Mungret College Golf, Dinner & A.G.M. Report 2005

The Annual outing and get to-gether was held recently in the splendid location of Craddockstown Golf Club , Naas. The day kicked off with the golf outing in which 30 past pupils and guests participated. The course was playing very difficult exactly like the Council Committe had set it up.

The competition was won for the first time by Kevin Garland with a fine score of 36 stableford points. He was closely followed in second place with the same score but beaten on the back nine by Niall Brennan. Niall’s long trip from Ballina was well rewarded and it was great to see him there. In third place with a score of 32 points was Niall Cronin.

The best gross went to that auld campaigner and former Connaught Golf Interpro Bill Thompson. The guest prize was won by Karl Becker with 36 points. He put his more illustrious father to shame. The prizes were presented by our outgoing President Fr. Joe Brennan who also gave a resounding and accomplished speech on this, his last function in his capacity as our President.

The golf was followed by the A.G.M. with Karl Roche in the chair in the absence of our President Joe Brennan who was delayed on the way. The Secretary Paul Kerrigan read the minutes of the last AGM in Limerick and these were adopted and signed. Paul then submitted his report and advised that our past President Paul Malone entered a team as part of his charity choice in the Papillion fund raising golf classic held in Adare. This very worthwhile charity was co- founded by Denis McNamara a past pupil who gave an outline of the charities work which helps kids in less advantaged areas in Limerick who are involved in alcohol and drugs. By all accounts this group do excellent work for the area. It is also pleasing that a number of past Mungret men are involved in this charity so it was an excellent choice of our Past President. We were informed that the event raised Eur 20K which was further supplemented by another Eur20k contribution from JP McManus. Well done to all involved. We were advised also that the Mungret represented team came second in the competition. It appears that our golf experiences are alot better than our rugby contributions during those days back in the Alma Mater.

The Secretary reported the following deaths: Ger Harnett,Paddy Meagher SJ, John Coffey, Phil Madden and Louis De Courcy. May they rest in peace.

A letter from Cecil Naughton our council member in the U.K. was read out covering their activities during the past year. It is pleasing to see that our U.K. counterparts are very active and to show their commitment to the Union they have forwarded over membership fees collected to add to the coffers. Cecil also forwarded some poetry by Jerry Nolan who was in Mungret in 1950 and it is proposed to scan this poetry on the Web at a later date.

Stewart Roche our hardened Treasurer ensures that the finances are well accounted for and reports a very solvent position going forward. He was congratulated by those present in keeping our losses down to eur1.5k at our very successful re-visit back to the school in 2004. This was an excellent result in the light of the success of the event.

The meeting was opened to the floor and the proposal to hold a dinner on the eve of the forthcoming All Blacks Rugby International in Nov was discussed. Vincent Becker reported that Lansdowne Rugby Club is available and everyone felt that this was an excellent venue. The council will now look to put plans in place. Watch this site for further updates. Maybe our brethren in the U.K. might join us for that one.

The nominations for Committee were discussed and our outgoing President Joe Brennan nominated Con Noonan our very supportive member from Newcastle West This was a very popular choice. In his at times, emotional acceptance speech, Con stated that he had waited a long time for the honour given that he left the college in 1944 when most of us present were not even born.It is good that the Presidency goes back down South.

The Secretary and Treasurer were re-elected and the very best to all our senior committee men. The council were also elected en bloc with Vincent Traynor added to balance the average age!!!

The meeting ended with no decision on the venue for next year, but likely to be in Limerick if our President has his way. The group then retired to enjoy a wonderful steak meal where over 40 past pupils and guests dined.

Finally, we would like to mention that both Fr.Senan Timoney and Fr. Michael Shiel were present as they have been for many years now. Their continued support along with Fr. Joe Brennan for the union is commendable and it is also important for us as they are our main link to the order.

Also they are held in high esteem by all past pupils and may their support continue for many more years to come. The day finished off in the pleasant surrounds of the bar and many stories were exchanged no doubt into the early hours.

Until November for our next event where we hope to see you all. Keep tuned to this site for further details and updates.

The Council.