After such a momentous year St. John’s GAC celebrated in style bringing together almost 400 people for a huge night of celebration on Friday 13th February in the Europa Hotel. The club had the great honour of having All-Ireland winning senior hurling manager Liam Cahill as their prestigious guest who spoke from the heart about leading the Tipperary hurlers to the panicle and lifting the Liam McCarthy Cup.
Proceedings for the evening began with the County Hurling Champions being led into the hall by uileen piper Frank Maskey to the cheers of the assembled gathering. The euphoria of that day in Ballycastle was once again relived through the standing ovation the team and their managers received from delighted family and friends.
Having the County Chairman Seamus McMullan and his wife Siobhan in our midst added to this joyful occasion which was handled superbly by MC David Robinson. David executed the evening with such professionalism which was no easy task keeping 400 people on board, as he introduced speakers, played clips on the big screen and managed presentations.
An added bonus to the evening was the presence of Fr Joe McGuigan, son of the famous Joey McGuigan after which the ‘Joey McGuigan Cup’ was named. Fr Joe led us in thanksgiving for the meal we were about to eat and for being able to celebrate in such numbers. He was then called upon to present the Joey McGuigan Cup to the mixed team of young and not so young players who not only represented the club with great pride but won the South Antrim League. Club chairman Aidan Kelly, a player on this team himself, related a few escapades on their journey, especially making the tight fit jersey loved by the athletes in the club go over the more maturing body!!
Minor teams in both Ladies Gaelic Football and hurling were honoured for their achievements on the field, lifting their respective cups as these cups and medals were distributed. These young players were recognised as the future of the club and were praised for their commitment to training and wearing their club jumper with pride. The ‘Minor of the Year’ award was then announced and presented by a former winner back in 1978, club treasurer and one of the main organisers of the night, Neal Peden to a very worthy winner, hurling team captain Finton Mc Kinney.
As an interlude in the events, Peeky Blinders star Packy Lee entertained the crowd with his wit, telling the story of how he tried to join St. John’s back in the day but he was told that maybe Gortnamona would be more suited to his talent!
Then came the main players in whose honour the event was organised, the senior hurling team who one by one were brought out to victorious applause and standing ovations. A huge tribute was paid to Peter McCallin who unfortunately couldn’t be there but was watching proceedings in the Australian sunshine. Once again MC David spoke to manager Gerard Cunningham about the team achievements with the hope that we could continue the euphoria into the new season and do a ‘back to back.’ What a wonderful accolade for each hurler to be presented with their prestigious medal by Tipperary’s finest Liam Cahill.
No presentation could be concluded without a rousing chorus of ‘Whack-fol-the-diddle’ the Naomh Eoin anthem, led by one of the five 1973 team members who were present, the man himself Mr Mick, Mickey Gallagher.
Having sat through the beautiful meal and presentations the crowd were itching to boogie and led by the fabulous Marty Fay band they did just that, while our good friend and most dedicated photographer Bert Trowlan continued to capture the event in pictures.
Tipperary manager Liam Cahill who was guest of honour at the St John’s dinner in the Europa Hotel
