Inaugural Gorey District awards to be presented
A SPECIAL night of celebration is in store in the Ashdown Park Hotel this coming Saturday, November 30, at the inaugural Gorey District G.A.A. appreciation awards.
This wonderful way of honouring grassroots workers in the clubs was initiated by New Ross District in the early 1980s, and their counterparts in Wexford followed suit many years ago.
Gorey decided to go down the same route recently, and all is in readiness now for an enjoyable social occasion.
The various clubs in the District were asked to nominate a clubperson of the year, and we are informed that all bar Naomh Eanna have submitted names to be honoured by the committee.
Those selected are: Seán Breen (Ballygarrett-Réalt na Mara), Eamie Fortune (Buffers Alley), Alan Byrne (Clonee), Tommy Masterson (Castletown), Betty Shortle (Craanford), Pat Furlong (Ferns St. Aidan’s), Kevin Geoghegan (Kilanerin), Margaret Power (Askamore-Kilrush), Mick Curley (St. Patrick’s), Bill Owley (Tara Rocks).
In addition, two clubs will be selected in each year of the awards to provide a recipient for a special hall of fame accolade.
The first duo chosen were Buffers Alley and Ferns St. Aidan’s, and their choices will be warmly welcomed by G.A.A. folk all over the county.
Tony Doran, one of the finest forwards the Alley ever produced, is the Alley’s selection, while Ferns have joint recipients in two club legends, Tom Guinan and Dominic Murphy.
All of the winners will be profiled in a souvenir booklet to mark the occasion which has been compiled by former county P.R.O., Mary Foley.
And all clubs in the District will be hoping that by the time they gather in the hotel on Saturday night, Ballygarrett will have brought home a Leinster Junior hurling title earlier in the day.