WP O'Reilly & Associates back Cavan GAA
April 01, 2008In recent years, the Cavan GAA Supporters' Club (Dublin Branch) annual Golf Classic has become one of the most looked forward to events on the Cavan GAA calendar.
As well as being a great day out, the Golf Classic raises vast sums of money each year for the promotion of Gaelic games in Cavan, and is the primary fundraising event in the Supporters' Club's year. Plans are currently being made for the group's 18th annual Golf Classic which will take place this year on Friday, May 2 at Westmanstown Golf and Sports Centre. And once again, the Supporters' Club are delighted to announce that WP O'Reilly & Associates and Earthquake (Ireland) Ltd are the main sponsors.
"This will be our fifth year to be involved with the Golf Classic and we're really looking forward to it," says WP O'Reilly & Associates director Brian Gaffney.
"It's an enjoyable day out and is gaining in popularity every year. There is huge support for Cavan GAA in Dublin and this is the Dublin-based supporters' way of showing their support and appreciation for the county's various teams.
"We said at the start that we would sponsor the Golf Classic for five years so this is our final year. I wouldn't imagine the supporters' club having a problem in inviting new sponsors on board for next year."
Established in 1984 by Oldcastle man Pat O'Reilly, WP O'Reilly & Associates prides itself on being one of Ireland's leading professional, independent mortgage and insurance brokerage. It has close ties with property development firm Earthquake (Ireland) Ltd owing to the fact that Pat is also a director in that company, and with Cavan GAA due to its large number of clients from the Breffni County.
"There are two main reasons why we sponsor the Golf Classic. The first is because many of our best clients are Cavan people. The second is because Pat is from Oldcastle, which is in Co. Meath but is only a short distance from the Co. Cavan border. He has a lot of Cavan contacts in that area," Brian explains.
Having started out as a life and pensions brokerage, WP O'Reilly & Associates now specialises primarily in mortgages, investments and syndicated property. Based in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, the company has clients in Dublin, Meath, Kildare and Cavan. It offers free expert advice on a range of products and, with access to all major lenders and insurance companies, it endeavours to find the best product on the market for its customers, saving them time and money in the process.
WP O'Reilly & Associates employs 11 staff and its service is confidential, efficient and competitive. These services are provided at a time and place convenient to the customer, whether it be at work, in the company's office in Ashbourne, or in the comfort of their own home.
Regulated by the financial regulator, WP O'Reilly & Associates' directors are Pat and his wife Niamh, brothers Roy and Ian Kennedy, Andy Brennan and Brian Gaffney. Pat and Niamh have three children - Mark, Megan and Ciara.
Last year's staging of the Golf Classic in Westmanstown (which is situated on the Lucan Road, Clonsilla, Dublin 15) was a resounding success with over 60 teams taking part and realising EUR30,000 for Cavan GAA teams. In addition to the main sponsors, the following companies also provided sponsorship - Kelly & O'Callaghan Quantity Surveyors, 98FM Radio, Cavan Crystal, Safety Solutions Ltd, MCR Group, Asgard Windows Ltd and Gowna Construction Ltd.
The course was in fantastic condition and the good weather enhanced the occasion. That night the presentation of prizes took place in Westmanstown Golf and Sports Centre. Speakers included Cavan GAA Supporters' Club (Dublin Branch) chairman Gerry Brady and Brian Gaffney, who represented WP O'Reilly & Associates and Earthquake (Ireland) Ltd.
The results were - Nearest the Pin, Donal Barrett (MCR Group); Longest Drive, Michael Lacey (Kilsaran Concrete); 6th: The Bell, Blanchardstown; 5th: Masonfield Limited; 4th: Kingscourt Brick; 3rd: Michael Martin's team; 2nd: LPIL Ltd; 1st with a score of 96: McGarrell O'Reilly, captained by Sean Reilly with team members John McGarrell, Cormac Dunne and Philip McDonnell.
Cavan county board chairman Phil Smith thanked the sponsors for their continued support and paid tribute to the efforts of the Supporters' Club in raising money for the county teams' training funds. A cheque for EUR30,000 was then presented by Supporters' Club treasurer Seamus McCabe to Phil Smith.
In total, the Cavan Supporters' Club (Dublin branch) raised EUR45,000 in 2007, having provided an additional EUR15,000 to fund gym membership for Dublin-based players and to provide transport, meals and training pitches for the county teams when in Dublin.
Earlier this year, the Supporters' Club held their 18th annual general meeting in Myo's, Castleknock. At a well-attended meeting, Brian McInerney was elected as chairman in succession to Gerry Brady. In fact, a special presentation was made to Brady and to Tom Boylan on his recent retirement as treasurer of the county board after 27 years.
Secretary Michael Martin presented a detailed report of the Club's activities and contribution to the Cavan county team training funds. He noted that the annual Golf Classic and the Race Day in Fairyhouse had raised over EUR40,000 for Cavan GAA in 2007. The Cavan county board was well represented at the meeting and once again chairman Phil Smith expressed his gratitude to the group.
The Supporters' Club plan to hold a social event in early April and this will be followed by the staging of the annual Golf Classic on May 2. Membership cost EUR20 and applications should be forwarded to secretary Michael Martin, 77 Park Drive Avenue, Castleknock, Dublin 15.
The Cavan Supporters' Club (Dublin branch) executive for 2008 is: president: Br Oliver Brady; chairman: Brian McInerney; secretary: Michael Martin; treasurer: Seamus McCabe; PRO: Brian Heery; committee: Owen McCabe, Finbar Reilly, John McKiernan, Brian Reilly, Peter Galligan and Raymond Reilly.
In conclusion, Brian Gaffney says: "We are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Golf Classic. All of the Cavan teams put in a huge effort and they deserve all the support they can get. Cavan people love their football and hopefully they'll have plenty to cheer about in 2008." Tweet
