Club Down All Stars revealed at function

10 December 2014

THE O’Reilly Transport Ireland Club Down All Stars was held in the Canal Court Hotel on Friday night.

Club Down, under the chairmanship of Brian McGreevy and organiser Sean Magee, ran the event with the sponsorship of Down supporters Eugene and Virginia O’Reilly.

Around 400 patrons crammed into the venue and they were treated to a wonderful night of entertainment and appreciation of club football in the county.

Special guest speaker Kevin McStay kept the audience hanging on his every word while the question and answer session with Mickey Linden unearthed some gems of stories.

The show ran seamlessly with MCs Fintan Mussen and Sean Magee keeping everyone engaged throughout. There was musical and comedic entertainment from Gabriel Bradley, Helen Fitzsimons, Oscaíl and the Big O.

Dara McCoy and Paul Rooney’s IT expertise came to the fore as a spectacular audio visual presentation accompanied the awards process and the level of professionalism here was acknowledged by those present.

Destination Newry also streamed the event live to enable those at home and abroad to enjoy the occasion.

The central theme of the night was the club and the following picked up All-Star awards:

1 Stephen Kane (Kilcoo), 2 Daryl Branagan (Kilcoo), 3 Luke Howard (Bryansford), 4 Owen Costello (Bredagh), 5 Michael Rainey (Drumaness), 6 Michael Lively (Mayobridge), 7 Kevin McKernan (Burren), 8 Benny Coulter (Mayobridge), 9 Paul Greenan (Kilcoo), 10 Matty Bagnall (Glenn), 11 Conleth O’Hare (Mayobridge), 12 Conor Maginn (Bryansford), 13 Ryan O’Hare (Ballymartin), 14 Conor Laverty (Kilcoo), 15 Ross McGarry (Warrenpoint).

Division 1 player of the year, Conor Laverty (Kilcoo); Division 2 player of the year, Ross McGarry (Warrenpoint); Division 3 player of the year, Paul Gilchrist (Drumaness); overall player of the year, Ross McGarry (Warrenpoint).

There was also a special club volunteer award which was presented to An Riocht’s Ann McArdle. Unfortunately, Ann wasn’t in attendance and her award was picked up by Tom Cunningham.

The next step now is the charity game this Sunday between the All Star winners and nominees against the Down county team.

Mickey Linden will manage the All Star selection while Jim McCorry will make his debut as Down senior team manager.

The game will be held in Pairc Esler with a 2pm throw in. All proceeds will be going to the Southern Area Hospice.

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