A Night of Celebration to Remember for Desmonds Ladies Club

Double celebrations for birthday girls, from left: Aisling Kearney, Gemma Kearney, Julie Anne Twomey, Saoirse Murphy and Denise Bourke at the Castleisland Desmonds Ladies GAA Club victory dinner at the River Island Hotel. Photograph: Pat Hartnett

Castleisland Desmonds ladies celebrated their Kerry and Munster success in style at the River Island Hotel last Saturday night with a lovely four course meal, a special souvenir booklet, a few speeches, and the all important presentations of the winning medals.

Report: Dan Kearney

There was plenty craic as well of course and the disco that followed the presentation saw some of the fit and not so fit, throw lots of lots shi’ite shapes as the great Christy Moore would say.

The night itself started off with MC Dan Kearney welcoming the special guests, Kerry LGFA Chairperson Selina Looney and Munster LGFA’s Jerome Casey, and after that it was all about tucking into the lovely grub which was up to the hotel’s usual high standards.

Special Birthdays Celebrated

When the dessert was finished a tasty fresh cream cake was produced and five ladies celebrating special birthdays made their way to the podium to blow out the candles.

Congratulations to Denise Bourke, Julie Ann Twomey, Saoirse Murphy, Aisling Kearney and Gemma Kearney.

Munster LGFA’s Jerome Casey then made his speech and he reflected on the resilience that Desmonds showed in the Munster final when they looked in big trouble but were able to claw out a superb victory, with Paris McCarthy’s goal playing a massive part in turning the tide.

Aunts in Castleisland

Caherciveen native Casey told us about his affinity to Castleisland with two of his aunts living here, namely Kathleen WH O’Connor from Church Street and Mary Lyne of Killarney Road.

Next up it was Denis Kerin’s turn and the Desmonds manager spoke of the pride that he felt in the team’s performance throughout the year and what a brilliant achievement it was to bring home a Kerry and Munster title.

He spoke about the fun that was had at training and games throughout the campaign, and he thanked Mary Geaney and Dan Kearney for all they had done to guide the team to success.

The players and management were then presented individually with their Kerry and Munster medals and Marie Twomey presented club stalwart Aileen Lynch with a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Inspirational Captain Fiona

Desmonds inspirational captain Fiona Griffin thanked the squad and management for all that they had done for the team and there was a special surprise when specially crafted pieces of Galway Crystal were presented to the management by Cait Lynch, Lorraine Scanlon and Gemma Kearney.

‘We are the Champions’ was the very first song played at the disco after that and the Kerry and Munster champions, along with their many friends, danced the night away on what was a very special night, after a very special season, for the club.

You can contact The Maine Valley Post on… Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.