The
highlight of the past week was the annual dinner which was held in the
Parkway Hotel on Saturday night last. Upwards to 200 guests attended
the function. Guest of honour on the night was Jimmy Gorman Munster
Council Chairman. In a wide ranging address he complimented the club on
the recently developed facilities at Sam Maguire Park and the on
going projects which will make the venue one of the best in the county.
He praised the Sam Maguire club for their great efforts at
under age level and was delighted to see that they enjoyed great
success during the past year. He told players that the greatest days of
their lives were their playing days. He spoke of the over exposure of
U.12 and U.10 players to competitive games at such at early age and
favoured blitzes and fun games at this level. He spoke of the many
challenges facing clubs today and highlighted the social problems that
arose from drugs and alcohol and especially unemployment. He said that
clubs had a very important role in communities especially in these very
difficult recessionary times. He pointed out that out of 18 stadia in
Ireland today capable of holding 25,000 people 16 belonged to the
G.A.A. It was a testament to the great foresight of the people who came
before us. Finally he was delighted to see a
thriving girls football team in the town. Other guest speakers on the
night were Pierce Murphy County Board Treasurer who highlighted the
role of Sam Maguire in the early days of the G.A.A. He paid special
tribute to the late Raymond Lyons and spoke of his huge
contribution to the club and the G.A.A. in general. He also praised the
ongoing development in Sam Maguire Park and the clubs support for the
county board draw. He wished the club well as they approached their 125th.
Anniversary next year. Declan Walsh newly elected chairman of the West
Cork Board also addressed the guests and congratulated the Minor
hurlers on their great win.
Many
presentations were made on the night. Glowing tributes were paid to
Mary Maybury who stepped down as Sam Maguire Secretary after many
years. Joe Kelly (Treasurer) made the presentation on behalf of the
club. The successful Minor hurlers were presented with their medals by
Declan Walsh. The selectors John Monaher ,Barry Collins, Noel Collins,
and John Lynch jnr. were complimented for
their efforts during the year. Dave O Leary (U.16 hurling manager
introduced the U.16 hurlers on their great league win and Denis Keohane
County coaching officer presented the Medals. A special presentation
was made to Darren Sweetnam on his great achievement of making the Cork u.16 hurling team a rare feat for the club.
Gordon Salter spoke on behalf of the Ladies Football Club .He told the guests that he joined the club 8 years ago
and has been involved in some capacity ever since. The club has gone
from strength to strength and at present had 110 members. Paudie Cronin
introduced the players and presented the Junior team with their league medals and
the minor team with their runners up medals. Irene Mawe made
presentations to the trainers Gordon Salter and Paudie Cronin on behalf
of the team and remarked that it was her first medal since she started
playing for the club 18 years ago.
Presentations
were made to the following players who joined the married ranks during
the year: Clement and Mary Deane, Brian and Clare Murray, Donal and
Sandra O Sullivan, Fachtna and Nicola McCarthy, Donncha and Jennifer
Deasy, Timmy and Clare O Donovan and Sean and Sharon Hayes. Jer
McCarthy and Brian Herlihy were also given presentations for their
involvement with Cork teams during the past year as a player and U.21
selector respectively
The
final two presentations were the much coveted Player of the Year and
club personality awards. The Player of the year went to the long
serving Fachtna McCarthy who has given outstanding service to the
Dohenys down through the years. The Club
personality award went to the Development Sub committee who did trogan
work during the past year in overseeing the major development in Sam
Maguire park. The members of this committee were Kevin Collins, Denis
Collins, Barry Collins, Pat McCarthy. Martin Gildea and Dr. Ml.
Herlihy.The award was presented by Finbarr O Neill last years winner
and newly elected Runai of the Sam Maguire Club. Finally the Chairman
Gerry O Mahony thanked everybody for their contributions and financial
assistance during the past year and stressed the importance of the
clubs weekly lotto to the club.
With
the festivities now over for another year attention will focus on the
playing season ahead. The first team into action is the senior football
team. They play Castlehaven on Friday night next Feb.5th. in
Sam Maguire Park at 8.00pm in the first round of the Tadhg Crowley Cup.
Your support on the night would be greatly appreciated.
The
draws for the Junior championships were made on Wednesday night last.
The junior hurlers have a tough draw against last year’s champions
Bandon. The Junior footballers are drawn against Carbery Rangers who
also did well in last years championship.
The
club has congratulated Denis Lordan and David Crowley on passing out as
fully trained Gardai in Templemore last week. They carry the best
wishes of the club in their future careers. Both will be stationed in
Dublin.
The
Clubs weekly lotto jackpot of 1,000 euro was not won. The numbers drawn
were 4,15,20. Consolation prizes of 50 euro went to Paudie Cronin
Sackville St. K.and D.and J. Maybury Lakeview and June Deane c/o Super
Valu..Next weeks lotto will be for 1200 euro and the draw will be held
in the Pavillion.