Heroes of 1985 honoured
Barty O'Connor, Noel Swords and Michael O'Connor, Bunclody.
Wednesday March 03 2010
THE TEAM of 1985 stole the show on Friday as the Half Way House – Bunclody GAA club presented its annual dinner dance in the Millrace Hotel. The attendance was not only treated to the best of food and service by the hotel but also to the finest of oratory, with speeches galore.
The most stirring address of the night was delivered by George Rankin, manager of the championship winning footballers of 25 years ago. His call to later generations to follow in the illustrious footsteps of that victorious side, captained by John Dunne, went down a wow with the club faithful.
While many members of the team are still living in the Bunclody neighbourhood, some of those who attended came from much further afield. Brothers Jack and Noel Swords jetted in from Long Island in New York to join the merry-making while Colin Murphy made the journey from the UK.
The achievements of more upto-date sides were also marked by club chairwoman BarbaraAnne Murphy who called up the league winning Junior B hurlers and Intermediate footballers to receive medals from county GAA chairman Ger Doyle. There were honours too, for the intermediate (league) and Junior B (championship) squads. The girls were summoned by camogie chairwoman Marie Dunne and the medals were handed over by Noel Ryan.
Presentations were made to hurling trainer Rory Kinsella, who is set to stay in the post for another summer, and to treasurer Máirín Kehoe, who has stepped down after four years at the job. Outgoing club chairman Liam Kelly also took a bow.
The biggest round of applause was reserved for Patsy Furlong as he came to receive the 'teastas omóis' which is awarded to those who have done the club considerable service. The accolade was bestowed for his contribution in turn as player, selector and administrator. Patsy has helped to make Half Way House – Bunclody GAA club one of the best set up sporting organisations in Wexford, if not all of Ireland.
Incidentally, the 1985 gang were up bright and early on Saturday morning to enjoy a round of golf at the new Bunclody course.
