There was a real joyous atmosphere at the Annanough GAA Dinner Dance in the Midlands Park Hotel on Saturday as the club celebrated winning the Laois JFC title last year and also marked the 40th anniversary of winning the Laois intermediate championship in 1978.
Over 200 people attended the function with the celebrations carrying on into the early hours.
Annanough won the Laois junior title last September when they beat O’Dempsey’s in the final, ending a 40-year wait for silverware that stretched back to their 1978 intermediate win over Park.
An impressive video telling the story of the club’s success – put together by current goalkeeper Sean Hennessy – was played on the big screen and set the tone for the evening.
Laois manager John Sugrue was on hand to present the medals to the 2018 players while a presentation was also made to the 1978 team by Robert Miller (Rathmore) who was chairman of the club at that time.
Current chairman Joe Oakley addressed the gathering and praised the massive contribution made by both groups of players and also paid special tribute to the organizers of the night, chiefly club treasurer Kathleen Donlon and secretary Clare Coleman.
MC for the event was Steven Miller from LaoisToday, a former player with the club. He introduced the players from both teams while a presentation was also made to Colin Miller and Eddie Kinsella who were over last year’s team.
The trainer of the 1978 team – Brother Sean Tobin – was a special guest on the evening, traveling from Dun Laoighaire to be present.
A native of the Glen of Aherlow in Tipperary he was a Christian Brother in Athy when he was over Annanough and also worked in Tralee, Wexford and in inner city Dublin.
Also present on the night was Oliver Deegan, a selector on the 1978 team. Tom Luttrell and John McGlynn, both now deceased, were also selectors at that time.
John Sugrue addressed the crowd and recalled his first time playing for his adopted Park-Ratheniska, which was against Annanough, a game he suffered a serious facial injury following a collision with one of his team-mates!
The party atmosphere carried on long into the night – but the 2019 season is just around the corner.
Annanough host Barrowhouse in the opening round of ACFL Division 2 this coming Sunday.
We captured a selection of image from a great night.
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