Naomh Fionnbarra GAA Club Cabra, Dublin

65th Presentation Ball.

The plans were made, the hotel was booked, the day had arrived, and all we had to do was decorate the room. Ann and Theresa arrived to do the tables in blue and white, Shane and Dorothy McGill along with Noel and Madeline Paget booked in early and started with the decorations.

The staff in the hotel were great, nothing was a problem, things were taking shape, Noel was working on the stairs with the girls, Shane, Dorothy and Madeline worked on putting up the flags and pictures, “…put this here, that there…you must be drunk Shane” someone shouted, “can you not get them straight?”  Where’s the balloons, should be here by now, it’s almost 5.30, phone calls were made, hurry up your holding us up, the girls needed to go to their rooms to get ready themselves (and by god  does that take time). Still no balloons, time for a drink to help relax, “get them in Shane” Noel shouts, “I left my money in the room”. Nothing new about that, well, he is related to Nicky. A few drinks, tea and sambos are ordered and as we finish the balloons arrive and about time too. Fair play to Ann and Theresa the stay on and put the final touches in place.

The hotel lobby is very busy, looks like everyone who is going to Ball is staying the night. Trying to get some rooms for those who haven’t booked but the hotel is fully booked out, a good complaint in times of recession,

Before we know it its 7.15 those who aren’t staying are starting to arrive in their finest, there’s going to be great completion in the fashion stakes, the outfits are fabulous, the women look great as well. Doors open and we all make out way to the bar,  Dorothy and Madeline doing bouncer making sure everyone has tickets, everything runs to plan, were all here, open up the dining room as let’s get the party started.

We have a 5 course meal, with choice of main course, everything delicious, the hotel does a good meal, everyone agrees, but let’s get down to the reason were here. Our chairman takes to the stage to make the presentation to our award winners, the awards went as follows

Minor Hurler of the Year.                  Eamon Dillon

Minor Footballer of the year                   D.J. Smithers

Junior Footballer of the year                  Brian Carr.

Junior Hurler of the year                        Keith Murphy

Inter Footballer of the year                     Gerard O’Reilly

Senior Comogie of the year                     Rachael Costello

Senior Hurler of the year                          Gary McAuley

Hall Of Fame                                           Marie McAuley

Club Person of the Year                          Jackie McKeogh

Timmy Mullane was also made an Honorary Member of the Club

Then came the presentation of the Championship and Leinster medals, the club was delighted to have  Dublin Senior Players  David “Dottsie” O’Callaghan  and Ronan Fallon to present the medals. It was a pleasure to see the all the lads in their finest get their medals, and of course the Leinster medals were a first for the club.

Then came the serious part of the night, the music began it was time to hit the dance floor, the band got them up, the girls out on the floor strutting their stuff, then “Michael Jackson” made an appearance, he stayed till about 12, Then DJ RuraÍ took over , some of the moves on the dance floor ( if only we could move like that on the pitch) put John Travolta to shame, but dancer of the year has to go to Joe Casserly (Jr) who took us all by surprise, the party lasted well into the early morning (7am) with the sing song, led by Gerard O’Reilly, leading the pack with his brilliant singing and aptly supported by Niall Brady.

What a night, same time same place next year when hopefully we be celebrating another winning year for the club.

The ball took place in the Crown Plaza Hotel in Blanchardstown last week and what a night it was. With most members booked into the hotel (about 140 stayed) the celebrations lasted well into the early hours, the sing song was still going strong at 7am. And rightly so as we were not only celebrating out 65th  but the first time in our history to reach a Leinster final and also winning the Intermediate Hurling Championship.

The Leinster medals and championship medals were presented by Dublin Hurlers Ronan Fallon and Dottsie O’Callighan (a big thank you to them).

Other awards on the night went as follows

Minor Hurler of the Year.

Minor Footballer of the year                  Eamon Dillon

Junior Footballer of the year                  D.J. Smithers

Junior Hurler of the year                        Keith Murphy

Inter Footballer of the year                     Gerard O’Reilly

Senior comogie of the year                     Rachael Costello

Senior hurler of the year                          Gary McAuley

Hall Of Fame                                           Marie McAuley

Club Person Of the Year                          Jackie McKeogh

Timmy Mullane was also made an Honorary Member of the Club

Well done to all.

A Special Thanks To RuraÍ Finnigan who was our DJ  for the night he done a fantastic job and Ann And Treasa who Helped Get the room ready.