Celebrating the Shamrocks in Kilbeggan

Historic victories from 1954 and 1959 were celebrated by Kilbeggan Shamrocks, at an event held in Locke's Distillery on Sunday.Many of the original players, their families and current players attended the event, held in the tasting room of the historic distillery building.The local boys' school team won the 1954 team Comortas na mBunscol football championship and set the ball rolling for the emergence of the 1959 teams who won the double, football and hurling, featuring some of the original 1954 players.At Sunday's event the players rose, to warm applause, to collect commemorative photographs and those who have sadly passed away, moved abroad or were unable to attend had relatives there to accept the honour on their behalf.The occasion got off to a rousing start with passionate poetry readings, piano recitals, songs, music and fond reminiscences.Organising committee chairman Dan Scally emphasised that the event was not just about football but was about bringing the community together and celebrating the unified spirit shown by the team, in their victories, and the people who support the club, all the time.Stan McCormack, committee secretary, whose father was part of the winning side in 1959, read out accounts of the two finals which incorporated three games as the football was drawn first time round and had to be replayed.He also reinforced Dan Scally's sentiments: "This is not about the GAA, it is about people in the community pulling together," he said.Later, when he was receiving his photo, team member Larry Wyer gave his own amusing account of the games."I was knocked out in the warm up by the flying winger Ned Bruar, so I don't remember much about it," he said.He didn't get to play in the final but he was glad to have played for the team.He said: "I am proud that I was associated with them, albeit for a short time."Des Kelleher's account was equally entertaining. He recalled a brief conversation he had during the game with Paddy Smith after he opted to pass to him instead of going for goal himself."He said to me: 'Des, for Christ's sake will you put them over yourself'."Performers included John Sheehy who sang 'The fields of Athenry' and 'Limerick you're a lady' and Joe Grehan who played guitar and sang songs by Buddy Holly, who died in 1959, and Joe Dolan, joined for one song by his brother Danny Grehan.Poet Cathal McDaniels wrote a poem inspired by the victories and read it out to a hushed, attentive audience.After the presentations and performances, the guests were treated to a taste of Kilbeggan whiskey before moving into the restaurant for some tea and sandwiches in front of a roaring fire.Mr Scally said he thought the day was a great success and everyone enjoyed it immensely.