Historic night for Skryne GFC

On a night never to be forgotten by the members and friends of Skryne football club, at least 450 people attended Killeen Castle on Friday night 30 March to see the president of the Gaelic Athletic Association, Christy Cooney, launch the much waited for history of Gaelic football in Skryne. This book, the Blue Kings of Tara, encompased the years 1887, when the first organised football club under the rules of the Association was formed in Skryne to the historic last winning of the Keegan cup in 2010. The GAA had only been formed a mere three years when Skryne set about forming its first football club and the rich history detailed in David Carty's book shows that the love of Gaelic football had never waned in the intervening years. Given the historic occasion and the prestige in which Skryne is held throughout the county, a very large attendance was expected. However, even the most optimistic person could not have foreseen the crowd that was to turn up. Killeen castle estimates that there were between 450 and 480 persons in attendance and long before the first speeches were delivered there was only standing room left. Sale of the book on the night was swift with a number of committee members kept very busy selling the book like the provervial hot cakes. The author, Dave Carty, the dignatories and special guests were also kept busy for most of the night signing copies of the book. Amongst the guests were Paddy O'Brien, Michael O'Brien, Cyril O' Brien, Tom O'Brien and Brian Smyth from the 1940s and 1950s era, Paddy Mulvany who played in 1967, Colm O'Rourke, Liam Hayes, Trevor Giles and John McDermott from more recent years and Mick Ryan who won a National League medal in 1975. The late Paddy Cromwell was represented by his wife Pat. Many other current and former Skryne players who donned both the Skryne and Meath jerseys were there on the night. A number of David's former Meath collegues were also in Killeen. Syddan man Paddy Meegan of 1949 fame wrote a poem for the book and was amongst the guests. From the racing world Noel Meade and Paul Carberry and former GAA County Board chairman Fintan Ginnity attended. Retired Circuit Court Judge Brian McMahon, whose son Brian played football for Skryne, was in Killeen. Also present were Killeen Golf Club president Val Ledwith, captain Conor Moloney, Fr Thomas O'Mahony PP, Skryne, Fr Joseph Gleeson, and Dr Michael Smith, Bishop of Meath. Killeen Lady Captain Rita Tighe sent her apologies. Christy Cooney spoke glowingly about the contribution made by the Skryne club, both to their county and country and mentioned that four Skryne men had represented Ireland internationally. MC Brendan Cummins introduced the main speakers while Micheal O Muircheartaigh interviewed many of the guests, in particular the holders of All Ireland medals. Meath County Board secretary Cyril Creavin, a Skryne man, was present and thanked the club for their contribution to Meath football. Former Meath manager Sean Boylan was glowing in his tributes to the Skryne club and the players whom he had known and worked with over the years. In his speech to the attendance, David Carty recalled his young days when he was a student St Patrick's Classical School in Navan and was following the life story or his then hero Paddy O' Brien in the Irish Press newspaper. This resulted in a small altercation between himself and his Latin teacher the late Father John Walsh, who chided him for giving more attention to the newspaper articles about Paddy than to his Latin homework. David's brother Dermot, who was very much involved in the production of this book, spoke eloquently on the night. The work comes in a beautifully illustrated presentation case and consists of two very large volumes. Both Christy Cooney and Micheal O'Muircheartaigh each commented that they had been at many book launches but had never previously seen such a voluminous effort. They also commented that it would probably become the template for all future histories of clubs in the association but it would be unlikely that anyone would have the dedication to produce such a detailed account again. Copies of the book may be obtained from http://www.skrynegfc.ie, from local establishments or through any committee member. - by Joseph O'Brien, Skryne GAA.