DROMCOLLOGHER-BROADFORD CELEBRATE IN STYLE

There was an air of quiet satisfaction as the footballers and hurlers of Dromcollogher-Broadford came together at the local Community Hall last Saturday night to celebrate what was a very triumphant 2012 on the playing fields.

Adorning the trophy table were the Fr. Casey Cup, the symbol of supremacy in Limerick senior football which has made a well worn path to the parish since 2001, the County and West Under 21B Hurling Championship trophies and the County and West Minor Hurling A trophies.

Players and their families and supporters were joined on the evening by guests; Sean McAuliffe, Chairman of the Limerick Football Board, Rory Kiely, Limerick Central Council representative and Pat O’Donnell, Chairman of the West Board. The evening’s proceedings were well conducted by John Cregan.

Medals to the county winning footballers were presented by Kitty O’Donnell, widow of long time Dromcollogher-Broadford stalwart Kevin O’Donnell, while Paddy Stack, the captain of the Dromcollogher team that won the 1963 County junior hurling championship, (something the club have plans to celebrate the Golden jubilee of later this year), presented the hurling medals. Mike Fahy, manager of the senior football team, in his address congratulated all the players receiving medals on the night and those who played but did not win anything in 2012. Referring to his football charges, he said “this group of players have brought unbelievable success to the club, history will be very kind to them.”

Five times county senior football winning captain Tom McLoughlin spoke on behalf of the U21 team and mentors while minor hurling manager, John Stack spoke about his county winning minor side. A presentation of a framed photograph of the minor team was presented to the team’s trainer, James Noonan. It was one of a number of special presentations that also included a certificate of merit to Cillian Fahy on being selected for the Ireland U18 basketball team and presentations of bouquets of flowers to the wives of the senior team’s connections. Club PRO Gareth Meaney made a presentation to Seanie Buckley in recognition of being named captain of the Limerick senior football team for 2013.

Addressing the gathering, club chairperson Seamus Lordan outlined the success of the club in 2012 and paid tribute to the players, mentors and selectors. He acknowledged the role of the Primary schools in Dromcollogher and Broadford and noted the successes of Hazelwood College and West Limerick Schools. Mr. Lordan paid special tribute to the club sponsors without whom the club could not survive and he also acknowledged all those that helped out in any way in 2012.

In his address on the evening Pat O’Donnell, Chairman of the West Board, said that any club that can bring home three county and two west titles in a year is to be commended. He described the performance of the club’s senior footballers over the last twelve years as phenomenal. He congratulated Seanie Buckley and wished him the best in his role as Limerick captain.

Seam McAuliffe, Chairman of the Limerick Football Board, said the club had played tremendous football and provided great leadership since 2000. He thanked Garrett Noonan and the other teachers involved with the West Limerick Schools Corn Ui Mhuire team.

Rory Kiely, Limerick central Council representative congratu-lated the club on their success and on the initiative of organising the celebration in their own parish.