Castlepollard club make it a night to remember

A memorable evening was held in Castle Vara Hotel, Castlepollard on Saturday for the Castlepollard hurling club’s ‘Night To Remember’.

The victorious senior sides of 1974, 1995, 1997, 2003 and 2005 were each honoured and there was a wonderful atmosphere at the event which attracted approximately 200 people. MC on the evening was Johnny Rabbitt and he invested a huge amount of time in researching details on the various teams over the years.

Proceedings began with a rousing rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann, the national anthem, and Mr Rabbitt explained that this was the common denominator with all the various senior championship winning sides, played by Hubert Magee of the Mullingar Town Band on county final day.

The Westmeath Examiner Cup, first won by the Castlepollard club in 1925, was brought from the home of current champions, Castletown Geoghegan, for the occasion and Castlepollard Hurling and Camogie Club Chairman, Gerard Halpin welcomed everyone to the celebration, describing it as a “momentous evening” for the club.

He paid tribute to the various club presidents and former chairmen, including Mick Macken and Donie Cassidy, Eugene Fagan, the late Ned Flynn, the late John Dermody, Willie Murphy, Eugene Gallagher and Brian McCabe.

The current Castlepollard hurling and camogie players received a special welcome and the chairman acknowledged the various sponsors. The contributions of Johnny Rabbitt, Paddy McCabe and Maria Higgins were crucial in making the event a reality, the chairman said, and he presented Maria with a bouquet of flowers as a token of the club’s appreciation.

Very Rev Fr Patrick Moore, PP, spoke on the importance of an integrated community approach between the GAA club and the church. He recalled how his father had taught him the importance of combining games with faith, the tradition of Mass before games being very significant. Maintaining an integrated approach will make for a very wholesome community, he remarked.

Newly elected Westmeath GAA County Committee chairman, Paddy Wallace addressed the gathering and he recalled men like Thomas Murray, the first chairman, and Patrick Corcoran, who introduced hurling to the community of Castlepollard in 1899. He recalled the late Ned Flynn and his remarkable contribution to the club as a coach, administrator and referee.

The chairman paid tribute to Castlepollard Hurling and Camogie Club for the fine facilities they have developed since their official opening in 1991. He praised the foresight and work ethic of all involved and thanked them for their support of Westmeath. “As a county, we are very grateful for the use of your facilities whenever required,” he said.

Mr Wallace noted the significance of Gaelic games in the primary and second level schools of the parish and he promised to maintain a strong relationship with all schools during his tenure. He praised Castlepollard for embracing the concept of independent teams, which he said is important in ensuring hurling stays strong in the county, and he referenced the impressive U16 hurling team of Clann na Gael (Castlepollard and Brownstown).

“Castlepollard Hurling and Camogie Club is the essence of what the GAA is about,” he remarked.

The 1925 team, the first Castlepollard side to win the senior title, was then acknowledged and it was noted that Paddy McCabe senior was one of the club’s legendary players, who played senior hurling for 28 years.

Alfie Devine spoke of the significance of different families to the club, noting how there are 50 senior hurling medals in own family. “It’s remarkable and I would urge everyone to look into the great history of the club, and the people who have played,” he said. It was noted that 1974 was the only year in which the club had no relations involved.

Alfie’s uncle, Pat Devine, who played in 1961, ‘65 and ‘66, was present to receive a memento, having played alongside his brother, Frank Devine. Back in 1925, Billy, Dan, Mick and Joe Mulligan were four brothers to play with Castlepollard and they were granduncles of Alfie. Remarkably, Billy won six senior championship medals with the club.

“It is great to have this man, Pat Devine, here and to remember the 1974 team, and indeed all the teams right back to 1925,” added Alfie. “This is a very proud hurling club with a great tradition of success, and we hope for more in the future.”

The various senior hurling championship winning teams were then honoured in a special event that united past glory with current endeavours.

The Castlepollard team of 1925, which defeated Raharney to win the club’s first senior title was: Mick Walsh; Paddy Gibbons, Jackie McCabe, Dan Mulligan; Gerry Burke, Paddy McCabe, Joe Mulligan; Paddy Burke, Paddy ‘Wasp’ Boylan; Larry Boylan, Billy Mulligan, Paddy Nevin; Paddy Murray, Mick Mulligan, Mick Davitt.