Special 50th birthday party for Anto and family
ON Saturday night I headed for the Lilywhite Lounge where a rather special 50th birthday party was taking place for Anto Donnelly from Laurel Brook Gardens and there to make sure he had a fantastic night was his wife Sharon, kids Alisha, Niall and Gavin, sisters Bernie, Frances and brother Philip and a huge collection of family, relations and friends. Anto is best known round town as one of the main boxing coaches from O’Hanlon Park Boxing Club and has helped 1000s of kids to get involved in boxing from a very early age.
I was only in the door when I caught up with Anto who told me his son Niall was with his wife Linda and Gavin was there with future daughter-in-law Rebecca Martin from Cooley Park and wanted a shout out for sister-in-law Christine Gribben who was with David and Sarah and wanted to thank everyone for coming to help him celebrate.
I then decided to have a look round to see who was there and met cousin Thomas Donnelly from Carrickmacross who was with his girlfriend Sarah Hutchinson from Laurel Brook Gardens who were definitely up or a mad one with the birthday boy.
After this I caught up with Paul Gogarty and Cian Gartland both from Ashling Park who told me that Anto had coached him in his early days and was there to wish him all the best on his big 50th.
Not too far away I then got a word with Sean and Rose Kearney from Marian Park who told me they both train in the club and said that Anto helped to rebuild Sean shoulder. They were delighted to be there on the night.
Had I been magically transported back to the Clans Clubrooms by some chance? The next man I met was well known Clansman Erc Rice from Castletown Road who was having a great laugh with Bob Wesley from Oakland Park who is married to Anto’s sister Bernie and he was chatting to their son Niall who was with wife Linda and the lads tried to tell me it was going to be a nice quiet night.
Not too far away I then got talking to brotherin-law Ian Callan from Manydown Close who was with wife Jane, son Mark, dad Tom Callan from Cedarwood Park and brother Tom Jnr. who were in great form when I caught up them and wanted to wish Anto all the best on his big night.
After this I headed for a table where I got talking to Anto’s wife Sharon who was having a laugh with her aunties Oonagh Hoey from Riverside Drive, mum and dad Mary Gerry Hoey and Geraldine O’Neill all from Quality Street who assured me it was going to be a quiet celebration, not in your wildest dreams ladies.
Making my way through the crowds I then had the pleasure of talking to cousin Kayleigh Murtagh from Beechmount Drive, niece Sharon Gribben from Laurel Brook Gardens, Gavin’s intended Rebecca Martin from Cooley Park, Anto’s daughter Alisha, Milena Salat from Glenwood and Regan Donnelly from Ashling Park who were all looking exceptionally well and were going to make it a real night to remember for certain.
They were joined by Stefan Wesley from Oakland Park, Anton Donnelly from Ashling Park, and Taylor Murphy from Beechmount Drive who assured me the party was already in full swing and was just going to get bigger and better!
Also, in their company was Anto’s brother-inlaw Colin Rafferty from Muirhevnamor who said that he, Frances, Anton and Regan wanted wish the birthday boy a very happy 50th.
After this I met up with Tina Gribben from Laurel Brook Gardens, Bernie Donnelly Wesley, Linda, Jane Callan and Karen Murphy from Beechmount Drive who were looking forward to an epic night with Anton and Sharon.
Finally, before I departed, I caught up with Gary McAuley from Lennonstown Manor and Tracy Caldwell from Claddagh Park who just in the door and were looking forward to an epic night.