SUPER NIGHT AT ANNUAL XEROX SUMMER BBQ
On Friday evening I headed for Kennedy’s Beer Garden where the annual Xerox Sports and Social Club summer Bar-B- Q was taking place.
It was a lovely, warm evening and all world cup followers were inside watching the Belgium V Brazil quarter final, but those interested in enjoying the evening were having a few al fresco drinks and a lovely spread of food.
I was only out the door when I met up with chairperson Fergus Gonnelly from Manydown Close who told me that he along with committee members Des Farrell, Paudie O’Reilly and Elaine O’Neill were responsible for making sure the evening was a big success.
After this I caught up with the man who was getting a big send off because he was leaving with the company Brian McGuirk from Mountain Court who was looking forward to an excellent night with all his workmates.
I then headed over for a chat with Paul Moran from Louth Village who told me he was there with his brother Karl from Greenacres and were up for making a great night of it for sure.
Not too far away I then got talking to Eugene and Patricia Birch from Lordship who told me as well as enjoying the night they were also celebrating the birth of their grandson Alfie and wanted to congratulate mum Kenny and dad Sean too.
I then headed over for a chat with Brian O’Shaughnessy from Fatima Court who told me he was out for a night of it with the lads and beside them I got a word with Donna Gonnelly from Muirhevnamor who told me she doesn’t work with the company but was with her fiancée Paul McCartney who does, although she did mention something about looking forward to seeing how good the chicken curry was!
Seated over at the tables in the gardens I then caught up with Fiona Clifford from Saltown, Sharon Murchan from Mullabawn and Lisa Farrell from Woodbury Gardens who told me the summer bar-b-q is always a brilliant night.
Also in their company were Linda and Damian Connell from Newry, Niall McEneaney from O’Hanlon Park who was doing some serious DIY on a vape machine, Gerry McGee from Aghameen Park and David Coyne from Redbarns Road who told me he was cheering on Belgium and wanted to see them go all the way and win the final.
Making my way through the crowds I then got talking to Pamela Heald from the Laurel and Oliver McConnon from Fr. Murrays Park who said the night was absolutely buzzing.
I then headed for one of the tables where I got a word with Lucia Haughey from Williamsons Place, Marian Coffey from Willowdale, Sheila McMahon from Ard Easmuinn and Breda Crawley from Garrybawn who told me about Brian leaving the company and assured me they were going to give him the send off he deserved and wanted to wish him all the best for the future.
This sentiment was mimicked by Seamus Hoey from Yorke Street and Aine Cumiskey from Mounthamilton who were looking for an epic night.
At an adjacent table I then got a word with Lisa Hoey from Muirhevnamor, Eileen O’Neill from Slane, Bronagh Lee from Mountain View, Brenda Schuls from Darver and Dessie Connolly from Castle Park who were getting ready to head over to get some food and said it was going to be a fantastic night for certain.
One man who had already made the journey and was loving what he got was Kevin Casey from The Valley who said it’s always a good night when Xerox got together.
Next I caught up with Ronan Rafferty and Paul McCartney who were with Nick Hoey from Castleross.
After this I go talking to organiser Paudie O’Reilly from Killanny who told me it was always a brilliant night and introduced me to the entertainment for the night Ollie Holland who was armed and ready for a major night of musical fun.
Finally before I departed and many thanks to Bernie O’Hanlon from Ath Lethan and Ann Lyons from Riverside Drive who had helped me with the lads identity crisis earlier and assured me that the summer bar-b-q is always an excellent night and after Brazil were given their marching orders by Belgium, all I could do was agree with her!