A year to remember

Aughrim GAA Club reflect on a productive season

AUGHRIM juvenile GAA Club held their annual medal presentation in the sports complex in Aughrim on Sunday last.

Guest of honour was Dean Healy, captain of the Wicklow Senior team. Dean made himself available at the last minute when the Wicklow v. Sligo game was cancelled, and we thank him for that. The club was fortunate to have Sarah and Aoife Bracken, daughters of the late Pat Bracken on hand to present medals to Pat and Eugene’s under-14 All-Ireland Féile squad.

There was a real feel good factor and a great buzz at the presentation. With Storm Ciara helping to cancel most events across the county, focus in Aughrim was solely on the presentation with over 100 kids attending and receiving their well-earned medals.

The academy, under-7 hurling and football and under-9 hurling and football teams received their Go Games medals. The under-10 hurling team.

The under-11 hurling team and the under-11 football team received their mini festival final winners’ medals.

The under-12 footballers received their player pathway medals and the under-15 football team their Division 2 plate medals.

Pride of place was kept for the under-14 All-Ireland football Shield Féile winners, with Steven O’ Toole accepting the All-Ireland Shield from Sarah and Aoife Bracken, while all the lads proudly received their All-Ireland medals.

There were further presentations to the Bracken family, to Eugene O’Brien and the Féile backroom team, as well as Aine Lally for her service to the academy team over the past number of years.

Chairman Liam Keenan and county captain Dean Healy chipped in with a few words before maestro and MC Donal Rice closed proceedings by thanking the coaches, players and parents for their combined efforts throughout 2019.

Parents hung around for the next hour chatting with a nice cup of tea in their hand, while the kids had a ball in the complex. All in all, a great way the end the weekend.

Photos: Paul Messitt

Aughrim GAA Club’s winning under-14 Féile team who were the pride of the Granite Village in 2019 when they returned home with their trophy.

The under-9 team enjoying the awards last weekend.

Sarah and Aoife, daughters of the late Pat Bracken receiving a beautiful tribute from Liam Keenan commemorating Pat’s achievements as coach with the winning Aughrim Féile team of 2019.

The Aughrim under-15 footballers with the shield they won in 2019.

The under-5s and 7s with their coaches at the Aughrim GAA awards day.

The victorious under-11 hurlers.

Aughrim’s under-12s with their trophies from last season.