Serving Virginia for 100 years
March 01, 2010While the McEvoy family have been in the grocery/retail business for over 100 years, 2011 will mark their centenary in their present location. McEvoy's SuperValu's current proprietor and manager Padhraig McEvoy is the fourth generation of his family to operate the business, following in the footsteps of his great grandfather, grandfather and father.
"My great grandfather started the business over 100 years ago and then, in 1911, my grandfather Dan opened a shop on this site and we have been here ever since," Padhraig explains.
"Years later, my father Paddy took over from him and I came on board in 1982. We've grown the business over the years and now our shop is just one part of Virginia Shopping Centre, which has a total of 18 units. In these units, we have everything from a pharmacy to a sports shop. So essentially, we have everything here in Virginia that the local person could ask for."
McEvoy's became a SuperValu store in August 2008. The supermarket is an impressive 15,000 sq ft in size and incorporates a meat counter, deli, off-licence, newsagency and post office. As well as managing the store, Padhraig is also postmaster. McEvoy's SuperValu employs 65 staff between full-time and part-time, making it one of the largest employers in the Virginia area.
The store's opening hours are from 8.30am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 8pm on Saturdays and 9am to 8pm on Sundays.
Over the years, the McEvoy family have given generously to local organisations, including the GAA. They currently sponsor the Ramor Utd under 16 football team and have sponsored various other teams in the club in recent years.
Last year, McEvoy's took part in SuperValu's 'Kids in Action' programme which saw them donate thousands of euros worth of brand new sports equipment to local juvenile sports clubs and primary schools. Now discontinued, 'Kids in Action' was an initiative aimed at encouraging children to get involved in sports and active play while educating parents and children alike on the importance of a balanced diet. Over its four-year lifespan, EUR3 million worth of free sports and active play equipment was distributed to primary schools and underage sports clubs.
SuperValu recently launched their 'Real Rewards Programme' which is a customer-loyalty programme operated by all of their outlets, with the assistance of Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland. By joining, customers can avail of great local promotions and also collect for SuperValu's renowned 'Getaway Breaks'.
Customers can avail of hotel breaks for just EUR99/EUR69 per person sharing. They can choose from over 400 hotels across Ireland, which are available to book and stay in until December 28 2010.
SuperValu are also proud sponsors of the National Tidy Towns competition. Next year SuperValu will celebrate 20 years as sponsors of the prestigious competition, making it one of the longest running sponsorships in the country.
Married to Laura, Padhraig has one son, Sean, who is a member of Ramor Utd's under 8 team. Padhraig has had a lifelong association with the Lurgan parish club as a player, administrator and mentor, and is currently coach to the under 6, 8 and 10 teams. His fellow coaches in this age group are his wife Laura, Niall Dolan, Barry Smith, John Farrelly, Thomas Farrelly, Michael Maguire, Maurice Kelly, Vincent Lee, Louise Kavanagh, Michael O'Donoghue, Peter O'Rourke and Maurice Murphy.
"At this age, it's all about getting the kids involved. Participation rather than winning is the big thing. We have huge numbers down in the field every Saturday morning and hopefully we'll be able to hold onto these boys and girls as they get older," he says.
The work Ramor is putting in with the youngsters is clearly paying off as last year the club won the under 13 Division 1 championship, the under 16 Division 1 Shield, the minor Division 2 league and also retained the under 21 championship (as part of an amalgam with Munterconnaught). The under 13, under 16 and minor teams received their medals from Tyrone star Sean Cavanagh at a recent presentation night.
"We've lots of talent coming through at the moment and hopefully this will lead to senior success further down the line. We haven't won a senior championship since 1992, so we are due one at this stage."
Padhraig represented Ramor Utd at all levels, winning under 16 and minor league and championship, under 21 championship, junior championship and league and senior championship and league honours. In 1985, he played on the Ramor team which achieved a famous senior league and championship double, beating Kingscourt Stars in the county final. He won a second senior championship medal seven years later when Bailieboro were defeated in the final by a single point.
Ramor's fortunes at senior level have fluctuated in recent years. After reaching the county semi-final in 2008 where they lost to Cavan Gaels, things didn't go as well last year and they only retained their senior status by virtue of a relegation playoff victory over Cuchulainns.
Former star players Kevin McDonnell and Philip Kermath have taken charge of the team this year and Padhraig is confident they will turn Ramor's fortunes around.
"The two lads are highly respected figures in the club and I'm hopeful that they will bring out the best in the players. Kevin was a key man in our '92 championship win and Phil was also involved in 1992, and later won an Ulster championship with Cavan in '97."
Speaking of Cavan, Padhraig isn't reading too much into their disappointing start to 2010, but admits that the county needs to win something at senior or underage level to instil belief in the players and to get the supporters behind them.
"Cavan's McKenna Cup form was very disappointing, but it's too early in the year to be panicking. They were missing a lot of players who were tied up with their colleges, so I wouldn't read anything into it.
"But it goes without saying that Cavan need to put some kind of silverware on the table to get the interest going again. We badly need a break at minor or under 21 level. Every year our minors or under 21s seem to lose by a point or two to the team that goes on to win Ulster or the All-Ireland."
He adds: "The Ulster championship is a total minefield and you need a lot of luck to win it. Hopefully, Cavan will get a good run in it this summer and answer a few of their critics. The county is craving success and hopefully we won't have to wait much longer for.
"Gaelic football is like a religion in Cavan and if the senior team shows any kind of spark, the whole county will quickly get behind them and support them." Tweet
