PLENTY OF FUN AND FORM AT STADIUM NIGHT
One place that was certainly in full flow by the time I got there on Friday night was the Dundalk Stadium who were having a dual horse and dog night and even found time to host their Christmas party night too.
I was only in the door when I met up with Peter Noone from Jenkinstown who was standing having a laugh with Michael and Violet Doyle from Togher who had enjoyed the horses, but were more looking forward to the dogs so they might win some turkey money!
Making my way through the crowds I then caught up with Gary Shevlin from Dunbin who was with Stuart Osborne from Castlebellingham and the lads told me they were up for making a night of it with their mates Ian McSorley from Pearse Park, Conor Nixon from Belfry Gardens, Mick McClorey from Belfast (who was being allowed out by himself by his wife for the first time) and Sean Laverty from Greenacres and the lads said it was kinda like an unofficial stag for Sean with his up and coming nuptials in April of next year.
I then headed for a table where they were celebrating the 17th birthday of Gavin Gregory from Ravensdale and there to make sure he had a fantastic night were his parents Seamus and Rachel, brothers Alex and Jack who were having a right old time of it and wanted a big shout out for brother Shane Gregory who couldn’t make it on the night because he was in in UCD in Dublin doing exams and the rest of the family said they missed him, but it was for a better cause.
Next I headed for a table where it was Christmas party and happy 40th birthday party tie for Leona Burgess from Kilkerley who was there with husband Colman and a big collection of their family and friends.
I then met family friends Aidan and Siobhan Curran from Kilkerley who wanted to wish Leona a very happy birthday and said they’d no luck with the horses and were looking forward to changing that with the dogs.
Also in their company were Sandra Smith and daughter Geraldine from St. Nicholas Avenue, Vivienne Maher from Kildare, Caroline and Maurice Connolly from Knockbridge who were having a fantastic night, but alas no winners at that point.
At an adjacent table I met Leona’s mum Mary McGee from Rockmarshall, her sister Claire Richardson from Kilkerley and sister-in-law Patrice McGee from Baileboro who were having a great laugh together and wanted to wish Leona all the best on her big night.
After this I caught up with family friends Colin and Oliva Stanley from Churchtown who were enjoying the atmosphere, but when I asked how the betting was going, did they have any winners, replied ‘not a one’!
Also striking out at the table were Conal and Ann McDonnell from Cooley who wanted to wish Leona a very happy birthday.
I then caught up with Vivienne Maher again who told me she works with Bar One and already had three winners and when I asked her for a tip replied ‘don’t eat yellow snow’. I looked at the race card, but could I find that dog?
At last, I found a table where winning was their way on the night and they included Adrian and Patricia Flynn from Donaghmore (2 wins) who were sitting with their daughter Nadine and Rhman Timoor from College Manor (3 wins) and they told me the party was just getting better and better.
Finally, before I departed I met up with Mags Flynn from Dublin who was with husband Conail and Anne Fielding also from Dublin with husband James. The ladies said it was a birthday, and Christmas party combined, but it was also a time for renewing old friends ships and they were having a lovely night.
Many thanks to Joe, Francis and Aidan for providing the vital information on the night, to say a life was saved there, is an understatement!