Leitrim GAA Supporters Launch in Croke Park on 16th January 2013

Leitrim GAA Supporters Launch – Croke Park 16th January 2013

For the first time in its distinguished history the 27th Year of the Supporters Club was launched in the wonderful Croke Park Stadium on Thursday night last. There has been many great launches over the years but Thursday night saw the largest ever attendance at a launch. It was wonderful to see so many younger supporters present. MC for the night was Dublin Chairman Mike Feeney.

Speakers included Joe Flynn (Chairman of Leitrim Co Board), Enda Stenson (Chairman Leitrim Co Council) George Dugdale and Barney Breen (Team Managers). The club was launched by award winning actor, playwright, director and former Carrigallen & Leitrim footballer Seamus O Rourke.

Seamus had the audience in the palm of his hand telling his stories, including his visit to Croke Park in 1994, his 7 a side adventure to the ‘big pitch’ in Kildare and the long walk from the dressing room to the pitch which left him exhausted. Seamus told a great story about buying football boots in O Brien’s in Ballinamore and fitting on ‘Ollie Honeyman boots, Beezer McKiernan boots, Ciaran Mahon boots before he settled for ‘Mickey Quinn boots with the ‘spring in them’. Seamus felt the ‘there was a fault in the spring in his boots’ as they were not as good as in Mickey Quinn’s. 

After George and Barney addressed the audience a number of supporters spoke including Dermot Gallagher, Padraic White, Des McHugh, and Paddy Gaffney. 

Members of the Leitrim team Emlyn Mulligan (Captain), Gerry Hickey and Robbie Lowe also attended. 

Among the audience were Leitrim legend Packy McGarty who celebrates his 80th birthday in April. Former playing colleagues of Packy, Ben Wrynne, Fr Tom Colreavy and Kevin O Malley also attended. Attending for the first time was Gerry Logan (Ballinamore & Donegal). Well known Leitrim supporters decked out in their Leitrim Scórves Martina Grehan (Ferbane) and Mary Bohan (Kilcock) also made the journey to the launch.

Those who attended really enjoyed a very special night. The mood of everybody leaving Croke Park was positive and after many years in negative mood at long last things were turning for the better. Leitrim Supporters are looking forward to the year ahead. 

Finally a special word of thanks to Fergal McGill in Croke Park who facilitated the event happening in Croke Park.

 

 

21-Jan-13 by Eamonn Duignan