Better late than never for Young Irelands party
WE HEADED for the Castle Bar on Saturday night, where the Young Irelands GFC were hosting their Christmas Party and Blind Date night and the place was packed by the time we got there.
I wasn't too long in the door when I met up with club treasurer Barry Mcdermott from Bellurgan, who was there with his wife Tara.
They were chatting to Phil Mcardle from Greenacres who was going to be Cilla Black for the night. She was with her husband Peter who was up for making the best of the festivities. They told me not to forget to give a mention for Joe Hoey from Blackrock who was going to be taking the place of 'Our Graham' on the night.
Next, I got a word with Sharon and Mark O'donoghue from Lower Faughart who were looking forward to seeing Derek as one of the blind date contestants.
I headed over for a word with well known hill walkers Jock and Susan Mcardle from Greyacre Road, who told me they were there to support Madge help Derek find true love at last!
I then met up with Paul Carr from Riverside Drive who was there with his parents, Francis and Gwen from Knockbridge, and sister Susan.
He told me his brother Graham was a player with the Young Irelands but wasn't there because he had to emigrate a month ago.
Making my way to another table, I then got talking to Seamus Duncan from Dromintee, who was having a laugh with Raymond Mcnally from Dromintee and his delightful girlfriend Sarah Flynn from Castle Road, who were there for a mad one and couldn't wait to see the Blind Date.
Meanwhile, over at another table, I met up with David Mcstravick from Lennon Melia Terrace who was with Ciaran Campbell from St. Patricks Terrace and Stephanie O'donnell from Manydown Close, who told me they were there to cheer on Derek Norman in his quest for a date.
They were in the company of Breanainn Quinn from Meadow Grove and Sean Doran from Grange Drive who were there to heckle Derek, who was sitting with them at the time, and warned that this was nothing compared to what he was going to get when he got on stage!
After this, I met up with Julie and Adrian O'donoghue from Avenue Road who were joined by 'our Graham' and his wife, Joe and Diane Hoey from Blackrock. Julie and Adrian wanted a major shout out to Jordan who was dressed to impress because he was at the TY Ball over in the Nuremore Hotel with Nicole Steeples!
I then caught up with Niamh Gosling from Dublin Road who was with Niall Fergus from Cluan Enda who plays with the club and told me there were going to be medals given out during the night and he was hoping to get his hands on one.
Beside them was the Young Irelands ' best player', Barry Piper from Mullaharlin Road, and he was sitting with second best player, Kevin Keelan from St. Marys Road.
They were with another Blind Date contestant, Sean Laverty from Blackwater Court, whose 21st birthday I covered a couple of months ago.
They were with Chris Hoey from The Laurels who told me he had just started to play with the team and was having a laugh with the lads.
Finally, before we departed I met up with Ryan Whyte from Greenwood Drive who had the thankless job of doing the door but told me it was going to be an epic night for sure.
