The Louth GAA Supporters Club hosted their 14th Annual Awards Presentation night on Saturday, 2nd April in the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk. Over 350 people attended this G.A.A Gala night in Louth with a number of Clubs booking tables for the event. By Pat Hamilton. M.C for the evening Pat Hamilton (Supporters Club P.R.O) formally welcomed patrons to the Annual Function and he introduced the various Guest Speakers, Sponsors and Award Winners to receive their trophies. On a sad note he confirmed that Pope John Paul 11 had died an hour earlier that night and a prayer was offered for one of the personalities among world leaders. Louth County Board Chairman Paddy Oliver congratulated the Supporters Club on yet another excellent night, probably the best on the GAA calendar. He noted that Louth GAA were the beneficiaries of the tremendous work carried out by the Louth GAA Supporters Club over the years and the goodwill they generated was visible to all by the numbers who looked forward to attending their Annual Function. The winners of the various Awards were richly deserved for their input to County teams over the past year and the votes from general public in the Dundalk Democrat Competition for Club players reflected a fair vision of the talent at Club level. The contributions of the Supporters Club to the many County activities at all levels was a tangible one and was deeply appreciated by himself and his fellow Officers. As Chairman he would do his best to give them any help they required from him at any time. He wished them well in all their Ventures and looked forward to their Race Night later on during the year. His wish for the Committee was to have them supporting Louth teams at some of the major final stages in Croke Park, a wish appreciated by the audience. Louth GAA Supporters Club Chairman Frank McDermott paid a genuine tribute to the various Media personnel who were present (and to the absentees) at the function and said that their work in publicising the Committees events were greatly appreciated by his Committee. The excellent services and coverage afforded to the GAA in Louth by photographers, newspaper and radio journalists was a valuable commodity to all GAA members. He thanked the main sponsors of the Function (Fairways Hotel & Wavin Ireland) for their continued support. He expressed gratitude to the hardy souls who travelled the length and breadth of the Country with the Supporters Clubs to all types of Venues in all types of weather conditions . Any future success would be dedicated to those who gave genuine support to all Louth teams. His Committee were also grateful to the many individuals and the business community for their financial input to the Supporters Club Functions at all times and he thanked them for their assistance. He paid tribute to the Fairways Hotel for the function. He wished all team Managers the best of luck in their forthcoming Championship campaigns and he agreed with Paddy Oliver stating that the Louth GAA Supporters Club would not be found wanting were any of our teams to progress during the summer months. Pat Hamilton introduced the recipients for the Dundalk Democrat/Supporters Club Awards for the Club players at Senior, Intermediate & Junior levels. Mr. Gerry Prendergast Sports Editor presented the Awards on behalf of the Democrat. The Dundalk Democrat had conducted a poll among their Readers who decided the Recipients at Junior, Intermediate and Senior levels in Football earlier in March. Prior to presenting all the Awards Mr. Prendergast thanked the Supporters Club for their assistance and he praised the winner in each category for their dedication and their contributions to the GAA within the County. Dundalk Democrat / Supporters Club Club Player Awards. Senior Football Paddy Keenan (St. Patricks) Intermediate Football David Dowling (Sean O'Mahoneys) Junior Football Colin Hoey (St. Mochtas) Speaking on behalf of the Award Winners Hall of Fame recipient Dermot O'Brien spoke of the many sacrifices made in the past by so many families to help make the GAA the success it is today. He admired the players today for their dedication and hard work and had the highest of praise for Senior Manager Val Andrews. He thanked the Supporters Club Committee for arranging a great night annually and congratulated the decision makers on their choice of Award winners. He was proud to join the "greats" in the Hall of Fame. He wished nothing but future success for all Louth teams at provincial and indeed All Ireland level. Many valuable Prizes were on offer for the Raffle during the night following the formal part of the evening and the large crowd enjoyed themselves dancing, partaking in conversations and no doubt re-telling many an interesting anecdote. AWARD WINNERS 2005 FUNCTION Senior Football Shane McCoy - Roche Emmets GFC Under 21 Football J.J. Quigley Clan na Gael.GFC Minor Football Hugh McGinn Newtown Blues GFC Under 16 Football Mark Dunne Sean Tracey's GFC Under 14 Football Dean Matthews Baile Talun GFC Ladies Football Sharon Drumgoole Naomh Malachi GFC Senior Hurling Padraig Murphy Naomh Moninne HC Minor Hurling Gearoid Smith Pearse Og HC. Under 16 Hurling David Kettle Knockbridge HC Club Worker Francie Gillespie St. Marys GFC O`Gorman Trophy Danny Nugent Newtown Blues GFC Hall of Fame Dermot O'Brien St. Marys GFC Tweet

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