RNLI to benefit from Mayo club football banquet
Daniel CareyTHE curtain will come down on the Mayo football season in style next Friday night when the fifth annual Mayo News/O’Neills Club Stars Charity Banquet takes place in Knockranny House Hotel, Westport.
Ticket sales have been swift for the gala event, which is hosted in association with AIB. With all proceeds going to the Mayo RNLI (Mayo Lifeboats), the county’s maritime communities as well as football fanatics are expected to be out in force.
The Club Stars Team of the Year will be announced on the night, as will the Player of the Year. Five individuals – Charlestown quartet David Tiernan, Richard Haran, John Casey and Mark Caffrey, plus Knockmore’s Kevin O’Neill – have been short-listed for the top gong, which is decided by the public via a poll on The Mayo News website. Voting began last Tuesday, and will continue until 1pm next Friday.
Neil Douglas (Castlebar Mitchels), Andy Moran (Ballaghaderreen), Billy Padden (Belmullet) and Lewis Cawley (Westport) will all receive Golden Boot awards for their scoring exploits, while Charlestown’s Ciaran McBrien will be honoured as Manager of the Year.
Sunday Game analyst Kevin McStay, who began his punditry career in The Mayo News, will be the special guest on the night. Ballinrobe man Liam Horan will again act as Master of Ceremonies.
“We’re privileged to have someone of Liam’s calibre at our disposal,” said Mike Finnerty, Sports Editor of The Mayo News. “For me, he’s a cross between Marty Morrissey and Bruce Forsyth! I’m sure he’ll have the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.”
A four-course meal, musical entertainment, and a raffle with lots of spot-prizes on offer are among the attractions lined up on the night. A limited number of tickets, each costing €60, are still available.
“The County Board are delighted to be behind the Club Stars,” said Mayo GAA Board Secretary Seán Feeney. “It has established itself as the traditional end-of-season social on the Mayo GAA calendar, and is always a great night.”
The 30 players shortlisted for awards were selected by Seán Feeney, Midwest Radio analyst Eamonn Clarke, Mayo News GAA writers Seán Rice and Austin Garvin. The quartet met last week to select the 15 players and five replacements who will make up the 2009 team. This selection will be announced on the night.
