Southern Gaels set to celebrate 50 years in style
From a gala dinner to a pop-up Gaeltacht, Southern Gaels Hurling and Camogie Club are certainly planning to celebrate their 50th anniversary in fitting style!
From senior hurling on the Saturday to Army Band recitals mid-week, the period from June 17th to June 24th will be an action–packed festival to mark a momentous occasion for the Athlone club - 50 years young and growing!
During the week it is planned to have hurling and camogie played at all levels in the club’s home at Páirc Chiaráin, Athlone.
Many teams have been invited to play in the tournaments normally scheduled for the end of the season starting with the John Maher Cup and ending with the Under-10 Corcoran Cup - a new tournament established to mark Southern Gaels’ official entry into camogie competitions in the county.
Never a club to miss the opportunity for a social gathering, festivities will kick off with a barbecue and music in The Bounty on the opening night.
This will be followed by a talent night, a band recital, a pop-up Gaeltacht, a golf outing (to be held in Athlone Golf Club on Friday, June 23rd). And lastly, but by no means least, a Gala Dinner Dance in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel at 7pm will take place on Saturday, June 24th - an occasion not to be missed!
Further information and, more importantly, tickets for the Dinner Dance can be sourced through the club’s social media outlets - on the web at southerngaels.ie, on the club’s Facebook page, on Twitter at #southerngaels and on Instagram (southerngaelshurlingclub). Or maybe just call in and say hello every Tuesday and Friday from 6pm to 8pm in Páirc Chiaráin!
Southern Gaels was formed back in 1973 following the amalgamation of Athlone and Walderstown hurling clubs.
The first meeting of Southern Gaels was held in February 1973 at Páirc Chiaráin and the first club committee included Patsy Norton (president), Frank Young (chairman), Mick Ward (vice-chairman), Bill Stacey (secretary), Brendan McCormack, Joe Ryan and Ken O’Neill.
On the evening of Wednesday, April 5th, 2023, a new chapter of history was written by Southern Gaels as the club’s first ever adult camogie team took to the main pitch in Páirc Chiaráin to face Cullion in their first Westmeath league match. Laura Donnellan got the all-important first score for the club in the second half with a well taken goal.
With great support in attendance the team stepped up with an excellent display, despite not getting the result that they wanted on the occasion.
The Southern Gaels team lined out as follows: Caroline Fitzgerald, Sarah McNamara, Elaine O’Daly, Sarah Carter, Claire Doyle, Laura Donnellan, Lisa Ann Roche, Eimear Galvin, Natasha Galvin, Jillian Begley, Kayleigh McCoy, Grace McGlynn, Ciara Murphy, Aoife Ní Leocháin, Áine Galvin. Subs on the night: Róisín Ní Dhuibhir, Abi Joyce, Shelley Nee and Amy Quinn. Mentors: Gearóid Ó Duibhir, Áine Coen and Eoin Crosbie for their input.
“The hope, for this fantastic milestone for the club, is that we will see as many as possible of the players who donned the Southern Gaels jersey since 1973, the officers, mentors, volunteers and supporters who served and supported the club from its foundation right up to today at the various events during the week and the dinner dance on Saturday, June 24,” said Southern Gaels chairperson Kevin Jordan.