READ: A Night with Legends - James Stephens remember past glories

James Stephens GAA Club is no stranger to county final success, winning an abundance of Kilkenny titles in hurling, camogie and Gaelic football since its foundation in 1887.

In December, an event was held which offered club members the ideal opportunity to remember past glories as members and former players joined together to celebrate some of the club’s greatest teams in the modern era.

An evening full of nostalgia, held in the Larchfield clubhouse, paid tribute to numerous victorious Village teams including a successful period for the club’s Gaelic football teams from the 1990s and 2000s, with manager and guest of honour, Jim Mulvin.

A star-studded line-up of guests and attendees on the night included, former Meath football manager, Sean Boylan, former President of the Camogie Association, Catherine Neary and current James Stephens senior manager Brian Cody.

The function also paid due recognition to the junior hurling champions of 2000 captained by Fran Whelan, the under-21 championship winners of 2000 and 2002 led by captains Paddy O'Brien and Gary Whelan respectively and the junior camogie champions of 2002 spearheaded on the field by Maggie Moran.

The night was hosted by well-known clubman, manager and former player, Richie Manogue alongside former President of the GAA, Nickey Brennan.

Proceedings began with an address from current club chairman, Aodhan Ó Ruairc, who paid tribute to a number of club stalwarts who have sadly died in recent years. Among those remembered were Allen Larkin, Billy Walton, Adrian Harkin, Orla Lawlor and Laura English and welcomed family members present on the evening.

Mr Ó Ruairc continued by expressing the importance of such events as they give people a chance to 'remember', 'reunite' and 'renew bonds'. The Village chairman concluded his speech by stating 'all of you will be forever Village people'.

Mr Ó Ruairc's address was followed by a presentation and picture of each of the team’s being honoured and a Q&A session hosted by Nickey Brennan.

First to the stage as guests were club members Catherine Neary and Fan Larkin, both of which went on to national recognition in the fields of camogie and hurling respectively.

In a wide-ranging discussion, the pair discussed the growth of camogie on the club and inter-county scene. Larkin welcomed the growth of camogie coverage in recent years, stating the pitches for camogie training from U9 up are 'full'. The former inter-county star also paid special tribute to those who have risen camogie to such a high standard in the club, including former chairman, Jimmy O'Brien.

Catherine Neary echoed the sentiments of Larkin, hailing the 'one club initiative', adding, "it’s all about community," and has brought the two associations a step closer to being 'equal'.

Neary went on to praise Ann Power and all the other figures who have been key figures in the club’s camogie’s history and when asked how the game of camogie can advance, responded by calling for further government funding.

Guest of Honour, Jim Mulvin and multiple All-Ireland winning manager, Sean Boylan soon followed with a conversation full of fascinating discussion and humour.

Mulvin reflected fondly on his time over the club’s senior football team, describing them as "a hell of a team" and "as good as any team that played in Kilkenny" with rivals on the pitch during his era including the Railyard, Dicksboro and Mullinavat.

The former manager now resides in Dublin but hasn't lost connection with the club and the memories created and the many friendships created as a result. One endearing trait Mulvin referenced to his success on and off the field with players was his approach of talking to players individually which he claims allowed him to get to know the team 'very well'.

Boylan, a self-declared 'hurling man at heart' but who has made his name with the big ball had the audience glued to his every word with stories from the highlights and lowlights from a glittering career including hurling until 38 years of age and the importance of 'self-responsibility' for players and managing the Irish team.

However, his statement on the importance of club left the greatest impression, where he simply said, "Without the club, you are absolutely nowhere."