FAI special award for Trim Celtic's Christy Ginnerty
FAI chief executive John Delaney was the guest of honour at a well-organised Trim Celtic 50th anniversary function at Trim Castle Hotel on Sunday night where he announced a special recognition award for club stalwart Christy Ginnerty.
The durability of a club that was one of the flag bearers of the game in Meath back in the 1960s was recognised by the FAI boss when he addressed the guests and acknowledged the contributions of the members who kept the club going in the early days.
The history of the club was outlined by Christy Ginnerty, one of the men who established the club in 1967, Des Clancy who was instrumental in establishing a solid under-age structure and Luke Dempsey who served in a number of roles and also served on the Meath & District League committee.
Current chairman David Tully took the guests through the evening and recalled some of the ‘characters’ who had played for the club over the years as well as acknowledging the achievements of the players who achieved international success, Brendan Murphy, Timmy Clancy, Paul Rispin, Derek Donohoe, Dominic Peppard, Cian Lee, Amanda McQuillan and Lynn Winters, and there was also a special mention for Thomas Winters.
Three stalwarts of the club were inducted into the Hall of Fame, Des Clancy, Ciaran Gaughran and the late Frank Melia, with that award accepted by his brother Paddy and daughter Alice.
“Establishing a soccer club in Meath 50 years ago, Meath had just won the All-Ireland final, was a very brave thing to do and we should recognise that,” commented the FAI chief executive in a short address to the guests.
“Every year at the FAI annual meeting we present a ‘service to football’ award to recognise the contributions of volunteers who give their lives to football and at this year’s meeting in Kilkenny Christy Ginnerty will be the recipient of such an award.
“The current committee does a great job and the recent achievement of taking the 2014 club of the year accolade was an incredible milestone for the club.
“I’m also delighted with the joint-development that’s in the pipeline between Trim Celtic and Trim Athletic Club, it’s great to see two sports organisations working together with the local authority for the betterment of local facilities.
“I also know that Peter Campbell’s wife, Claire, passed away recently and she made a big contribution to the club, we will recognise her at the forthcoming international against Austria at the Aviva Stadium.
“In closing, I want to acknowledge Jackie Maguire and local council for co-funding our development officer Barry Ferguson, another important aspect of keeping young people involved in sport,” he concluded