East Down’s finest

East Down’s finest

22 February 2012

EAST Down’s biggest and best night of the year took place in Liatroim Fontenoys GAC on Friday night.

The East Down Board’s annual presentation dinner was a glittering occasion enjoyed by 150 people.

County chairman Seamus Walsh congratulated the Liatroim club, and in particular the ladies’ committee, for arranging a wonderful dinner.

Former Central Council delegate Dan McCartan was full of praise for the manner in which the Board brought clubs together year after year

Other special guests included South Down chairman Michael McArdle, Sean Rooney, secretary of last year’s Activities Committee and new Central Council delegate, Kevin Bell, former Central Council delegate, Michael Keenan, chairman of the county Hurling Board, and Gerard McShane, Hurling Board secretary.

A special welcome was extended to former GAA President and Down County President Paddy McFlynn, who was a former chairman of the Board. Also welcomed were the surviving Hall of Fame members with best wishes being sent to Davy McCoy (St. Paul’s), Johnny Smith (Drumaness) and Derek King (Downpatrick), who were unable to be present.

Current East Down chairman Sean McCashin welcomed all to the night and paid tribute to the Liatroim club for their efforts.

As these were the 2011 awards, last year’s chairman, Paul Blaney, made special awards to the Saul Scor na nOg ballad group, which won the All-Ireland title last year, Sean McKay (Dromara) and Roger Morgan (Kilcoo) for their service to their clubs, the Board and the county down the years. He also made a special presentation to the Bredagh quiz team of Jack Devaney, Paul Doran and Frank Costello who reached the All-Ireland final last year.

The other award winners were as follows

Senior player of the year, Conor Laverty (Kilcoo); reserve player of the year, Jerome McCrickard (Liatroim); senior referee of the year, Gabriel Tumelty (Bright); junior referee of the year, Martin Brady (Downpatrick); club of the year, Kilclief; Scor achievement award, Saul; Hall of Fame, Martin Fitzsimons (Saul).

The music was provided by St Paul’s GAC’s Scor na nOg instrumental group and the Saul All-Ireland-winning ballad group.