An Mhaigh Tír na nÓg G.A.C. Notes (week commencing 03/11/08)

Senior League Fixture Tyrone Senior All-County League Division Two: v Moy this Saturday (8th November) at 2.00pm. Venue: O’Neill Park, Dungannon.

Centenary Gala Night Due to unprecedented demand for tickets and an increased capacity at City Hotel, a limited number of tables have become available for our club’s Centenary Gala Night which will take place on Saturday 22nd November. These additional places will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. Those interested should contact any member of the gala or executive committee. Over sixty tables have been snapped up already for next month’s Black Tie Gala Dinner with hundreds of An Mhaigh living at home and abroad eager to be a part of this major celebration. Those attending should also note that this event is a strictly black tie affair and formal dress. No exceptions. Men’s suits can be hired or purchased from Tom Morrow’s, Dungannon who will also be making a donation to the club. Special guests will include GAA President Nicky Brennan, Tyrone County Board Chairman Pat Darcy as well as our four All-Ireland winning heroes – Colm and Sean Cavanagh, and Ryan Mellon. Also making a special appearance will be the famous Sam Maguire and Tom Markham Cups. Meanwhile, Master of Ceremonies for the night will be Gerry Donnelly, former P.R.O. for the Derry County Board. Proceedings will commence at 6.30pm with a drinks reception at the entrance to the Fisher Suite. This will be followed at 7.00pm by the official launch of our Centenary Book, documenting over 100 years of gaelic games and culture in Moy and the parish of Clonfeacle. This eagerly awaited publication, which has culminated in many months of research and hard work, is now nearing completion. Books which are pre-ordered and paid for before the official launch will have the signatures of Moy’s four All-Ireland winning stars. The night will continue with a carefully selected five course meal, after which several presentations will be made and a number of unique items will come under the hammer in our Grand Auction. Part proceeds from the auction will be donated to our chosen charity, The Newry Hospice. A special video montage of club personalties, teams, events and activities will also be shown on the night, while music will be provided afterwards by the ever popular Manhattan. It is a night not to be missed!

Ladies Football Meeting A general meeting will be held in the Tír na nÓg clubrooms this Sunday evening (9th November) at 7.00pm for all those interested in the organisation and running of ladies football in Moy next season. Everyone is welcome to come along including current players, team mentors and the parents of underage members. Those who are also willing to assist with any of the ladies teams next year are encouraged to attend.

Eileen Donaghy R.I.P. The committee, players and members of An Mhaigh Tír na nÓg G.A.C. deeply regret the recent death of Mrs Eileen Donaghy, wife of the late Pat, beloved mother of our former playing and current members Patrick, Liam, Colm, Plunkett, Seanie and Paul, and grandmother of youth playing members Aaron, Steve, Adam, Josh, Jack, Connor, Scott, Lucy and Carmel. A dark shadow was cast over the entire Moy community last week as news broke of Eileen’s sad passing. She was a famous figure and much loved lady who brightened the lives of many people across a wide spectrum during her life-time. Known the length and breadth of the country for her singing talents, Eileen will also be fondly remembered for her warmth and cheerful disposition. She was a true lady in every sense of the word. Eileen of course loved everything about the Moy and was also a great supporter of our club down through the years. Along with Frankie Duffy, I had the pleasure of interviewing Eileen at her home earlier this year as part of our research for the club’s soon-to-be-launched Centenary book. In typical fashion, she welcomed us with open arms to her house on the Dungannon Road and relayed some wonderful memories of how the GAA had played a big part in her married and family life. Wife of the late and legendary Pat Donaghy R.I.P., she recalled her husband’s love and passion for gaelic games and how he had influenced each of their sons to follow in his own footsteps. Eileen did her own bit for the GAA by washing the Moy team jerseys in all of the years that big Pat was in charge of the senior side and took a keen interest in her husband’s involvement as a player and team mentor. She took great pride in the fact that all of her sons would go on to wear the Moy jersey and recounted how football was always a hot topic in the Donaghy household. Eileen also recalls the amount of extra laundry that had to be dealt with when her boys came home from a match or training, but it was never a burden to her. She loved her family and was happy to see them involved in such a great organisation like the GAA. She was also an avid Tyrone supporter and closely followed their fortunes from the 1950s when her husband Pat played in defence for the Red Hands and was a member of the very first Tyrone team to win the Senior Championship. That first Ulster triumph for Tyrone at Clones back in 1956 was a very special day indeed for the Donaghys as big Pat lined out at corner back while Eileen provided the pre-match and half-time entertainment when singing to the crowd over a loudspeaker. Little did she know then that two of her sons, Colm and Plunkett, would also go on to win Ulster senior football medals with Tyrone. During the course of our interview, the love and pride Eileen felt for her family was always very much evident. Just last year, she attended the Moy G.A.C. Annual Dinner Dance and Presentation Night at Kellys Inn, Garvaghy which honoured the Silver Jubilee Intermediate Champions of 1982. Five of Eileen’s sons were on that championship winning squad and were among those who received a presentation on the night while she was also called upon to collect a special memento on behalf of her late husband Pat, who had been part of the management team. It was, she said, one of the most enjoyable Dinner Dances she had ever attended. Eileen Donaghy was a remarkable woman whose passing has left a huge void in the Moy and beyond. To her entire family circle, we at the club extend our heartfelt condolences. May she rest in peace.

Centenary Mass A special Centenary Mass to remember the deceased members and friends of An Mhaigh G.A.C. will be held in St John’s Church, Moy on Thursday 20th November at 7.30pm. Celebrant for the Mass will be our Honorary Vice-President Fr. Dermot McCaul, who will also be taking time out from his duties in Rome to attend our Gala Centenary Night some 48 hours later.

Sean Lifts Cormac McAnallen Cup Last Friday saw Moy and Ireland skipper Sean Cavanagh crown a wonderful year when leading his country to victory over two tests in the International Rules Series down under. There was immense pride and great emotion felt in both Moy and throughout Tyrone as our captain fantastic overcame the Australian challenge in Melbourne to raise aloft the Cormac McAnallen Cup. It was fitting that Sean, a close friend and county team-mate of the late Cormac, was the first Irishman to take hold of this year’s International trophy named after the great Eglish Gael and sporting legend. We also salute the three other Tyrone players involved in this wonderful success, each making a wonderful contribution to Ireland’s five point aggregate win. All of Moy are looking forward to Sean’s return home this weekend, when he can expect a heroes welcome for the manner in which he outshone the mighty Aussies and led his team to international glory.

Wedding Bells for Ryan Last Friday was also a day which will live long in the memory of another of our county senior football stars, but for an entirely different reason! Ryan Mellon was the latest member of An Mhaigh G.A.C. to tie the knot, and a number of his clubmates were among those who attended the wedding ceremony in Carrickmore and reception afterwards at Harveys Point Hotel, Donegal. We congratulate Ryan and Barbara on their marriage and wish them both every happiness for the future.

Yoga Class Yoga class in St John’s Primary School, Moy has now been moved to the earlier time of 7.00pm each Monday evening. Anyone who would like to join the class may do so by contacting Karol McQuade. Places are limited to 20 only per session and, if there is sufficient demand, a second class on a Wednesday or Thursday evening may commence after Christmas.

Unsung Hero of the Month: Peter Loughran Congratulations to Peter Loughran who is our club’s Unsung Hero of the Month for November. An important member of this year’s Moy senior football panel, Peter was nominated for the generous service he gave to his An Mhaigh team-mates over many weeks in terms of food preparation and provision of ice after training. This popular local businessman ensured that Moy’s senior and reserve footballers were treated to hot and healthy food in the local clubrooms following numerous training sessions this year. He also supplied ice from his premises for baths after training to help the players recover quickly from any aches and pains picked up during the various fitness sessions. If you would like to nominate anyone for our club’s Unsung Hero of the Month, please contact myself or any member of the club committee. This person should be someone who is quietly working behind the scenes of our club or who has done something noteworthy outside of the public eye.

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Colin Mackle (P.R.O.) Ceann Ban, Kilmore, Moy, Co. Tyrone Tel: 077 52478618