Ballyskenach
GAA club celebrated their meteoric rise to senior hurling status in Offaly at
their annual dinner dance in Grant's Hotel, Roscrea on Friday night last.
The ballroom was packed to capacity as the intermediate hurlers were presented with their county medals following their success in the Offaly Intermediate Hurling Championship last year. Just 12 months previously they had captured the Junior A title and now they are ready to embark on a senior championship campaign for the first time since the beginning of the 1980s.
On a night of celebration the club also paid tribute to Frank Kennedy, who recently retired after serving as club secretary for 40 years, and he was rightly given a standing ovation in recognition of his work for the club in that time.
Mr Denis Mullally, chairman of Ballyskenach GAA Club, welcomed everyone to the dinner dance to celebrate their victory in the intermediate championship last year. He introduced Mr Brendan Ward, chairman of the Offaly County Board, who was present to present the medals to the winning panel.
Mr Ward said it was a pleasure to be with the club celebrating their success in the intermediate hurling championship. He recalled last year being at a different venue celebrating their success in the Junior championship in 1994. He remembered everyone was so happy that night that they had won the junior title and said some members of the committee wondered how long it would be before they won the intermediate title. Mr Ward said maybe he was being fooled that night as Ballyskenach went on to win the intermediate title in 1995 and he now wondered what was going to happen in 1996, 'I hope we will be together again with a senior championship,' he added.
Mr Ward said it was always a pleasure for him as chairman or any member of the County Board to be with a small club because it proved the people of the parish are dedicated to Gaelic games.
He said it was many the club in Offaly that would win one championship in the lifetime of a member but he said Ballyskenach had done what many bigger clubs failed to do by putting championships back to back. 'That is proof of your dedication to hurling.' he declared.
He congratulated the team, committee and everyone involved in making the last two years so successful. He said it was a pleasure for the County Board to have a club with achievements like Ballyskenach's.
Wishing them well for the future he said he knew they were aware they wouldn't win championships every year but said he knew they would always be loyal to their club and the games.
Mr. Ward also welcomed Parish Priest, Very Rev. Seamus Gardiner, and said he was a man who had played his part in the GAA over the years.
Mr Mullally said they had a presentation to make to a man who had spent most of his life working for the GAA. Frank Kennedy recently retired as secretary of the club after 40 years of service and he called on club President, Jack Dooley, to make a presentation to him as a token of their appreciation. The packed attendance gave him a standing ovation as he received the presentation.
The new secretary, Mary Dooley, presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Claire Kennedy and also to Mrs Ward, while Noel Russell made a presentation to Brendan Ward.
Further presentations were made to the selectors who guided Ballyskenach to the intermediate title, Paddy Kirwan, Eugene Hannon and Denis Mullally.
The
members of the panel who won medals were John Dooley (captain), Vincent Franks,
Aidan Franks, Cathal Murphy, Peter Murphy, Noel Murphy, Donie Wade, Bill Lalor,
Denis Egan, Keith Russell, Martin Maher, Padaig McLoughlin, Philip McLoughlin,
Liam O'Toole, Tomas O'Toole, Donal Golden, Eugene Kirwan, John Kirwan, Mark
Kirwan, Ciaran Kirwan, Michael Ryan, Donal Franks, Eugene Hannon, Ger Mullally,
Olly Ryan, Sam Tuohy.
At the outset of the 1994 hurling year Ballyskenach, like all other junior clubs in the 'Faithful County', were hoping they could claim the James Clarke Cup. They achieved that goal in style and now, two years later, they are aiming for senior championship glory. It is a remarkable success story and testament to the great ambition which exists in the small South Offaly club.
Paddy Kirwan was appointed trainer of the junior team in '94. They haven't been defeated in a championship game since, and as Ballyskenach celebrated their 1995 intermediate final triumph over Killeigh/Raheen in Grant's Hotel, Roscrea on Friday last one wonders what lies ahead for '96. Kirwan knows it won't be easy for Ballyskenach in the senior ranks, but nevertheless they are very detennined to do well.
The club have cashed in on their success on the hurling field also, and they are presently raising finance for their Pitch Development Fund. One of their biggest money spinners was the Lord Mayor of Ballyskenach campaign and this was won by Tommy Douglas.
Addressing the capacity attendance in the Banquet Hall on Friday night, County Board Chairman Brendan Ward said it was a great pleasure for him to be with the gaels of Ballyskenach as they celebrated their intermediate success.
He recalled the same night last year where at a different venue Ballyskenach were celebrating their junior success. Mr. Ward added, "everyone was so happy you won a junior title and some members of your committee were wondering how long it would be before you'd win an intermediate crown. I'm beginning to think I was fooled that night as ye' came along in '95 and won the intermediate championship and I'm wondering what will happen in '96. I hope you'll be together again with a senior championship title to your credit."
He pointed out that it was also a great pleasure for any member of the County Board to be with a small club like Ballyskenach, "as it proves the people of this parish are dedicated to our games and you have proven beyond all doubt that you have played your part in the G.A.A."
Mr. Ward continued, "there are indeed many clubs in Offaly that might win one championship in a members life-time, but you in Ballyskenach have done what many, many great and bigger clubs have never achieved... you have put 2 championships back-to-back and that is proof of your dedication to hurling, your will to work and will to win. I congratulate the team, committee and everyone else who was involved in making the last two years so successful." He concluding by wishing Ballyskenach every success in '96.
Ballyskenach Club Chairman Denis Mullally was M.C. for the night and he thanked Mr. Brendan Ward for his encouraging words. He also congratulated the players and management who helped bring intermediate glory to Ballyskenach.
Mr. Mullally paid tribute to Frank Kennedy who retired as club secretary after 41 years of loyal service. "Frank did great work for the club," he added. Indeed, Mr. Kennedy has been the "Offaly Express'" Roscrea correspondent for the last forty years.
Ballyskenach club president Jack Dooley made a special presentation to Mr. Kennedy during which there was a prolonged standing ovation, while club treasurer Mary Dooley presented a bouquet of flowers to Mrs. Claire Kennedy.
Ballyskenach P.R.O. Noel Russell made a presentation to County Board Chairman Brendan Ward, while Mary Dooley presented a bouquet of flowers to his wife Carmel. A special presentation was made to team trainer Paddy Kirwan, and his selectors Eugene Hannon and Denis Mullally - by the Lord Mayor of Ballyskenach Tommy Douglas.
Mr. Mullally concluded by thanking the Hotel staff for their courtesy and welcoming members of the press to the function.
Brendan Ward presented I.H.C. medals to the following; John Dooley (capt.), Vincent Franks, Aidan Franks, Cathal Murphy, Peter Murphy, Noel Murphy, Donie Wade, Pat Wade, Bill Lalor, Denis Egan, Keith Russell, Martin Maher, Padraig McLoughlin, Philip McLoughlin, Liam O'Toole, Tomas O'Toole, Donal Golden, Eugene Kirwan, John Kirwan, Mark Kirwan, Ciaran Kirwan, Michael Ryan, Donal Franks, Eugene Hannon, Gerard Mullally, Ollie Ryan and Sam Touhy.
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