Celebration night for Clare soccer

It was a night of celebration for all in Clare soccer at the West County Hotel on Saturday as Clare officials were joined by provincial and national officers in marking the 50th anniversary of the Clare League.

 

 

It was a night of celebration for all in Clare soccer at the West County Hotel on Saturday as Clare officials were joined by provincial and national officers in marking the 50th anniversary of the Clare League.

At the outset Clare League chairman Donie Garrihy welcomed all and paid tribute to those involved in working for the Clare League over the years.

Michael Guilfoyle, representing the Mayor of Ennis and Mayor of Clare Pat Daly both paid tribute to the league on their work. Ted O’Mahoney, chairman of the Munster Football Association and John Delaney, chief executive officer of the FAI also paid tribute to all in the league for their work.

Other guests at the function included Denis O’Driscoll from the Munster Football Association, Michael O’Regan from the Limerick League and Timmy Dooley TD.  The Schoolboys League was represented by vice-chairman, Frankie Gormley.

During the evening, John Delaney made a presentation to Brendan Rochford, captain of Clare’s Oscar Traynor-winning team in 2004 and Stephen Kenny, captain of the Clare youths team that won the national title in 1971.

Former officials of the league present on the night included Tom Casey from Newmarket, chairman in the 1970’s, Tommy O’Brien from O’Briensbridge, a former registrar and Michael Leahy, the only Clare man to hold the post of chairman of the Munster Association.

Jim Rocks, who held a variety of positions within Clare soccer over the years, was also present, as was Neil Kelly, son of the late Hugh, who managed the Oscar Traynor-winning team.

The league’s FAI delegate Jim Madden, a former chairman, was the MC for the evening.

Earlier on Saturday, John Delaney visited Avenue United’s new playing facilities at Roslevan. In his address to the gathering, he paid tribute to all involved in the game in Clare, praised the clubs for their work in the development of facilities and also paid tribute to the FAI’s coach in Clare, Denis Hynes.

The league produced a 12-page souvenir programme for the ­occasion. As part of the weekend’s celebrations, the Clare League hosted a golf classic on Friday at Woodstock. The event proved a great success.

On Saturday night, the league availed of the opportunity to present various player of the year and top scorer awards for last season.

Winners
Premier: Player of the year, Stephen Kelly (Newmarket Celtic). Stephen recently emigrated and his award was accepted by Liam Murphy, manager of the Newmarket Celtic A side last season; David Reidy from Ennis Town Rock won the top scorer award with 12 goals to his credit.
First Division: Player of the year, Kenneth Kennedy, Connolly Celtic; top scorer, Alan Conway, Bridge Celtic, with 17 goals.
Second Division: Player of the year, Conor Neylon, Inch Crusaders; top scorer, Paul Cagney, Moher Celtic.
Third Division: Player of the year, Shane McInerney, Kilkishen Celtic; joint top scorers, Jason Russell (West Clare FC) and Paul Murphy (Kilkishen Celtic) with 19 goals each.
Youths/U-19: Player of the year, John Mulready, Bridge United; top scorer, Jamesie McConigley, Burren-Sporting.