Cumann Pheadair Naofa Warrenpoint held its Annual Reunion at The Whistledown Hotel on Saturday 4 March 2017. A large gathering of Cumann Pheadair Naofa members and friends came together to celebrate a great year for the club.
Fear-a- Tí for the evening was the very capable and articulate Rónán McMahon, who welcomed guest speaker Joe Brolly and stated that Cumann Pheadair Naofa were honoured to have Brolly in attendance. Joe is an Irish barrister, Gaelic football analyst and former player from Dungiven, Co Derry. Brolly played for the Derry GAA in the 1990s and early 2000s and was part of their first ever All-Ireland Senior Football Championship winning side in 1993 and also won two Ulster Senior Football Championships and four National League titles. He also won two All Star Awards during his career. Joe was in attendance along with his QUB playing mate James McCartan and there was plenty of banter between the pair.
He also welcomed Down County Secretary Sean Og McAteer and his wife and Assistant Secretary Jarlath Tinnelly and partner Rosemary. Sean Og opened was the first of our special guests to address the crowd and he spoke of the ‘tough times’ Down GAA had been going through and thanks Warrenpoint for their continued support and assistance to the county in their many different roles on teams, committees and management roles. Sean Og spoke with passion about the roles clubs played in the County and asked for that to continue, highlighting the recent successful Club Draw which benefited Warrenpoint GAA in the region of £32,000. Sean Og finished by thanking the club for the invitation and wishing them all the best for the incoming season.
In an inspirational speech, GAA great Brolly thanked the club for their invite and began praised Cumann Pheadair Naofa for their hard work throughout the previous year, also stating that football, especially had come a long way in Warrenpoint and that in past years, wearing the Warrenpoint jersey and taking to the field was a hard task. Brolly spoke fondly of his days playing football and of how he felt that the work at grassroots level within the club was the foundation of a successful GAA. Brolly also spoke about his involvement at underage mentoring and of his encounter with the clubs U16 team who beat his team in the Ulster stages of the Paul McGirr tournament.
Brolly reminded the young players of the need for continued dedication, commitment and hard work all year round. Addressing the players from all codes, he highlighted their unique contribution to the Club and the enjoyment they bring to Club members and supporters week in and week out when they represent the Club in the blue and white jersey.
In a wide ranging and comprehensive address, Club Chairman Eugene Gallagher stated that he we should look back on the past twelve months with much pride, as we continue on our forward journey, of having fun and operating as TEAM Cumann Pheadair Naofa, Warrenpoint, at the heart of the local community for whole of family, for the whole of life.
Eugene spoke passionately about all sections of club and also touched on aspects of the club which still require development. Eugene highlighted the great Club Maith success and thanked Development Officer Feargal McCormack for his work on this area. Eugene continued by highlighting our core mission statement for the club and, “The emphasis being on volunteerism, community participation, games development and people development.” He appealed for people to continue to get involved in the club, that there was a role for everyone. Eugene paid special recognition to our senior set and ceili teams who will represent the club in the Ulster Scor Semi Final.
Eugene thanked the main club sponsor, The Whistledown Hotel for their cooperation and assistance in the preparation of the Annual Reunion and expressed gratitude to Aisling McGivern, Anne McCormack and all involved in the coordination of the Annual Reunion.
An excellent souvenir programme for the event was edited and produced by Mícheál Moore which illustrated in words and photographs the breadth of activities organised by Cumann Pheadair Naofa over the past 12 months and highlighting the successes both on and off the field.
Anne McCormack was a very popular recipient of the Chairman’s Club Person of the Year Award for her outstanding contribution to the Club with particular reference to her dedicated role as firstly Club Secretary and also her invaluable role as School Liaison Office. Eugene described Anne as an, “inspirational lady who worked tirelessly for the club.”
Club stalwart Brian Connolly received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to Cumann Pheadair Naofa for many years as a past football manager as well as his roles on many committees and his work with the youth of Warrenpoint in years goneby. Eugene described Brian as the main reason he played football, recalling his days when Brian managed his, a long serving committee member and a volunteer of exceptional commitment to Cumann Pheadair Naofa.
Special Leadership and Recognition Awards were made to Club officers whose work made a unique difference to the delivery of Club activities and the successful functioning of the club:
Aislíng McGivern was a deserving recipient of a Special Recognition Leadership Award for her leading role in running the PR committee within the club. More so Eugene sincerely thanked Aislíng for her invaluable role in leading fundraising initiatives within the club and co-ordinating Strictly, La na gclubanna, Dress Up Moygannon and many more events.
Larry Byrne was a deserving recipient of a Special recognition Award for his role as lotto coordinator, social coordinator and assistant treasurer. Larry has worked hard to the development of the lotto plays an integral role in finance within the club.
Following a very successful year in maintaining division 1, club goalie Gary McMahon picked up the Senior Footballer of the Year Award and his young team-mate Paddy Murdock was one of the youngest popular recipients of the Senior Football Players’ Player of the Year Award. Cumann Pheadair Naofa reserve stalward, Darren Rice was the deserving recipient of the Reserve Football Player of the Year Award. Donagh McAleenan, who had a fantastic season in the blue jersey was also awarded the U21 player of the Year award following an excellent season playing at both U21 and Senior level.
It was a momentous evening for Adam Lynch who won The Patrick Dinsmore Minor Footballer of the Year Award. Feargal Murphy was the recipient of the Minor Hurler of the Year while last years minor hurler of the year James McParland was the worthy recipient of the Senior Hurling Players Player of the Year. The accolade of Hurler of the Year was awarded to long serving hurler Mark Murtagh. All recipients were presented their awards by Joe Brolly who had a tale for them all!
