Dinnéar Bliantúil | Annual Club Dinner
Saturday 23rd March saw the annual Naomh Éanna Awards dinner in the Europa Hotel. The club were celebrating their most successful season ever with an Ulster Intermediate football championship success and a place in the All Ireland final in Croke Park.
A prestigious event, in a fantastic setting ensured a good night was had by all, with much to celebrate and great night of celebration hosted by Club Chairman – Steven Jennings and special guests on the night included MC Gerry Donnelly, Peter Canavan – Football Legend and Ciarán McCavana – Antrim County Chairman.
There was plenty of excitement with all members celebrating the continuous progression and development of Naomh Éanna CLG, with awards for players in all codes, Football (Male & Female), Hurling and Camogie.
Guests were treated to a feast of traditional music in the Library bar and music provided by Glengormley School of Traditional Music, proceedings officially began with the Chairpersons welcome and Gaeilge singer Caoimhe Ní Chathail singing a beautiful rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann.
The highlight of the night was the presentation of the Antrim and Ulster winners medals and Ireland Final Runners Up medals, with most of the squad in attendance however James McAuley (Club Captain), Eoin Nagle and Odhrán Eastwood where absent, being on county duty against Limerick in Limerick, Special Guest Peter Canavan made the presentations.
Club President Mrs Prenter with the Naomh Éanna football squad
After the meal, all present were treated to an after dinner speech by Peter Canavan, an insight into his home club Errigal Ciarán (Tyrone and Ulster club Champions in 1993 & 2002), has played county football for Tyrone and is considered one of the great players in the GAA and is most certainly a very influential person within the GAA, also is one of the most decorated players in the game’s history, winning two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medals, six All Stars Awards, four provincial titles, and two National Leagues.
Peter Canavan represented Ireland in the International Rules Series on several occasions from 1998 until 2000.
With Stephen Jennings addressing the audience and recognising the journey since the last event in 2017 he introduced the award winners to be presented by Peter Canavan.
Paul McKeown (Naomh Éanna Secretary), Steven Jennings (Club Chairperson), Séamus Mac Domhnaill (Club PRO) and Club Person of the Year and Special Guest Peter Canavan,
Left to right: Orla McNulty, Peil na mBan Joint Minor Footballer of the Year 2018, Peil na mBan Joint Minor Footballer of the Year 2018 – Cliodhna Kane and Peil na mBan Senior Footballer of the Year 2018 – Orlaith Murray with Peadar Ó Catháin and Special Guest Peter Canavan
Left to Right: Peil na mBan Senior Players Player of the Year 2018 – Jane McNulty with Peter Canavan, Senior Camogie Most Improved Player 2018 – Enya Ross with Gavin Curran and Special Guest Peter Canavan. Senior Camogie Players Player of the Year 2018 – Lisa Marie Maskey with Gavin Curran and Special Guest Peter Canavan.
Left to Right: Senior Camogie Player of the Year 2018 – Maebh Curran with Gavin Curran Jim Davidson and Special Guest Peter Canavan. Minor Footballer of the Year 2018 – Rónan O’Neill with Paul McKeown (Naomh Éanna Secretary), Steven Jennings (Club Chairperson), Paul McCann and Special Guest Peter Canavan
Left to Right: Minor Hurler of the Year 2018 – Niall O’Connor with Eugene McGoldrick (Director of Hurling), Patricia Devlin, Dominic Millar and Special Guest Peter Canavan. Reserve Hurler of the Year 2018 – Matthew Muldoon. Pictured is Darrach Cooper and Special Guest Peter Canavan, Darrach received the award on Matthews behalf
Left to Right: Reserve Footballer of the Year 2018 – Martin Craig
with Kevin Park and Special Guest Peter Canavan and Senior Hurler of the Year 2018 – Matthew O’Hare with Ciarán McCavana (Antrim County Chairperson), and Special Guest Peter Canavan
Left to Right: Senior Footballer of the Year 2018 – Conan Lyttle with Patricia Devlin, and Special Guest Peter Canavan
Pictured with the Ulster Writers Award received in February for Club of the Year is Club Chairperson Steven Jennings, Special Guest Peter Canavan and Club Secretary Paul McKeown
Right to Left: County Chairperson, Ciarán McCavana, being presented with copies of the fantastic Irish news newspaper articles with Club Chairperson Stephen Jennings and Vice chair Niall Murphy. Dual Club player, Philly Curran, being presented with a copy of the fantastic Irish news newspaper article in the run up to the All-Ireland Final. With Philly is Vice chair Niall Murphy.