New York’s Westmeath Gaels hold largest ever dinner dance
When the great days and nights of the Westmeath Hurling and Football Club, New York are recalled, the evening of May 14, 2022 will feature prominently.
On that evening over 300 guests crowded into Rosie O’Grady’s, the legendary steak and seafood restaurant in mid-Manhattan, New York to attend the largest dinner dance staged by the club to date.
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Colin Whyte (Hurling Chairman) is presented with his Clubman of the Year award by Derek McGrath.Image 2 of 6
Gary Moore is presented with his Clubman of the Year award by New York County Board representative, Tom Fahey.Image 3 of 6
Brothers PJ and Tom Quinn from Horseleap receive their Lifetime Achievement Awards from Trevor Holloway.Image 4 of 6
Guest of honor Gerry O’Reilly from Raharney (left) receives his award from Derek McGrath.Image 5 of 6
The Moore the merrier! From left: John, Gareth, Jim, Ned, Gary, Seán and Darren Moore from Mullingar.Image 6 of 6
Commemorating the senior football and hurling winning teams in New York from 1996: (standing, from left) Tom Quinn (Horseleap), John Moore (Mullingar), Emmett Haughian, Willie Lowry (St Malachy’s), PJ Quinn (Horseleap), Ned Moore (Mullingar), Mick Healy (Athlone), Tom Nugent (Raharney) and Brian McCabe (Ballymore). Kneeling, in front: Tom Fisher Fitzgerald (Athlone) and Andy Carr (Killucan).There were people in attendance from various areas across the United States including Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston to name but a few, and about 40 came in from Ireland. These included Frank Mescall, chairman of the Westmeath GAA county committee, and his wife Ann.
It was a night of celebration and commemoration as the Westmeath club won the New York intermediate football and junior hurling titles in 2022 and the 1996 New York senior championship double winning team were also honoured on the 25th anniversary of their historic double. Club president, the legendary Raharney man Tom Nugent and chairman Trevor Holloway (Castledaly) oversaw proceedings with the famous Tommy Smyth, the ESPN commentator, the MC for the night.
Several individual awards were also presented honouring individuals for their outstanding contribution to the club. Gerry O’Reilly from Killucan/Raharney was the guest of honour and a number of people from Raharney were present to recognise Gerry’s achievement. Gerry’s good friend, the former Waterford hurling manager Derek McGrath, was the special guest on the night.
Brothers Tom and PJ Quinn from Horseleap were the Lifetime Achievement recipients. Two men with strong Mullingar connections were honoured. The former Mullingar Shamrocks player Gary Moore was the recipient of the 2019 Clubman of the Year award; while the former St Loman’s, Mullingar footballer, Cullion hurler and Westmeath dual player Colin Whyte was honoured as the Clubman of the Year, 2021.
The hurler and footballer of the year for 2019 and 2021 at senior and junior level also received their awards. Senior footballer and hurler of the year for 2019 and 2021 were Stephen Monaghan and Ultan O’Connor respectively, while the 2021 senior gongs went to Phelim Finnegan (football) and Pearse Donnelly (hurling). James Stones and Liam Butler shared the 2019 junior footballer of the year award, while Adam Loughlin Stones won the 2021 award.
When the speeches were all done an excellent Conor Sketches Donald Trump themed video began the entertainment as the ‘Make America Great Again’ man congratulated the club. Later in the night, ‘Tommy Trump’ – one of the great Trump impersonators – arrived and surprised everyone with his presence.
The members of the club now turn their attention to the new playing season. The club is now one of the strongest and best organised clubs in New York and will field senior hurling and football teams and a junior football team in the 2022 New York championships.