Southern Gaels to mark 50th anniversary with festival of hurling
Southern Gaels Hurling Club will celebrate its 50th anniversary in June of next year, and the Athlone club is planning a week-long ‘Festival of Hurling’ from June 17-24, 2023.
Activities will include adult and underage hurling and camogie tournament games, with the club entering camogie teams (juveniles and adults) in Westmeath competitions for the first time in 2023.
There will be social and cultural events each evening, including a parade through Athlone, a poc fada competition and a family fun day. A golf outing is planned for Athlone Golf Club on Friday, June 23, while a dinner dance will take place in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel on June 24, with a special room deal agreed with the hotel for visitors who wish to stay over.
There will be presentations at the dinner dance to the Southern Gaels teams who won Westmeath county titles at U12, U14, U16 and U18 level (1985 to 1991).
The club will have information on how to book tickets for the dinner dance shortly, and people are advised to book tickets as early as possible.
“The hope, for this fantastic milestone for the club, is that we will see as many as possible of the players who donned the Southern Gaels jersey since 1973, the officers, mentors, volunteers and supporters who served and supported the club from its foundation right up to today at the various events during the week and the dinner dance on Saturday, June 24,” said Southern Gaels chairperson Kevin Jordan.
“Pass this message on to all those you know with any connections to Southern Gaels Hurling Club. We want to spread the net as wide as possible.”
Southern Gaels was formed in 1973 following the amalgamation of Athlone and Walderstown hurling clubs.
The first meeting of Southern Gaels was held in February 1973 at Páirc Chiaráin and the first club committee included Patsy Norton (president), Frank Young (chairman), Mick Ward (vice-chairman), Bill Stacey (secretary), Brendan McCormack, Joe Ryan and Ken O’Neill.
Those interested in the Southern Gaels anniversary celebrations are asked to forward their contact details (mobile number, email) to one of the following contacts so they can be kept informed on the club’s plans for June 2023.
For more information, contact Gerry Brennan (087 2323307, gbnbrennan@gmail.com), Martin Geary (087 2253350, martin.geary@ericsson.com), Kevin Jordan (087 7989941, kevinjordanlsu@hotmail.com), Gearóid Ó Duibhir (087 2343636, gearoidoduibhir@gmail.com) or Michael O’Connell (086 8246698, mickoconnell@hotmail.com).