Tir Chonaill Gaels Club Notes
29th October 2012
Senior League final:
The club won its thirteenth senior league title at the weekend with a 1-9 to 0-7 win over St Kiernan’s. In front of many travelling supporters who had travelled over from Ireland and who were attending the clubs 50th Gala Ball that evening, the seniors delivered their second senior trophy of the year by completing the league and championship double.
However, it was not a great game and with the Gaels missing five players from the championship final they faced a tough and resilient St Kiernan’s team. It was the St Kiernan’s that actually took the game to the Gaels and played the better football, however, in the first half Kevin “Woppa” McMenamin scored the only goal of the game that virtually won the game for the Gaels as it put them in the lead for the first time and they pretty much held that to the final whistle.
Best for the Gaels on the day were Luke Kavanagh, David McGreevey, Coleman Hands and Kevin McMenamin (1-2)
Meanwhile, the U-21s got a walk-over from Parnell’s at the weekend and are now scheduled to play Tara/ Harlesden Harps in the final.
50th Celebration Weekend
The club celebrated in style over the weekend the wonderful milestone of 50 years as a club. Ex-club members from right through the decades from the very first year in 1962 had gathered to help celebrate. On Friday night past the club launched its 50 year book with special guest SAM MAGUIRE present. The club was full with anticipation with many kids there with mums and dads waiting to be pictured with the big cup. Also present was Donegal footballers Christy Toye and Martin McElhinney who stood all night for pictures and signed numerous photographs and jerseys.
On Saturday night the club held it’s Gala Ball in the Crown Hotel and again SAM was present and were joined by another Donegal footballer who the previous night was awarded an All-Star. Colm McFadden and SAM were applauded into the packed hall with founding members Jackie Reilly and Jackie Green carrying SAM and our very own Mickey McGlynn carrying the recently won London Championship cup. It was just the queue for the celebrations to start.
Three hundred guests sat down and listened to some wonderful short speeches from many guests including Ulster President Aogan O’Farrell (Cavan) and London Chairman Noel O’Sullivan. Many guests had travelled from Ireland and all over Britain and three even travelled from New York to help celebrate. They included 70s star Charlie O’Donnell (Derry) and his wife Anne and 80s star Pat McGill (Donegal). Club member and long standing Gaels die-hard Paddy Burke was awarded a “life time achievement” award for his forty three years service to the club. It was a special weekend for the club and may the next fifty years be as eventful as the last. The 50 year book is available for sale at only £10 and can be got from club secretary Stephen McLoughlin (07788 723922)
Fixtures:
The Reserves play on Sunday at 12.30pm in Greenford against Parnell’s in the semi-final of the Reserve Championship.
Reminder:
The club play the Munster Champions in Ruislip on Sunday 16th December in the All-Ireland club championship quarter-final
Special Thanks
The club would like to put on record special thanks to the Donegal County Board for allowing SAM MAGUIRE to visit London for the weekend and also Donegal footballers, Colm McFadden, Martin McElhinney and Christy Toye for being part of our celebrations. We would also like to thank ex-player, chairman and president of the club Mick McGrath (Ballyshannon, Donegal) for taking SAM over and to Paul McGovern (Letterkenny, St Euans PRO) for coming over and taking the responsibility of getting SAM back to Donegal in one piece. We also want to thank our ex-long serving secretary and member Niall Erskine (Killybegs, Donegal) and now Donegal Central Council delegate for being our MC for the evening and the great job he done on the night. Finally, we want to thank special guests Aogan O’Farrell, Brendan Brien, John Gormley, Tommy Harrell and Noel O’Sullivan for being part of our celebrations.
Lottery:
Please check our web-site for all results. www.tirchonaillgaels.com
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