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Large Turnout at Dundrum AC Anniversary Celebrations
Last Saturday night in Dundrum House Hotel the local Dundrum Athletic Club celebrated its 50th anniversary in style where a large gathering of athletes and supporters spanning over 5 decades came together. Many were meeting for the first time in years old acquaints were renewed and stories told of old added to and subtracted from as the night went on. Club chairman John Moore welcomed the gathering and acted as MC for the night. John Kelly who was there from day one filled us in on the early years and where a meeting took place on10th October 1960 in Golden Vale Hotel Dundrum out of which the club was born. First officers elected that night were President Miah Murray (RIP), Chairman Liam O'Dwyer, Secretary John Kelly and Treasurer Mick Hickey. An hour long slide show prepared by Kevin Moore with photographs and news reports spanning the five decades and commented on by club Secretary Michael Moore was then shown. This was of great interest to the assembled gathering as days gone by came flooding back and memories jogged on many a battle over the decades. The slide also showed the different stages of the clubs 250 metre track, Long Jump Pit, Shot Putt plus accessories development. Michael also highlighted the clubs licensed use of Coillte forest at Marl Bog which is the spiritual home for training of all the seniors in the club. First guest speaker for the night was County Chairman Leslie Smyth who thanked the club for their great support of County teams over the years and complimented them on their facilities development and organising this great function. Next guest speaker was the association’s President Liam Hennessy who made the trip from Dublin for the occasion which was much appreciated by the club. Liam who competed in the amber and black in his early years expressed his delight at been invited and he said it was fantastic for him to get the opportunity to meet up with so many people he knew from the past. Liam also said that from what he could see from the slide show the club had got the balance right between Senior and Juvenile competition. He recounted on his years of competition in the area before moving to Dublin. Liam congratulated the club on a well organised event and wished them all the best for the future. Presentations were then made by Michael Moore to the founder members and a special presentation was made to Liam Hennessy. Club Chairman John Moore then closed out the formalities by thanking people who supplied information for the night, Dundrum House Hotel for hosting the event. John also thanked everybody for coming. He also acknowledged the input of athletes from all the surrounding parishes to the club over the years. He said the club always adopted the policy that the team was everything and individuals made up the team and this policy has greatly helped the club last the test of time. He then concluded that when most of us present had completed the greatest race of all the race of life the younger people present on the night in 25 or 50 years time will recount this night as part of the clubs history. The night was then completed by finger buffet followed by music.
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