Rock Celtic hits the 50 year mark
EVEN though Dundalk FC were putting St. Patricks Athletic to the sword and receiving the SSE Airtricity League Champions trophy in Oriel Park, one of Dundalk’s top clubs Rock Celtic were celebrating their 50th anniversary with a dinner dance in the Ballymascanlon Hotel and a huge crowd had turned out specially for the club.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Sean and Sandra O’Callaghan from Bay Estate who were with Sean’s brother Kevin O’Callaghan from Blackrock. Both lads had played with the club when they were formed back in 1969 and Sean had the honour of being the very first goal scorer for the club when he netted against Greenfield!
After this I headed over for a chat Padraig McDonnell and Bernard McIntyre who are both Geraldines GFC men and they wanted to wish Rock Celtic all the best on the night and for the future.
I then had the pleasure of meeting up with Aoife McCumiskey from Mullaharlin Road and Siobhan Quinn from Blackrock who were looking extremely well and told me Siobhan’s son, Liam plays with the club and they were expectant that this was going to be a great night.
After this I got a quick word with Teddy Peggy Mulholland who had travelled all the way from Waterford specially to be there. Teddy had played with the club and was delighted to see all the old faces again.
I made my way over for a word with Robert and Elaine Cosgrove from The Loakers who said that Robert is a coach with the club and has looked after all age groups. They were both looking well and were really looking forward to a good night.
Just arrived in the door and ready to make the best of the night were Siobhan and Andy Mullen from Carraig Ard who told me their son James is easily one of the best goalkeepers the club has.
Making my way through the crowds I then got a word with Anthony and Sharon Johnson from Cocklehill who were with Fergal Harrington from Blackrock. Anthony told me that Fergal should be called ‘ double winning’ Harrington since his team won the league and cup this year. Anthony is of course the club groundsman and takes all the abuse for all his hard work.
Heading for another table I met up with Darren and Eva Watters from Fane View and Garry Lennon from Blackrock who told me he was there to return a pair of socks he had stolen 40 years ago!
The lads were with life time player Gavin and Carolyn Mulholland from Lennonstown Manor, Warren and Ceara McCrory from Point Road, Darrell and Patrice O’Kane from Earlsfort who told me Darrell coaches the u12s and son Alex also plays with the club too. They tried to tell me it was going to be a ‘moderate night’, I thought they would surpass that well before the end of the night.
Not too long later I got a word with Paul and Muireann Johnston from Rathmount who were up for a good night and said Paul is the main manager with the u8s.
I then headed over for a word with Andrea Albrecht and Anthony Kieran both from Blackrock who are ex-players and were looking forward to seeing all their old compadres again.
Just arrived in were Mary ad Aidan Prendergast from Blackrock who told me Aidan had been one of the original team who started back in ’69 and were really looking forward to the night.
Making my way over to yet another table I caught up with Rory and Andrea Connolly from Blackrock who were with Paddy and Tracey McKeown from Lennonstown Manor who told me that apart from Andrea, they are all club managers and were sure it was going to be a fantastic night.
I headed towards the bar where I caught up with Aoife
Ward from Kilcurry who told me her husband David plays with the club and they were with David Connor and Emma Hunt-Duffy from Blackrock who were there to support the club on their big night.
After tis I caught up with Gillian and Ian Morrish from Point Road whose daughter Niamh is a star with the 9s and were really looking forward to the celebrations.
Finally, before I departed, I met up with Rosemary and Eugene Fee from Blackrock who said that Eugene is on the committee and said it was going to be an epic night for everyone there, but as a committee member, he was sure he’d be getting the flack if it wasn’t!