‘It was a night, Oh what a night …’: Phase 1 

The celebration Dinner Dance on Friday night in the Mullingar Park Hotel will be remembered as one of the great social occasions in the club history. The energy and positivity in the Banqueting Hall was wonderful as the members of the panel were welcomed bride and groom style to the hall by the 300 in attendance. Almost all the heroes of the 1992-1995 team were present and the bond that made the panel of players unbeatable for five years was evident for all to see. Those unable to attend sent messages expressing their appreciation for this great time in their football careers. 

Will O’ Callaghan’s professionalism made sure events moved smoothly on the night and his interviews with some of the key men of the time entertained the masses. Ned, Pearse, Tom Ormsby, Dermot Ryan, Bernard Flynn, Spike and Seán Cleary, a member of the great Galway 3-in-a-row All-Ireland winning team of 1964-66 recalled memories from the special time in words and song (Well it sounded like a song, anyway!). The superb video produced by Conor and Dean Moore captured the highlights of the era.   There was a poignancy about this presentation as many great Shamrocks people who are no longer with us were featured. On the night, there was a special presentation to Siobhan, wife of Nialll Devine whose sudden death in 2024 shocked us all; the ‘Killer’ and Detty were also remembered and it was a special treat to have Mai Byrne present and looking so well. 

It is always good to get the outside perspective on how the club is perceived and in this context the words of outgoing County Chairperson, Frank Mescall were wonderfully reassuring. Frank made a special request to speak on the night and spoke on his pride at his invitation to manage Mullingar Shamrocks in 1999. ‘It was a dream come true, I couldn’t believe I was so lucky that a club like Shamrocks would look for a g**s**e like me’. Frank explained that he has been a Mullingar Shamrocks fan since he arrived in Mullingar in 1982, he trained with the club when he played a ‘little bit’, was ‘a huge supporter’ of the 4-in-a-row team and was an umpire for the first title win in Athlone.  
 

Frank told us that we are in a big town but ‘you have that sense of community that the country clubs have. Shamrocks you have it, you had it then.  You lost it for a little while but its back again. Your infrastructure is brilliant … You have a special place in my heart and that is why I am here tonight and those soldiers who won that 2000 championship I really hold you in the highest esteem … it was so important for me tonight to say this’.

The presentation of the Minor championship medals by Ned Moore and Denis Corroon concluded the formalities. The young stars were given equal billing with those who achieved greatness in the past and the young men were provided with an example of what is possible when talent and dedication are fused. Special presentations were also made to Derek Sheridan and his management team. 

Get Hitched provided brilliant dance music and those who questioned the need for a Disco got it badly wrong. The place rocked to the disco beat with Spike once again proving to be the disco dancing star.

Thanks to the Mullingar Park Hotel management and staff for their professionalism and especially to the Mullingar Shamrocks Oraganising Committee for delivering a wonderfully organised night of celebration. Ritchie Daly, Jacquie Corroon, Tom Hunt, Pearse Corroon, Bernard Flynn, Michelle Gavigan, Ned Moore, David Nohilly, Ritchie O’Donoghue and Deirdre Smith were the ones in charge of the logistics that included the décor and the spectacular roll-up banners. And thanks to Bernie Conneely, the busiest woman on the night, as she captured the images of the night’s fun and games.