Aughagower roles out red carpet for Westport heroes

WARM WELCOME Westport GAA president and stalwart Paddy Muldoon speaking to the large crowd at the Aughagower Community Centre celebration with members of the All-Ireland winning Westport GAA team on stage in the background. Pic: Conor McKeown 

Michael Duffy

AFTER Sunday night’s wonderful celebrations in Westport town, and a subsequent day of socialising in the town centre on Monday, the Westport Intermediate All-Ireland Champions’ bandwagon headed out the Ballinrobe Road on Tuesday evening last, where a reception was held in the village of Aughagower.
The Aughagower Community Centre was packed to capacity on a dreadfully stormy evening as residents from the village of the Round Tower and neighbouring Cushlough welcomed the chance to get up close with their heroes. Eleven of the All-Ireland winning squad are from the parish of Aughagower-Cushlough and their families and neighbours were on hand to welcome the three cups won by the all-conquering squad over the last few months.
MC for the evening was local publican and postmaster John Pat Scott and he introduced the local members of the squad to the crowd. Local GAA stalwart Paddy Muldoon also spoke from the stage and said the victory in Croke Park was the proudest day in the history of Westport GAA.
Captain Brian McDermott was interviewed by JP and said it was great to honour the lads on the panel from the parish.
“This area has backboned Westport GAA for many years and there were loads of great players from out this way who didn’t manage to win many trophies, so it’s nice to come out here and celebrate with them after our great success this season,” said Brian.

Players interviews
Substitute goalkeeper Aaron Dunne, who came on with only five minutes left after Patrick O’Malley was black carded, said he wasn’t expecting it to happen.
“I just had to get on with it, and concentrate right through to the end of the six minutes of extra time. The last high ball could have gone anywhere but thankfully it didn’t end up in the net and we hung on for the win,” said Aaron.
Brian O’Malley was another player who had to adapt after been called on to play full-back when Kevin Keane was injured in the final.
“I was told to go back and play full-back, but we all knew what we had to do and what positions we were playing in, it was just a matter of following the instructions and getting on with it,” said Brian.
David Horan was the player who replaced the injured Keane. He said he was ‘devastated for Kevin’ .
“I was ready to be called on at any stage, and in the end I think I did him proud anyway,” added David.

Management reaction
Members of the management team were also in attendance and speaking to JP, selector Michael Killeen said the management could see the group gaining confidence as the year went on. “We’ve only lost two games all season, so as a management we could see that the team was growing, and after we won the county title we said, ‘there’s no reason why we couldn’t go on and win a Connaught title’. And we had the same attitude then towards the All-Ireland title. And I think, the first 20 to 25 minutes of football in Croke Park was the best football played by a Westport team in a very long time. The team just kept progressing all year long.”
Fellow selector Tom Higgins also paid tribute to the players commitment and to the loyal supporters of the team.
“We (the management) put a plan in place, and like they did all year, the players did exactly as they were told. Work like dogs, hunt in packs. They responded to the occasion. It was like a whisper when St Colmcille’s came out on to the pitch but there was some roar when our lads took to the field. They took that in their stride.” John Pat paid tribute to Aughagower Community Council for organising the reception, with former player PJ Foy coming in for particular praise. After the reception, the players posed for pictures with supporters before retiring to Scott’s public house where they watched a re-run of their All-Ireland final victory.
A similar welcoming reception was also hosted by Cushlough Community Council in their local centre on Friday evening last.