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Avril Leahy, Kim Barrett and Zara Ashe at the Causeway GAA Victory Social in the Ballyroe House Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was a long time coming, but Causeway finally had the Neilus Flynn Cup at their annual social on Saturday night after a break of 21 years.
Over 260 of the club faithful gathered in the Ballyroe Heights Hotel where Waterford hurling legend, Dan Shanahan, was a special guest. Club Chairman, Noel O’Connor, reflected on the past year which has been a momentous one for Causeway.
“It’s been an extremely good year and one look at the table here with all the silverware will tell you that. The seniors have won the North Kerry League, County League the Senior Hurling Championship and we’re in the final of the North Kerry Championship,” he said.
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So what was it like at the final whistle back in August when they beat Lixnaw to claim the championship after so long?
“The one word to describe it would be ‘relief’. There was a lot of pressure on everyone to deliver and there was a lot of talk about past history. There is fierce passion and a tradition of winning titles and that was getting its way to the players. They’ve come close in the past and were unlucky over the years, losing finals in 2006 and 2008, but now the monkey is off the back,” said Noel.
And now that the cup is back in Causeway, the odds of more titles to come are short, with youth certainly on their side.
“The average age of the team is 22, so it’s only the start of something good. It wasn’t that long ago when I was involved with bringing the Under 14 team to Féile in Ballinasloe and now many of them are in the senior team,” said Noel.
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It was also an occasion to induct a club stalwart into the Hall of Fame. Lixnaw native Mike Joe Quilter has been involved in Causeway GAA Club for nearly 40 years and was honoured to receive the award.
Helen and Mike Joe Quilter at the Causeway GAA Victory Social in the Ballyroe House Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
“I was shocked when they told me. I’m not even a native of Causeway having arrived there 39 years ago. I’ve been involved as a treasurer and in administrative roles, including as a club delegate. It’s a tremendous honour for me,” said Mike Joe.
A number of presentations were made, including those senior hurling championship medals, and those present enjoyed a great meal, music from Heart And Soul and Big Jim taking the party into the early hours. Scroll down for photos…
Causeway senior team manager Stephen Goggin with spcial guest Dan Shanahan, Causeway captain Muiris Delaney and club chairman Noel O’Connor at the Causeway GAA Victory Social in the Ballyroe House Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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County Board Hurling Officer, Paudie Dineen and wife Rita at the Causeway GAA Victory Social in the Ballyroe House Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kieran O’Connor and Maura Shortt at the Causeway GAA Victory Social in the Ballyroe House Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Paul O’Grady and Orla Casey at the Causeway GAA Victory Social in the Ballyroe House Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Pat Murphy and Courtney Dwyer at the Causeway GAA Victory Social in the Ballyroe House Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Kathy Prendergast and Adam White at the Causeway GAA Victory Social in the Ballyroe House Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
Eoin and Michelle Quilter at the Causeway GAA Victory Social in the Ballyroe House Hotel on Saturday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
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