As anticipated, St. Anne's Jubilee Celebration "Reeling in the Years" lived up to expectations with heroes from the past, standing ovation for Hall of Fame award, Jubilee All- Star Escort, Jubilee All-Star Supporters and the best kept secret of all,  the Jubilee All-Star team.

To mark the Golden Jubilee the club honoured the 1966 team who won the first senior championship title for St. Anne's and as the ladies arrived in style,  there was a great air of excitement and warmth as old friends greeted each other and spoke about old times.

The celebration began very appropriately with the introduction of eight of St. Anne's future stars: Lauren Coyle, Ciara Byrne, Roisin Murphy, Ava McGrath, Niamh Connor, Eve Callan, Laoise McGrath and Rachel Connor who modelled the different variation of club uniforms over the 50 years. 

Next on the agenda was the introduction of the 1966 team who were escorted by eight escorts to the tune of the theme tune of  Sunday Game.  Aideen Dunne, one of St. Anne's young senior players and a prolific Irish dancer, started the entertainment by performing two beautiful dances.

Chairperson Mary Connor then welcomed everyone and invited the 1966 captain Kathleen McCartney and the current captain Denise Moynagh to cut the beautiful  "Jubilee Cake" which featured photos of the 1966  and current senior team. (Sponsored by O'Neill's Bakery, Annagassan)

Throughout the meal, Colm chatted to many of St. Anne's former and current members about the good old days which brought back many fond memories, particularly the trips to New York, Isle of Man and London which seemed to rank highly in the top favourite memories.    He also spoke to two great Camogie Historians, Peter Hoey and Susan Kelly who regaled the room with a detailed account of The 1982 Junior All Ireland Victory and the Leinster victories etc.  Colm also chatted to two of the club's long time and loyal supporters Audrey Woods and Anne Dawdry, both ladies were presented with tokens of appreciation from the club.

After the meal, Chairperson of Leinster Council Rachel Hogan congratulated the club on reaching 50 Years and acknowledged the club's contribution to Camogie over the years.  Rachel also acknowledged the committee and the welcome she received from the club.  She then presented the team of 1966 with their awards as follows: ( Capt) Kathleen McCartney, Jenny Barton, Rosemary Callaghan, Ann O'Rourke, (representing her late mother Mary Conlon), Mary Connor, Margaret Harmon, Peggy Gaffney, Betty Coyle, Pat Kenny, Nora Lynch, Margaret McArdle, Mary McArdle, Maeve Reilly, Breda Butterly (representing Vera Butterly).

 

Then came the much anticipated unveiling of the Jubilee All-Star team over the 50 years. It was Suzanne Marley who handed the all important envelope to Colm Corrigan  to announce the recipients as follows:
1
Vivienne Weldon
2
Peggy Barton
3
Ann Harrington
4
Linda Woods
5
Martina Crehan
6
Geraldine Vallely
7
Catriona Cantwell
8
Connie Crehan
9
Gillian Brennan
10
Denise Moynagh
11
Eileen Moynagh (Capt)
12
Adele Woods
13
Sheila Roche
14
Siobhan Dawdry
15
Eileen Boyle

The  All-Star awards were presented by Suzanne Marley and Joe Kennedy.
The next award came as a complete shock to club legend and current chairperson Mary Connor as she was inducted into St. Anne's first ever Hall of Fame Award. This award was in appreciation of Mary's outstanding and unbroken service to St. Anne's over the 50 years. The announcement was very well received by the room, who rose in applause in what seemed like a never-ending standing ovation.  Ann Harrington first read a message from her club colleagues followed by messages from many of her Leinster Council and Ard Chomhairle colleagues  which were read by Colm.   Mary, who is seldom short of words was totally taken by surprise but somehow managed words of thanks to the hard working committee and to Colm Corrigan and Conor Ryan.
The next item was the announcement of the Jubilee All-Star Escort. The escorts were invited on stage, to the delight of the crowd of course, where they performed all sorts of moves and shakes to some very appropriate music by DJ Conor Ryan.  Three judges, Margaret McArdle, Angela Crehan and Sheila Roche were assigned the task of choosing a winner from the following very well presented men, who wouldn't look out of place in the Rose of Tralee :  Darren Noone, Shane Connor, Jason Woods, Robert Moynagh, Garry Connor, Joe Woods, Tom Coughlan, Lorcan Crosse.  The judges conducted a process of elimination, although not sure what criteria they followed but, as one by one the escorts disappointingly left the stage, the final three standing were  the experienced Joe Woods,  the polite Tom Coughlan and the very well groomed, Darren Noone. The eventual winner was an ecstatic Joe Woods, Seaview, Annagassan and father of senior players, Linda & Adel.  Joe was presented with his award by Fr. Pat O'Brien and was also adorned with a sash which proclaimed his title by current senior captain Denise Moynagh which he wore with pride for the entire night.
Colm Corrigan then brought proceedings to a close but not before he introduced the talented Olga and Martina Crehan who sang beautifully followed by Pat Roche who rendered some old favourites and once again the room were on their feet but this time to dance.

Appreciation:
St. Anne's wish to thank the following:
Colm Corrigan for his attention to detail and for conducting proceedings so professionally on the night which ran like clockwork.
Conor Ryan DJ, who attended our meeting and also played some timely and appropriate music throughout the awards ceremony which captured the moment and added to the occasion.
Pete McGreal, Videomemoriesmedia for helping with slideshow and video.
To all our sponsors including Kilsaran & District Credit Union,  Oxigen Environmental,  O'Neill's Bakery, Annagassan,  Dundalk Plumbing Ltd and all who donated prizes for the raffle.
Sincere thanks to the 1966 team who turned up in style and entered into the spirit of the night.
To the eight Escorts who treated the 1966 team like royalty and also who added so much fun to the night.
To David Corrigan and Teddy Caffrey - Photography
To the committee who worked tirelessly over the past three months planning and organising the event.
To LMFM Radio, Togher.info, Drogheda Independent, Dundalk Democrat, Hoganstand.
The Grove House, to Sean Dowling and staff for their hospitality.

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