On Sunday 13th October, we held the official launch of our 2012 centenary publication and DVD in the clubrooms. The book, entitled ‘In a League of Our Own’, is a history update, capturing the years 1988 to 2012, to complement ‘Davitt’s Deeds’, which detailed the first 75 years of our club history. The DVD is a four disc box set; Disc 1 portrays our club history from 1912 to 2012, while the other discs record the celebrations that took place during our centenary year.
Club Chairman Tommy Shaw opened the event and welcomed everyone to the launch including our guests, County chairman Jim Murray, Brendan Blaney, from our longstanding sponsors Flynn & McGettrick Solicitors, Pat Fleck from the NI Children’s Cancer Unit, Father Mick Murtagh and Pat ‘Bap’ Armstrong, of Rossa, Antrim and Ulster fame, who had donated medals, won by his uncles representing the club back in the early years, to the safekeeping of the club.
In his address, Tommy recounted the memorable events of 2012, noted the recent success of the senior footballers in capturing the County Junior Championship and the juvenile success of the U10 footballers who arrived back in the Club, having won a blitz competition that morning at GortnaMona. He also acknowledged those mentors who have reintroduced hurling coaching into the Club at U6, U8 and U10 levels and the great progress being made to develop hurling once more within the club.
Following a prayer and blessing by Father Mick, club secretary and MC for the day, Terry Park briefly explained the running order before a short extract from the DVD was shown on the big screen. It was watched in total silence and at its conclusion, was greeted with warm applause.
As part of our centenary celebrations, the Club undertook a maracycle over two days, from Belfast to Westport, raising funds for the NI Children’s Cancer Unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital. A generous total of £4,000 was raised and following the DVD extract viewing, some of the maracycle participants presented a cheque to Patricia Fleck from the charity.
The continued support and sponsorship of Flynn & McGettrick solicitors was also recognised as Partner Brendan Blaney posed for photos with players from some of our teams kitted out in the new club jersey, including some of the underage hurlers and successful U10 footballers, Chris Gallagher who represented Antrim at the elite Ulster U16 football camp and senior football captain, Ciaran O’Riordan accompanied by the Junior Championship trophy.
Stephen Brady and Eugene Gallagher then gave a short introduction and overview to the new book, acknowledging the early work started by Tom Jordan RIP before his untimely death and the contributions of others who supplied photos and anecdotes, notably Peter McKeown and Tommy Mor Toland. A challenge was also thrown out to the next generation of scribes, to continue the record keeping of club events, achievements and stories for the next history installment.
Tommy then announced that the club would be presenting a new trophy to the county for one of the championships the ‘Michael Davitt/John Rowntree Perpetual Cup’. This is a fitting gesture and tribute to a great and dedicated Davitt stalwart, who sadly passed away earlier this year. John gave so much to the club and due to his hard work and endeavour over many years, the Club has so much to be proud of and thankful for. Tommy, accompanied by John’s wife Pauline, handed over the cup to County Chairman, Jim Murray
Closing the event, Tommy presented Jim with the first copy of the history update publication and DVD before the sale to members, family and friends, at a bargain price of £10.00.
A great day culminated with a buffet and musical entertainment.
The book/DVD set is currently available to buy at the Clubrooms. For more photos of the event click here.
