Saval Gaels celebrated seventy years of their club at a function in November at the Canal Court Hotel, Newry.
The evening started with Bean an Tí Colleen Lennon welcoming special guests Ulster GAA Secretary Brian McAvoy; Down GAA Chairperson Sean Rooney; and Sean Magone Chairperson of Down Handball.
Based at Nan Sands Park, Saval GAC was founded in 1949. The club boasts impressive football, handball and social facilities, and holds a core position at the heart of its rural community.
Club Chairperson Gerard Quinn commenced the speeches emphasising the promising talent coming through the ranks and how much there is to look forward to in Saval GAC’s future, while the evening closed with Club President Ann Monaghan looking back on Saval’s humble beginnings through the 1950s and 1960s and sharing stories on how far the club has come over the decades.
Guests travelled far and wide to enjoy an evening of reminiscing, celebration and craic. Members past and present were acknowledged for their work in developing the club across Men and Ladies’ Football, Handball, Scór and the development of the facilities that Saval enjoys today.
The attendees were brought back to the early years of the club through stories, photographs and old video footage. Shown on the night were video stories from some current underage members making it clear that the future of Saval is in safe hands.
A spokesperson for the club added "The 70th Celebrations Committee of Edmond Lennon, Emma Westcott, Christopher McConville, Katrina Poland and Gerard McCarthy wish to thank Brendan Digney Photography, the Canal Court Hotel, Lift the Roof, DMC Events and Flip Events for a successful evening."
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