Hurling fraternity pays a fitting tribute to Annabel
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Clonkill player Liam Moran receives the Annabel’s All-Stars Player of the Tournament award, a Galway Crystal vase, from (from left) Henry Shefflin, Eoghan O’Donnell and Conor Moore.Image 2 of 19
Kathryn Nea sang Amhrán na bhFiann at the Annabel’s All Stars. Thomas GibbonsImage 3 of 19
Enda Loughlin (left) tackles Clonkill’s Mark Keegan during the cup final.Image 4 of 19
Adam Loughlin and John Kenny in action during the cup final between Clonkill Pinks and Greens.Image 5 of 19
Jenna Clune, Linda Williams and Elaine Farrelly from Delvin. Thomas GibbonsImage 6 of 19
The team from The Chambers looked after the barbecue. Thomas GibbonsImage 7 of 19
Denis Leonard, Christy Scally and Senator Aidan Davitt. Thomas GibbonsImage 8 of 19
Rose, David and Delia Rose Whelan on Saturday. Thomas GibbonsImage 9 of 19
Peter Whelan and Cillian Galvin from Clonkill Hurling Club. Thomas GibbonsImage 10 of 19
The Clonkill pink and green teams, who contested the cup final at Annabel’s All Stars.Image 11 of 19
The U8 hurlers from Delvin, who received medals from Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin and Dublin hurler Eoghan O’Connell.Image 12 of 19
Members of the Delvin and Clonkill U8 camogie teams, who played each other in Clonkill on Saturday as part of the Annabel’s All-Stars event.Image 13 of 19
The U8 hurlers from Clonkill, who took on Delvin in the Annabel’s All-Stars hurling tournament.Image 14 of 19
Cullion hurlers, winners of the 7-a-side shield at Annabel’s All-Stars.Image 15 of 19
The Clonkill green team, winners of the cup in the Annabel’s All-Stars 7-a-side hurling tournament last Saturday.Image 16 of 19
Annabel Loughlin’s family beside a beautiful bench made by Mick Maher of MFab Engineering, Mullingar, for last Saturday’s Annabel’s All-Stars hurling tournament in Clonkill. Standing, from left: Annabel’s mum, Eileen Loughlin; special guests for the day, Mullingar comedian and impressionist Conor Moore and legendary former Kilkenny hurler, Henry Shefflin; Annabel’s dad, Enda Loughlin, and Senator Aidan Davitt, MC for the event. Seated: Annabel’s brothers Senan and TJ. PHOTOS: THOMAS GIBBONSImage 17 of 19
Darragh McCormack, winner of the hurling penalty shootout at Annabel’s All-Stars, receiving his trophy from (from left) Henry Shefflin, Eoghan O’Donnell, Conor Moore and Aidan Davitt.Image 18 of 19
The late Annabel Loughlin.Image 19 of 19
Huge crowds flocked to Clonkill Hurling Club’s grounds at Loughegar on Saturday last, for the highly-anticipated ‘Annabel’s All-Stars’ hurling tournament and fun day.
The seven-a-side hurling tournament, which involved all sixteen of Westmeath’s hurling clubs and Dublin side Ballyboden St Enda’s, was held in memory of little Annabel Loughlin (3), who died in a tragic accident in Delvin last November.
All funds raised from the initiative will go to the Temple Street Children’s Hospital, Dublin and the paediatric unit at the Midland Regional Hospital, Mullingar.
Special guests on the day included legendary former Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin, who was joined by his wife Deirdre and their children for the day’s festivities. ‘The King’ was kept occupied signing autographs and having his photo taken with the multitude in attendance.
Also present was Mullingar man, impressionist and comedian Conor Moore, who – fresh from making it big in America – is back in Ireland at the present time; and Dublin senior hurler, Eoghan O’Donnell.
The action kicked off at 10.30am on Saturday morning with a series of games in the cup and shield competitions. Although there were sporadic showers throughout the day
In the cup, Clonkill and Delvin all clocked up victories in Group 1. Ballyboden St Enda’s, the Dublin club who struck up such a close relationship with Clonkill after the sides met in a sombre Leinster club semi-final last November, were the only non-Westmeath club involved. They defeated Castlepollard in Group 1, but lost to Delvin.
In group 2, there were wins for Raharney and Clonkill 2 (clad in pink ‘Annabel’s All-Stars’ jerseys, sponsored by KC Sports).
In the end, both Clonkill sides progressed to the final, with the Clonkill Greens annexing the cup. Clonkill’s Liam Moran was named player of the tournament, receiving a Galway Crystal trophy in recognition.
In the shield, Cullion were an impressive outfit from start to finish, seeing off St Oliver Plunkett’s and Crookedwood before defeating Ringtown 14-5 in the final.
U8 hurling and camogie challenge matches between Delvin and Clonkill were played over the course of the day, while a hurling penalty shootout took place, won by Darragh McCormack.
After the on-field action, a large crowd flocked to the main stage, where Conor Moore had the audience in stitches with a 10-minute routine, moving comfortably between Joe Brolly, Davy Fitzgerald, Donald Trump and Ger Loughnane.
“What an honour it is for you people to have me here today,” Conor proclaimed in his Brolly guise. When in Donald Trump character, he announced that Senator Aidan Davitt – MC for the day – is being considered as his running mate for the 2020 US presidential elections.
“It is tremendous to be here today. What a great club. I’ve gotta say, Clonkill is my most favourite part of Raharney,” the Donald said, before reminding everyone that the long-dead founder of the GAA, Michael Cusack, was a very good friend of his!
Speaking afterwards, Henry Shefflin said that he was delighted to be able to attend the event. “I think last November in Kilkenny, when we all heard the sad news about Annabel, it really struck a chord with everyone across the country,” said Henry, adding that the success of Saturday’s event underlined what the GAA is all about. He paid tribute to Annabel’s parents, Enda (former Westmeath hurler and Clonkill clubman) and Eileen (née O’Driscoll, Delvin), and their family.
On behalf of the Loughlin and O’Driscoll families, Eileen thanked everyone for their support on the day, and over the last nine and a half months.