Hurling successes recognised at Erne Gaels Dinner Dance
ERNE Gaels had Antrim hurling legend Terence ‘Sambo’ Mcnaughton as their special guest at their annual Dinner Dance in the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran recently and he did not disappoint. The Cushendall man was on hand to present medals to the victorious hurlers who won three Fermanagh Junior titles in 2023 as well as a Cuchullain Ulster League title.
And he also presented medals to the victorious U-17 County Minor winning team before a large crowd.
In a memorable address, he spoke of how he was so proud to have played the greatest field game in the world.
Belleek have not won a Senior hurling county title since 1984, but ‘Sambo’ reminded the crowd that it had taken Cushendall almost 50 years to win their first Antrim title, and now they were top of the list of winners.
‘Sambo’ added that there was no big secret to success in hurling as it needed practice, practice and even more practice.
He urged the players to always be proud of the jersey they pulled on and always play with their heads up and with all their heart for a truly wonderful game.
Other speakers included Michael Burns who gave an eloquent speech on behalf of the hurling club. He thanked Paul Daly, James Deery and Johnny Dolan for all of their help throughout the year.
A host of individual awards were also presented with Matthew Britton getting the Hurler of The Year, and dual star Ultan O’reilly receiving the Footballer of The Year.
Ex-erne Gaels Senior Football Manager, Seamus Ryder, who took the club to a Senior Football League Division One title in 2022, and two Senior county final appearances in 2022 and 2023, thanked the players for all their efforts and wished the new management team of Declan Bonner, Paul Brennan and Ciaran Smith every success.
The Ladies were also welcomed back to competitive action after being out for a few years.
Chairman Peter Mcmahon was a very capable MC, and if the Senior footballers and hurlers are half as lively on the field as the ladies were on the floor, then a few County titles should be no bother!