Last night (Sunday 5th April) saw the annual dinner dance and award night to honour the clubs achievements in 2014 including the East Mayo Minor B Championship and the County Junior B Championship take place in the Gateway Hotel.
Our Chairman Shane Campbell welcomed everyone to the event and between courses the Minor team of 2014 were presented with their medals by Noel Barry and Eamon Molloy. Noel gave a brief summary of the teams year including reaching the League final and winning the East Mayo B Championship. The 2014 team manager Michael Smyth was thanked in his absence as he is currently on holidays.
Later the Junior team were honoured and Michael Devaney outlined the teams achievements in the league and championship. Aiden McLoughlin read out a letter from the 2014 Manager Alan Kenendy who unfortunately could not be with us as he is working in Australia. The County Championship medals were presented to the team by Michael and team captain Andy McNulty.
After the meal the club honoured all club members who played for the County in 2014. These were Joshua Smith, James Devaney and Johnny Burke.
A special award was made to the secretary of the finance committee Lorraine Kelly for all her hard work over the past 18months.
It then came to honour the various team players of the year. The minor award was shared by James Devaney and Rory Smith. Unfortuantely Rory was unable to attend as he is playing the Quigley Cup final today. Noel Barry did the honours of presenting the award. The Junior player of the year was awarded to Sean Brady who unfortunately was unable to attend. The Senior player of the year was presented by Billy McNicholas, in the absence of the team management, to our club captain Eoin Gallagher. All were very worthy receipients of their respective awards and represented the club with distinction.
The 2014 hall of fame was presented to Maurice O’Connell who represented Swinford on the Mayo minor team in the 1940’s and played for the club for many years. The hall of fame plaque was presented to his son Eoghan O’Connell in Maurice’s absence.
The 2014 club man of the year was presented to the club PRO Douglas Kelly by club chairman and Shane Campbell.
After all the presentations and the excellent meal a very good band Fraggle Rock played great tunes for a couple of hours and those that stayed for the music had a great few hours dancing the night away.
Even though there was a very small attendance everyone who came had a very enjoyable evening. Thanks has to go to the members of the social committee, Rita Campbell, Billy McNicholas and Francie McNicholas. A very special thanks to Cathal Kelly and the staff of the Gateway for as always hosting a great night.
If anybody wants photographs of the evening please contact Alan Johnson in Swinford Photography.