Ballynacargy club proud to be celebrating centenary
Community spirit was very evident at Moynihan Park, the home of Ballynacargy GAA Club last Thursday evening, where the club marked its 100th birthday with an evening of variety, fun and nostalgia.
This was a special evening for the club and a proud occasion for all associated with their journey over the decades.
Guest of honour was Westmeath County Committee Chairman, Frank Mescall, himself a former chairman of the club, whose contribution was pivotal in the development of the fine facilities now enjoyed by the community. The club boasts two full-size pitches, four dressing rooms (including two new ones), their own gym, a walking track, a meeting room and fully functional canteen which has cleverly developed into a club shop, a must for all occasions.
Current club chairman, Johnnie Penrose is in no mood to stop either and he is overseeing the development of four acres of land which the club recently purchased, with options for an all-weather facility and / or additional parking. Moynihan Park is certainly a home the club can be proud of.
Founded in 1923, Ballynacargy GAA Club has a rich and varied history, one they take great pride in and in recent years Frank Mescall spearheaded a campaign which led to them producing their very own record in book form. A fine publication, it tells the stories of trials and tribulations over the last 100 years.
The club recently ran a campaign among its members to design what is a fabulous new jersey to commemorate their centenary and it was worn on the evening by the club’s intermediate football side, who in their first season back in Division 2 of the All County League, took on a Caulry side backboned by Kevin Maguire, Senan Baker and Conor McCormack. A daunting task it proved, but such is the level to which the club aspires.
“We’re proud to be celebrating 100 years and delighted with the support we have received this evening,” said Chairman Johnnie Penrose.
“It is a significant year for the club and we are delighted to have marked it with the new jersey, which is a beautiful design and it was wonderful to have so many people involved in reaching the finished product. Members of all ages took part and we’re delighted with the finished product.”
When all the designs were in, three judges had the unenviable task of choosing the new design: Frank Mescall, former Westmeath senior football manager Jack Cooney and Damien Maher (Westmeath Examiner Sports Editor) made the call. The jersey embodies past and present, a cleverly designed garment with the significant years in which the club tasted success highlighted. KC Sports, Mullingar produced the finished article.
The winning design came from Aidan Lyons and there were presentations to his daughter, Mary and a number of prize winners on the evening, including Kylan O’Reilly, Lexi Maher and Anita Connell. Meanwhile, Liam Óg Maxwell was the lucky winner of a Centenary jersey in a raffle.
GATHERING
There was something for all the family on the evening, with Lisa Maher, Amy Byrne and Tamara Keena engaged in face-painting, while the club’s in-house baker, Michelle Price Connolly ensured all tastes were catered for in the club shop. There was great assistance from Julie Maxwell, Linda Heduvan, Frances Lyons, Linda Price, Margaret Nally and Gerard Connolly on what was a hectic evening for this particular sphere.
The club expressed its thanks to gateman Johnny Penrose for his work on the evening and to Nicole Penrose who was on Civil Defence duty. Fantastic new training tops for the club’s intermediate team came courtesy of Rosderra Meats and were gratefully received. MC for the occasion was Frances Lyons.
Children got lost and adults stressed; distractions were everywhere, from face painting to crossbar challenges and of course the club shop with all its treats, including specially designed and baked centenary cupcakes. It was that kind of random evening, a great social gathering and one the club can be proud of.