Nostalgic night of celebration in Tipperary for famous London GAA Club

The end-of-year Christmas celebrations came early this year for London’s Sean Treacy’s GAA Club after a hugely successful reunion evening in Cashel earlier this month.

From early evening onwards members and past members, including many former players from far and near over five decades, descended on Brosnan’s Bar in the City of the Kings in the shadow of The Rock for a truly memorable and enjoyable evening.

And although there was no silverware on view or cups to fill, this was an evening dedicated to what the GAA is all about – supporting and looking out for one another and appreciating the year we have all just spent in these hard and challenging times, and above all thinking about those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

It was, therefore, extremely pleasing to have present on this unique and very special occasion one of the club’s greatest players – Timmy Moloney, who has been unwell for much of this year. But being the typical humble and modest man that he is, Timmy did not wish for the occasion to be entirely dedicated to him. However, it would be fair to say that Timmy’s rare presence in public these days was certainly one of the major reasons why so many people from all over Ireland and across the Irish Sea and even the USA made an extra- special effort to be present in Cashel that evening.

Commemoration on Sunday next to remember Tipperary Freedom Fighter who died in action

MICKY MAUNSELL TRIBUTE
Timmy’s feats on the hurling field for Sean Treacy’s and London were understandably a major talking point among many of his former team mates on the evening, but he insisted that the evening was all about Sean Treacy’s. And that was the point that was well and truly accentuated by member and Corkman Louis Walsh, in his own inimitable way, during a rousing end-of- the-evening address.

He singled out Sean Treacy’s club doyen, Micky Maunsell, for special mention and special praise, and not surprisngly the very mention of his name was greeted with a rousing cheer. The Garryspillane man, now based in Craughwell, Co Galway, was not well enough to be present but he was well represented by a number of family members who made the journey from Galway.

It is some testament to the club that so many former players, including Ken Morrissey (Clare), Dan McKenna and Mick Hedderman (Limerick) ,Michael Fitzgerald and James Lane (East Cork) , Liam O’Connor and Kieran McCarthy (Cork) and the many other players that I have forgotten to mention were prepared to make that special effort to be present in Cashel.

Closer to home, the evening was also graced by the presence of Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill hurling legends John Quinn and Pat Fox. Ageless John Quinn, who was looking as resplendent as ever, was another Sean Treacy’s and London star of the 90s, while Pat Fox has had an affinity with the club for a number of decades.

CORMACK BROTHERS IN TOP FORM
Finally, a Sean Treacy’s reunion evening just would not be the same without the usual huge input of the Rosegreen-based Cormack brothers, all seven of whom and their families were out in force and in top form.

Much appreciation goes to the organisers of such a memorable evening for the London-based club, including club officer Martin Carroll, who addressed the attendance and thanked everyone for being present, as well as the hosts Brosnan’s for proving such an impressive venue and entertainment from the DJ.

Roll on the next Sean Treacy’s Trip to Tipp, which after this latest successful evening I expect is already being planned!