Sarsfields Dinner Dance a Marvellous Success

Charlestown Sarsfields GA.A. Club held their annual dinner dance on Friday February 12 in The Park Hotel, Kiltimagh.

There was a huge attendance with upwards of 300 people decamping to the splendidly appointed Kiltimagh venue to bask

and celebrate on what was a wonderful 2009 for the club at adult and underage level. Special guest on the night was

the incomparable Billy Fitzpatrick well known to all football followers who provides informative and incisive analysis

on the game at all levels in the county. Billy was accompanied by his wife Catherine and spoke of his honour to be invited

on what was a special occasion for the club and people of Charlestown. Other guests were Vice-Chairman of the County

Board Mr Paddy McNicholas, Secretary of the East Board Mr Vincent Walsh and Fr John Doherty who has recently returned to

his roots in Charlestown and is an avid and passionate follower of the Sarsfields and Mayo. The cups on display included

the Moclair Cup, Division 1A and 1 E League Cups, Centenary Cup, County Cup and the All –Ireland Masters Trophy, East Mayo

and County Minor B Cups to complete hugely impressive display of silverware with the table almost buckling such was the

pressure it was under. Chairman K.J. Durkin delivered a very impressive speech congratulating the senior team and

management on their magnificent year which culminated in the capture of the Moclair Cup to atone for some near misses

in recent seasons. He spoke of his pride to be associated with the club on what was a momentous year and was fulsome

in his praise of the people who do such Trojan work behind the scenes in making all parts of the club function to its

optimum. He appealed for more people to get involved in some facet and looked forward to 2010 with renewed optimism

and spirit as the club strives to strengthen and enhance the Sarsfields brand. Team manager Ciaran McBrien received a

rapturous applause when he addressed the gathering and spoke of his delight to be associated with such a special bunch

of players and paid great tribute to his selectors Sean Higgins and Philip Finn for their input and support which was

steadfast and unwavering at all times and made his job so much easier. He urged the players not to rest their laurels

and called for another big push for 2010 as the club strive to put up a stout and proud defence of their titles. Tributes

were also paid to the minor team on their magnificent East Mayo and County Minor Championship successes and the team and

management team of Tommy Halligan, Tommy Ward, and Patrick Breheny were lauded for their dedication and commitment.

The ladies club too were congratulated on their great achievements which saw them capture titles at under-12, under-14

and minor level and they continue to forged ahead and cement their reputation as one of the best and most progressive clubs in the county.

There were numerous awards presented on the night with Billy Fitzpatrick presenting the senior team with their Moclair Cup,

Division 1 A Centenary Cup and County Cup medals which was a very impressive haul indeed. The junior team received their

division 1 E league medals with the minor team also receiving their East Mayo and County Championship medals to cap a great

year for the team as this was the first county title captured by the club since 2005 and represents some hope for the future

with some players of real potential very much in evidence in the minor`s march to glory. Presentations were also made to the

management team of Ciaran McBrien, Philip Finn, and Sean Higgins as a recognition for their contribution to what was a superb

2009. A presentation was also made to Sean Higgins who was part of the Mayo over-40s team which captured the All-Ireland Masters

title in great style in December. Sean joins a very select band of Sarsfields players to have won an all-Ireland medal and no

doubt he will be hoping to add to his collection in the years ahead as he has many more years at this grade with his career very

much at the fledgling stage.

The award of Clubman of the Year was a unanimous choice with Michael Byrnes proving a very popular winner of the Jim Breheny

Memorial Shield. Michael is Mr Sarsfields if you like who works so hard and diligently behind the scenes in the preparation of O`Hara

Park for match days. His work around the ground is invaluable and his knowledge and expertise on all matters relating to O`Hara Park

has served the club so well over more years than we care to remember. This award was recognition if you like of all the time and

energy he has invested in the Sarsfields and he is the archetypal volunteer who loves the club and all it stands for. Senior Player

of the year was awarded to Mark Caffrey who had a brilliant 2009 turning in some stellar performances in the big games and was a

model of consistency throughout a long and arduous campaign. Junior Player of the Year was awarded to Matt Kilroy who was one of

the mainstays in the junior team capture of the division 1 E league title with Matt turning in some excellent displays. Young Player

of the Year was won by Sean Morris who is knocking hard on the door for a place on the senior team and could well be a big player

for the Sarsfields in the new 2010 season. Presentations were also made to John Casey and David Tiernan who were Mayo News Club

Player of the Year and Western People Sport Star of the Year respectively and both lads got a great ovation as they made their

way to the stage to be presented with their awards by Billy Fitzpatrick.

The Park Hotel must be complimented on the high standard of presentation they provided on the night with the food and service

excellent which all added to the occasion. The music and dancing went on long into the night with the club also holding a raffle

which was very well supported indeed. A signed picture of all the team which was splendidly put together by Alison in The Design House

was also auctioned on the night and after some hectic bidding Marcella McBrien lodged the highest bid was the lucky winner of a fine

piece of work which would adorn anybody`s wall. It was a night to savour and the club can be rightly proud of the night which went off

without a hitch. The club can now focus on the new season as it begins in earnest the onerous task of trying to defend their many titles

with plenty of motivation very much in the players’ minds as the dust settles.

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