St Mark’s GAA celebration night recognises volunteers

OVER 200 people gathered in the clubhouse of St Mark’s GAA Club in Springfield, Tallaght, last Wednesday, March 16, for a jubilant club celebration night.

The glittering event was held to recognise the hard work of club volunteers and players, and to remember members of the club who had passed away over the course of the pandemic.

A moving tribute was made to club stalwart Larry Murphy, who passed away in 2020, which resulted in a three-minute standing ovation from the club’s members.

The members of St Mark’s were also recognised on the night, including club PRO and Echo reporter Hayden Moore, who was voted Club Person of the Year.

The club celebration night also marked the return of the social aspect of St Mark’s, which had to be reduced as a result of the pandemic.

Gary Mahon, chairperson of St Mark’s GAA Club, told The Echo: “The club had been disjointed on the social side of things because of Covid, so I couldn’t have been happier with how the night went.

PRO of St Mark’s GAA and Echo reporter Hayden Moore, who was voted Club Person of the Year with club Chairman Gary Mahon

“It was important to us, after the pandemic, to have a night like that – commemorating the people we’d lost, and recognising the work of the volunteers.”

Another feature of the night was a celebration of it being 20 years since the club’s 2002 Intermediate Football Championship win.

The anniversary was marked by a reshowing of the winning match in front of the 2002 team, and a surprise video message from former Dublin footballer and manager of the team, Brian Stynes, who is now based in Australia.

Overall, Mr Mahon said it was a successful and celebratory night for the club, to such an extent that he’s now hoping to make it an annual event.

“Looking at how it went the other night, and listening to the response and feedback we’ve received, I’ll be making it an annual thing for as long as I’m chairperson,” he said.