GAA
Three Tyrone teams are to be honoured for their successes in 2017 at a special Croke Park event.
The Ulster Senior champions, the U17 All-Ireland champions and the Ladies Intermediate All-Ireland finalists will be guests at a banquet hosted by the Tyrone Association of Dublin this weekend.
And three Red Hand legends who retired from inter-county football this year – Sean Cavanagh and the McMahon brothers, Joe and Justin – are to receive personal awards.
The event will take place in the Cusack Stand complex at GAA headquarters on Saturday evening, with a number of special guests, including Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, U17 manager Collie Holmes and team captain Cormac Munroe, Ladies team manager Gerry Moane, along with team members Neamh Woods (captain) and Gemma Begley.
Following the meal, the players and managers will be presented with awards, with a Q&A session to follow, compered by MC Noel McGinn.
“It was a very successful year for Tyrone on three fronts this year with our U17s winning their inaugural All-Ireland title and our ladies team providing us with great entertainment, getting to the final and the fans making a huge contribution to the biggest support ever at ladies final day,” said event organiser Brian Furey.
“The men’s team certainly moved up to another level this year and wiped the floor with everyone they met until they met probably the best team ever.”
And in a tribute to three Tyrone legends who have bowed out after contributing so much to the county’s most successful era, he added: “It’s sad to see such a fine player like Sean retire but he, Joey and Justin have given us some amazing memories, especially against the Dubs in ‘05 and ‘08.
Based in the home of the All-Ireland champions, Tyrone’s exiles are confident they can witness more glorious days at Croke Park in the years ahead.
“The Dubs have copied a lot from Tyrone GAA in the last 10 years and I feel we can do the same now and move another step closer to bringing Sam home among the bushes where he knows he belongs.”
Furey said the Tyrone Association in Dublin has ambitious plans to increase its range of activities and widen its appeal to those from the county now living in the capital.
“Tyrone exiles living in Dublin very much remember their roots and enjoy meeting up with each other on social gatherings to talk about things back home and renew their strong Tyrone accent with each other using words that the Dubs wouldn’t even understand.
“With last year marking the 60th anniversary of the Tyrone Association Dublin, we are glad to recognise the contributions made by founding members Terry Montague & Tony Nugent (Pomeroy) on the 11th of November in Croke Park and also acknowledge the huge work Tony McGrath (Sixmilecross) has done over the years.
“It’s great to see a renaissance lately with a lot more younger members joining and coming up with new ideas and plans.”
Tickets are priced €60 each and are limited to 150 places. Payment can be made using PayPal if you wish. paypal.me/TyroneAssocDublin.
More information can be obtained by emailing info@tad.ie
