In his acceptance speech in after winning the Meath Senior Football championship, Skryne;s Mick O’Dowd began with the immortal words “What a day, what a week, what a club, what a parish”. Considering that the extremely successful Skryne 75/125 banquet held in Knightsbrook and the equally successful boxing tournament known as the Battle of the Bolies took place within one week of each other I think it is only fitting that I echo Micko’s words. The amount of good work that was done by the club to bring these two events to a successful conclusion was only possible because of the quality of people we have in our club and Parish. They are second to none in any community anywhere in the World. I am saying this without any degree of exaggeration as all of you will no doubt agree.
We are probably the first in the Country to organise an event that can be included with what will be happening in a good many communities next year for the “Gathering”. A number of former players and members travelled home for this night. Members of the committee were well assisted by some older members who have contact with these former players and were a big help in organising this event. For that we thank them very much. The night which took place, with only the pleasant strains of the local Grysons harpists ensemble as music. This meant that everyone could talk to friends and neighbours with ease and this was much appreciated by all especially those who wanted to catch up with and renew old acquaintances. The speeches by Mick O’Dowd, new Meath manager; Liam Mulvihill, former Árd Stiúrthóir; and the inimical Colm O’Rourke were short and very enjoyable. The meal itself was as good as could possibly be served for a crowd in excess of 300 people.
While it was no mean feat to organise such an event in itself, there was at the same time a troupe of our best players, both men and women, training at least two nights a week in the hall in Skryne school along with a similar number of players from the Duleek Bellewstown club for a White Collar Boxing event to be known as “The Battle of the Bolies”. The Bolies of course, as every Skryne person knows, is an area which joins the parishes of Skryne and Duleek together. The event itself took place in the Pillo Hotel, Ashbourn on Saturday night 24 November. The arena which was well set out was packed with supporters from both clubs who came to support the fund raising event and to give some support to their respective club participants. This was a cracking event. In some instances you could take a literal meaning out of that statement. However I mean that it was more successful than even the most optimistic member could have hoped for. The boxers were asked to bring in €400 in either sponsorship or ticket sales. They not only did this but in most cases far exceeded the target. I am dumbfounded at the level of effort these, our young people, put into this event. They are a credit to their club, their Parish, their families and of course to themselves. I want to include in this some who started the training but found that they could not continue due to work commitments, college or in some cases injury. They none-the -less helped out by selling tickets for the event. Without doubt these young people are the leaders of tomorrow and our club and community are in safe hands with them.
I also want to thank all our sponsors who contributed to this event. Without their help fund raising events just could not happen. I sincerely that their contribution is repaid handsomely in increased trade and I know that our community will continue to give as much support as possible to them. I want to especially mention Euro Farm Food who were the main sponsors of the event.
Of course all this would have been in vain if the supporters of both clubs had not bought tickets and attended the event. As stated before the hall was packed for the event and it was heart- warming to see how the supporters mingled together and really participated in the bouts. No doubt many members are waiting for the video of the bouts to appear which I am informed will come out in good time for the Christmas market and will make a nice stocking filler.
While at the time of writing all the funds are not yet in, it is expected that the club will have in excess of €7,000 profit from this event. This amount is a welcome addition to club kitty and will be put to very good use in further development and debt servicing. It has become impossible to run a club the size of Skryne without regular fund raising events like this but thankfully the community is 100% behind the club in it’s efforts to direct our young people into something useful instead the idleness which would take place if we were without any sporting facilities. The current development of our new club facilities is regularly commented on by visitors to our club and the efforts of the committee is praised for having the courage and commitment to see the project through. This of course can only take place with the whole hearted supported of the wider community and the evidence is there to show that Skryne Gaelic Football Club enjoy that.
Once again congratulations to all and a big Thanks. I hope everyone enjoys a good Christmas and a very prosperous new year.
