Glittering glory as Dingle GAA presents medals

THERE was a night of silverware and glory in O’Flaherty’s Bar on Friday when Dingle GAA gathered to honour their West Kerry Senior Championship and League winners of 2018, West Kerry Junior Championship winners of 2017 and 2018 and Kerry Division 5 Shield winners of 2018.

Club Sponsors Fergus O’Flaherty and Michael Begley presented the Dingle footballers with their medals and both Fergus and Michael were praised for their continued support of Gaelic Games in Dingle.

Dingle GAA Senior Manager Seán Geaney was at hand to present Mikey Boyle with the Young Player of the Year Award and Tom Seán O’Sullivan with the Player of the Year Award.

Seán praised the commitment that all of the players had given to Dingle GAA and expressed his desire, belief and hope that they were all capable of achieving more in 2019.

Cathaoirleach Paul Geaney presented outgoing executive members Jimmy Bambury, Máire Uí Mhurchú and Michael Begley with Dingle Crystal glasses with the Dingle GAA Crest proudly displayed and a special presentation was made to Club Person of the Year, Ignatius O’Connor, for his huge contribution to Dingle GAA over the year.

Paul also added his thanks to Fergus O’Flaherty and Michael Begley and all of the club sponsors and others who supported the Dingle GAA lotto throughout the year.

Underlining his immense pride in the red and white of Dingle and the men who wear it proudly, Paul Geaney added that he would continue to do all he can to build on the successes of all Dingle Teams both on and off the field of play.

Dingle GAA PRO Breandán Fitzgerald, who was in the role of Fear an Tí on the night, said it was a great year for the club to win the Corn Thomáis Ághas and Paudie O’Shea Memorial Cup. The holy grail eluded Dingle this year, but Breandán said reaching the county final was a huge achievement in itself and the spirit that the lads showed on the field was matched by wonderful support in Dingle and throughout West Kerry.

He added that the club had made a decision to field a second team in the County League and this was helping the club to grow while providing every player with a chance to get on the field.

Photo by Declan Malone Player of the Year Tom Seán O’Sullivan and Young Player of the Year Mikey Boyle (right) with, from left, Dingle GAA sponsors Fergus O’Flaherty and Michael Begley, West Kerry GAA PRO Breandán Fitzgerald, Seán Geaney and Paul Geaney at the Dingle GAA awards night in O’Flaherty’s bar on Friday night.

Seán and Paul Geaney with Ignatius O’Connor who was presented with an award at the Dingle GAA awards night in O’Flaherty’s bar on Friday in recognition of his great contribution to the club.

Máire Uí Mhurchú with the award she received for her outstanding dedication to the club.