Moate CS honours GAA heroes with celebration

On Wednesday evening, April 28, two highly successful football teams were honoured in Moate Community School for their efforts which led to two Leinster titles being won in the name of our school this year. The senior girls team, their parents, the under 16 boys team and their parents were treated to a delightful evening of memories of the sporting year that was 2009-2010. The talented Galway footballer, Michael Meehan presented each team member with their Leinster medal before presenting the trophies to each team captain. The evening began with Kevin Duffy welcoming everyone to the occasion in recognition of the dedication, discipline and tremendous talent of our successful young Gaelic footballers in MCS. He commended the commitment of the coaching staff of Fidelma Nolan, Lisa Buggy, Fintan Walsh and Brian Devaney who trained teams in snow, frost, floods and wind, often during holidays and at weekends. He acknowledged that only a true love of the sport and a dedication to nurturing the talent of our footballers could compel anyone to put in this level of effort. Des Dolan, sports co-ordinator in the school spoke next. He encouraged the successful team members to savour this moment of success as one never knows when it will come around again. He also acknowledged the tremendous effort that goes into the achievement of a Leinster title. Fidelma Nolan and Lisa Buggy spoke with eloquence and genuine appreciation of the commitment of the girls on the senior panel. The mentoring duo traced the path to the All-Ireland semi-final through the floods, the snow and the ice and the various match locations. They spoke on the part played by each member of the team. Representing the team sixth year student Ruth Galvin thanked all the interested parties who helped from the school management to the coaching staff to the parents of the girls. A presentation was made to the two coaches and to the invaluable physio, Triona. Brian Devaney recounted the path of the U16 boys team through the North Leinster final title to become Leinster champions. This was a journey which began four years ago as an U 14 panel. Like the girls this team had trained in all weather conditions and during all holiday periods. The final speech of the night was from the Caltra man, Micheal Meehan. With a gentle Galway lilt to his voice, Meehan expressed how delighted he was to be present and part of such a night of celebration. He highlighted how infectious the enthusiasm in the room was. He spoke of the friendship he made during his school footballing days, and like Mr Dolan before him, encouraged the young sportspeople present to savour the sweetness of success and to celebrate it in the moment. He also suggested that staying involved in sports would help lead these young people successfully and safely through life. Mrs Maura Murray thanked Michael Meehan who gave so generously of his time to the school in the run up to Galway's first inter county game of the championship of 2010.