Former Association chairperson, Tony Gilleran, and his team were in celebratory mood when MC, Danny Donohoe, announced that they had taken first prize in the final Longford Association in Dublin golf day at Clontarf.
A gratifying seventeen teams of four turned out and, although the weather forecasters had raised our concerns, the weather on the chosen day, Friday August 23, turned out to be quite beautiful until late evening when only the late golfers home were rained upon. There were no real complaints, however; golfers go out in all weather.
Association chairperson, John Rabbitte, speaking before the presentation of prizes, welcomed our golfing friends and sponsors and thanked them for making our final golf outing such a wonderful success and also for their unwavering support down the years since our annual golf outing began almost twenty years ago.
Stressing the fact that this was “the last official event”, John said that things were coming to a natural end given the age profile of our committee and the realities of life today.
Bringing some perspective, the chairperson said that since the Association was refounded in 1954 Ireland was a very different place socially and economically – back then, and for some years afterwards, the time it took to get to Longford was 3 hours plus by car, which had later been well reduced, perhaps to one and-a –half hours, with better and faster roads and more modern vehicles.
Added to that, he said, modern technology, including social media, had removed all focus of younger people from organisations like county associations, particularly counties closer to Dublin, as in our own case. In conclusion, John said young people were the lifeblood of any organisation and this had been our experience down the years with influxes of eager young hands at various stages, giving the Association a new energy. Alas, this had all dried up for the reasons given, he said.
Finally, the Chairperson name-checked the committee members who kept the organisation going during the more difficult past 20 years plus or so: Gerry Quinn, Paddy McKenna, Danny Donohoe, Dessie Kiernan, Olivia Kiernan, Liam Caldwell, Yvonne McCormack, Tony Gilleran, Eamonn McPartland, Gerry McEvoy, Tim Donlon, Fr Paddy Madden, Fr Seamus Connell, Padraig Connolly, the late Paddy Cunningham, Annette Kane, Joan Barrett and the late Donal Glennon.
Prize Winners
1st on 94 points, back 9: Tony Gilleran, Mick Kennedy, Mick Murray and Tom Sheedy; 2nd on 94 points, back 9: Fred Kelly, Tommy McCarthy, Phillip Duignan and Jack Higgins; 3rd on 89 points, back 9: Brendan Walsh, Justin Magovern, Pat B. and Pat Murray; 4th on 89 points, bank 9: Danny Donohoe, Vincent McCaul, Bart O’Connor and Michael Creegan; 5th on 88 points, back 9: Brendan Storey, Jimmy Delaney, Michael Campbell and Tony O’Rourke.
Sponsors
Once again we thank all our loyal golfing friends, team sponsors and prize sponsors for their unfailing generosity: Tom Gilligan, Mick Whelan, Tony Gilleran, John Rabbitt, Danny Donohoe, Dessie Kiernan Snr, Dessie Kiernan Jnr and the Longford Association.
Golf Proceeds
The proceeds of our final golf outing go to St Francis Hospice, Raheny, Dublin. Heretofore we have always chosen a local Longford charity to benefit, but on this final occasion this exemplary care facility was selected by virtue of the wonderful care received by close family and friends of Association members in more years. A cheque will be presented shortly.
