place in the Olde Forge. Thanks again to all who support our lotto.
