The first event of the Clubs 120th year celebrations took place in the West County Hotel on Friday night. The club’s first Annual Awards night was a brilliant success as all the various sections of the club came together to celebrate a host of magnificent athletes and athletic performances over the last 12 months. A packed venue was treated to a brilliant display of photographs, an exhibition of articles and photos from 50 years ago, and a slide show of recent photographs all added to the vibrant atmosphere. The expectation when the nominations for the various awards heightened the atmosphere, with the phrase “And the winner is” releasing a raucous roar of approval. M.C. Albert Prendiville to kept the show rolling along until the final award ” Club Person of the Year” was Presented to Joan McTernan by former President Tommy Hayward. Senior team of the year was won by the Ladies national half marathon champions, who included Barbara Cleary,who was awarded Female Athlete of the Year. Dervila Holmes took the award for most improved lady athlete. The Juvenile Team of the Year was won by the 4x100m u13 girls relay team- Dublin champions and national bronze medalists. Included in this team was Suzi O Farrell, National champion over 100m. Emily Geoghegan, Sean Lawler and Adam Halpin were popular winners of the u18 category in track and field , while Senior National champions Eamon Fahey – Long jump and Simon Taggart 110 hurdles were joint men’s senior athletes of the year. The middle distance c/c.c awards went to Enya Ritchie, Oisin Fitzgibbon and Stephen Gavin. Masters winners were Ann Curley and Ian O’ Leary. Nicola Dowdall took the honours in the Fit 4 life category while Karen Behan won the Meet and Train award. Others winners included Sean Kinsella, Alan Reid, Brian Barry, Kaladay Abidon and Jack Rudden-Kelly. What a wonderful set of winners and nominees. The club is so proud of them.
Following the awards and photographs, very welcome food was devoured. Then onto the disco, where the energy levels soared to heavenly heights. The packed floor was bombarded and punished as never before as an army of fit athletes let loose all their pent up energy. Can Donore dance! The night was very enjoyable and succeeded in bringing the various strands of the club into one impressive whole. The organising committee under the leadership of Linda Mc Donnell did a fantastic job, so thanks very much to them for their hard work. Take a bow Leonie, Linda, Jennifer, Natalie and Maurice.
The following Tuesday night Fergal Whitty was a late but deserved recipient of the award for most improved male athlete of the year. It was overlooked on the night and the presentation was made in the clubhouse prior to training.
More celebratory events are being planned for the near future and they will be announced in the coming weeks. In this year of our 120 celebrations, we hope that all our teams and individuals will make a special effort to perform even better this year.