The Mullingar presence at the Westmeath New York GAA Dinner Dance, held in the magnificent venue of the Surf Club on the Sound, New Rochelle, New York on Saturday evening 27 April was significant and welcome. Mullingar Shamrocks members were there in numbers to recognize the fact that two of our former members were honoured for their contribution to promoting the GAA and in particular keeping the Westmeath name to the forefront in the world of the New York GAA. 

Frank Kavanagh  was the Guest of Honour and John Moore’s immense contribution to promoting the interests of the club was recognized by his Lifetime Achievement award.  Both John and Frank addressed the assembly and Big Frank spoke with great pride of his young days in Mullingar and particularly growing up in old Springfield, Mullingar. 

Other award winners included Clubman of the Year, Trevor Holloway; Junior Footballer of the Year, Ger McPartland; Senior Hurler of the Year, Alan Sherlock; Senior Football Player of the Year, Darragh Carmody. The club’s senior footballers, including our former players  Killian Butler and Darren Moore  who won the New York senior football title in 2023 received their medals.  Despite the celebrations, the footballers recovered in time to defeat St Barnabas, after extra time, in the semi-final of the 2024 Senior League played  in Gaelic Park the following day. 

Almost 400 guests attended the function and it was great to witness another and very important dimension of the GAA, which extends well beyond the promotion of the games. Frank Mescal represented the WestmeathgaaofficialCounty Committee and Kerry's Daragh O'Shea was the special guest. 

The opportunity was used to inform the guests about our development plans and Chairperson David Nohilly presented  Frank Kavanagh with his 1992 Senior championship medal and a framed picture of the 1992 champion side.