Fantastic atmosphere at the Longford Association gala

The atmosphere at the 65th, and final, annual dinner of the Longford Association in Dublin could have been downbeat, but instead the attendance of slightly less than 120 were participants in what turned out to be a night of high celebration.

There was genuine delight among the gathering after John Keegan, chairman of Mullinalaghta St Columba’s GAA club, was presented with the association’s principal award 2019 and, as the night moved along, a real buzz took over the room which appeared to have derived from a realisation among the attendance that this was the final such coming together of Longford people and friends, so let’s have a blast to end with!

Association chairman, Tony Gilleran welcomed everyone present and he extended a special welcome to Mullinalaghta St Columba’s. He said that his own GAA career - playing for Longford Slashers and Kilmacud Crokes, as a former chair of the adult section of his adopted club St Jude’s, chair of the football section of Kilmacud and also of Dublin junior Co Board, as well as having been a member of the Dublin executive – he had a clear insight into the sacrifices required of everyone in Mullinalaghta to achieve what they have.

Tony told them they could hold their heads up high, having brought pride to their club and county Longford. Tony thanked the association’s sponsors for their generous help with our annual dinner and charity golf down the years.

“Without that,” he said, “it simply wouldn’t have been possible to keep things going.”

Tony assured everyone, however, that the association would be continuing with other activities, such as their charity golf and social outings. He thanked the current committee and all the committees down through the years for their commitment and dedication, and he acknowledged the great coverage over the years by Joe Finnegan and Frank Kilbride on Shannonside radio, and the Longford Leader, its current editor, Alan Walsh and staff, all its former editors and staff for all the coverage and professional help over the years.

Finally, Tony thanked Tiernan Dolan, Longford, for designing and producing the beautiful Longford post cards which were left on the tables for patrons to take home.

Also read: Longford natives to kayak 144kms for charity

Reflection - 
In a nice pre-dinner reflection, Fr Seamus Connell, Spiritual Director of the association, highlighted the “good that has been through the association” and he recalled the many friends and loved ones, including those departed, who have been part of the association and its celebrations over the past 65 years.

“On our special night”, he hoped that we received the “help to adapt to change and grow in and through it.”

Invited guests included Longford County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Luie Mc Entire, Cllr Martin Mulleady, John Keegan chairperson Mullinalaghta St Columba’s, Eamon Reilly chairperson Longford GAA Co Board and Margaret Brown, representing the London association.

Carrying out one of his final public duties before retiring from a forty-year career in local politics, Cllr McEntire said he was sadly aware that this was the association’s final annual dinner after 65 years and he was generous in his praise of the role county associations in Dublin played in times past, supporting people arriving from home and helping them to keep a connection with the home place. He thanked the Longford association committees all down the years.

Concluding, he was particularly proud, as indeed were we all, he said, of the Mullinalaghta St Columba’s team and management on their historic achievement, and he announced that one of his last proud public duties would be his involvement in soon honouring them on behalf of Longford County Council.

There was a nice surprise for everyone just before the presentation when Dr Philip Brady read his excellent poem entitled ‘Championship 2018’ which he penned about Longford football, and of course Mullinalaghta’s triumph in particular.
Dr Brady is a native of Edgeworthstown. He is a published poet and lives and works as a family doctor in Edenderry. He was honoured as Offaly Person of the Year in 2001.

After being presented with a bog oak sculpture, John Keegan, thanked the Longford association for “the beautiful presentation piece” which he was gladly accepting, he said, on behalf of Mullinalaghta St Columba’s. He said many people deserved a lot of credit, ‘so many who put the shoulder to the wheel over the years, including all those who willingly did the smaller jobs so necessary to keep a club running smoothly’. John concluded by wishing the Longford Association well after all the years of work.

The night concluded with up to three hours dancing to the lively and pleasant selection by Paschal, Davy and Liz, adding to the positive atmosphere already described. Mid show there was a much requested performance by Gerry Quinn, appropriately singing ‘The Boys in the Blue and Gold and ‘My Dear Longford Home Far Away’ to great acclaim.