No seconder for motion to plant tree for ‘57 heroes

THE cathaoirleach of the Ardee Municipal District Council has said she is ‘amazed and shocked’ that her fellow mid Louth councillors spurned the chance to honour Louth’s 1957 heroes next year.

2017 is the 60th anniversary of Louth’s last All-Ireland success and Cllr Dolores Minogue suggested that a special tree be planted in Ardee early next year to mark the start of a year when those great players and the families of those who have passed away, are recognised for a stunning achievement, unmatched since.

Cllr Minogue outlined her motion at the council meeting last week. But nobody would second her proposal.

Even the Parks Department of the council said they would be ‘ happy to facilitate this initiative’.

She said she wanted a tree planted and named the ‘1957 Tree’ in honour of the heroes.

‘I just don’t understand it. Here was a chance to honour the players still with us and the names of those who have passed away, a chance for mid Louth to lead the way and we passed up the opportunity.

‘Maybe Dundalk or Drogheda will be doing it now.

‘We always talk about being the poor relation to the bigger towns and this was our chance to lead the way,’ Cllr Minogue stated.

‘Councillors need to be pro-active and this was a chance for us to get people like Patsy Coleman and Kevin Beahan here and the families, like the O’Briens, McCoys, Whites and others associated with 1957 for a get together and a simple ceremony to mark the 60 years.

‘Maybe a lot of these families haven’t met in years and this would be their chance to relive old memories.’

She says she won’t be giving up on the motion and intends to raise it again.

‘ The men of 1957 should not be forgotten or ignored and I for one won’t be ignoring their efforts 60 years on ,’ she vowed.