St. Patricks celebrated their 60th Anniversary on Friday 21st Nov with a Gala Ball in the Balmoral Hotel. We were delighted to welcome Michael Geoghegan, Ulster GAA President , Seamus McMullan , Antrim GAA Chair , Ursula Lynch. Antrim LGFA Chair, Patrick McGroarty, Antrim LGFA Development Officer & David Honeyford MLA, from our good neighbours at Glenavy.
Michael Fitzpatrick ran a very smooth operation as our MC for the evening. The occasion was captured by our friend , Bert Trowlen , Saffrongael.

Our evening commenced with our Chair. Tony Ewing, giving a short recount of the trials and tribulations that the club experienced in its nomadic existence from 1965 through to 1995, due to the troubles and the mis representation at local government level. The club were always thankful for the support we received from St.Josephs & St.James.
clubs.
Through the work of Kieran Drayne, the club secured a lease in 1995 for our current ground on Kirkwoods Road through Lisburn Council, although at the time , we were unable to play home on a Sunday! The club developed good working relationships with Council officials and the pitch and changing room facilities improved over time.
Thirty years later we are on the cusp of purchasing Kirkwoods from the MOD, how times have changed for the better.

The Lynchpin –
We reflected and celebrated on the central role Mickey Lynch (Club President) played throughout the decades and enthused at his experiences and story telling. 2025 was a memorable year for Mickey as we had a surprise event as part of our Club history night to celebrate his 80th birthday, alongside his lovely family.

Senior Awards
LGFA
Most Improved Player – Eva Devlin
Players’ Player – Ciara Marshall
Manager’s Player – Clare Kearney

Minor
Most Improved Player – Katie Longley
Players’ Player – Niamh George
Manager’s Player – Beth Gartland

GAA
Reserves
Players’ Player & Manager’s Player –
Owen Drayne

Seniors
Young Player – Jude Rafferty
Players’ Player & Manager’s Player – Adam Patterson

President’s Award recipient- Peter Burns.

The ballot prize were then drawn out with the top prize being a trip to New York.

Ballot Prize Winners 21st Nov

NY Trip- Kashif Akrim
AIF tickets (Club) – Aoife Mc Kibbin
£100 ( Ronnie Thompson)- Peter Ferris
£50 ( CD Plumbing)- Kathlyn Mc Laughlin
Glenfenndich – Helena Maginness-Fitzpatrick
Jameson ( Hagues Bar) – Fiona Healy
Prosecco ( Hagues Bar)- Patricia O’Neill

Thank you to all our sponsors in supporting the ballot.

The evening concluded with a great set of tunes from Finn Mc Ginn.

On behalf of the organising team, we would like to thank Elaine and her team for the excellent service & support in planning this memorable evening for St.Patricks GAC.