The big day for the official opening of the Clubhouse, Pitches and Floodlights is Saturday 26th February.With many Juvenile matches going on throughout the day, including a visit from Cappaghwhite Minor hurlers, the big match between Dublin Senior Footballers and Monaghan will be the highlight of the evening with a 7.00 throw in. Heads of Government, Ministers and GAA Presidents will all be in attendance in what promises to be a wonderful day. Everyone welcome.
The floodlights went on and lightened up our Christmas and New Year here at the Club. On the 20th December at 6.45 we turned them on for the first time.

Gerry Kelly and Matt Bolton from the DDDA came down. So too did Jimmy Carolan from Dublin Port Company as well as local dignitaries to witness such a wonderful sight.

People upstairs looking down on the proceedings compared the pitch and the lights to a giant snooker table. And from that cued a phenomenal response to our facilities over the past month or so.

During that month, a lot has already happened. The Dublin senior hurling team played Westmeath and won comfortably. The Dublin Senior Football team played their final two trial matches amid a large attendance of autograph hunters.

All young members are now used to seeing Jayo, Ciaran Whelan, Paddy Christie and all the stars around the place. The kids barely say hello to them now!

On one of his nights off the legend went to see Planxty at the Point Depot. Sitting in front of him were five GAA All Stars in the name of Anthony Daly of Clare, Christy Heffernen of Kilkenny, Michael Duignan of Offaly, Bernard Flynn of Meath and Stephen O’Brien from Cork.

On spotting the legend in the seat behind them, they followed him after the show. And where else would the legend lead them only to Clanna Gael Fontenoy. A great night was had by all with patron Ann O’Connor falling head over heels for Christy Heffernen.

A big welcome to all the lads from Donnybrook Gaels who joined up with the Club on January 1st. We wish them an easy passage as they integrate themselves among all the lads. This integration will see the Club field three adult football teams for the first time ever.

We also welcome Stephen Foran from East Wall. In hurling we welcome back Denis Nagle and we wish him and his co-selectors Paddy Joyce and Joey Dalton– all the best for the season ahead.

The Juvenile presentation turned out to be a fantastic evening for all concerned. The clubhouse was packed to the rafters as Dublin Port Co. representative, Charlie Murphy made the presentations.

Afterwards, Charlie said that the whole front row of the Irish International Rugby team could not have put in a more testing hour as kids jumped up on his neck, bit his ankles, tore at his hair and pulled at his ears. A Disco was held in the hall downstairs and a great evening followed. A big thank you to all who helped out.

All Juveniles are back in action with the adult section commencing in a few weeks.
As we enter into the fray for yet another year we hope that the facilities now available at the club will make each member proud of the jersey they wear and the community they represent.

As always, the club caters for all types of parties from weddings, 21st’s, engagements, Christenings, office parties and any other function you may care to think about. Phone Shay anytime at 087-9011716.

Backchat:
* Paul Kennedy sacked his election agent after the recent A.G.M. Who he was still remains a mystery. After intense lobbying around the Club in the months leading up to the election, Paul was beaten into second place by a veteran, seasoned campaigner and Fianna Fail hack.

Asked for the reason for his sudden collapse of votes Paul explained that his shortage of ‘brown envelopes’ was a contributory factor. Methinks a bunch of sour grapes is his daily diet nowadays.
* Sad to hear of Brendan O’Brien’s bout of sleepwalking lately. Brendan can be seen walking in the early hours of the morning, pyjamas and all, through the streets of Ringsend repeating the same mantra over and over ‘Legend me ass– I am the true legend of the Club.”

* The Club’s Dating Agency is up and running. Formed to try and bring together the lads and lassies who play for the Club, it is simply delighted at its recent success story.

Martin Neville, on the shelf for many a year now, has teamed up with the belle of the Camogie team, Lynn Dunne. This pair can be seen in every nook and cranny in the locality holding hands and sharing great sporting moments together.

Martin’s mother Noeleen, when asked to comment about her son’s new scalp, said she was looking forward to having Lynn over for Sunday dinner in the near future where they could discuss the wedding dress over Black Forest Gateau.

* At the recent AGM, outgoing treasurer Jackie Hayesy Rae was asked to stand up as he could not be heard at the back. When Jackie stood up he couldn’t be seen because the chair was in the way. So he stood on the chair and continued his oration.

* Staying with the AGM, Paddy ‘The Field’ Joyce had an unusual motion in this year. The Field asked for the AGM to be held on Christmas Day from now on. Speaking on the motion Paddy explained that Clanns is the gaelic for family and seeing that Christmas day is a family day… Next motion please!

* The Moan of the Year award is upon once again. The usual suspects are in the running for the star prize but a few dark horses have entered the race in the last six months.

The duet of Albert Hannon and Des Markey are an unlikely pair but such are the moans from them that they are very much in the hunt. ‘Why are the lights not brighter for our team’ and ‘why is the grass not greener for our team’ they groan daily on top of a litany of complaints about lockers, nets, flags, footballs and hurlers. Backchat has installed them as clear favourites.

* Good to hear that Ciaran Murphy’s music career has taken off. He recently joined the new rock group ‘The Mood Swings’. Aptly named I say.

* We wish Jackie McDonald every success in her new role as PRO. Groomed for the job over the past while Jackie toured Australia for a year in preparation for this lofty position. Whilst there she teamed up with PR guru, Monica L. Does she think she’s getting paid I wonder?

* Recently re-elected Chairman, Mr Patsy Clyne… eh sorry Patsy Kane, has been warned by locals not to be turning on the floodlights in the middle of the night. Patsy has taken to sneaking out of bed at all hours and tippy-toeing over to the clubhouse just to have another gawk at them before morning comes. The price of diesel– I ask you.

* Congratulations to Conor Dodd on being the first Clansman to have his name entered into the Guinness book of records. Conor got his name in print for the most motions ever submitted to a meeting in the history of the earth. Conor’s sixty six million, four hundred and eighty six motions is ironically the same number as the number of bricks in the Great Wall of China.

Top: The Legend among legends. left to right: Stephen O’Brien (Cork), Anthony Daly (Clare),
Michael Duignan (Offaly), Bernard Flynn (Meath), Christy Heffernan (Kilkenny),
Loughlin Kelly (Offaly), Legend (Dublin).

Under the spotlights. Left to right: Gerry Kelly DDDA, Frances Corr, Matt Bolton DDDA, Jimmy Carolan, Dublin Port; Frank White, Development Committee; Pat kane, chairman; Shay Connolly, Development Committee.