Dinner dance in January to launch book on history of Mullingar Athletic
Frank Harkin, a prominent Mullingar Athletic AFC member for many years, which included stints as second team manager and club chairman, has just published a brief summary of the first 40 years of the club.
While it makes for a riveting read, the Donegal native is at pains to point out that it is far from a comprehensive history of the club, which started out in its current format in 1983 as Double DDs AFC, when sponsored by the late Seamus Daly, who owned and managed a successful fast food operation trading under that name in Castle Street.
The club’s four founding members, Gerry Buckley (a sports columnist with this paper for over two decades), Eddie Tynan (a well-known and recently retired local solicitor), Mick Daly (son of the aforementioned Seamus), and Tom Maguire (from Ballinea), all contribute personal memories to this predominantly-colourful 224-page publication, which is full of team photos, both adult and underage, amassed since the club’s foundation.
From humble beginnings, the club went on to be named as the inaugural FAI Club of the Year in 2006, and has a deserved reputation for excellence in many facets of Association football, especially underage coaching.
Much of the credit for the progress made over a relatively short period of time must go to Athboy native, Liam McGovern, a long-time club secretary par excellence and current chairman.
Other articles include a tribute to the late Oliver Holmes, a tireless worker for the club over the years, whose photo proudly adorns the entrance to the resplendent clubhouse in Gainstown.
The book is great value for €20 and it can be purchased in the Chambers Bar on Mount Street, and online via the club website. It would be an ideal Christmas gift for Mullingar people, far and wide.
In conjunction with the book launch, the club is holding a dinner dance in the Annebrook House Hotel on Saturday, January 27 at 7pm; tickets are €40 each.
Music will be provided by club member Declan Byrne, who has entertained countless home and away teams at some of the club’s favourite hostelries over the years, and a disco will follow later on.