Aoghán O’Fearghail,Mike Fitzgerald,Steven Connery,Robert Frost,Oliver Mann With Pupils From Scoil Mocheallóg Photo John Mortell
The story of Kilmallock G.A.A.’s illustrious history ‘Our Proud Heritage’ was launched on Saturday evening last in Mainchín Seoighe Library by the President of the G.A.A. Aogán Ó’Fearghail.
A huge attendance was present for the launch including former players, officers, supporters of the clubs and representatives of neighbouring clubs as the almost 600 page publication was launched.
It was the culmination of long painstaking work by a hard working editorial committee headed up by chairman Joe Naughton, who was an excellent M.C. at the launch and the committee members Eamon Leen, secretary, Paddy Kelly, Tommy Mulcahy, Pat Howard, Bernie Savage, Michael Fitzgerald and liaison officer John Fitzgerald.
At the outset local parish priest Canon Joe Shire and the Rector of the Adare and Kilmallock group of parishes the Reverend Canon Liz Beasley blessed ‘Our Proud Heritage’.
Joe Naughton introduced the various speakers that included Kilmallock G.A.A. chairman Steven Connery, the Chairman of Limerick County Board, Oliver Mann, The chairman of the Munster Council, Robert Frost. Michael Fitzgerald on behalf of the ‘Our Proud Heritage’ Book Committee and finally the President of the G.A.A. Aogán Ó’Fearghail who gave an inspirational address before launching the history.
The speeches were interspersed with readings from ‘Our Proud Heritage’ by Leonie Passmore, Michael O’Connor, Michael Heelan, Maurice Neligan and Paddy Kelly.
Bernie Savage read citations on two club stalwarts John Donegan and Jimmy Millea who were presented with copies of the history with Bernie Savage accepting it on behalf of John Donegan who was not present on the evening.
A presentation was made to the President who was on his first official visit to Limerick by the chairman of Kilmallock G.A.A. Steven Connery.
Music on the evening was supplied by Bernie Leahy, Cathal O’Donoghue, Michael Gammell and Danny Moore and the boys from 1st class, Scoil Mocheallóg accompanied by Gerda Barry and Niamh Guiney.
The evening concluded with a rousing rendition by Maurice Nelligan of his own composition, now the club’s anthem ‘Up the Baalbec’.