Loughinisland’s night to celebrate success

Loughinisland’s night to celebrate success

13 November 2019

LOUGHINISLAND GAC’s senior awards presentation was held in true clubrooms on Saturday evening.

The club welcomed Fr Ciaran Dallat, PP, as the special guest and lady player Eimear Murray was the compere.

Club chairman Seamus Fay congratulated  the club’s volunteers, without whom, he said, the club would not function.

Mr Fay went on to mention the successes within the club at all levels, with the ladies taking centre stage in winning the Down Ladies Junior League and finishing unbeaten. 

The Ladies were unfortunate to be knocked out of the championship at the quarter-finals stage.  Seamus praised the dedication and commitment of Jim Carvill, manager, Rory Deegan, coach, and the entire squad of players.

The senior men secured their place in Division 1 after promotion last year.

Under new management this year with Jody Gormley at the helm and Frank McLeigh assisting, there had been a marked improvement this year with a top four finish.

As with the Ladies, Seamus praised the dedication and commitment of  the manager, 

assistant manager, all the backroom team and the players for all their efforts throughout the season.

Seamus also gave special mention to the jubilee celebrations group who ran a very successful night in the club commemorating the great Down team of 1994 who were victorious in winning the Anglo Celt Cup and the Sam Maguire Cup.

He praised all those involved with the running of the event which included fitting tributes to the late Eamonn Burns and those who lost their lives in the Heights Bar.

Guest compere Eimear Murray took the microphone and began the awards ceremonies with great wit and humour keeping the crowd well entertained throughout.

The first award of the evening was the Down Ladies Junior League Winners Cup, presented by Fr Dallat to senior ladies captain Emma Gordon.

The Young Lady Player of the Year award was presented by minor co-manager Brendan Kearney to Megan Jennings.

The Lady Sportsperson of the Year award was presented by senior ladies manager Jim Carvill to Maria Gilchrist.

The Lady Player of the Year award was presented by Jim Carvill to Emma Gordon.

The Dominic Rice Memorial Cup for Young Player of the Year was won by Oisin Savage, who was unable to attend.

The Bobby ‘Bishop’ Madine Cup for Sportsperson of the Year went to Aidan Nixon, who received it from Jody Gormley.

The Vincent Rogan Memorial Cup for Reserve Player of the Year was presented to Aidan Nixon by Paul Rogan.

The Hugh O Toole Cup for Senior Player of the Year was presented to Aaron McClements by Conor O Toole and Jody Gormley.

The John Johnston Memorial Cup for Clubperson of the Year was presented to Alan Molloy by Michael Johnston.

The Murray Family Cup for Hall of Fame Inductee was presented to Patsy Toman by Vincent McGlew.

Eimear finished off proceedings by inviting everyone into the lounge where Fr Dallat provided the entertainment for the rest of the evening.