Cappagh GAA and Camogie’s Big Night Out

Saturday, 7th July saw the function room in The Hamlet Court Hotel turn into Cappagh headquarters for the night, where they held their social event for 2012; aptly named “Cappagh’s Big Night Out”. And that is was! Just over 200 players, members and friends of the club came to the Hamlet to support the club on this night and were not disappointed with the night put on by the organising committee.
Whilst the guests were waiting for the proceedings to commence there was a large photo expedition  depicting the history of the club from the formation of the club right up to the present day, a collection of memoribla including All Ireland Medals won by members of the club, old match programmes and newspaper cuttings, also on show was a “Reeling in the Years – Cappagh Style” which had photos and videos from down through the years. As the club are about to commence a very exciting development of new facilities and two pitches in the village of Newtown, the committee were very anxious to ensure all present were fully updated on the plans and had a 3D model of the development built by four members; Shea Farrell,  Tommy Murray, Paul Moore and Martin Mulligan. The club also took this opportunity to launch their club shop, where they will sell club leisure wear.
After  the buffet was served, Aine Doyle (MC for the night) opened the proceedings by thanking all for turning out in such big numbers and outlined the photo and history expo, club shop and the development stand and encouraged all to make sure they took the time to visit the stands. She then invited club chairman, Tommie Nealon to address the room. Tommie opened up by acknowledging the great crowd adn stated that this was a night for a sections of the club and for all involved with Cappagh. He spoke about the highlights of the years goneby, the growth of the club over the last few years, the club now fields a total of 34 teams, in four codes (mens football, camogie, ladies football and hurling). Nealon cited the development of ladies football and hurling in the club plus the fact that the club are fielding four adult teams are very strong indicators for the future. Tommie also thanked all those who contribute to the success of the club in a number of ways, training or mentoring teams, selling weekly lotto tickets, sitting on a committee, playing for the club or any of the many other ways. He went through the development plans and schedule and also outlined how the finance committee have proposed to finance this major development. Tommie explained that the clubs fundraising drive – Sportspersonsdream which has being very successful for the last two years would be launched again in 2012 and he asked for all to support the drive by selling tickets.
Nealon then made two special presentations for service to the club, firstly to Marion Dillion for her service to organising the Scor. The second award was to mark Sean Gorman’s 50th consecutive year on the committee and holding an office in the club. Sean has been selector, treasurer, is still PRO and now also holds the office of President.  Tommie stressed that Sean is not finished yet and is looking forward to the next 50th!

Next on the agenda was a presentation to the 1990 championship winning team. The club had invited the panel and management to this night to mark their win in the Junior B Football Championship in 1990. The team were presented with a dvd of the final and a team photo. Joe Fox (St.Kevins) who was the manager of the team at the time addressed the room and thanked all for inviting him and wished Cappagh GAA well in their development plans.
Next on the stage was Cappagh’s Mr & Mrs competiton which was excellently compared and organised by Linda Grogan and Siobhan Dougan. They had three couples lined up, namely Shea & Patricia Farrell, Joe & Karen Kenna and Esmé & Barry Hennessy. Laughter rang around the room as the couples were asked questions and had to try and get the same answers without seeing what the other answered! After a close call the Farrells were crowned winners.
Doyle closed the proceedings by thanking the Halmet Court and the O’Neill family for all their support over the years , our main club sponsors Joe Mallon Motors, Naas and Portlaoise (football) and Fast Screed Ltd – Joe and Karen Kenna (camogie) for all their support down through the years and to her organising colleagues, Siobhan Dougan, Anthony Mallon and Linda Grogan. The night continued with music and the crowd danced the night away, apparently till the very late hours
According to club PRO – Aine Doyle: “We used this social night to thank all those who are involved in the club and just ensure they had a great night and celebrate all that is good about Cappagh. So many people work very hard for the good of the club and it was important for us to acknowledge this tonight as we embark on a very exciting but busy time for the club. We hoped to link our history and the future of our club and we feel we did that. For information on our fundraising, visit www.sportspersonsdream.com and for more information on our development plans and photos of our Big Night Out 2012 visit www.cappagh.kildare.gaa.ie. Over 200 members and friends of the club came out support us and from feedback we have received they all had a great night. Plans are already in line to start organising next year’s Big Night Out!”