Jubilee all round as Rock Celtic celebrate 50 years in style
ROCK Celtic had the best of both worlds . On the night when their Golden Jubilee celebrations reached a climax Dundalk were crowned as League of Ireland champions.
And the local club had the great honour of the company of the two men who have turned Dundalk’s fortunes round beyond all dreams, with further lustre added to Celtic’s Golden Jubilee bash with the League of Ireland trophy, fresh from being presented at Oriel Park being taken along with him by manager Vinny Perth. to Ballymascanlon Hotel.
Given the daunting task of following in the footsteps of the Ireland senior manager in waiting, Perth depending on the outcome of yesterday’s cup final could guide Dundalk to an unprecedented triple, having won also the E A Sports Cup.
He imparted some of his words of wisdom to the Celtic revellers, who earlier in the night listened in rapt attention to Stephen Kenny as guest speaker at the gala dinner talk about his 20 year career in football management and after all the upheaval in family life they are looking to set roots in Blackrock.
It was one of many facets of football life that he covered in his usual modest but impressive style.
One was summer football which he said he was in favour of in that it ensured that matches were played and players get to play on excellent pitches like Celtic’s on Sandy Lane, which was recognised by the FAI according the club the honour of staging under age internationals, he pointed out.
He spoke of the balancing act clubs had to perform in trying to develop promising talent and providing football for players of different abilities.
He highlighted the life benefits for young players of football from forming friendships to learning teamwork and how to focus.
The celebrations entailed saluting the founding fathers of the club with presentations made to Honorary Life Member Gerry Teather whose brainchild it was to start the club, and Honorary President Jim Lally, whose family hold the distinction of providing perhaps the country’s longest sponsorship in supporting the club all down the years.
Members of the first club team were also honoured, while key figures in the
present era, secretary, Cronan McCabe, chairman, Donal Lynch and immediate past chairman, Martin McDonnell were accorded fitting recognition.
Chairman Donal Lynch gave a potted history of the club, and there was plenty of entertainment and prizes distributed from spot to raffle prizes with all the guests seated to a delicious meal.
They were treated to a drinks reception on arrival, with courtesy transport laid on to the venue and for returning home after great music provided by local band Willin Fools for dancing..