Tubberclair GAA celebrates success on several fronts
On Saturday night last, Tubberclair GAA gathered in the Athlone Springs Hotel to celebrate the phenomenal year of 2025 both on and off the field. The event also saw the club celebrating its success in 2020 - a year when the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted sporting events.
On show were the plunders from the following campaigns: Junior Championship 2020, Intermediate Championship 2025, Under-20 Division 1 Championship 2025, Division 5 League 2025 and Junior B Championship 2025.
MC on the night, Martin McCabe welcomed everybody to the dinner dance and asked Tubberclair GAA Chairman Adrian Dolan to give the opening address.
Westmeath County Board Chairman Paddy Wallace was introduced and after hearty congratulations were delivered, he was joined on stage by Jack Cooney, the GAA's National Player Development Lead. Jack is well known for his playing and coaching career, including his time as Westmeath senior football manager, and he is currently involved with his home club, Coralstown-Kinnegad.
Jack had the place in raptures when he regaled stories of his good friend, Tubberclair favourite Gary Connaughton, the former Westmeath goalkeeper who was an All Star award winner in 2008.
A lovely video message from An Uachtarán Jarlath Burns was played as he was unable to attend on the night. He gave special congratulations to Tubberclair's activities off the pitch in purchasing the 18.9 acres and the amazing efforts of the community in raising the funds to pay for the land. Such endeavours were matched on the pitch with the club winning a number of championships.
Numerous presentations were made to all involved, management and players, and the four players that were involved with Westmeath winning the All-Ireland U20 B Championship. Also recognised were lads who came back from injury, the old, the young and the beautiful. Bouquets of flowers were presented to both Noelle Wallace and Elaine Cooney. Special mention was made of Fr Paddy Conlon, who played in goals for Tubberclair many years ago.
Tubberclair GAA extends thanks to the Athlone Springs Hotel who looked after everyone on the night so well with a fantastic meal and excellent staff, the White Diamond Band and the patient DJ Micháel Rooney, who kept everyone dancing until the small hours. A huge round of applause for the organising committee of Martin McCabe, Kevin Fagan, Cathal Tighe all driven, guided and cajoled by the relentless Gráinne Rafferty.
For Tubberclair GAA, it's now a case of roll on for the 2026 season, with the club hoping it will have plenty more to celebrate in the future.
*See more photos in this week's Westmeath Independent print edition.