Impressive history of Borrisokane GAA Club launched by Munster Chairman

THERE was a big crowd in attendance on Friday night last for the launch of the Borrisokane GAA history book which took place in The Green Bar.

Special guest on the night was Munster Council GAA Chairman Gerard Ryan from Templederry, who launched the book.
Borrisokane club secretary Colette Morris opened the launch by welcoming everyone to the launch of “a history that spanned over 135 years, 1885-2020”.
To give a little flavour of what the reader can find in the book, Colette paid homage to the four club presidents, Paul Hogan, Pete Morris, Noel Morris and Mackey McKenna. She mentioned that not many people could say that they raised four fine hurlers who have not just contributed so much to the club, but also county, and Paul Hogan can say that. “No doubt,” she said, “Paul is immensely proud of Padraig, Brendan, Adrian and his beloved departed Raymond”. Paul is a loyal supporter of the club and Colette said they all wished he would be able to continue his support into the future.
“Peter Morris is another loyal supporter,” said Colette. She recounted his years as chairman during the club's glory football years of 1981-82, and how proud he was to accept the club of the year award back then which marked the club’s achievements at all levels.
Another president Noel Morris was club chairman and went on to be elected North and County chairman as well as Central Council rep over many years. He also chaired the county football board from 2007 to 2012. Colette referred to and thanked Noel for his involvement with the monument in the parish to the Bawnmore hurlers.
John Mackey McKenna, who was recently elected President Colette told the meeting, has had a “difficult week” and she extended sympathy to the McKenna family on the passing of Siobhan. One of Borrisokane’s great heroes, he also has a collection of senior hurling medals from the 1960s. Colette mentioned how the book represented “our heritage, roots, identity, sense of belonging, our love of pride of place, an inspiration to young people and as such is priceless”.
Chairperson Bríd Morris is the first female to chair the Borrisokane club. She complimented her fellow officers for bringing the book to fruition and said it was a great honour for the club to launch the book. She mentioned that the club came through WW1, war of independence, civil war and WW2 as well as serving through the difficult impact of emigration. “As well as documenting the facts and figures, it also captures the heart and spirit of the club which was, is, and always will be such an integral part of the Borrisokane community,” she said.
Tom Kennedy then paid tribute to the printers Brennan Print. “Paddy Brennan,” said Tom “has Borrisokane blood flowing through his veins”. Paddy’s assistant Kathy Slattery was described by Tom as “a Saint” and said Paddy was very lucky to have her. He told the gathering that the book has 496 pages, 16 chapters, 150 or 160 photographs approx., 169,631 words, as he thanked the proof reader Rachel Daly.

Munster Council Chairman Gerard Ryan said he was delighted to launch the Borrisokane GAA history book. He also said he wished to thank all families from Borrisokane who have contributed so much through the years to the GAA. “There’s great detail in this book – important club history and wonderful memories” he said. “The book is not just GAA history but also community and social history, a contribution in a very special way to our sense of place, a history of people, their interests, stories and activities,” he said. He spoke of the changing times we live in, the core values of the GAA and how the Borrisokane GAA book will continue to promote the core value through this book.

He mentioned “the important good work” of all volunteers at all levels in the club and how important this is. ‘”This book is a creation of an important record of your past and is very much a guide for the future,” he said as he paid tribute to “Louis, Tom and Helen who had the energy and foresight to stick with the project and deliver this huge achievement to the end,” he said as he declared the launch of the book.

Teresa Brennan, co-researcher of the book, thanked Gerard for attending the launch before explaining in detail how the book was user friendly. She encouraged people to enjoy the read over Christmas.
Editor and researcher Louis Brennan, who is a former club secretary and chairman, said that the book contained over 80,000 reports on games, 1.3 million players are listed (some repeat names), every team is listed, many referees, all club AGM’s since 1885, all presidents, chairpersons, secretaries and treasurers with a separate section on Gardiner Park. Louis said he started his research about ten years ago with Tom and Teresa joining him about four years ago as he outlined their meeting places over the years while thanking the staff of the Nenagh Guardian and the Midland Tribune for helping in their research.
Encouraging everyone to buy a copy without delay as the book is “a limited edition” he said, with soft covers selling for €35 and hard back for €50. Louis finished by saying that he would miss meeting with Tom and Teresa, how he enjoyed putting it all together, even when he was under stress!