Annual Christmas Quiz: Our annual Christmas table quiz was held in The Mill Bar, Drumlish on Friday last, December 28th. With over 30 tables it was our biggest and best quiz to date and a great night was had by all. Before the quiz started our club award winners were presented with their trophies. Dean Cosgrave was presented with the Eamon Kerrigan Senior Player of the Year Trophy by Eileen Kerrigan; Bridie Reilly was presented with the John Joe Brady Clubperson of the Year Trophy by Kathleen Brady and Aaron McGee was presented with the Jimmy Tully U20 Player of the Year award by Patrick Tully. Well done to all the award winners. In the quiz in first place was Eamon Bennett’s team (Tarmonbarry) on 76 points; 2nd place was Marie Gill’s team on 75 points and 3rd place was Packie Duffy’s team on 71 points. Thank you to all three teams who kindly donated their prize money back to the club. There was a special prize (a case of Bulmers, sponsored by McKeon’s Wholesale Bottlers) for the best team name and that went to the Women’s Shed for their name “The Hen House”. The raffle prize winners were as follows: Christmas Hamper (sponsored by McCarrick’s Cash & Carry) – Aoife and Sophie Mallon; Meal Voucher for Dillon’s Bar & Bistro, Ballinamuck (sponsored by Peter Dillon) – Edel Sheridan; 2 bottles of Brandy (sponsored by Mike and Martin Mulleady at Mulleady Properties) – Helena Brady and Brian Duffy; Case of Bulmers (sponsored by McKeon’s Wholsesaler Bottlers, Longford) – Martin Mulleady; Bag of Goodies (sponsored by Lorraine Corrigan) – Johnny Duignan. Thank you to Eoin Brady, Caroline and all the staff at the Mill Bar for the use of the premises and their hospitality. Thank you to Lorraine Corrigan for the difficult task of setting 100 questions; Billy Kellegher for doing MC on the night; Von Corrigan and Betty Creegan for correcting all the answer sheets and to Séamus Gallagher, Bridie Reilly and Mike Mulleady for collecting sheets and helping out. Finally, thank you to all who came and took part and bought raffle tickets. Without all this work and support, the event would not be the success it was.
Lotto: On account of Christmas and New Year, the next draw is in O’Reilly’s Bar, Drumlish on Monday, January 7th. The Jackpot is now €14,200. Tickets are available from the usual outlets and from any member of the executive. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our lotto.
Longford Seniors: Best of luck to Paddy Collum, Pauric Gill, manager Padraic Davis, and backroom team members Ian Higgins and Gordon Smyth as Longford play Louth in the O’Byrne Cup on Saturday next, January 5th in Pearse Park.
National Club Draw: The National Club Draw tickets are back on sale again this year and this great initiative by the GAA has helped contribute vital funds to our club for the past number of years. There is a new prize for participating clubs whereby there is a chance to play a club championship match in Croke Park. Individual prizes include: A brand new Renault Clio 4 Expression; a €2,000 travel voucher; All Ireland Hurling & Football packages; various shopping vouchers and many more. Details of each prize available are on each ticket. Tickets cost €10 and can be bought from any member of the Gaels squad. As always, your support is greatly appreciated.
Club Membership: Club Membership for the forthcoming year is now available. The cost is €30 for adults and €15 for students. Membership is required for all playing members and for use of the gym. Membership entitles you to attend monthly club meetings and if received before March 31st, entitles you to a vote at next year’s AGM and entry into the draw for All Ireland tickets. To pay please contact Registrar, Bridie Reilly.
Welcome Home: Welcome home to Darren “Chippy” Farley who is back on these shores after a couple of years living and working in New York. It is great to have Darren back and he will be a massive addition to us on the playing field.
Sympathy: The club would like to express its sympathy to the family and friends of Frank Kelly (formerly of Drumlish) who passed away in Dublin recently. Solas na bhFlaitheas air.