Kilcoo GAC held their Centenary Celebration Banquet in the Canal Court Hotel, Newry on Friday 13th January 2006.

The special guests for the evening were – GAA President, Mr Sean Kelly, Down GAA County Chairman, Mr Jerry Quinn and his wife Maura, East Down Chairman, Mr P J McAlinden and his wife Eileen, Down Manager, Mr Paddy O’Rourke and his wife Una and Parish Priest, Father Dennis McKinley.

Local man, Mr Steve McClean, very ably performed the duty of Master of Ceremonies.

The guests were treated to an excellent 5-course meal prior to the commencement of the Centenary speeches.

In his address to the 320 guests, President Sean Kelly opened his speech by referring to the links between Kerry, his home County, and Down in terms of the strong traditions in Gaelic football and remarked that Kerry had yet to beat Down in an All-Ireland Final.

He congratulated Kilcoo on their recent football successes and expressed his gratitude that ladies football was due to commence in the Club’s Centenary Year. He also wished the Club well with their proposed future development plans and that the Club had adopted one of his heroes ‘Owen Roe O’Neill’ into their official title indicating strength of character, determination and independence, traits necessary for ongoing success.

Down GAA Chairman, Mr Jerry Quinn, then treated the guests to his memories of Kilcoo over the last 50 years and detailed their successes in the early days.

He particularly recalled the influence and foresight of Hugh John Fitzpatrick (RIP) who in the early 60’s introduced a youth coaching policy to the club and remarked that he was a man ahead of his time.

Jerry noted the Club’s intention with respect to the provision of handball and encouraged it to consider the promotion of hurling. He concluded by thanking Kilcoo GAC for the invitation to their Centenary celebrations.

The third speaker, East Down Chairman, Mr P J McAlinden recounted his playing experiences against Kilcoo with humorous anecdotes.

He congratulated the Club on their success at juvenile level as a direct consequence of their youth policy.

Down Manager, Paddy O’Rourke thanked the club for encouraging their players to participate on the various county teams and noted their recent strong representation on the U-21 squad.

Paddy entertained the guests when reminiscing about the advice he received from several Kilcoo stalwarts during his early playing days. He assured the audience that he implemented those words of wisdom to his advantage during the height of his playing career.

Next speaker, Father McKinley, who has just recently arrived into the parish, admitted to the guests present that although not from a GAA background he thoroughly enjoyed attending recent games. He continued by congratulating the club on their Centenary and the ongoing work with the youth. He concluded by wishing them every success in the future.

Final speaker, Club Chairman, Roger Morgan summarised the highlights of the last 100 years and in particular the success at juvenile level since 1996. He outlined the proposed development plans for the club and their intentions to introduce a wider range of Gaelic games into the parish.

Roger spoke of the tragedies that visited a number of families actively involved with Kilcoo GAC during the 1990’s.

He thanked all those in attendance and proposed a ‘toast’ to Kilcoo GAC in celebration of the last 100 years.

Presentations were made to the Premier Reserve League and Championship Winning team, U-21 All County Championship Runners-Up and Senior Feis Sevens winners.

Player of the Year awards for 2005 were made to the following:-

Senior Player of the Year Noel Devlin

Premier Reserve Player of the Year Roger Morgan

Reserve Player of the Year Shane Greenan

U-21 Player of the Year – Joint Winners Niall Morgan and Paul Greenan

Minor Player of the Year Daniel O’Higgins

Special presentations were made to the players on the various county teams as follows:-

U-21: Martin McClean

Niall McEvoy

Conor Laverty who also played on Down Senior team

Masters: Sean Devlin

Senior Aidan Brannigan

Sean O’Hanlon

Mr Danny Murray entered the Hall of Fame in recognition of his service to the Club. This consisted of a playing career that spanned three decades and included a Division One League title in 1957. Danny was also Secretary for eight years before taking up the role of chairman in 1970, a post he filled for 20 years.

A special award was made to Mr Paddy Morgan who was Secretary of Kilcoo GAC from 1968 to 2004. During this time Paddy also undertook numerous other roles including bus driver, groundsman, umpire and team management.

Kilcoo GAC then presented special commemorative gifts to Mr Sean Kelly, Mr Jerry Quinn, Mr P J McAlinden and Mr Paddy O’Rourke in appreciation of their attendance at the Club’s Centenary Banquet.

Floral tributes were also given to the invited ladies and the Chairman’s wife,

Mrs Mary Morgan.

Kilcoo GAC then presented their serving Chairman, Roger Morgan with a special commemorative Centenary Plaque.

Following the Awards Ceremony, the guests danced to the music of ‘US’.

Kilcoo GAC would like to thank all those who attended and in particular the invited guests.

The Club wish to acknowledge the professional manner in which the Master of Ceremonies, Mr Steve McClean conducted the speeches and awards ceremony.

Finally, Kilcoo GAC look forward to a number of equally successful events throughout their Centenary year.

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Photos by Hollywood Images, Newry